In 2007, journalist Deborah Campbell goes undercover in Damascus to document the influx of Iraqi refugees after Saddam Hussein’s fall. Navigating a complex landscape of checkpoints and war scars, she relies on local guides to reach displaced communities.
Among them is Ahlam, a former kidnap survivor turned fixer. Alongside reporting duties, Ahlam helps run a makeshift school for displaced girls and becomes Campbell’s trusted ally and friend.
When Ahlam is abruptly seized from her home, Campbell embarks on a tense search through the city’s hidden networks. Her journey reveals the shadowy politics fueling the Syrian conflict and the personal risks faced by those who bear witness.
This award-winning narrative blends immersive frontline reporting with a moving story of friendship, courage, and resilience amid war.
- Reveals the challenges of reporting under threat
- Profiles the refugee experience and grassroots leadership
- Highlights the bond between two courageous women
- Winner of the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize