With the rise of a fascist regime in Europa, Roosmarijn and her girlfriend Zayneb are desperate to flee persecution. Their escape from Amsterdam fails as they get separated and Roosmarijn is determined to reunite eight-year-old Tim with his mother.

When Roosmarijn is captured by the authorities her old friend Erik comes to the rescue. As a little white lie spirals into a web of deception, Erik may not turn out to be the hero he appeared. As Roosmarijn uncovers the plans of the new regime, she comes up against a battle of time and deception, confronted with the difficult choice of staying truthful to herself and knowing she may never see Zayneb again.

When the Robins Left is a suspense-filled speculative fiction novel that deals with themes of responsibility, identity, and guilt.