A Coat Dyed Black
A Novel of the Norwegian Resistance
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Finalist, 2023 Pacific Northwest Writers Association’s Nancy Pearl Book Award
A Kirkus Reviews’ Best 100 Books of 2022
2021 PNWA Literary Contest Finalist in Historical Fiction
Bjørn Erliksen lives a peaceful life on Norway’s west coast and has never considered himself anything but a farmer. But when Nazi Germany invades, and his country’s ill-equipped military collapses in less than two months, it falls on him and other ordinary Norwegians to fight back.
He escapes to England, trains with an elite Norwegian special forces army unit, and is smuggled back into his homeland as a commando. When Bjørn’s resistance work eventually reunites him with a lost love, they join forces to carry out dangerous sabotage missions, all the while working in the shadows to evade the Gestapo. He weighs love against duty, wrestling with his own conscience as he is forced to commit unspeakable acts and unexpected betrayals. Can Bjørn survive long enough to see Norway’s liberation and find his own peace?
Filled with thrilling historical details about a corner of Europe often forgotten in the story of WWII, A Coat Dyed Black illuminates the struggles and sacrifices of ordinary people compelled to do the extraordinary.
What People Are Saying
“A heart-wrenching and poignant story of bravery. An impressive debut; I loved it.” —Robert Dugoni, New York Times bestselling author of The World Played Chess and the Tracy Crosswhite series
“The mark of a good writer of historical fiction is serious attention to authenticity and details in the story's background against which the characters and plot take place. With the publication of A Coat Dyed Black, the narrative storytelling skills of Don Pugnetti Jr. as a novelist are clearly demonstrated -- giving the reader inherently fascinating entertainment.” —Midwest Book Review
“An exciting, high-stakes story skillfully told. —Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
“Every now and then we’re lucky enough to stumble across a new writer who has written an extraordinary book that leaves us wowed. Discovering the debut novel of Don Pugnetti Jr. was such an experience for me. A Coat Dyed Black uses the backdrop of Nazi Germany’s World War Two invasion and occupation of Norway to spin a tale of everyday people rising up to do extraordinary things in the face of the human barbarism that is unleashed by war. The author portrays a compelling cast of characters with a warmth and compassion that obliges us to care deeply about their fate. Readers discover a relatively unexplored corner of the war that resonates in light of current events, and we’re entertained while we learn—no easy feat. A Coat Dyed Black will stay in your mind long after you close the final page.” —Neil Turner, Canadian author of the popular suspense/thriller Tony Valenti series.
“Through the lens of a reticent young farmer turned resistor, Don Pugnetti Jr. paints a vivid portrait of honor, duty, heartbreak, and survival during Nazi Germany’s oppressive WWII occupation of Norway. Meticulously researched—a brilliant debut novel.” —DL Fowler, award-winning author of The Turn—a bond that shaped history and the biographical novel Lincoln Raw
“A powerful story. A Coat Dyed Black is a tremendous tribute that doesn’t just tug at the heart—it echoes through the soul. What a sensitive and harrowing view of human nature fighting against the odds in a man-made disaster.” (read the full review) —Wendy Kendall, mystery and romantic suspense author whose latest book is Cherry Shakes in the Park
“A well-told story of intrigue and bravery and commitment to country under terrible circumstances. Extremely well researched and based on true life events.” —Rick Allen, author of Inside Pitch, an inside story of the short-lived reign of major league baseball’s Seattle Pilots.