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In Pursuit of Platinum: A gripping fast paced WWII Spy Thriller of Survival and Resistance
A mysterious Frenchwoman flees Paris in a legendary Bentley as the Nazis invade the city in 1940. She carries with her a secret that could change the course of the Second World War, a fortune, and her young son. Hitler’s most ruthless investigator is ordered to silence Alena before she can reveal her secret, capture her son and take him back to Berlin, and recover the Banque de France’s platinum. Alena pins her hopes of escape on American Ben Peters, and together they experience the stark and tragic realities of war and the raw emotions of two people living on the edge of fear. Not everything is as it seems. Who is Alena and what is her secret that could destroy everything Adolf Hitler and the Nazis stand for? International award-winning writer Vic Robbie’s action-packed tale has been acclaimed as a WWII thriller matching the intrigue of Robert Harris, the story-telling of Alan Furst, and the excitement of Ken Follett and Jack Higgins. The first book in Vic Robbie’s Ben Peters series sets the pace for the subsequent Paradise Gold and The Girl with the Silver Stiletto that reviewers have praised as ‘Brilliant! Exciting! Suspenseful!’ WHAT READERS AND REVIEWERS ARE SAYING Enjoyed the book immensely. Hard to put it down. Plenty of action, romance and international intrigue. A well -deserved 5-star book! – Richard Small The opening pages grab and don't let go! A great WWII novel – Bros Washburn Absolutely riveting. I read it end to end and way into the night. Look forward to more – Rabinder Sikand LOVED it. More please. Thanks! – John S Webb Unputdownable. An enthralling read. It would make a blockbuster film. It leaves the reader wondering right to the end – and afterwards – Jon Marcus Holds the reader's attention from start to finish. – Sara from Essex Read it in two sittings. Gripped me from start to finish. Made an excellent Xmas present for my dad and my father-in-law who absolutely loved it too! Can’t wait for your next book – Nic Hindle Really enjoyed the style. Well-developed characters that truly came alive in my mind. The pace of the story was good and the pursuit across Europe felt knowledgeable and well constructed – Simon P Butler This builds and is gripping. It would make a good film. Enjoyable and well written. I would recommend this book – Fiona Lever Very enjoyable book. If you like reading Alan Furst and Phillip Kerr you will like this book. More than the other authors i mentioned he gets to the point of the story and it moves quickly – Richard A Fisk Jr Based on historical facts, I enjoyed reading this version of history. I recommend the book to any one who likes historical fiction – Jack M Cook Non-stop action with a thrilling ending. Can not wait for the next one! – R M Love For readers of WWII fiction I recommend this book. The story plot is very intresting and exciting. One of the best I have read. – Patricia A Wilson I have a lot of friends who are fans of this kind of novel – Aubrey Coletti
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 26, 2012
122 people are currently reading
778 people want to read
About the author
Vic Robbie
12 books207 followersAuthor of the Ben Peters World War II thriller series, including the best-selling IN PURSUIT OF PLATINUM, The Shocking Secret of World War II, and PARADISE GOLD, The Mafia and Nazis battle for the biggest prize of WWII.
Born in Scotland, I spend my time between the United Kingdom and California. An international journalist, I have worked for newspapers such as the Daily Mail, The Independent, Scotland on Sunday, Daily Telegraph, Daily Mirror, and Sydney Telegraph in the UK, Australia and the US as a writer, columnist and editor. Apart from playing golf with a passion, but little skill, I have run several marathons including New York and London for charity.
Please visit www.VicRobbie.com to receive a FREE copy of IN PURSUIT OF PLATINUM.
And you can also contact me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/VicRobbieauthor
or
on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/VicRobbie
Born in Scotland, I spend my time between the United Kingdom and California. An international journalist, I have worked for newspapers such as the Daily Mail, The Independent, Scotland on Sunday, Daily Telegraph, Daily Mirror, and Sydney Telegraph in the UK, Australia and the US as a writer, columnist and editor. Apart from playing golf with a passion, but little skill, I have run several marathons including New York and London for charity.
Please visit www.VicRobbie.com to receive a FREE copy of IN PURSUIT OF PLATINUM.
And you can also contact me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/VicRobbieauthor
or
on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/VicRobbie
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 2, 2017
In Pursuit of Platinum, is truly one of the best WW II historical novels I have read. Plenty of suspense, great characters, perfect setting. I highly recommend this book.
December 31, 2017
*** Note: I received a review copy of this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. I am glad I got a chance to read this book. ***
4.5 Stars
In a Pursuit of Platinum is first book of Ben Peter Thriller Series that as title says, reveals Shocking secret of WWII. Whether the history in book is true or not, it was damn shocking, thrilling, and nail-biting political historical fiction that kept me on the edge of the seat till the end.
Story was third person narrative revolved around three main characters, Ben Peters, Alena, and Ludwig Weber (antagonist). It was about adventurous journey of Ben, Alena, and her son Freddie from Paris to England in the Bentley loaded with most precious metal Platinum, with many obstacles on their way. It was about the secret Alena had against Nazis that could change the course of war.
She was even more important than platinum both for Nazis and British people. To stop her from escaping top German officer and investigator, Ludwig Webner, was given the task to capture her by Adolf Hitler himself. Isn’t that interesting?
What’s the secret, why Germans are so desperate to capture them and what makes Alena more important than platinum? Well, that’s the story.
Characters-
Alena- she was such a strong woman. She was so afraid of torture that she preferred to kill her son and herself than being caught alive. That was horrible! Even after everything her will to reach to safety with her son was remarkable. She was a mysterious till second half of the book. She was very hard on Ben in the first half but in second half closeness between them made book sweet and touching. Sad, there was very less romantic chapters in the book.
Ben- He was such a determined guy. He won’t leave Bentley even he could die with it. Seriously! I’m sure whether it was explained or I missed that part (I’m more sure I have missed it but didn’t go back and read those chapters again) but I couldn’t see a solid reason behind his acceptance for the task and his faithfulness to Bernay. Whatever it was this guy was amazing and such a gentleman in the book. I loved his determination and strong will.
Freddie- he was most adorable and likable character in the book.
Ludwig- He was very complex character. At first I hated him, his action and way of getting information was unlikable but as story progressed, I knew him better. This character showed the intensity of love for family. He would go to any extent to save them. I liked reading his perspective in the book.
All characters were well developed and very important for the story, even the smallest side character. Narration from all character’s perspective gave the detailed background of them and by the end of the book I got to know them better.
What I liked-
This was second book in historical fiction genre with WWII theme after ‘The Book Thief’ that I loved reading because of its easy to follow writing without much political jargons or heavy old English. I just love to read WWII books.
Perfect beginning of the book! A mother’s turmoil with only option either save her son or kill him, German reaching to border of Paris, a banker’s desperate to save platinum so that it can be used to win back his country, an American- a writer, who doesn’t know how to use a gun was given a task to carry platinum and a Frenchwoman with child away from Germans to London, Ludwig’s terrifying ways of getting information - all this created a tense atmosphere from very beginning. Another thing I liked most was short chapters and all ended with cliffhanger.
Ben’s desperate efforts to take Alena to safety and Webner hot on their heels made book most thrilling. Journey from Paris to Spain, Estoril and then the final destination England was very exciting, it covered almost 60% of the book and it was very creatively written that I couldn’t put down the book. Ben and Alena stumbled from one problem to other throughout their journey, it created a tight grip in the book that glued me to seat till the end. I couldn’t guess what will happen next in the book.
Characters were killing and dying was like normal thing by the end of the book. Bloodshed, cruelty and disrespect to women was so frequent that I was no longer shocked or flinched when they killed anyone in book. Most interesting chapters were character’s life story- Ben’s love of writing and writer Ernest Hemingway which was most beautifully narrated; Alena’s story on what happened to her, how she ended as prisoner of German and why she was so important to them; and Ludwig’s love for his family. Oh and Bentley was the star of book. This car had suffered just like characters.
Climax! My goodness! Book was even more interesting. Author created a mind-blowing suspense in the book. Secret was not revealed till last two chapters. And when that moment came it was wow! Not totally unexpected but shocking, yes! and the way it was revealed was brilliant. I highly suggest to those impatient readers not to read end first, it will ruin the fun of book.
why not 5 stars-
Just small thing too many characters and their perspective made it little challenging to follow the story. I had to remember smallest thing about them as it was very important to keep tract of everything in this kind of book. This is what happens- as I said in ‘characters’, I missed that part of Ben’s motive or reason to follow Bernay’s order.
Overall, amazing, thrilling, chilling, nail-biting, fast paced political Historical Fiction with suspense and adventure that I’m sure everyone would love to read. I strongly recommend this book.
4.5 Stars
In a Pursuit of Platinum is first book of Ben Peter Thriller Series that as title says, reveals Shocking secret of WWII. Whether the history in book is true or not, it was damn shocking, thrilling, and nail-biting political historical fiction that kept me on the edge of the seat till the end.
Story was third person narrative revolved around three main characters, Ben Peters, Alena, and Ludwig Weber (antagonist). It was about adventurous journey of Ben, Alena, and her son Freddie from Paris to England in the Bentley loaded with most precious metal Platinum, with many obstacles on their way. It was about the secret Alena had against Nazis that could change the course of war.
She was even more important than platinum both for Nazis and British people. To stop her from escaping top German officer and investigator, Ludwig Webner, was given the task to capture her by Adolf Hitler himself. Isn’t that interesting?
What’s the secret, why Germans are so desperate to capture them and what makes Alena more important than platinum? Well, that’s the story.
Characters-
Alena- she was such a strong woman. She was so afraid of torture that she preferred to kill her son and herself than being caught alive. That was horrible! Even after everything her will to reach to safety with her son was remarkable. She was a mysterious till second half of the book. She was very hard on Ben in the first half but in second half closeness between them made book sweet and touching. Sad, there was very less romantic chapters in the book.
Ben- He was such a determined guy. He won’t leave Bentley even he could die with it. Seriously! I’m sure whether it was explained or I missed that part (I’m more sure I have missed it but didn’t go back and read those chapters again) but I couldn’t see a solid reason behind his acceptance for the task and his faithfulness to Bernay. Whatever it was this guy was amazing and such a gentleman in the book. I loved his determination and strong will.
Freddie- he was most adorable and likable character in the book.
Ludwig- He was very complex character. At first I hated him, his action and way of getting information was unlikable but as story progressed, I knew him better. This character showed the intensity of love for family. He would go to any extent to save them. I liked reading his perspective in the book.
All characters were well developed and very important for the story, even the smallest side character. Narration from all character’s perspective gave the detailed background of them and by the end of the book I got to know them better.
What I liked-
This was second book in historical fiction genre with WWII theme after ‘The Book Thief’ that I loved reading because of its easy to follow writing without much political jargons or heavy old English. I just love to read WWII books.
Perfect beginning of the book! A mother’s turmoil with only option either save her son or kill him, German reaching to border of Paris, a banker’s desperate to save platinum so that it can be used to win back his country, an American- a writer, who doesn’t know how to use a gun was given a task to carry platinum and a Frenchwoman with child away from Germans to London, Ludwig’s terrifying ways of getting information - all this created a tense atmosphere from very beginning. Another thing I liked most was short chapters and all ended with cliffhanger.
Ben’s desperate efforts to take Alena to safety and Webner hot on their heels made book most thrilling. Journey from Paris to Spain, Estoril and then the final destination England was very exciting, it covered almost 60% of the book and it was very creatively written that I couldn’t put down the book. Ben and Alena stumbled from one problem to other throughout their journey, it created a tight grip in the book that glued me to seat till the end. I couldn’t guess what will happen next in the book.
Characters were killing and dying was like normal thing by the end of the book. Bloodshed, cruelty and disrespect to women was so frequent that I was no longer shocked or flinched when they killed anyone in book. Most interesting chapters were character’s life story- Ben’s love of writing and writer Ernest Hemingway which was most beautifully narrated; Alena’s story on what happened to her, how she ended as prisoner of German and why she was so important to them; and Ludwig’s love for his family. Oh and Bentley was the star of book. This car had suffered just like characters.
Climax! My goodness! Book was even more interesting. Author created a mind-blowing suspense in the book. Secret was not revealed till last two chapters. And when that moment came it was wow! Not totally unexpected but shocking, yes! and the way it was revealed was brilliant. I highly suggest to those impatient readers not to read end first, it will ruin the fun of book.
why not 5 stars-
Just small thing too many characters and their perspective made it little challenging to follow the story. I had to remember smallest thing about them as it was very important to keep tract of everything in this kind of book. This is what happens- as I said in ‘characters’, I missed that part of Ben’s motive or reason to follow Bernay’s order.
Overall, amazing, thrilling, chilling, nail-biting, fast paced political Historical Fiction with suspense and adventure that I’m sure everyone would love to read. I strongly recommend this book.
November 28, 2016
Really enjoyed this book. The back cover says it is 'Unputdownable' and that's pretty much spot on. It has a great pace about it, short chapters, cliffhangers at the end of each, all of which drive you through it.
Talking of driving, that is what essentially this book is about, driving from France to safety at the beginning of WW2 and all the adventures, horrors and fights which happen along the way. A world war road trip with Nazis and platinum and secrets. What's not to like?
Most events are handled very deftly, with skill and a vivid use of description. One or two do make you wonder were they really needed, the scene of the woman tied to the bed one a particular example. But such is the fun and joy within the tale, you're happy to let these anomalies slide.
Not sure how much of the facts in the book are really 'true'. If they are, then the words 'shocking secret' do hold up pretty well and give the novel an extra edge at its conclusion.
Recommended.
Talking of driving, that is what essentially this book is about, driving from France to safety at the beginning of WW2 and all the adventures, horrors and fights which happen along the way. A world war road trip with Nazis and platinum and secrets. What's not to like?
Most events are handled very deftly, with skill and a vivid use of description. One or two do make you wonder were they really needed, the scene of the woman tied to the bed one a particular example. But such is the fun and joy within the tale, you're happy to let these anomalies slide.
Not sure how much of the facts in the book are really 'true'. If they are, then the words 'shocking secret' do hold up pretty well and give the novel an extra edge at its conclusion.
Recommended.
February 10, 2018
The Shocking Secret of World War 11
Said in the third person narrative, “In a Pursuit of Platinum” revolves around three characters: Ben Peters, Alena and Ludwig Weber. Whether this adventure is true or not, the quest to extricate from the grips of the German Alena and her son and drive them in a Bentley loaded with the most precious of metal Platinum from occupied Paris through the Pyrenees, Spain and Portugal to hopefully reach the shore of England is at the most shocking, if not a nail-biting political saga that for most part kept me on the edge of my seat.
Alena and her son were more important than the platinum both for the Nazis and for England but what made her such a valuable target: thus the title of this book “shocking secret”. All through the story I was confuse enough to wonder if I was reading a non-fiction or a fiction and if that secret was real or not. Many parts of their journey didn’t seem realistic: how could a Bentley loaded down could cover the rough terrain through the mountains without losing some of the platinum or falling in hidden crevices. How did the group managed to escape the hands a War Lord, crossing police blockades and a multitude of traps to only come out with some dents on the Bentley and some scratches on their bodies. Parts were so unrealistic that I questioned if this really could have happened. I deducted parts could have been product of the author imagination in order to enhance his narrative and make his book entertaining and others could have been the real facts….which is which I could not detect, the author never mentioned a word. A fact: “The Freedom Trail (Chemin de la Liberté) did exist and was a WW11 escape route to Spain.
Having said this, the story is nevertheless quite a page-turner I enjoyed reading from start to finish. The style is colourful and it moves at a fast-paced. The writing and evocation of the time in Paris is quite convincing. The characterization is good and is expertly played out, first class act by all of them. Good overall even with its abrupt and disappointing ending.
Said in the third person narrative, “In a Pursuit of Platinum” revolves around three characters: Ben Peters, Alena and Ludwig Weber. Whether this adventure is true or not, the quest to extricate from the grips of the German Alena and her son and drive them in a Bentley loaded with the most precious of metal Platinum from occupied Paris through the Pyrenees, Spain and Portugal to hopefully reach the shore of England is at the most shocking, if not a nail-biting political saga that for most part kept me on the edge of my seat.
Alena and her son were more important than the platinum both for the Nazis and for England but what made her such a valuable target: thus the title of this book “shocking secret”. All through the story I was confuse enough to wonder if I was reading a non-fiction or a fiction and if that secret was real or not. Many parts of their journey didn’t seem realistic: how could a Bentley loaded down could cover the rough terrain through the mountains without losing some of the platinum or falling in hidden crevices. How did the group managed to escape the hands a War Lord, crossing police blockades and a multitude of traps to only come out with some dents on the Bentley and some scratches on their bodies. Parts were so unrealistic that I questioned if this really could have happened. I deducted parts could have been product of the author imagination in order to enhance his narrative and make his book entertaining and others could have been the real facts….which is which I could not detect, the author never mentioned a word. A fact: “The Freedom Trail (Chemin de la Liberté) did exist and was a WW11 escape route to Spain.
Having said this, the story is nevertheless quite a page-turner I enjoyed reading from start to finish. The style is colourful and it moves at a fast-paced. The writing and evocation of the time in Paris is quite convincing. The characterization is good and is expertly played out, first class act by all of them. Good overall even with its abrupt and disappointing ending.
October 21, 2019
This would be a candidate for the Least-Well-Suited-Cover-Image award (what the heck? It's not a romance! It's action packed historical fiction).
When you don't judge the book by the cover, it's a ripping adventure tale of intrigue, pursuit, espionage, and resistance. It would be cool if it were true, but IRL, I don't think any Bentleys would handle that kind of plot.
The audiobook is excellent, with about a thousand accents and character voices - very impressive!
When you don't judge the book by the cover, it's a ripping adventure tale of intrigue, pursuit, espionage, and resistance. It would be cool if it were true, but IRL, I don't think any Bentleys would handle that kind of plot.
The audiobook is excellent, with about a thousand accents and character voices - very impressive!
September 18, 2017
In Pursuit of Platinum is really a load of old cobblers but very readable and with a nice climax. The opening part of the novel is mysterious and intriguing but between that an the end becomes a little repetitive at times.
'Boys Own' stories are often about feats of incredible 'derring-do' and this can normally be forgiven but there's some action in In Pursuit of Platinum which stretches the imagination beyond breaking point. Nevertheless, I quite enjoyed it and I've ordered the next in the series.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of '39, all published by Sacristy Press.
'Boys Own' stories are often about feats of incredible 'derring-do' and this can normally be forgiven but there's some action in In Pursuit of Platinum which stretches the imagination beyond breaking point. Nevertheless, I quite enjoyed it and I've ordered the next in the series.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of '39, all published by Sacristy Press.
March 9, 2017
With my hand on my heart this is the best world war two espionage tale I've ever read. Serious. It's the journey of three people fleeing the invading nazi's from Paris to Portugal and the issues, both personal and physical, they encounter in getting there. Their mode of transport is a Bentley, all good travelers choice of vehicle, carrying a war saving cargo of booty and personnel. The pacing matches a Bentley laden with platinum, sedentary and careful, each bump suffered with dread. But we get there and it's a good ride. You get to care for Ben and Alena, though Freddie, the child, didn't tug at my heart. There is a twist, signposted but in keeping with the tale. It's a good read. For a man who's never read a world war two espionage thriller I was impressed.
September 1, 2013
Let's face it, if you're going to subtitle your novel 'the shocking secret of World War II', it'd better be shocking. And a secret. And it does mean you have to put together a novel to deliver the reader the knockout blow of said secret. Here, I'm afraid, while the secret certainly should have been shocking (and would be, were it true), when it finally came to it, I'd already pretty much guessed what the secret was and wasn't all that shocked. And felt a little let down that I wasn't.
The story is that Ben Peters, an American working in Paris in 1940, is to drive a car, a Bentley, loaded with a fortune in platinum. Pretty much the whole of France's monetary resources, to Portugal. There, he is to rendezvous with the British, who will sail/fly him to safety. However, in return for their help, the British have decided he should also take a passenger or two. A Frenchwoman and her young son. Simples. But as the journey progresses, the pursuers and body counts pile up, it becomes more and more clear that the platinum isn't the most valuable thing Peters has in his Bentley.
The secret of why the Frenchwoman and her son are so valuable, is the 'shocking secret' of the title. I'm actually not sure that Mr Robbie, wouldn't in fact like us to be slightly confused by the title and subtitle of the book. Confused enough to wonder if this isn't a non-fiction book and that what the secret is, is/was actually real. It's just that by the time the secret is revealed (if you hadn't sussed it before), the qualms you have over the not quite sharp enough dialogue, quick but limp romance and how on earth they could have driven a Bentley over so many rough, war-strewn French roads and over so much rough Spanish terrain, without losing so much as an ounce of the platinum hidden in various crevices of a pre-war Bentley - kind of obscure and therefore dilute the 'revelation.' Well, they did for me anyway.
It was a fine effort, I enjoyed reading it and it has many good ideas and a plot that actually hangs together more than most. A little let down by the execution though, as I mentioned. But don't let that put you off, as others on Goodreads have obviously found this to be a very good book, giving it an average score of over 4 stars, if I remember rightly. So it's probably just me. To be honest, I found the writing and evocation of war-time Paris, to be more convincing than the chase which takes up much of the book once they're out of the city. I felt the writing from then on could and should have been a bit sharper, a bit more polished. If you're going to get someone on the front cover saying ‘An action adventure story in the tradition of Ken Follett and Robert Harris with the cutting edge of a Tom Clancy or W.E.B Griffin wartime thriller’, you have to make sure you deliver. And this, in the end, didn't quite. This cutting edge felt a little blunt.
The story is that Ben Peters, an American working in Paris in 1940, is to drive a car, a Bentley, loaded with a fortune in platinum. Pretty much the whole of France's monetary resources, to Portugal. There, he is to rendezvous with the British, who will sail/fly him to safety. However, in return for their help, the British have decided he should also take a passenger or two. A Frenchwoman and her young son. Simples. But as the journey progresses, the pursuers and body counts pile up, it becomes more and more clear that the platinum isn't the most valuable thing Peters has in his Bentley.
The secret of why the Frenchwoman and her son are so valuable, is the 'shocking secret' of the title. I'm actually not sure that Mr Robbie, wouldn't in fact like us to be slightly confused by the title and subtitle of the book. Confused enough to wonder if this isn't a non-fiction book and that what the secret is, is/was actually real. It's just that by the time the secret is revealed (if you hadn't sussed it before), the qualms you have over the not quite sharp enough dialogue, quick but limp romance and how on earth they could have driven a Bentley over so many rough, war-strewn French roads and over so much rough Spanish terrain, without losing so much as an ounce of the platinum hidden in various crevices of a pre-war Bentley - kind of obscure and therefore dilute the 'revelation.' Well, they did for me anyway.
It was a fine effort, I enjoyed reading it and it has many good ideas and a plot that actually hangs together more than most. A little let down by the execution though, as I mentioned. But don't let that put you off, as others on Goodreads have obviously found this to be a very good book, giving it an average score of over 4 stars, if I remember rightly. So it's probably just me. To be honest, I found the writing and evocation of war-time Paris, to be more convincing than the chase which takes up much of the book once they're out of the city. I felt the writing from then on could and should have been a bit sharper, a bit more polished. If you're going to get someone on the front cover saying ‘An action adventure story in the tradition of Ken Follett and Robert Harris with the cutting edge of a Tom Clancy or W.E.B Griffin wartime thriller’, you have to make sure you deliver. And this, in the end, didn't quite. This cutting edge felt a little blunt.
December 19, 2017
At first, I found it hard to get into; I don't know why however. Then, after he gets the car, the story started getting very interesting and exciting! This is a great book and an awesome read. The surprise is wow as well!
March 13, 2013
Amazing to think that this was based on a true story ! An exciting, gripping thriller full of interesting characters and intrigue with a twist in the tail. Loved it.
March 7, 2018
This book is about so much more than just the spoils of war. The soldiers fighting and dying on the front lines are merely one facet of the overall battle plan. Spies, agents, double agents, entrepreneurs, and politicians all play their own parts in turning the tides.
This story played out like a movie in my head. The mood and setting were in place. The story begins with fear. A Nazi officer fears discovery. Parisians fear the loss of their lives as well as their beloved city. Bombs heard in the distance could be felt by the anxious attempting to flee before its too late.
Fade to Ben Peters, an American living and working in Paris. Sent to learn European banking practices, Ben finds himself tasked with the impossible; escape to Portugal with precious cargo. His boss at the bank gives him little choice. France and England need him to succeed.
Read the rest of this review at www.feedmybibliodiction.wordpress.com
This story played out like a movie in my head. The mood and setting were in place. The story begins with fear. A Nazi officer fears discovery. Parisians fear the loss of their lives as well as their beloved city. Bombs heard in the distance could be felt by the anxious attempting to flee before its too late.
Fade to Ben Peters, an American living and working in Paris. Sent to learn European banking practices, Ben finds himself tasked with the impossible; escape to Portugal with precious cargo. His boss at the bank gives him little choice. France and England need him to succeed.
Read the rest of this review at www.feedmybibliodiction.wordpress.com
February 14, 2024
But for a ridiculous reveal towards the end I would have awarded five stars. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel which rattled along at a good pace. The platinum is cleverly attached to the bently in an inconspicuous way so as to fool nazis at checkpoints. Ben Peters and his female companion Nicole are both involved in a race against time to reach Britain and safety. Hot in pursuit is a determined and sadistic gestapo agent, who is especially keen to accost Nicole, with the platinum only of secondary importance. An excellent WW2 thriller. I have already purchased the follow ups in the series.
September 18, 2022
I apologize to In Pursuit of Platinum for keeping it so long on my reading list. Despite its abrupt ending, which left me a bit disappointed and expectant, this historical, thriller novel reminded me of how much I love WWII stories. I enjoyed this adventurous reading experience!
I have received an advance review copy from the author at no cost and with no obligations toward the author.
I have received an advance review copy from the author at no cost and with no obligations toward the author.
October 31, 2018
Long time since a book kept me interested,but this book certainly has done that .
Read this book I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
If you wonder if people can do the impossible then this is a good book for you
Read this book I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
If you wonder if people can do the impossible then this is a good book for you
March 15, 2017
Good writing, but I just couldn't get into the plot.
December 6, 2020
I little childish for my taste,perfect for a teenager. Not near as gritty as was hoping for.
September 3, 2021
An entertaining read and a great advert for Bentley cars when they were British.
May 18, 2016
Amazon description.
As the Germans are about to invade Paris in 1940 American Ben Peters attempts to smuggle a fortune in platinum out of the city in the legendary Bullion Bentley. But the Bentley is carrying an even more valuable human cargo, a mysterious Frenchwoman escaping with her young son and a secret that could change the course of the Second World War.
Alena and Ben are the targets of Hitler’s ruthless investigator, whose family will be executed if he fails. His orders are to silence Alena before she can reveal her secret; capture her young son and take him back to Berlin; and recover the Banque de France’s platinum.
As they flee their hunter, they experience the stark and tragic realities of war and the raw emotions of two heroes living on the edge of fear. And not everything is as it seems. Who is Alena and what is her secret that could destroy everything Adolf Hitler and the Nazis stand for?
My Review.
I was intrigued by the book description, so much so that I persuaded my library to purchase it. I have read many spy stories, but none in which the reluctant spy/hero becomes so determined to succeed in protecting the items with which he has been entrusted.
It is based on fact, the Bullion Bentley did exist and was involved in a tremendous chase across France. It was driven by its owner, a French Count and Banker, but in the story Vic Robbie has put it in the hands of an American and, apart from the bullion itself which is fact, he has added to it Alena and her young son as refugees who have to get away from Hitler’s regime.
It makes for a cracking story, one that pounds along with the beat of the increasingly damaged Bentley’s engine. How they make it to Estoril and what happens afterwards is both exciting and engaging. There is a secret involved which, if true, could have had a shattering effect upon the world, but as the occupants of the car in the story are not those who took part factually, I think that the secret is safe, although it undoubtedly adds to the story.
Vic Robbie has taken a true story and created another, even more intriguing one.
As the Germans are about to invade Paris in 1940 American Ben Peters attempts to smuggle a fortune in platinum out of the city in the legendary Bullion Bentley. But the Bentley is carrying an even more valuable human cargo, a mysterious Frenchwoman escaping with her young son and a secret that could change the course of the Second World War.
Alena and Ben are the targets of Hitler’s ruthless investigator, whose family will be executed if he fails. His orders are to silence Alena before she can reveal her secret; capture her young son and take him back to Berlin; and recover the Banque de France’s platinum.
As they flee their hunter, they experience the stark and tragic realities of war and the raw emotions of two heroes living on the edge of fear. And not everything is as it seems. Who is Alena and what is her secret that could destroy everything Adolf Hitler and the Nazis stand for?
My Review.
I was intrigued by the book description, so much so that I persuaded my library to purchase it. I have read many spy stories, but none in which the reluctant spy/hero becomes so determined to succeed in protecting the items with which he has been entrusted.
It is based on fact, the Bullion Bentley did exist and was involved in a tremendous chase across France. It was driven by its owner, a French Count and Banker, but in the story Vic Robbie has put it in the hands of an American and, apart from the bullion itself which is fact, he has added to it Alena and her young son as refugees who have to get away from Hitler’s regime.
It makes for a cracking story, one that pounds along with the beat of the increasingly damaged Bentley’s engine. How they make it to Estoril and what happens afterwards is both exciting and engaging. There is a secret involved which, if true, could have had a shattering effect upon the world, but as the occupants of the car in the story are not those who took part factually, I think that the secret is safe, although it undoubtedly adds to the story.
Vic Robbie has taken a true story and created another, even more intriguing one.
July 14, 2015
This is not my usual type of book, as I prefer romances. I know I'm getting a happy ending with those. I guess that's what made this one even more tense for me. I was kept guessing right up to the end whether the good guys were going to be all right. I loved the setting and didn't even flinch at the violence.
And while I loved the cliffhanger scene endings, I found myself literally out of breath for want of commas where they were needed. Grammar-Nazi (ha, get it?) pet peeve aside, the story itself played out like a blockbuster film. I really enjoyed this book and I'm glad I stepped out of my reading bubble and took a chance on an interesting tweet. Great marketing there. You snagged a new reader. :D
And while I loved the cliffhanger scene endings, I found myself literally out of breath for want of commas where they were needed. Grammar-Nazi (ha, get it?) pet peeve aside, the story itself played out like a blockbuster film. I really enjoyed this book and I'm glad I stepped out of my reading bubble and took a chance on an interesting tweet. Great marketing there. You snagged a new reader. :D
March 25, 2016
Amidst plethora of fictional literature on the events during the second World War, this book stands out as being fast paced and with a credible story line. Yes, it is similar to "pursuit" related books but this one scores over the others. There is suspense, lots of it and the reader is always into a "what next" syndrome. This is what makes the book so interesting. The story revolves around platinum being taken out by an intrepid American as the Nazis literally walk into Paris. However, what is even more intriguing is the woman who accompanies him along with her son. She has greater value than the cache of Platinum. And this is the suspense. The end though is a trifle baffling.
March 31, 2013
I found this book hard to get into. It doesn't help that at just under 300 pages, it has nearly 80 chapters, and the storyline would jump between two each chapter, so it just felt like both stories were moving at a snails pace. I was willing to give this book 3 stars, but I had an idea of the big 'secret' way before the end, and what's more, I did not like how the book ended at all.
January 13, 2014
Book started out very well but I was not crazy about the ending. I also thought the author let people use their imaginations a bit much trying to figure out what happened when a chapter would end and a new one would begin but there was a time laspe.
April 26, 2014
Little suspense and abrupt ending
the characters are predictable and the plot could have been written by a 12 year old. then throw in some strange time lapses and an disappointing finish and you have a mediocre book.
the characters are predictable and the plot could have been written by a 12 year old. then throw in some strange time lapses and an disappointing finish and you have a mediocre book.
March 22, 2013
Not so bad. I did guess the secret in the first 10 minutes and so the rest of the book was a bit pointless.
December 10, 2013
Could see the identity of Freddie a mile away!!!
February 9, 2015
Lots of action
Loved this book. It kept you on the edge of your seat. Hard to put down you want to see what happens next.
Loved this book. It kept you on the edge of your seat. Hard to put down you want to see what happens next.
May 20, 2015
Excellent
I found myself not being able to read fast enough. I just had to know how it was going to turn out for all of them!
I found myself not being able to read fast enough. I just had to know how it was going to turn out for all of them!
June 5, 2015
Excellent WW II novel. Sad needing
The story kept me fully engrossed until I finished the book after midnight tonight. I enjoyed the read. It is worth the time.
The story kept me fully engrossed until I finished the book after midnight tonight. I enjoyed the read. It is worth the time.
February 17, 2016
Captivating. I couldn't put it down.
April 5, 2016
Zzzzzz
Nothing new here. Tries to read like a Ken Follett book. Not even close. Don't waste your time. No reason Peters should have remotely survived.
Nothing new here. Tries to read like a Ken Follett book. Not even close. Don't waste your time. No reason Peters should have remotely survived.
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