The Second Assassin

Jane Todd WWII Thrillers #1

by Christopher Hyde

In 1939, as the world prepares for total war, a cadre of powerful and influential isolationist conspirators set out to keep America out of the approaching world conflict by assassinating the king and queen of England on American soil, thus destroying an alliance between Britain and the U.S. and insuring a Nazi victory. Original.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Historical Fiction

400 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published March 1, 2002

About the author

Christopher Hyde has worked as a researcher, editor, TV interviewer specialising in stories of technology, intelligence and the environment.
He also writes using the pseudonyms

A.J. Holt.
Paul Christopher.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent thriller which kept me completely engaged. It's set in 1939. Europe is on the brink of war with many Americans fearing they will be drawn into yet another war in Europe... An assassin is hired to kill the King and Queen of England while making their royal visit to America. Of course, we know the monarchs survive, so the interest is in how the assassin is stopped. What I liked best about the book is that Hyde did his research on the period. I really got the feeling for Thirties America, especially in New York City. After reading this book, I felt like going out to get a paper from a newsboy to read the latest on what evil doings Hitler is up to....and maybe go to the movie theater to see "The Wizard of Oz" or even catch a ballgame at Ebbets Field to watch the Dodgers, the Brooklyn Dodgers, that is.

[Bethany-Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reorganizing my bookshelves ... this showed up. I have no idea where it came from or where I got it. WWII? Sign me up ...

Edit to add:

It was good. Not what I was expecting, but good. Surprised me, anyway.

[Michael Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it historical fiction? Or slightly fictive history?
The author, Christopher Hyde, says it's the latter.
It's sadly plausible.
Corrupt and power-mad Democrats, including one particular Texas congressman who also figures controversially in a later assassination, and including other elected officials, and including business people and associates of business people who don't want a war, are seen to conspire to murder some national leaders and figure-heads.
Supposedly their prime purpose is to prevent the United States from going into the apparently inevitable European war.
The time is 1939, and the king and queen of England are preparing for a tour of Canada and the United States. Some people don't want them to meet with President Franklin Roosevelt.
Author Hyde names dozens of real-life people, and it becomes up to the reader to decide … hmmmm, can this be genuine history?
Hyde suggests we check out his historical references.
Believe me, this is a fascinating novel, needing, yes, better copy-editing, but needing even more to have lots of history-minded readers buy or even borrow it. And read it!

[Ramon Dearmas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book even this one is better compared to the day of the Jackel which is my best thriller ever! That being said it is a one hit wonder, I read another book by this author and was not impressed! So I stayed with Jack Higgins who is great as well.

The author got everything right on this one the politics of rival police forces adds another dimension to the mystery? The author makes them one real!

:< )

[Tomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoy the way Hyde mixes history and fiction. This one involves the visit by the English royals to Canada and the US as the world moved into WWII. What was real? What was imagination? Good book.

[Bill Freil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

Read the book. it's exciting. But do not skip the authors note. The author does a good job painting a picture

[Mary Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 but not worth rounding up

In 1939, King George V and his wife Mary tour Canada and the United States with the objective of strengthening US/British ties to make American help for Britain more likely in a war with Germany that was seeming more and more likely. This thriller recounts, in tedious detail, a plot by various US movers and shakers to assassinate the royal couple once they enter the US, toward the end of keeping the US out of the war, and the efforts by law enforcement from both sides of the Atlantic to unravel and thwart it.

I began to think that the author was paid by the word as the details piled on - endless descriptions of the layout of the 1939 World's Fair in New York City, of what the assassin had for lunch one day while scoping out said World's Fair grounds, of the route taken by a royal factotum within Windsor Castle to deliver mail to George V, and always, the routes various characters take, road by immaterial road, whether in Havana, Dublin, D.C., to get from Point A to Point B. I did not find the details adding up to much of anything but pages; they didn't create a mood, or help me picture the scene.

I also wasn't crazy about the characters. Jane Todd, tough girl reporter and absolute Mary Sue, was all cliché all the time. The Royal Couple were royally unpleasant. The only person who didn't have a nasty edge to him - an Irishman turned Scotland Yard detective - seemed clueless much of the time, making his ultimate role in the plot a bit improbable. And the whole book was written with a world-weary, cynical tone that grated on my nerves.

And if you know anything about WWII or the British royal family, from any of the many, many depictions of George in film or TV in the last 20 years, then you already know how this ends; so, not much suspense.

All in all, this book reminded me of why I choose mysteries over thrillers!

[TJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed some of Christopher Hyde's other books so I thought I'd give book one of the Jane Todd series a try. The book started out in an intriguing way and then kept the interest level going throughout the almost 400 pages. Jane Todd, Dan Hennessy, and Thomas Black are solid, likable characters.

Author Hyde does a wonderful job spinning a story that is firmly backed by accurate historical events and recognizable celebrities and authentic characters.

Set in 1939, the plot revolves around a plan to assassinate the King and Queen of England on American soil in order to drive a wedge between the two countries that would significantly lessen the chance that United States would enter the almost-certain war in Europe.

I enjoyed the accuracy of the story and addition of real historical players. My only criticisms stem from the unbelievable spunkiness of Hyde's heroine and a couple of plot implausibilities. Neither detract from the enjoyment derived from the experience.

Overall, this is a very solid, engaging read that will keep most mystery fans enthralled and wondering what comes next.

[Pete · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid start to the trilogy with an intriguing story and well crafted characters. Fans of historical fiction will not be disappointed with this novel which includes some interesting if obscure background details...ie Frankie Slick.

[Michael H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Christopher Hyde and his historical fiction. This story keeps you on the edge of your seat and makes you read later into the night that you should. Hey, it's world war 2. It's spys. It's awesome!

[Greg D · Rating 1 out of 5]

After trudging through the first few chapters I sensed this was going to be a slow-moving and sluggish read. Couldn't get into this one.

[Ronald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on real people, there's a plot to kill the King and Queen of England on U.S. territory, thus straining relations. The IRA is behind it. If Hitler takes over, they don't care.

[Brian Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Christopher Hyde book. Enjoyed it a lot. Great begins to a series. I have to start the next one.

[Lou Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book. It was very well researched.

[Heather Singh · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried. But I could not get into this book. I gave it 100 pages. I think there were too many characters to keep track of and it kept jumping to too many places for my liking.

[Courtney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed - I am a major WWII buff. It is my favorite time period. As usual, I was excited to read another novel about my favorite era. 'The Second Assassin' was my second Christopher Hyde book. I was hoping to like this one, but it left me feeling disappointed again.

I kept hoping for the excitement to build. However, it never really got to the point where I could not put the book down.

Hyde does a fantastic job with research and attention to detail, but the plot moved too slow for me. Not sure if I will read any more Hyde novels.

[james · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an historical novel with plenty of real characters, including King George VI and his wife Elizabeth. They are the parents of the current Queen. An assassin has been hired by a mysterious group of Americans to kill King George and Elizabeth during a tour of the US in the Spring of 1939, so that there would be a giant rift between America and Great Britain, which would enable Hitler to win what was sure to become a world war in the near future.

[Thorton · Rating 1 out of 5]

The continuing lies about Victor Ridder being a Nazi is once again brought up in this book. German Americans like Japanese and Italian Americans dealt with suspicion, hated and were scapegoats during WW2. The Ridder family who owned a German language newspaper had to deal with the lies and accusations during WW1 and WW2.

[Chuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is allegedly based on fact regarding a plot to assassinate the King and Queen of England on a trip to Canada and the U.S. of A. prior to WWII in order to assure that the U.S. will not enter the war.

[Jak · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've enjoyed plenty of Hydes work over the years but this was just bog stadard and not very good.

[Craig]

Did not finish. 1/2 done, nobody died?

[Conan Robison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, with historical background. Like this author so far.