Michael Russell
The City in Year Zero: The gripping WW2 historical thriller
Choose options
Nothing thrived here, but something grew...
Germany, 1945. Year Zero. The war is at an end. When Ireland's ambassador to the Third Reich finally leaves the war-torn country, Garda detective Stefan Gillespie makes his way home under the watchful eye of British Intelligence, who are searching for some of the Irish citizens Ireland doesn't want back. The usual dirty business. But suddenly Stefan is drawn into a murder inquiry.
Unexpectedly arriving in a town he knew in his youth, on visits to his German relatives, Stefan feels compelled to help his cousin Annaliese and her hostile daughter Krista. Maybe it's nostalgia for first love, or for a time of peace, or maybe he just wants to do something that feels clean. But the past is a dangerous place to return to...
A darkness still hangs over Germany, and Stefan Gillespie is walking right into it.
----------
Praise for Michael Russell:
'Complex but compelling . . . utterly vivid and convincing' - Independent on Sunday
'A superb, atmospheric thriller' - Irish Independent
'A thriller to keep you guessing and gasping' - Daily Mail
'Atmospheric' - Sunday Times
Author: Michael Russell
Publication Date: 12-02-2026
Format: Paperback / softback
Pages: 320
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Height (mm): 198
Width (mm): 124
Length (mm): 24
How long until I get my order?
Orders placed within the Republic of Ireland are normally processed, dispatched and delivered within 2 working days of placing your order.*
Orders placed to Northern Ireland and Great Britain are normally processed, dispatched and delivered within 2-5 working days of placing your order.
For time-lines on international deliveries, please refer to our Shipping & Delivery Page.
*Please note that during peak trade times this time-line may increase.
How much is delivery?
We offer FREE delivery on all orders over €10 within the Republic of Ireland.
Delivery is just €3.95 for under under €10
Delivery starts from just €9 for orders to Northern Ireland and Great Britain
For international rates, please refer to our Shipping & Delivery Page.
Do you provide tracking for my order?
We provide a Tracking Reference for all orders placed online as standard.
Once your order is dispatched, you will receive an email with a custom An Post link to track your delivery every step of the way.
Can I cancel/amend my order once it’s placed?
Once your order is placed we work as quickly as possible to dispatch your order to you so we cannot promise this is always possible.
However, if you’ve made a mistake on your order and you’d like to change it, please contact our online team at customercare@bookstation.ie and we will try to fix this for you before your order is dispatched.
Once an order is shipped and in transit, we can no longer offer any amendments to your order.
SHIPPING
FREE delivery on all orders over €10* ✅
Orders dispatched within 2 working days ✅
An Post Tracking provided on all orders ✅
Republic of Ireland
*FREE on all orders over €10
€3.95 for orders under €10
UK & Northern Ireland
Shipping from just €7
*Republic of Ireland only.
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
Europe - Shipping from just €9
USA - Shipping from just €17
Canada - Shipping from just €16
Australia - Shipping from just €31.50
New Zealand - Shipping from just €26
RETURNS
Judged a book by its cover?
Don’t worry - at Bookstation you can return your order for a full refund within 14 days of delivery providing:
The item is in re-saleable condition ✅
It’s within the 14 day Return Period ✅
You have a valid proof of purchase ✅

