Five Past Midnight

by James Stewart Thayer

In the style of Frederick Forsyth's Day of the Jackal, a historical thriller follows Captain Jack Cray to Berlin in 1945, with SS leader Heinrich Himmler on his heels, to carry out a daunting mission. Reprint.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Military Fiction, Historical, Historical Fiction

416 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 1997

About the author

James Thayer is the son of a wheat farmer, and he was raised in Spokane and the farm country in eastern Washington. He graduated from Washington State University and the University of Chicago Law School, and now teaches novel writing at the University of Washington extension school where in 2015 he received the Excellence in Teaching Award in the Arts, Writing and Humanities. The New York Times Book Review says his "writing is smooth and clear. Deceptively simple, it wastes no words, and it has a rhythm that only confident stylists achieve.” His The Essential Guide to Writing a Novel is a leading manual for fiction writers. Thayer is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and the International Thriller Writers. He and his family live in Seattle.

Reviews

[19whijus · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Five Minutes Past Midnight” is a book written by author James Thayer, who is also author to the famous “White Star” book. Before a book about a Vietnam Sniper, now a book about an American Commando named Jack Cray, James expertly follows the adventures of Jack Cray, as well as adding short stories of other characters that Jack Cray comes across from their point of view. He writes each extra character as if the entire story were about that one person, of if he’s been studying this person his entire life.
One reason why I would recommend this book, is that it actually could have happened for all we know. The only true fictional part of the story is maybe the characters, plus end event, which, as stated in the book, would have been portrayed as something completely different. This book captures the reality that could have happened. The Second reason why I would recommend this book is because is stick close to the historical accuracy which is admired by History buffs alike, especially if they are interested in the European theatre of World War Two. The third reason why I would recommend this book is because it appropriately captures the drama and action that occurs in this book in an amazing way that can only be described by reading the book itself.
So, all in all, this is one book that I found particularly exciting, attention grabbing, and overall a great book for almost any reader that can pick up a book.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book when it first came out over 20 years ago. Still a great WWII thriller set in Germany. Some graphic violence.

[⚔️Kelanth⚔️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cinque minuti dopo la mezzanotte, in originale "Five past midnight", è un romanzo di spionaggio/guerra di James Thayer del 1997.

La trama del romanzo: siamo negli ultimi giorni della seconda guerra mondiale nel 1945 e sembra che il conflitto non abbia fine. Berlino è una città distrutta, martoriata dai bombardamenti e Roosevelt affida una missione al capitano dell'esercito USA Jack Cray, prigioniero di guerra in Germania nel castello di Colditz dal quale deve prima fuggire: uccidere il Fuhrer. A contrastarlo il Terzo Reich mette Otto Dietrich, un ex ispettore della polizia berlinese condannato a morte dalla Gestapo per tradimento: avrà salva la vita se riuscirà a fermare l'americano.

L'autore scrive bene e i continui colpi di scena mantengono sempre veloce la lettura, la trama scorre e i fatti romanzati sono davvero interessanti. I suoi personaggi sono credibili, e le descrizioni della Berlino devastata dalla guerra e la vita dei prigionieri sono resi in maniera perfetta e affascinante. Si vede che Thayer ha perso tempo per le ricerche sull'ambientazione del romanzo.

[Roger Scherping · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is easily one of the top 10 books I've ever read. Thayer writes so clearly and effortlessly, and his plot twists keep things interesting. His characters are believable, and I found his incredibly detailed insights into life as a German POW and life and the devastation in Berlin during the war fascinating. He demonstrates an incredible level of research on Germany.

My favorite parts of the book were a couple of insignificant chapters. The chapter with the farm widow and the apple strudel was one of the most charming things I've ever read. Thayer paints such an interesting exchange between the two of them -- two people, enemies by fate, who thoroughly respect each other. And the chapter where Cray stole the two German soldiers' rocket launchers -- an episode that could have been replaced by just one sentence in the next chapter -- was hilarious and reminiscent of Laurel and Hardy.

Thayer is my new favorite author.

[Jennifer Morefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this WWII story. Very intense at times. A reminder of how brutal the Gestapo was. I literally flinched when I read the part about the woman who was German royalty who resisted against Hitler. It was absolutely horrifying. Overall, an amazing story that took place at the end of WWII just before the Germans surrendered. My only critique was that it was a bit long. I was guessing the whole time because there were twists and turns everywhere. A good read.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must be close to 20 years since I read this but I remember how much i enjoyed it, ive recently been rereading some old favourites and found myself surprised by details I'd forgotten in books i thought I knew inside out, I have immaculate first editions of five past midnight and white star so I think its time to bring out the cotton gloves

[Jonathan Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well-written thriller about a plot to assassinate Hitler toward the end of WWII. Thayer's portrayal of Germany was very good. The plot twists were mostly surprising, though I was able to guess the ending correctly half-way through. There is language sprinkled throughout.

[Marc T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not recommended.

While the details of bombed out Berlin during 1945 are interesting and very specific and a few other unique descriptions like the interior of a Panzer III are worthwhile, the plot, dialogue and story did not interest me. I simply wasn't invested.

[ChrisGA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great suspense thriller about attempt to assassinate Hitler toward near the end of the war. Lots of twists, turns and surprises

[Katharine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting theory about Hitler, the SS and the Americans who helped. Enjoyed this story.....

[Darren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost a four

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

My main reason for really liking this book, was the sense of place. Thayer's description's of Berlin in 1945, really showed the destruction that took place. The despair, frightened and starving Berliner's, because of that lunatic Hitler.
Dirk Pitt, could be the reincarnation of Captain Jack Cray, the American Army commando picked to assassinate Hitler. This is as believable as it is suspenseful, and being my first novel by James Thayer, I will be on the look out for one of his other's.

[Monica Akinyi Odhiambo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was lovely ...The way James portrayed Adolf Hitler as this approachable yet fearful guy who hides in a bunker waiting for the war to end because he knows one macho man called Jack Cray is out to get him.Its interesting how that plot to assassinate Adolf worked so well.I kept reading this book and thinking this would make a good action thriller, even if its set in the Nazi era.Looking forward to reading many more of his books

[Pearl · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting fictitious take on Hitler's last days in the bunker with a spin on how it would be changed when the Russians finally invaded, with, of course, an American hero.

For those who love adventure, espionage and twists on history, this is a great story. This was unfortunately the Reader's Digest condensed version, but a good story - nice development of the characters as it went along.

[james · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book takes place in Berlin, April 1945, during the last death throes of Nazi Germany. An American agent is sent there to assasinate Adolph Hitler. The background is better than the story, but it's still a good read.

[Chuck · Rating 3 out of 5]

In early 1945 an American OSS agent is tasked with assassinating
Adolph Hitler. Good story for those who like their heroes wearing a skin tight blue suit with a big "S" on the chest.

[Gary Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the best stories i've ever read.made me proud of that era of america.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of action, a little long but would make a GREAT movie.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thriller - Capt. Jack Cray, an American commando, is assisted in an escape from a German prison camp and sent on a mission to assassinate Hitler.

[Don E. Bush, Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice read!

An interesting take on a story most have read about before. The end of the war in Europe, Hitler in the bunker and a different twist that just could have happened.