The Manhattan Deception

by Simon Leighton-Porter

Strike a deal with the Devil or send one million men to their deaths? This is the choice facing Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill in March 1945. The Manhattan Project is behind schedule and will not produce the A-Bomb until 1947. Without it, the invasion of mainland Japan will become a bloody reality. Two German scientists, the only men whose knowledge can deliver the doomsday weapon, are in Berlin and about to fall into the hands of the advancing Soviet armies. In their desperation, the Allied leaders agree to pay a terrible price. Their Faustian pact returns from the ashes to haunt the career of present-day US Presidential candidate, Eric Pauli. Someone, maybe Pauli himself, knows the awful truth and is willing to kill in order to ensure it never sees the light of day.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Amazon

308 pages, Paperback

First published March 14, 2013

About the author

Simon grew up in Sussex. After graduating from Southampton University with a degree in economics, he spent sixteen years in the Royal Air Force and was the first RAF pilot to fly the Mirage 2000 on operations over Iraq while on exchange with the French Air Force. Leaving the Service with the rank of Squadron Leader, he worked in the City of London as a derivatives broker and in various technology roles before becoming a director of a financial software company. He has also provided consultancy and software development services to a small group of global financial institutions and is a regular speaker on the international conference circuit.

His passion for history, languages and archaeology have come together to create Flora Kemble, Oxford University palaeographer and heroine of his first novel, The Seven Stars, a thriller that weaves a tale of deception and murder stretching from ancient Rome to the present day. Three other titles are now in print - The Minerva System, Death to Bankers and The Manhattan Deception. A fifth book, Bomber Boys - A Ghost Story, will be published shortly.

Simon is a member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists and splits his time between work in Abu Dhabi and a far more relaxing time with his wife, Wendy - also a Mauve Square author - with their two cats at home in south-west France.

Some useful links:
The Seven Stars
The Minerva System
Death to Bankers
The Manhattan Deception

Reviews

[Scott Sammons · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written!

While somewhat heavy handed at times and the foreshadowing so transparent as to be jarring, the flow, and well crafted dialogues are worth the annoyance. On par with any of the big publishing house bestsellers. The plot twists are however so gentle and well telegraphed as to be minor bends in a rather straight road. Good not great, an entertaining day's diversion.

[Kevin Bowser · Rating 4 out of 5]

To say that this one was a little far fetched is an understatement. But that actually led to the enjoyment for me.

But what if???

I will admit that I didn't figure it out as quickly as I usually do. So score 1 for the author. The transatlantic settings were great and the characters, once it settled into who were still alive, were great.

[Natasha]

just awful - gave up on page 30 as it was clearly going nowhere

[Miffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was uber good, really enjoyed it! Can't believe that I got it for free too :D