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Crossing Darkness
“The French are our allies, and they say they need you. I do not always trust them, but I believe them on this. Assisting them will support the treaty and peace, and Griffin, the continuation of peace is no sure thing. It sits on a knife’s edge, and a nudge could send the world tumbling back to war. Help the French. Convince them we are with them because we need this peace to last. Hell, the whole world needs it.”
With these words, Colonel House, advisor to President Woodrow Wilson, launches Great War veteran, John Griffin, on a mission to a post-war Germany in the throes of political and social upheaval.
June 1919. The Treaty of Versailles is nearly complete, and the Bolshevik plot to prevent it was successfully thwarted, but the cost to Griffin was high. Physically wounded and emotionally shattered, he finds that he is trapped by the lies he told the French authorities when saving the very peace that may now cost him everything. Paired with an enigmatic French spy masquerading as his wife, Griffin travels into the heart of a defeated but dangerous Germany. He realizes he is a pawn in a murderous and complicated game that leaves him fighting for his life. He must find a way to escape Germany and the plots that threaten to kill him, while embarking on a quest that his own confused nature has created. As he scrambles to survive, he learns that, sometimes, survival isn’t worth the price demanded.
With these words, Colonel House, advisor to President Woodrow Wilson, launches Great War veteran, John Griffin, on a mission to a post-war Germany in the throes of political and social upheaval.
June 1919. The Treaty of Versailles is nearly complete, and the Bolshevik plot to prevent it was successfully thwarted, but the cost to Griffin was high. Physically wounded and emotionally shattered, he finds that he is trapped by the lies he told the French authorities when saving the very peace that may now cost him everything. Paired with an enigmatic French spy masquerading as his wife, Griffin travels into the heart of a defeated but dangerous Germany. He realizes he is a pawn in a murderous and complicated game that leaves him fighting for his life. He must find a way to escape Germany and the plots that threaten to kill him, while embarking on a quest that his own confused nature has created. As he scrambles to survive, he learns that, sometimes, survival isn’t worth the price demanded.
438 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 14, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 6, 2024
This book was surprisingly good and I’ll have to read the next one to see what happens to Griffin. Interesting story about what was going on behind the scenes just after WWI. A lot of action for one man, sort of an early Jack Reacher.
Good characters; they were well rounded people you cared about. There were several unresolved threads for the next book.
Good characters; they were well rounded people you cared about. There were several unresolved threads for the next book.
February 24, 2024
Another great romp through Europe in the inter-war period with John Griffin and his pals! Alex Juden has written an exciting and intricately plotted sequel to his debut novel Red Tiger Hunting. Admittedly, there were times when I couldn’t quite keep up with who worked for what ministry or even country, and who was double crossing whom and what exactly their motivations were, but it all comes together with an engaging cast of characters, each with their own complexities. Crossing Darkness left this reader wanting more, which is what all good thrillers should do.
January 1, 2024
One of the only things I asked for this Christmas was this book. I love supporting early stage writers. I really enjoyed following the exploits of John as he again finds plenty of adventures in post war Europe. And like any good mystery, there were several fun turn of events I didn’t expect.
March 10, 2026
I found the setting of the book to be really interesting - this isn't a period of history that gets heavily focused on, so it was interesting to see the various political dynamics at play between the French, the Germans, and the Americans at the end of WWI; or at least the author's understanding of what these dynamics would have looked like.
The characters were well-written and clearly defined personalities show through for each of them - it was easy to root for Griffin, Mitchell, Marie, JP, Bullard (who is a real historical figure), and the rest of their supporting characters throughout the story (though it wasn't always clear who should be trusted).
I didn't have the benefit of having read the first book in the series, but this one was relatively easy to pick up and follow; it also didn't give away too much of the story of the first book, so I may circle back and read that one at some point too.
The characters were well-written and clearly defined personalities show through for each of them - it was easy to root for Griffin, Mitchell, Marie, JP, Bullard (who is a real historical figure), and the rest of their supporting characters throughout the story (though it wasn't always clear who should be trusted).
I didn't have the benefit of having read the first book in the series, but this one was relatively easy to pick up and follow; it also didn't give away too much of the story of the first book, so I may circle back and read that one at some point too.
January 29, 2024
Crossing Darkness is a well-written novel that incorporates all the elements needed to hold the readers’ attention and keep the pages turning: excellent character development, and a healthy dose of history and geography along with a mix of lightheartedness, camaraderie, and intrigue.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews