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Gregory Sallust #3
Faked Passports
Heron 1972 edition hardcover, vg , red leather type boards as issued In stock shipped from our UK warehouse
Paperback
First published June 1, 1940
4 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Dennis Wheatley
381 books248 followersDennis Yates Wheatley (8 January 1897 – 10 November 1977) [Born: Dennis Yeats Wheatley] was an English author. His prolific output of stylish thrillers and occult novels made him one of the world's best-selling authors in the 1950s and 1960s.
His first book, Three Inquisitive People, was not immediately published; but his first published novel, The Forbidden Territory, was an immediate success when published in 1933, being reprinted seven times in seven weeks.
He wrote adventure stories, with many books in a series of linked works. His plots covered the French Revolution (Roger Brook Series), Satanism (Duc de Richleau), World War II (Gregory Sallust) and espionage (Julian Day).
In the thirties, he conceived a series of whodunit mysteries, presented as case files, with testimonies, letters, pieces of evidence such as hairs or pills. The reader had to go through the evidence to solve the mystery before unsealing the last pages of the file, which gave the answer. Four of these 'Crime Dossiers' were published: Murder Off Miami, Who Killed Robert Prentice, The Malinsay Massacre, and Herewith The Clues.
In the 1960s his publishers were selling a million copies of his books per year. A small number of his books were made into films by Hammer, of which the best known is The Devil Rides Out (book 1934, film 1968). His writing is very descriptive and in many works he manages to introduce his characters into real events while meeting real people. For example, in the Roger Brook series the main character involves himself with Napoleon, and Joséphine whilst being a spy for the Prime Minister William Pitt. Similarly, in the Gregory Sallust series, Sallust shares an evening meal with Hermann Göring.
He also wrote non-fiction works, including accounts of the Russian Revolution and King Charles II, and his autobiography. He was considered an authority on the supernatural, satanism, the practice of exorcism, and black magic, to all of which he was hostile. During his study of the paranormal, though, he joined the Ghost Club.
From 1974 through 1977 he edited a series of 45 paperback reprints for the British publisher Sphere under the heading "The Dennis Wheatley Library of the Occult", selecting the titles and writing short introductions for each book. This series included both occult-themed novels by the likes of Bram Stoker and Aleister Crowley and non-fiction works on magic, occultism, and divination by authors such as the Theosophist H. P. Blavatsky, the historian Maurice Magre, the magician Isaac Bonewits, and the palm-reader Cheiro.
Two weeks before his death in November 1977, Wheatley received conditional absolution from his old friend Cyril ‘Bobby’ Eastaugh, the Bishop of Peterborough.
His estate library was sold in a catalogue sale by Basil Blackwell's in the 1970s, indicating a thoroughly well-read individual with wide-ranging interests particularly in historical fiction and Europe. His influence has declined, partly due to difficulties in reprinting his works owing to copyright problems.
Fifty-two of Wheatley's novels were published posthumously in a set by Heron Books UK. More recently, in April 2008 Dennis Wheatley's literary estate was acquired by media company Chorion.
He invented a number of board games including Invasion.
-Wikipedia
His first book, Three Inquisitive People, was not immediately published; but his first published novel, The Forbidden Territory, was an immediate success when published in 1933, being reprinted seven times in seven weeks.
He wrote adventure stories, with many books in a series of linked works. His plots covered the French Revolution (Roger Brook Series), Satanism (Duc de Richleau), World War II (Gregory Sallust) and espionage (Julian Day).
In the thirties, he conceived a series of whodunit mysteries, presented as case files, with testimonies, letters, pieces of evidence such as hairs or pills. The reader had to go through the evidence to solve the mystery before unsealing the last pages of the file, which gave the answer. Four of these 'Crime Dossiers' were published: Murder Off Miami, Who Killed Robert Prentice, The Malinsay Massacre, and Herewith The Clues.
In the 1960s his publishers were selling a million copies of his books per year. A small number of his books were made into films by Hammer, of which the best known is The Devil Rides Out (book 1934, film 1968). His writing is very descriptive and in many works he manages to introduce his characters into real events while meeting real people. For example, in the Roger Brook series the main character involves himself with Napoleon, and Joséphine whilst being a spy for the Prime Minister William Pitt. Similarly, in the Gregory Sallust series, Sallust shares an evening meal with Hermann Göring.
He also wrote non-fiction works, including accounts of the Russian Revolution and King Charles II, and his autobiography. He was considered an authority on the supernatural, satanism, the practice of exorcism, and black magic, to all of which he was hostile. During his study of the paranormal, though, he joined the Ghost Club.
From 1974 through 1977 he edited a series of 45 paperback reprints for the British publisher Sphere under the heading "The Dennis Wheatley Library of the Occult", selecting the titles and writing short introductions for each book. This series included both occult-themed novels by the likes of Bram Stoker and Aleister Crowley and non-fiction works on magic, occultism, and divination by authors such as the Theosophist H. P. Blavatsky, the historian Maurice Magre, the magician Isaac Bonewits, and the palm-reader Cheiro.
Two weeks before his death in November 1977, Wheatley received conditional absolution from his old friend Cyril ‘Bobby’ Eastaugh, the Bishop of Peterborough.
His estate library was sold in a catalogue sale by Basil Blackwell's in the 1970s, indicating a thoroughly well-read individual with wide-ranging interests particularly in historical fiction and Europe. His influence has declined, partly due to difficulties in reprinting his works owing to copyright problems.
Fifty-two of Wheatley's novels were published posthumously in a set by Heron Books UK. More recently, in April 2008 Dennis Wheatley's literary estate was acquired by media company Chorion.
He invented a number of board games including Invasion.
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 17, 2016
One of Wheatley's ripping-est yarns. Germany to Finland, courtesy of Herman Goering, then into Soviet Russia, one step ahead of the most vicious Nazi of them all. Great stuff!
February 6, 2025
Given he wrote this in 1940, when we were very much at war with Germany and when most people drew little or no distinction between Nazis and other Germans, Dennis Wheatley shows a great deal of sympathy for the plight of non-Nazi Germans in this Gregory Sallust novel.
Faked Passports is a mostly fast moving thriller (but see the next paragraph), initially set in Germany in the very early stages of the second world war, with Gregory Sallust a British secret agent who was sent to assist the failed attempt by non-Nazi Germans to assassinate Hitler, and moving on to Finland as it is attacked by Russia.
The novel is a little marred by Dennis Wheatley trying to show his inside and superior political and historical knowledge, gained particularly as a member of the secret but very powerful "London Controlling Section" which coordinated Allied strategic military deception during the second world war. He does this in several places. First a long conversation between Gregory Sallust and Herman Goering on the political background of the early war years. Right next to this long political conversation with Goering is another between Sallust and his companion on "the Red menace". Then we later have historical discussions in an attempt to counter Sallust's amnesia from a gunshot wound. The history is interesting, as is the rather different view we are given of Goering, but it is too long and interrupts the otherwise fast pace of this thriller. The novel would have been better if both these conversations had either been omitted entirely or at least shortened.
Despite the above, and even taking into account the rather dated feel of this novel, it is still enjoyable and well worth reading if you enjoy thrillers set in the second world war.
Faked Passports is a mostly fast moving thriller (but see the next paragraph), initially set in Germany in the very early stages of the second world war, with Gregory Sallust a British secret agent who was sent to assist the failed attempt by non-Nazi Germans to assassinate Hitler, and moving on to Finland as it is attacked by Russia.
The novel is a little marred by Dennis Wheatley trying to show his inside and superior political and historical knowledge, gained particularly as a member of the secret but very powerful "London Controlling Section" which coordinated Allied strategic military deception during the second world war. He does this in several places. First a long conversation between Gregory Sallust and Herman Goering on the political background of the early war years. Right next to this long political conversation with Goering is another between Sallust and his companion on "the Red menace". Then we later have historical discussions in an attempt to counter Sallust's amnesia from a gunshot wound. The history is interesting, as is the rather different view we are given of Goering, but it is too long and interrupts the otherwise fast pace of this thriller. The novel would have been better if both these conversations had either been omitted entirely or at least shortened.
Despite the above, and even taking into account the rather dated feel of this novel, it is still enjoyable and well worth reading if you enjoy thrillers set in the second world war.
May 24, 2020
British secret agent Gregory Sallust is on the run after being shot down in Nazi Germany. His journey to save the woman he loves takes him to Finland and Russia in the midst of some of the worst battles in the early days of World War II. The action sequences are exciting, but Wheatley tends to get bogged down with detailed discussions of strategy and policy. He has written better, but it's still Wheatley and still fun.
December 24, 2022
way too trite
Even for the times it was written, it is is simplistic and naive, it would have been a shame to mimic this hero for the James Bond. Way too much superficial history thrown in as padding instead of a well thought out plot.
Even for the times it was written, it is is simplistic and naive, it would have been a shame to mimic this hero for the James Bond. Way too much superficial history thrown in as padding instead of a well thought out plot.
April 19, 2025
3.5 stars. Recovered well after a poor start. Sallust’s desperation to rescue Erica von Epp following his involvement in the failed 1939 Wehrmacht putsch against Hitler and the Gestapo causes him to behave extremely irrationally and attempt to hijack or crash the plane that is flying him to safety. Idiot! There follows a series of rather preposterous incidents which are nevertheless extremely exciting as Sallust and his pilot, Freddie Charlton, are tracked by German soldiers. Some of the dialogue is a bit stilted as if the besieged protagonists are communicating by text,
“Don’t fire any more for the present or you’ll disclose our new position.”
Also Sallust has a talent for mansplaining that resembles an entry in a 1940s encyclopaedia for children,
“You’re right about the Finns having much in common with the Scots, too. They’re thrifty, hard working people with a passion for education and the same sort of dogged courage which has made the Scots such splendid pioneers all over the world.” (Wait till his descriptions of the Germans in book 5!)
Amazingly, Sallust manages to procure an interview with Hermann Goering, initially posing as Baron von Luz but then admitting he’s a British agent. Goering is entertained and likes the cut of his jib. There follows some interesting discussion of the current war situation and speculation about future events.
Sallust somehow ends up in Helsinki just as the Russians decide to invade Finland and has to resort to desperate measures to survive an interminable winter.
“Don’t fire any more for the present or you’ll disclose our new position.”
Also Sallust has a talent for mansplaining that resembles an entry in a 1940s encyclopaedia for children,
“You’re right about the Finns having much in common with the Scots, too. They’re thrifty, hard working people with a passion for education and the same sort of dogged courage which has made the Scots such splendid pioneers all over the world.” (Wait till his descriptions of the Germans in book 5!)
Amazingly, Sallust manages to procure an interview with Hermann Goering, initially posing as Baron von Luz but then admitting he’s a British agent. Goering is entertained and likes the cut of his jib. There follows some interesting discussion of the current war situation and speculation about future events.
Sallust somehow ends up in Helsinki just as the Russians decide to invade Finland and has to resort to desperate measures to survive an interminable winter.
Read
January 9, 2015One of many books from this book club and this author. Not sure when I finished this, but guessing 1974
June 22, 2011
utter rubbish
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews