What if the Nazis had had a secret weapon that could’ve foretold the outcomes of battles?

In THE WITNESSES, they did. And his name was Franz Haus. Now, Franz isn’t infallible or absolutely perfect in his predictions. But fairly often, he gets a little sense of the next thing that’s about to happen --- which direction the generals shouldn’t go, tactical decisions that could frustrate the Allied forces, the hiding places of French partisans that the German army is tracking down. His superior officer highly values his input and plans to keep him around and close by. In fact, Franz even read some Old Testament scriptures about a prophet one day in a chapel that seemed to describe his own abilities perfectly. Devoted to the Germany of the Iron Cross awarded to his grandfather in the Franco-Prussian War, Franz is honored to use this ability to serve his country.

That is, until one day, when his desire to use his talents to help Germany’s war efforts fades away. And Franz is faced with a potentially devastating and life-altering decision.

"Once again, Robert Whitlow’s impeccable writing combines well-drawn characters, the practice of law and supernatural occurrences to provide a fascinating story."

Two generations later, the war is over. Time and people have moved on. And this unusual talent has passed down through the family line of Franz Haus, known today as Frank House. Frank has cut off all contact with his country of birth and done what he can to put the terrible memories of war behind him. He has settled in the United States, in North Carolina, where he raised a family and built a commercial fishing business. Now he lives a quiet retired life, fishing with his friend Lenny and visiting occasionally with his grandson, Parker. After Parker’s parents were killed by a drunk driver, Parker spent his senior year of high school living with his grandfather. Their relationship is close and devoted, yet there are many secrets --- about the events of the war and the visions he has seen --- that Frank has never shared with his grandson.

Parker has inherited his grandfather’s ability to see flashes of the future, though to him they’re simply intuition or strong feelings that help him make better decisions. He has no idea of the role Frank played for the Germans during World War II. These flashes of inspiration, however, are becoming particularly useful in Parker’s work as an attorney for a small law firm. He has an idea here (to select a particular juror who will be of help to his firm’s case) or an idea there (about his fantasy football league), but he doesn’t always act on them. Also, Parker is still just an associate attorney, so his input is more valued for the behind-the-scenes work and research he’s assigned than for any courtroom work to which he might aspire. 

However, Frank’s dangerous past and Parker’s work, and relationships, are about to collide. A German compatriot who served alongside Frank in the German army has somehow tracked him down. One of Frank’s last visions resulted in a directive word to this young soldier, who has sought out the Franz who’s now living in America, in a completely different sort of life. The family ability is about to drive the House men down a path fraught with danger that there’s no way they could have foretold --- or avoided.

Once again, Robert Whitlow’s impeccable writing combines well-drawn characters, the practice of law and supernatural occurrences to provide a fascinating story. His legal thrillers remain my favorite over and above all similar books in this genre; it’s amazing fiction that’s impossible to predict…or for the reader to put down. What will happen to Parker and Frank, and their unusual family trait? Pick up a copy of THE WITNESSES so you can find out for yourself!