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Franz Waldbaer Thriller #1
Collision of Evil: A Franz Waldbaer Thriller
As evening falls against the majestic backdrop of the Bavarian Alps, Charles Hirter, an American tourist, is savagely murdered. In the peace, quiet and pastoral splendor of this magnificent setting, Charles Hirter draws his last breath. Was Charles simply in the wrong place at the wrong time?Kommissar Franz Waldbaer, the German detective in charge of the case, faces an investigation that yields neither clues nor suspects nor motives. A gruff, go-it alone detective, Waldbaer is dismayed by the arrival of Robert Hirter, the victim's brother, who insists on joining the investigation. But there is more to Robert than meets the eye.As Robert and the Kommissar uncover a nefarious nexus of evil past and evil present, they find themselves probing dark, long-forgotten episodes from the Third Reich in order to identify the present threat.Thrust into a violent world of fanatic passions, malevolent intentions and excruciating urgency, Robert Hirter and Kommissar Waldbaer must race against the clock to stop a sophisticated, covert, and deadly plot.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2009
27 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
John J. Le Beau
7 books10 followersJohn J. Le Beau was born in Northampton, Massachusetts. He is a veteran CIA operations officer, who retired from the Clandestine Service after a twenty-five year career, with tours in various parts of the globe.
Dr. Le Beau is currently a professor of terrorism and intelligence studies at the George C. Marshall Center in Garmisch, Germany, and Chair of the Combating Terrorism Working Group, for the Partnership for Peace Consortium. 'Collision of Evil', his first novel, deals with a transnational terrorism plot aimed at Europe. A second novel, Collision of Lies, is slated for March, 2012 release and will focus on covert intelligence operations against weapons of mass destruction.
Dr. Le Beau is currently a professor of terrorism and intelligence studies at the George C. Marshall Center in Garmisch, Germany, and Chair of the Combating Terrorism Working Group, for the Partnership for Peace Consortium. 'Collision of Evil', his first novel, deals with a transnational terrorism plot aimed at Europe. A second novel, Collision of Lies, is slated for March, 2012 release and will focus on covert intelligence operations against weapons of mass destruction.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 9, 2012
There was something lacking in this book that I can't put my finger on. It was an ok read though a bit slow at times.
April 25, 2012
While this was a fast-paced read, it did have a bit of "too pat to be true" feeling to it. Liked the characters and they seemed to fit in just fine, although the finale was a bit too smooth.
December 2, 2012
Collision Of Evil is a book you can definitely miss. I am not saying that you can't read through, you surely can. But this is definitely a very plain vanilla attempt at a man-hunt, conspiracy, espionage all mixed together. It's as bland as it gets. It's like having a Filet Mignon which is edible but has no taste. The characters in the book are not memorable, the drama is weak, the man-hunt methods are disjointed. The only thing good about the book is that it will revive wonderful memories of Oktoberfest if you have had the fortune to be there. I guess, I will go and grab a beer and choose my next book carefully.
March 2, 2010
A real page-turner that links the evil of the past from the Third Reich to present day terrorists. What makes this book so terrifying and realistic is that author LeBeau is a retired clandestine operations officer in the CIA and is now a professor of National Security Studies at a college in Garmisch, Germany, so he is incredibly knowledgeable about the both subject matter and the area in which the story takes place. (Note: John LeBeau is my second cousin.)
September 29, 2018
As an other person said, there is something lacking here. I won’t be visiting the rest of the books in this series.
April 27, 2019
I liked the plot, but the writing was tough. I felt somethings were over explained when it came to actions as mundane as driving and the dialogue felt forced. Not sure I’d read another book by him.
June 14, 2010
The American backpacker Charles Hirter is out hiking in the Bavarian Alps when he is brutally murdered. His brother Robert, a CIA operative flies to Germany to bring his body home and to find out more about the murder. The German detective in charge of the case, Kommissar Franz Waldbaer, faces a hopeless investigation as there are neither clues nor motives nor suspects. Being used to working alone - and also perfectly happy with this - Waldbaer at first seems rather annoyed at Robert Hirter's insistence on joining the investigation, but soon they uncover a truth born in a dark time in history, the Third Reich, that weaves together with a very present threat of radical Islamist terror.
While some may say the general plot idea is nowadays overused, I can only say if it is, I certainly didn't notice that while reading John J. LeBeau's debut novel, Collision of Evil. It is obvious he knows the trade, having worked in CIA operations for numerous years himself, most of them outside the US and in part even in locations that experienced actie terrorism. With this knowledge, LeBeau created a plot that is believeable, maybe even too believeable for those who like to think they're safe right where they are. Throughout the book, I was on the edge of my seat, wondering whether the main characters would find the important clues on time to prevent the looming act of terror from happening.
All in all, there were two minor aspects I didn't like too much. One was the lack of depth in characters, which I am very willing to attribute to this being LeBeau's debut, and the other is the title. In fact, I don't think there was a collision of two evils, rather, I would say it was two evils working together and combined their forces. My experience is that authors don't have much say in titles, which is not always the best of choices.
Adding everything up, I can only say I want to read more of John J. LeBeau's thrillers and I would love to take one of his classes (he is a Professor of Strategy and Security in the College for International and Security Studies at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Garmisch, Germany).
As a German, I also really have to add this one: His depicting of breakfast in smaller German hotels is great! Here's a short quote to illustrate this a bit. Charles Hirter is still at the hotel, having breakfast at the hotel breakfast room:
He lingered over a cup of strong Tchibo coffee, toyed with the remains of a sunflower seed roll, and leafed idly through the sports section of the International Herald Tribune.
Everyone here knows Tchibo coffee, everyone drank it at one point. And sunflower seed rolls? Whenever I get some rolls, it's got to be sunflower seed rolls, they're the real deal ;-)
While some may say the general plot idea is nowadays overused, I can only say if it is, I certainly didn't notice that while reading John J. LeBeau's debut novel, Collision of Evil. It is obvious he knows the trade, having worked in CIA operations for numerous years himself, most of them outside the US and in part even in locations that experienced actie terrorism. With this knowledge, LeBeau created a plot that is believeable, maybe even too believeable for those who like to think they're safe right where they are. Throughout the book, I was on the edge of my seat, wondering whether the main characters would find the important clues on time to prevent the looming act of terror from happening.
All in all, there were two minor aspects I didn't like too much. One was the lack of depth in characters, which I am very willing to attribute to this being LeBeau's debut, and the other is the title. In fact, I don't think there was a collision of two evils, rather, I would say it was two evils working together and combined their forces. My experience is that authors don't have much say in titles, which is not always the best of choices.
Adding everything up, I can only say I want to read more of John J. LeBeau's thrillers and I would love to take one of his classes (he is a Professor of Strategy and Security in the College for International and Security Studies at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Garmisch, Germany).
As a German, I also really have to add this one: His depicting of breakfast in smaller German hotels is great! Here's a short quote to illustrate this a bit. Charles Hirter is still at the hotel, having breakfast at the hotel breakfast room:
He lingered over a cup of strong Tchibo coffee, toyed with the remains of a sunflower seed roll, and leafed idly through the sports section of the International Herald Tribune.
Everyone here knows Tchibo coffee, everyone drank it at one point. And sunflower seed rolls? Whenever I get some rolls, it's got to be sunflower seed rolls, they're the real deal ;-)
March 28, 2012
John LeBeau's "Collision of Evil" tries to marry two of the world's great fears: Nazis and Islamic terrorists, and it seems a pretty forced concept.
A young American hiking in Bavaria is murdered when he blunders into an Alpine cave holding decades-old crates. Who killed him, and what was in the crates? The mystery goes back to the waning days of World War II when an SS officer is ordered to transport a shipment of crates from Berlin to the Bavarian alps. Do the crates contain gold? Official papers? Or something else. The American's brother, a CIA caseworker, travels to Germany to bring home his brother's body and to involve himself in the local police murder investigation. It turns out that the crates contain the components of a chemical weapon, which have been appropriated by a cell of Muslim terrorists. What is their target? The book is a race against time, with the terrorists attempting to complete and use their weapon of mass destruction before they are discovered by the CIA/German investigators.
This is a very uneven book. Sometimes the dialogue crackles and sparks; other times it is leaden, particularly when the author engages in exposition - characters describing to each other what we had already experienced in real-time as readers. The book is also replete with stereotypes, whether Nazis, German revelers, fanatical Muslims, or alternately clever and obtuse investigators.
There's plenty of action and rushing around, but it doesn't amount to very much. I'd call this a good beach read.
A young American hiking in Bavaria is murdered when he blunders into an Alpine cave holding decades-old crates. Who killed him, and what was in the crates? The mystery goes back to the waning days of World War II when an SS officer is ordered to transport a shipment of crates from Berlin to the Bavarian alps. Do the crates contain gold? Official papers? Or something else. The American's brother, a CIA caseworker, travels to Germany to bring home his brother's body and to involve himself in the local police murder investigation. It turns out that the crates contain the components of a chemical weapon, which have been appropriated by a cell of Muslim terrorists. What is their target? The book is a race against time, with the terrorists attempting to complete and use their weapon of mass destruction before they are discovered by the CIA/German investigators.
This is a very uneven book. Sometimes the dialogue crackles and sparks; other times it is leaden, particularly when the author engages in exposition - characters describing to each other what we had already experienced in real-time as readers. The book is also replete with stereotypes, whether Nazis, German revelers, fanatical Muslims, or alternately clever and obtuse investigators.
There's plenty of action and rushing around, but it doesn't amount to very much. I'd call this a good beach read.
January 13, 2010
American tourist Charles Hirter was out taking a hike, enjoying his vacation in Austria. Sadly, Charles realized too late that this hike would be his last. Charles’s body is discovered. His head was bashed in.
It has been a while since Robert has seen his brother. It came as quite a shock when he received a phone call that Charles was dead. Robert travels to Austria to identify for the body. Franz Waldbaer, the lead detective tells Robert that the authorities can handle the case and Robert can go home to the states. Robert will not leave till he learns why Charles was murdered. Together Franz Waldbaer and Robert team up. What they discover is of importance of national security.
Collision of Evil is author, John J. Le Beau’s first novel. I thought he did a pretty good job. Collision of Evil is what I would call an international thriller. At the beginning of the book, Mr. Le Beau shares true events about World War 2 bombs that were dropped off in Salzburg, Austria. Unclaimed ones were discovered. This helped set up the plot for this book. As far as this book is considered, I do think readers will enjoy this book. It had plenty of action and suspense. The two main characters Robert Hirter and Kommissar Franz Waldbaer made a good duo. With Robert’s drive to avenge his brother’s death and Franz’s determination, I feel bad for any one who gets in their way. Collision of Evil is worth a look.
It has been a while since Robert has seen his brother. It came as quite a shock when he received a phone call that Charles was dead. Robert travels to Austria to identify for the body. Franz Waldbaer, the lead detective tells Robert that the authorities can handle the case and Robert can go home to the states. Robert will not leave till he learns why Charles was murdered. Together Franz Waldbaer and Robert team up. What they discover is of importance of national security.
Collision of Evil is author, John J. Le Beau’s first novel. I thought he did a pretty good job. Collision of Evil is what I would call an international thriller. At the beginning of the book, Mr. Le Beau shares true events about World War 2 bombs that were dropped off in Salzburg, Austria. Unclaimed ones were discovered. This helped set up the plot for this book. As far as this book is considered, I do think readers will enjoy this book. It had plenty of action and suspense. The two main characters Robert Hirter and Kommissar Franz Waldbaer made a good duo. With Robert’s drive to avenge his brother’s death and Franz’s determination, I feel bad for any one who gets in their way. Collision of Evil is worth a look.
November 8, 2014
Robert Hirter travels to Bavaria when he us notified that his younger brother,Charles, has been murdered there. The detective handling the murder case is Kommissar Franz Waldbaer and he insists that Robert go immediately home, which, of course, Robert does not. Instead he convinces the Kommissar to let him help with the case. Robert,it turns out, is CIA.
The investigation of Robert's death involves hidden chemical weapons that survived since the end of WWII and Islamic Jihadists, who would use these weapons for current day terrorism.
Collusion of Evil keeps you on the edge of your seat. This is the first book I have read by LeBeau, and I hope he has more books out there that are as good as this one.
The investigation of Robert's death involves hidden chemical weapons that survived since the end of WWII and Islamic Jihadists, who would use these weapons for current day terrorism.
Collusion of Evil keeps you on the edge of your seat. This is the first book I have read by LeBeau, and I hope he has more books out there that are as good as this one.
September 18, 2015
Very good and very cleverly written. Creative and intriguing. Bringing together the evils of Nazi past with the evils of modern-day extremist Islamic terrorism to bring about an attack upon a popular and crowded event in Munich, Germany. For most part of the book the author kept me curious about what was contained in the secret crates and who was the murderer of Charles Hirter. Fast paced and always developing this was a good story with a good plot and well developed characters. I recommend this book especially if you like suspense, mystery, and intrigue. Looking forward to reading more by LeBeau.
August 8, 2012
I found this book to be quite interesting in its concept and a very interesting read which I enjoyed. However it did seem a bit of a stretch to connect Nazi operations with those of Jihadists.
I did find some sections quite tedious and slow. I also could have done without the introduction of the female CIA agent near the end. I don't feel she added to the storyline at all other than to introduce a later love connection which I felt was a major disconnect from the premise o the story.
Overall I would recommend it with a grain of salt.
I did find some sections quite tedious and slow. I also could have done without the introduction of the female CIA agent near the end. I don't feel she added to the storyline at all other than to introduce a later love connection which I felt was a major disconnect from the premise o the story.
Overall I would recommend it with a grain of salt.
June 13, 2010
It’s been quite a while since I read a mystery novel or a thriller. I was hoping for this to be action-packed or at least be a quick read where I’ll be flipping through the pages to know what’s next. However, it was quite slow in the beginning and slower in the middle. The process of Robert unraveling the mystery of the murder case seemed never-ending. Only towards the end of the story did the real action begin.
December 9, 2012
This was a new author to me and I really enjoyed this book. I am looking forward to reading more of his books. This is a modern terrorist plot that starts out as a more traditional murder mystery. The combining of more traditional elements mixed with a modern terrorist conspiracy makes for pretty decent reading.
August 27, 2016
Collision of evil
First time with author, John J. Le Beau. Nazis left behind a secret stash of several crates in a cave in the mountain forests of Bavaria. An American tourist stumbles upon it and is killed. His brother is notified and he comes to identify the body and find the killer. A convoluted story of terrorism.
First time with author, John J. Le Beau. Nazis left behind a secret stash of several crates in a cave in the mountain forests of Bavaria. An American tourist stumbles upon it and is killed. His brother is notified and he comes to identify the body and find the killer. A convoluted story of terrorism.
April 20, 2016
Found this to be interesting on and off for the first three quarters of the book. Then it turned into a page turner. I read it on Kindle and there were many mistakes. Very little bad language and no smut.
January 25, 2010
Good read. A little creepy as the topic is terrorism, but moved fast.
Read
January 27, 2011Loved the twist of Nazi Germany and Jihadist of modern day.
October 6, 2012
Interesting story. Plot is plausible with accurate chemical info.
March 2, 2012
Le Beau's first effort as a thriller writer isn't bad. There are some holes in the story, but it's a page turner.
September 21, 2012
I enjoyed this book, especially the inter-twining of current day events and the past. I had an editor's copy that I was reading and got a kick out of the typos that I came across!
October 5, 2012
Great book. Hard to put down.
February 2, 2013
Finished better then it started.
December 24, 2012
The plot was interesting, the writing is good, the editing of the Kindle version is horrible.
April 6, 2013
Didn't really care for the book.
August 2, 2013
An interesting murder mystery set in a beautiful location. After you have settled in to read a pleasant Who Done It, it becomes much more than that.
April 28, 2014
Collision of Evil is a good book for readers who like international thrillers, complete with historical references and modern terrorism.
December 31, 2014
Page turner
A wonderful read. Keeps your interest until the very last word. One that I am sure to read again and again.
A wonderful read. Keeps your interest until the very last word. One that I am sure to read again and again.
Read
May 12, 2017Great story
Sounds like it could really happen. Love the bit of history at the end. Hate having to write more words in this review.
Sounds like it could really happen. Love the bit of history at the end. Hate having to write more words in this review.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews