What do you think?
Rate this book
The Man Who Never Was
In 1986, Derwenthaugh Coke Works was closed and demolition work began. A strange discovery halts the regeneration plans. As there is no obvious explanation as to why the various artefacts should be there, the police become involved. The only clue which offers any progress points to events which took place many years ago. Just when a young police officer thinks she has seen something similar to one of the objects, and a new line of inquiry looms, higher authority descends on the investigation. The intrigue thickens.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 25, 2013
102 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 19, 2015
I have to say that the idea behind the book was an interesting, but it feel that it was poorly executed. It is all well and good the story taking part on two different timelines, but the constant chopping and changing between the two often left me having to reread passages to try and make some semblance of sense in my own mind. The numerous characters who cropped up and then disappeared without a trace only added to the confusion.
On the whole the book is part police procedural, and part spy novel, and neither really takes the spotlight. I feel that with some better proof-reading and editing, this book might have been shorter but a more reader friendly work.
On the whole the book is part police procedural, and part spy novel, and neither really takes the spotlight. I feel that with some better proof-reading and editing, this book might have been shorter but a more reader friendly work.
July 23, 2021
I'm giving it a 3, at a push. Not that it isn't an ok book, more so that it was a confusing book for me. Many characters and blurred lines. Found it hard to follow and know if the people were really alive or whatever.
I loved Harry and his family's part in it though.
Could be a re-read possibly.
I loved Harry and his family's part in it though.
Could be a re-read possibly.
November 18, 2014
Finished this earlier this eve, and barely remember plot...bit meh really for me.
January 14, 2022
The demolition of a factory leads to the discovery of a body that had to have been there at least 40 years. This starts a story that goes back and forth between 1945 and 1986.
The first quarter of the book was primarily a police procedural, trying to determine the identity of the body, and if foul play was involved. While I don’t believe the alternating timelines of the story were distracting, the pacing was slow. When the possibility of the body belonging to an escaped POW emerged, then the espionage part of the plot began to be a factor. And a speculative newspaper article fueled both the police and clandestine service’s investigations.
I enjoyed the struggle between different organizations as the police worked to complete their investigation and national security worked to protect secrets still pertinent during the Cold War.
The first quarter of the book was primarily a police procedural, trying to determine the identity of the body, and if foul play was involved. While I don’t believe the alternating timelines of the story were distracting, the pacing was slow. When the possibility of the body belonging to an escaped POW emerged, then the espionage part of the plot began to be a factor. And a speculative newspaper article fueled both the police and clandestine service’s investigations.
I enjoyed the struggle between different organizations as the police worked to complete their investigation and national security worked to protect secrets still pertinent during the Cold War.
September 7, 2017
Whose body was buried beneath the concrete at the Derwenthaugh Coke Works? Police investigation in 1986 points to something that happened back in 1945. But to whom, and why? These questions aren't answered until nearly the last chapter of the book.
This is a confusing, convoluted mess, that skips from 1986 to 1945 and back, many times. We do finally find out whose body it was, but by that time, I didn't really care. *Yawn*
This is a confusing, convoluted mess, that skips from 1986 to 1945 and back, many times. We do finally find out whose body it was, but by that time, I didn't really care. *Yawn*
February 26, 2023
WW2 history we never learned in school….The story of the successful WW2 “Operation Mincemeat”. Excellent story! And they made a great movie called “The man who never was” starring Clifton Webb.
Hollywood has remade the movie “Operation Mincemeat” which is also quite good…..but, the book is always better than a movie. Highly recommend this book!
Hollywood has remade the movie “Operation Mincemeat” which is also quite good…..but, the book is always better than a movie. Highly recommend this book!
March 11, 2021
This book was an interesting mix of police work and spies. The police are trying to determine if a newly found corpse is murder or ????
Eventually their work leads them to WWII and POWs at that time. There is mystery in the police work and in the hidden spy work that still goes on.
Eventually their work leads them to WWII and POWs at that time. There is mystery in the police work and in the hidden spy work that still goes on.
December 1, 2024
Like looking through a lens
This was an exciting and detailed story. Like taken a period of time in history and looking at it through the lens of the lives of people in one particular area in time.
This was an exciting and detailed story. Like taken a period of time in history and looking at it through the lens of the lives of people in one particular area in time.
June 10, 2019
This was a great book, I love a good mystery with twists. Very well written and good story plot. For a free book definitely worth a read 👏😁
April 1, 2020
A mystery lover's delight
Intertwining of characters, secrets, eras, and unlikely liaisons, this story kept my attention from start to finish. A good read.
Intertwining of characters, secrets, eras, and unlikely liaisons, this story kept my attention from start to finish. A good read.
March 23, 2022
very interesting
Well written. Descriptions and characters are believable. The viewpoint of the narrative is nicely mature. It’s a complete novel. Well done.
Well written. Descriptions and characters are believable. The viewpoint of the narrative is nicely mature. It’s a complete novel. Well done.
December 31, 2024
DNF, just never went back to finish, nothing wrong with the writing of the book just not my thing
January 31, 2015
The book's blurb intrigued me and the story didn't disappoint. The story is very good and I liked the way past and present events were brought together at the end.
A heavy rainstorm uncovers a body, buried beneath a concrete slab at a disused coal works in northern Britain. Alongside the buried body is a ring and an ID tag, indicating the deceased was a Luffwaffe pilot. Chapters alternate between the present day investigation and events surrounding a POW camp at the end of WW11.
The book is generally well written without typos. But, the transitions between scenes and introductions of new characters were unclear and sometimes muddled. Several times I had to flick back pages to establish what was going on. Also, dialogue was used a little to often to "dump information" and didn't always flow naturally. These two criticisms aside, I really enjoyed the story and characters and it is a worthwhile read.
I'd say, if the blurb interests you, this is well worth a download.
A heavy rainstorm uncovers a body, buried beneath a concrete slab at a disused coal works in northern Britain. Alongside the buried body is a ring and an ID tag, indicating the deceased was a Luffwaffe pilot. Chapters alternate between the present day investigation and events surrounding a POW camp at the end of WW11.
The book is generally well written without typos. But, the transitions between scenes and introductions of new characters were unclear and sometimes muddled. Several times I had to flick back pages to establish what was going on. Also, dialogue was used a little to often to "dump information" and didn't always flow naturally. These two criticisms aside, I really enjoyed the story and characters and it is a worthwhile read.
I'd say, if the blurb interests you, this is well worth a download.
January 15, 2015
This book had a good story line but it seemed to take a really long time to get through. It was just a slow going book which isn't my favorite thing. I didn't like how much they tried to make you keep guessing. The characters would say or do things that I felt were supposed to add suspense to the story line but I don't feel that it actually worked out that way. I'm pretty sure the book as a whole could have been at least 50 pages shorter and still gotten the same story line across.
April 21, 2015
Finally reached the bitter end. Excruciating. The story of the little boy and the POW camp was interesting. Other than that all the long passages about spies and government I had to skip through because they didn't feel like they were moving the story forward. The conclusion may be true but was written as more of a thesis rather than the end of a story. Disappointing.
July 18, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. The movement between the present day and past is done very well providing enough clues to keep you guessing. Would have to agree with some other reviews that it feels slightly rushed towards the end.
August 25, 2015
More twists and turns than Hampton Court maze a really good read for a freebie.. A body discovered in the foundations of a coke works starts an investigation by the police MI5, MI^ and a journalist. Ho it all comes together is unpredictable
January 8, 2015
I believe that this book is very well written but did not keep me occupied with my time. The past/present switches were very nice, but overall the past/flashbacks were my favorite part of the book. Overall, kept me guessing until the very end. It was pretty good!
May 18, 2015
THIS BOOK IS A VERY INTERESTING READ
The reader needs to pay close attention to dates,and people's names. This book IS way more than a who done it .IT holds a lessons that it would behoove US to pay attention to in today's world.
The reader needs to pay close attention to dates,and people's names. This book IS way more than a who done it .IT holds a lessons that it would behoove US to pay attention to in today's world.
February 2, 2016
A page turner....
A little confusing with switching time periods and it was difficult for me to keep some of the characters straight but overall a good read...had me guessing up until the end.
A little confusing with switching time periods and it was difficult for me to keep some of the characters straight but overall a good read...had me guessing up until the end.
February 18, 2014
Guessing
I enjoyed this book very much. It was well written but at times I found myself a little lost. the book kept me guessing till the very end.
I enjoyed this book very much. It was well written but at times I found myself a little lost. the book kept me guessing till the very end.
August 30, 2014
I enjoyed reading this, but sometimes found it a bit hard to keep up with which timeline was which, due to switching rapidly, and sometimes a bit disjointedly between the two stories.
February 23, 2014
Intricately woven tale; but sadly hurried at the end.
April 23, 2014
good book, lots of flashbacks got a bit confusing at times, but still a good read.
August 26, 2015
I liked the way the author switched between the present and the past until the two connected.
February 20, 2015
Twists and turns
This book is an easy and interesting read. I enjoy historical fiction and this book is one I'd recommend to others.
This book is an easy and interesting read. I enjoy historical fiction and this book is one I'd recommend to others.
January 30, 2016
A pretty good read for the reader who likes espionage books, which I do. Lots of intrigue with many different characters playing out the standard WWII theme. Still, a good read.
February 23, 2016
Gripping
Very readable keeps you guessing you don't know what's going to happgfen nfdext yyyy uuu iii nnm mbfff bgjjjj bb
Very readable keeps you guessing you don't know what's going to happgfen nfdext yyyy uuu iii nnm mbfff bgjjjj bb
June 7, 2014
Enjoyable read
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews