Headwind

The World War II Adventures of MI6 Agent Katrin Nissen #2

by Karen K. Brees

"With spies, murder, secret documents, and family love, this is a first-rate historical adventure novel. Highly recommended." - Historical Novel Society MI6 Agent Katrin Nissen is Winston Churchill's last hope to convince his government to let him mine the coast of Norway to prevent Hitler from reaching the iron ore reserves that will fuel the Nazi war machine. The proof Churchill needs is to be found in a beef processing plant in the coastal town of Kolding, Denmark. The strategy is simple. As the army gears up for the invasion, food supplies will move with them, and Churchill will be able to chart their path to the coast as they prepare to invade Norway. Katrin is dispatched to Kolding to track these supply shipments, but the mission turns deadly when she encounters an SS officer on a mission of his own. As Katrin flees, her escape route leads back to her home in Sankt Peder where the notorious double agent Ronin has allied himself with the Nazis. As the townspeople organize to resist the imminent occupation, and with time running short, Katrin must enlist the help of her family and the fledgling Danish Resistance to complete her assignment.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Denmark

367 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2023

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's refreshing to have a female spy who isn't a twenty-something siren but rather is closer to forty, happily married, smart, and extremely funny. Katrin is a Danish-American OSS agent who is working with the British because America has not yet entered the war. Her husband, John, is also an agent though they rarely seem to work together.

In this book, Katrin is sent to Denmark to await the Nazi invasion and visit her twin sister's family in the fishing village of Sankt Peder. The story gives us great insight into the Danish Resistance through these village residents. I loved how the women used the fact that no one (men) ever paid any attention to them as their secret weapon to organize against the Nazis. Everyone, old & young, came together to fight back. As an older man said, "Our age can be used to our advantage. The old are often overlooked. Old, however, does not mean powerless." To their credit, the Danes didn't wait to be invaded before they made plans to resist.

This is set in March 1940 and includes many historical references to important people and events. Amid such a crucial and often disheartening period, I relished Katrin's dry wit to provide a touch of comic relief when I needed it most. Although this is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. I sincerely hope there is going to be another book soon!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for the digital ARC. All opinions and the review are my own.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Headwind" seamlessly weaves together an intricate tapestry of espionage, family bonds, and the relentless pursuit of a critical mission against the backdrop of World War II. With elements of spies, murder, secret documents, and unwavering family love, this novel truly delivers a first-rate reading experience.

What truly stands out in this novel is the author's meticulous research and dedication to historical accuracy. The transitions between various storylines and locations are executed flawlessly, ensuring that readers are never left feeling lost. Katrin Nissen emerges as a remarkable protagonist, a strong and engaging character whose determination, intelligence, and wit shine throughout the narrative.

One of the novel's most significant strengths is its ability to provide readers with a fresh perspective on WWII. It serves as a window into the Danish experience during the war, shedding light on how the fear of invasion loomed over many countries surrounding Germany. This unique viewpoint adds depth and richness to the story, making it both enlightening and emotionally resonant.

This historical adventure novel is a true gem. With its engaging storytelling, well-crafted characters, and the fresh perspective it brings to WWII history, it's a must-read for anyone seeking a gripping tale of espionage and courage during a tumultuous era. Highly recommended for its ability to transport readers to a different time and place while keeping them hooked from start to finish.

[Diane Nagatomo · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Headwind: The WWII Adventures of M16 Agent Katrin Nissen” by Karen Brees is the perfect book for someone who loves mystery, intrigue, and suspense, but not too crazy about graphic violence. As a historical novel which takes place in 1940, I was drawn right into the world of the WWII Danish resistance in a small town, espionage, and the ordinary daily lives of the citizens.
Danish-American OSS Agent Katrin Nissen is sent to Denmark to work as a telephone operator (but really to gather information on when Hitler plans to move his troops through the country) and to visit her twin sister who lives nearby. She is an excellent spy, but she has the tendency to complicate the situation by getting involved. This is no in-and-out job for her because there is so much more at stake than meets the eye.

This is the second book in a series, but it isn’t necessary to read the first book to thoroughly enjoy this one. Many thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. My opinion is my own.

[Patti Liszkay · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s spring of 1940, and Adolf Hitler’s strategists are planning an invasion of Denmark, whose capture is seen as the key to occupying neighboring Norway with its vast supplies of iron ore.
But thanks to the intrepid work of allied intelligence, the Nazi Wehrmacht’s designs on Denmark and Norway are not as secret as Hitler would wish; for both British Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill and American President Franklin Roosevelt take the Nazi invasion of Denmark as a given. The only unknown is when the invasion will happen.
Against this historical backdrop is set the novel “Headwind,” the latest dynamite episode in the series by Karen K. Brees on the WWII adventures of MI6 agent Katrin Nissen.
Danish-American undercover allied wartime agent Katrin Nissen has been assigned to an unassuming alias as a switchboard operator in a meat processing plant in the Danish industrial city of Kolding. But her true assignment there is to track meat orders for the German army, for Churchill has astutely conjectured that as provisions move, so move the invading troops. But as it turns out, Katrin is not the only employee at the meat plant whose identity and purpose are not as they seem.
Meanwhile in the small seaside village of Sankt Peder on the western coast of Denmark, life goes on as usual, centering around work, family, and church. But here, too, things are not always as they seem. Strategically-located along the Jutland peninsula, Sankt Peder has been infiltrated by a ruthless Nazi who agent who does not suspect that, beneath its tranquil day-to-day appearance, Sankt Peder is a secret beehive of underground activity of plans for resistance.
When circumstances bring Katrin to Sankt Peder there unwinds a series of events that will be crucial to the allied war effort and the building of the Danish resistance.
“Headwind” is an engaging page-turner of a read recommended for WWII history buffs or anybody who loves a good tale of action and espionage.

[Cheri Krueger · Rating 5 out of 5]

She's come to save the world.

If you enjoy historical fiction in the era of WWII, you have probably already read Book 1 of the series (Crosswind) and are excited to see MI6 agent Katrin Nissen has a new adventure. If you haven't read 'Crosswind', do it! But first, let me tell you about 'Headwind'.

Katrin is an American spy married to John, another American spy, both with high-powered careers and a very happy life in the States. But when the government calls on them to save the world from Nazis, Katrin and John drop everything, and head to Europe on separate, dangerous missions. While John is schmoozing with Winston Churchill and coordinating a delicate airdrop of more spies, Katrin is listening in on a vital supply switchboard, tracking and reporting Nazi troop movements. Her mission is near her hometown and twin sister, who is deeply involved in the Danish Resistance along with almost every other resident in town. Each character is real and the stakes are high.

Katrin is brilliant and determined, she dispatches her grim duties with efficiency, humor and humanity. Filled with beautiful descriptions, characters you care about, and authentic historical detail, you will love this story and eagerly await more of the WWII adventures of MI6 agent Katrin Nissen.

[Troy Hollan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the era of old time radio shows, big band music, and the global uncertainty wrought by the grinding of the Nazi war machine, Headwind sweeps the reader from New Haven Connecticut, to a bustling seaport in Denmark, and ultimately to the sleepy coastal village of Sankt Peder, where we learn that small towns can conceal powerful secrets. MI6 agents, Nazi spies, a femme fatale with her eye on the big screen, and a rural community of Danish resistance fighters, people this second thrilling installment in the Katrin Nissen series. With snappy dialogue and sly wit reminiscent of Hollywood classics like The Thin Man and The Maltese Falcon, Karen Brees has crafted a well-researched and engaging novel rooted in actual historical events. Her brisk and fluid writing style, together with points of view which shift seamlessly between several well-developed characters, build a story that is rich in sensory imagery, and whose message is vital and rousing. Headwind provides edge-of-your seat spy action, a touch of tasteful romance, and stirring wartime drama, while shining its brightest light on the power of ordinary folk banding bravely together to fight a common enemy.

[Carol Orange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you finish a book and immediately want to go back to page one. I finished this incredible book last night, having read it in two days. I loved the story, which was even more meaningful because it was true. The Danish resistance was impressive, and you brought the underground movement to life. Katrin Nissen and John Breckenridge remind me of Dashiell Hammett’s Nick and Nora Charles. Although a big difference between the couples is Katrin and John were real spies fighting for an important cause. Brees' writing is clever; the metaphors are rich. I loved the scene of Katrin eating the chocolate Easter Bunny. It made me laugh when most of the time I was sitting on the edge of my chair. All the Danish characters are exceptionally well drawn. Katrin’s young niece Greta’s bravery is inspiring. Katrin’s twin sister Inge and the other women in the Danish resistance are admirable. The author's portrayal of Sir Winston Churchill is both familiar and fresh. The dialogue is superb. The descriptions of place and time are gorgeous. I felt like I was there, every step of the way. Headwind has all the makings of a best seller!!!

[Shirley Kamada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond the cozy kitchen scene, and the meal together during a break from mending nets, with the appearance of a submarine and the clandestine deboarding of an unknown passenger, lie near certain disaster and the possibility of a nation’s annihilation.

Amid WW2 era privations, on assignment in Kolding, Denmark, MI6 Agent Katrin Nissen bicycles in a downpour to her work as a switchboard operator where she will covertly track the path of beef shipments as a precursor of Nazi invasion. Narrowly escaping being hit by a Mercedes Benz Cabriolet, she is further drenched.

After changing into borrowed clothing—a meat cutter’s white jacket, a pair of felted slippers, a coworker’s brightly colored hair accessories—she decisively confronts an SS officer who threatens her innocent co-workers.

Readers will follow Agent Katrin Nissen’s action breathlessly and delight in moments of unexpected humor. The author is a master of timing and locale.

Karen Brees’ novel, HEADWIND, is perfect in and of itself. Its relevance to current events is unsettling and quite possibly a cautionary tale. Highly recommended.

[Kari Wirth · Rating 5 out of 5]

M16 Agent Katrin Nissen returns for another harrowing wartime assignment that sends her to her homeland of Denmark, where she goes undercover in a meat packing plant as a switchboard operator, whose real job is to intercept information about a looming Nazi invasion. But for Katrin, a spy’s assignment is never that easy. Danger has a way of following her, and this time, her family finds themselves in the thick of it as they, along with the Danish Resistance, prepare to do whatever is necessary to prevent Hitler from succeeding in his plan.
Headwind has it all. Murder. Mystery. The battle of good versus evil. And a family bond that cannot be broken. With superb character development, vivid scenes that keep the story flowing, and smart, clever dialogue, this historical fiction takes you back to 1940.
Thoroughly researched and well-written, award-winning author Karen K. Brees brilliantly crafts a suspenseful story of ordinary people with the bravery to risk it all in an effort to save innocent people.
A highly recommended page-turner. Looking forward to book three!

[Carolyn Geduld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Headwind, the well-written second book in the MI6 Agent Katrin Nissen series, begins in London and Denmark in March, 1940. Churchill tries to second-guess Hitler’s intentions in Scandinavia by ascertaining possible food sources for the invading German army. Agent Katrin is dispatched to her original Danish home town to find out by working as a telephone operator in a meat-processing plant.

As in Crosswind, the first book in the series, Katrin gets drawn into a separate Danish murder case at the same time as she is acting as a spy. The victim is a co-worker who has gone missing. The tension builds as Katrin’s relatives work to answer Churchill’s question by spying on the spies in their midst. The fast-paced ending has Katrin racing both to deliver the information to London and to solve the mystery.

The rich portraits of the Danish citizens and their heroic efforts to preserve their freedom is an inspiration for modern times. Today, it is unfortunately much rarer for people to unite to fight the forces that might destroy them.

[Gail Olmsted · Rating 5 out of 5]

Headwind is the second of the Katrin Nissen books and it is a most worthy sequel. I thoroughly enjoyed the original book, Crosswind, and discovering the main character, M16 Agent Katrin Nissen. She is once again on the job working undercover in a beef packing plant as a telephone operator. This is quite a switch for the Danish-American botany professor, but as a trained spy, she manages to identify and pass on crucial information. With German occupation imminent, Katrin seeks help from her sister Inge and her family as well as the locals from the small town where she was raised.

Headwind is a fast-paced, expertly written novel of wartime suspense. I recommend reading Crosswind first, and now I can't wait for the third book in the series. I received an advance copy of the novel from the author and this is my honest review.

[Lena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to read an Advance Reader Copy of this in exchange for an honest review. Headwind picks up soon after Crosswind, with agent Katrin Nissen as she goes deep undercover, this time in her homeland of Denmark. The stakes are high and the danger real as Brees masterfully threads an undercurrent of tension throughout while Katrin works to uncover information about the imminent Nazi invasion. Separated from her husband, who is on his own mission, she is joined by extended family members who make up part of the Danish Resistance. They work to gather valuable information and send it to Britain before it's too late.

[Marisa Dondlinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Headwind is a thrilling, fast-paced WWII spy novel that grabbed me from the first page. Perfect for fans of historical fiction, particularly WWII. This novel, however, is unique in that it is sent in Denmark and explores their role in trying to stop Hitler’s invasion. Brees’ writing is effortless. She does an impeccable job of blending historical events and facts without slowing the story. Her characters are multi-faceted and wide-ranging, even the evil ones! From real historical figures to characters spawned from her imagination, each one rises from the page, tugs you into their story, and doesn’t want to let go. Can’t wait to read book three of this engaging series. Highly recommend!

[Sara Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katrin Nissen is a spy during the second world war. In this novel, she returns to Denmark on an assignment to collect intelligence, and she also spends time with her family--a lovable crew of rural subversives who stockpile weapons and do all they can (at great personal risk) to help the allies beat the Nazis. Katrin is also lovable, a wry hero whose relationship with her beloved husband, John, will make you weep. The writing in this novel is solid. From the opening pages, you know you are in very good hands. Even the slow parts are enjoyable because the writing is so good. Highly recommend!!

[J. Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having avidly read "Crosswind", the first in this series, I was anxious to dig in to "Headwind" and was certainly not disappointed! Brees' indomitable female character Agent Nissen is again at work for the OSS and is back in Denmark during the early years of WWII. Told with Brees' familial warmth and sprinkled with her touches of humor, this is a strong sequel for the series.
- J. Ivanel Johnson, author of the JUST (e)STATE mysteries

[Katy · Rating 3 out of 5]

WWII espionage set in Denmark at the brink of the Nazi invasion of the country; good characters who you will remember long after you finish the story.

The story is similar to the juvenile fictional account told in Number the Stars by Lois Lowry.