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Alex Kovacs #12
Bucharest Unbound
ALEX KOVACS IS BACK, DESPERATELY TRYING NOT TO BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS HIM.
Or, rather, the hand that feeds his bosses.
Bucharest Unbound is the 12th book in a series that has earned more than 15,000 5-star reviews. In it, Alex has been sent to Bucharest, Romania. He works for the Gehlen Organization, a group of former German officers — and Nazis of various flavors — who are angling for a chance to be the intelligence arm of West Germany. Since the end of World War II, the Gehlen Org has received most of its funding from the American intelligence community because of its ability to supply something to the Commie-obsessed Americans that they can’t get anywhere intelligence sources behind the Iron Curtain; boots on the Communist ground.
In Bucharest, there is a small American presence working with some homegrown anti-Communist commandos. The Gehlen Org is helping, too. But when a Gehlen spy dies, and when the details don’t quite add up, Alex is sent to Bucharest to find out why. In essence, he is spying on his American partners as much as he is assisting the commandos on their sabotage mission. What he see baffles him and sometimes disgusts him — and the whole balancing act nearly topples him.
With more than a quarter-million readers, author Richard Wake has created a character who strikes most as an everyman who finds himself in the middle of a series of extraordinary adventure. He continues to wrestle with his conscience, and the darker side of his nature, and the moral complexity of all of his endeavors. That wrestling continues in Bucharest Unbound. Pick up a copy today and see what the Alex Kovacs story is all about!
Or, rather, the hand that feeds his bosses.
Bucharest Unbound is the 12th book in a series that has earned more than 15,000 5-star reviews. In it, Alex has been sent to Bucharest, Romania. He works for the Gehlen Organization, a group of former German officers — and Nazis of various flavors — who are angling for a chance to be the intelligence arm of West Germany. Since the end of World War II, the Gehlen Org has received most of its funding from the American intelligence community because of its ability to supply something to the Commie-obsessed Americans that they can’t get anywhere intelligence sources behind the Iron Curtain; boots on the Communist ground.
In Bucharest, there is a small American presence working with some homegrown anti-Communist commandos. The Gehlen Org is helping, too. But when a Gehlen spy dies, and when the details don’t quite add up, Alex is sent to Bucharest to find out why. In essence, he is spying on his American partners as much as he is assisting the commandos on their sabotage mission. What he see baffles him and sometimes disgusts him — and the whole balancing act nearly topples him.
With more than a quarter-million readers, author Richard Wake has created a character who strikes most as an everyman who finds himself in the middle of a series of extraordinary adventure. He continues to wrestle with his conscience, and the darker side of his nature, and the moral complexity of all of his endeavors. That wrestling continues in Bucharest Unbound. Pick up a copy today and see what the Alex Kovacs story is all about!
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 4, 2024
321 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Richard Wake
30 books101 followersRichard Wake's first career was as a newspaper reporter, columnist, and editor. Writing fiction was always an aspiration, especially historical fiction set in Europe during the inter-war period, and now it has become a reality.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
December 19, 2024
This one takes place in, as stated in the title, Bucharest. That’s in Romania, for the geography-challenged. I know very little about Romania, except I remember from the late 1980s and early 90s that it was the Iron Curtain country where it seemed like everyone’s surname ends with “escue”. Oh, and the Dracula thing, of course.
Anyway Alex is there to join an anti-Communist resistance group and to spy on the Americans. It goes very wrong because the group’s leader is actually a Securitate agent. Alex barely escapes and makes it back to Vienna which seems to be the setting of the next book.
Anyway Alex is there to join an anti-Communist resistance group and to spy on the Americans. It goes very wrong because the group’s leader is actually a Securitate agent. Alex barely escapes and makes it back to Vienna which seems to be the setting of the next book.
May 1, 2024
it has been a journey
I always appreciate seeing a new Alex Kovacs novel come out.
If it’s released during a draught, I actually wait until I have a few good books to read and I always put them in the middle of my reading spree.
What I should do is read it when the pickings are slim, but then what? Follow Kovaks with some quasi- sci-fi fantasy naval battle in space?
And yes, these novels are often a bit anachronistic, especially in the language part, but I figure making up a story and writing it is already a big job, making the language period authentic is asking for a bit much. It would certainly increase the release times. We can’t have that.
I always appreciate seeing a new Alex Kovacs novel come out.
If it’s released during a draught, I actually wait until I have a few good books to read and I always put them in the middle of my reading spree.
What I should do is read it when the pickings are slim, but then what? Follow Kovaks with some quasi- sci-fi fantasy naval battle in space?
And yes, these novels are often a bit anachronistic, especially in the language part, but I figure making up a story and writing it is already a big job, making the language period authentic is asking for a bit much. It would certainly increase the release times. We can’t have that.
March 29, 2024
Alex Kovacs continued
I enjoyed this one-I’ve read the entire series. It was entertaining although not as much as some earlier adventures. Cold War antics are less engrossing to me personally. The plot is less complex.
I still recommend this book because of the writing style and humor that appears on occasion. Makes it feel very real.
Gotta proofread more thoroughly though, Richard. Lots of omissions of words and misspellings. Forgivable but annoying at times.
I enjoyed this one-I’ve read the entire series. It was entertaining although not as much as some earlier adventures. Cold War antics are less engrossing to me personally. The plot is less complex.
I still recommend this book because of the writing style and humor that appears on occasion. Makes it feel very real.
Gotta proofread more thoroughly though, Richard. Lots of omissions of words and misspellings. Forgivable but annoying at times.
April 4, 2024
This is the 12th in the series and we find Alex a bit more introspective than usual. But, still intelligent and witty. The book is entertaining and atmospheric but probably isn't the place to start the series, as there are numerous references to past adventures. But, that just means you have to read the others too!
I have a theory that the books were actually written by Alex's friend Leon, who is a journalist in the stories. I like to read the books from this perspective.
I have a theory that the books were actually written by Alex's friend Leon, who is a journalist in the stories. I like to read the books from this perspective.
December 13, 2024
Worth working your way through the series, fun, but not Le Carre
I have enjoyed the whole series. The plots are interesting, the settings seem well researched, the characters are well crafted, not stereotypical, the dialogue flows freely and overall the stories are plausible. My only complaints are with the gratuitous use of "f###", "sh##", general foul language and unbelievable sexual promiscuity of the female characters. Looks to have been written for an American audience.
I have enjoyed the whole series. The plots are interesting, the settings seem well researched, the characters are well crafted, not stereotypical, the dialogue flows freely and overall the stories are plausible. My only complaints are with the gratuitous use of "f###", "sh##", general foul language and unbelievable sexual promiscuity of the female characters. Looks to have been written for an American audience.
March 5, 2024
Love this series
I have read all this series and hope there will be more. Alex character is great along with Leon. Alex always gets his man or woman and gets away. The getting away is iffy sometimes. I highly recommend this series to WW 2 and cold War junkies. Richard is a great writer and there is never a dull moment in these books.
I have read all this series and hope there will be more. Alex character is great along with Leon. Alex always gets his man or woman and gets away. The getting away is iffy sometimes. I highly recommend this series to WW 2 and cold War junkies. Richard is a great writer and there is never a dull moment in these books.
March 8, 2024
I've been reading this series since the start, so I feel kind in invested in Alex Kovacs and his family magnesite business, lol. This latest installment is a really good one! I especially like the fact that I always learn some history and local knowledge, almost like a travel essay. In other words, a lot of the backgrounds are true and accurate in these.
March 30, 2024
cant wait for#13 .. can't believe I read all 13 of Alex Kovaçs Series!! IThey were so Great!
And great characters never thought I would read all 13 in series but I couldn't stop waiting for next book to be available. The Paris Crime Family Series was very enjoyable to read I felt like it was a television series it was so discriptive and characters so colorful.
And great characters never thought I would read all 13 in series but I couldn't stop waiting for next book to be available. The Paris Crime Family Series was very enjoyable to read I felt like it was a television series it was so discriptive and characters so colorful.
October 19, 2025
Time for an Upgrade
I clearly enjoy the adventures of Alex Kovacs or I would not be on Book 12 but I am ready for more maturity and better tradecraft on his part. The plots also need to change-Alex goes into Eastern Europe, does a good turn or two, uncovers a mess and gets out just in time.
I clearly enjoy the adventures of Alex Kovacs or I would not be on Book 12 but I am ready for more maturity and better tradecraft on his part. The plots also need to change-Alex goes into Eastern Europe, does a good turn or two, uncovers a mess and gets out just in time.
March 9, 2024
cynicism on wheels
The characters are well described, completely believable. The twists and turns were well done and, again, rooted in reality. What I hated was the idiocy of the Americans, but what can you do?
The characters are well described, completely believable. The twists and turns were well done and, again, rooted in reality. What I hated was the idiocy of the Americans, but what can you do?
Read
March 25, 2024Another great entry in this series
Alex is in good form for a fifty year old. He uses his head and his experience and doesn't need any James Bond gear. I didn't see the denouement coming! I recommend this series for anyone interested in WWII and its aftermath.
Alex is in good form for a fifty year old. He uses his head and his experience and doesn't need any James Bond gear. I didn't see the denouement coming! I recommend this series for anyone interested in WWII and its aftermath.
March 29, 2024
Great Stuff!
I have read all of the Alex Kovacs series and I’ve gotta tell you that I have been entertained more and have learned more about history than I ever thought that I would.
I have read all of the Alex Kovacs series and I’ve gotta tell you that I have been entertained more and have learned more about history than I ever thought that I would.
April 3, 2024
Another Excellent Alex Kovacs Novel
I am always pleased to find a new book by Richard Wake. He has the ability to manage a complex plot, keeping it moving and interesting, without it dissolving into a blur of characters.
I am always pleased to find a new book by Richard Wake. He has the ability to manage a complex plot, keeping it moving and interesting, without it dissolving into a blur of characters.
April 4, 2024
A good read, fast paced and it kept my interest.
I like the way the story is told and the way the plot unfolds. I think Richard Wake has a great rhythm to the way the book unfolds and the way the characters interact. It is a worthwhile read.
I like the way the story is told and the way the plot unfolds. I think Richard Wake has a great rhythm to the way the book unfolds and the way the characters interact. It is a worthwhile read.
April 6, 2024
Number 12 and a great series
I have liked the development of the main character, and his ability to handle involvement with multiple organizations. He is quite the operator. I look forward to number 13.
I have liked the development of the main character, and his ability to handle involvement with multiple organizations. He is quite the operator. I look forward to number 13.
July 10, 2024
This is the last of Richard Wake's Alex Kovacs' series. I've read them all, and very much enjoyed the series, which covers the days before the Nazi absorption of Austria through the early 1950s. The books are all top notch; I do recommend that they be read in order.
July 11, 2024
so Alex Goes to Romania
Alex is sent to Romania to reestablish the underground group that worked with the Allies during the war. The biggest problem for Alex is trying to figure out which side everyone is on.
Alex is sent to Romania to reestablish the underground group that worked with the Allies during the war. The biggest problem for Alex is trying to figure out which side everyone is on.
July 24, 2024
Another brilliant read
I still love the character of Alex even 12 books in. Again the story was almost believable... and certainly entertaining. The only problem is I'm getting through the books too quickly!
I still love the character of Alex even 12 books in. Again the story was almost believable... and certainly entertaining. The only problem is I'm getting through the books too quickly!
April 20, 2025
Excellent Cold War thriller
Kovacs has his hands full with an anti Communist resistance cell composed of an idiot, a blowhard, a coward and a traitor. This is a hard book to put down
Kovacs has his hands full with an anti Communist resistance cell composed of an idiot, a blowhard, a coward and a traitor. This is a hard book to put down
March 9, 2024
Another hit!
I have read and enjoyed every book in this series. This one did not disappoint. Great character development, great plot, historically authentic. Can’t wait for the next one!
I have read and enjoyed every book in this series. This one did not disappoint. Great character development, great plot, historically authentic. Can’t wait for the next one!
March 12, 2024
always fun to read
The characters are real and interesting. Written like you’re actually there and involved. Easy to read but hard to put down.
The characters are real and interesting. Written like you’re actually there and involved. Easy to read but hard to put down.
March 21, 2024
love This Series
I love this set of books. I look forward to reading them as soon as they come out. Thank you.
I love this set of books. I look forward to reading them as soon as they come out. Thank you.
March 26, 2024
Grest Read
I love Romania, and the author captures the pain of the country very well. Great twists and turns all the way. Bravo.
I love Romania, and the author captures the pain of the country very well. Great twists and turns all the way. Bravo.
March 27, 2024
Usual AleX Kovacs adventure not so exciting as previous stories, maybe he's running out enemies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2024
Always a great read
Richard Wake is one of my favorite authors. He is a master of realistic dialogue and always weaves a believable and suspenseful story.
Richard Wake is one of my favorite authors. He is a master of realistic dialogue and always weaves a believable and suspenseful story.
April 18, 2024
Alex Kovacs Continues
It's nice to know a character and see them develop. You get to know the character through the years of experience
It's nice to know a character and see them develop. You get to know the character through the years of experience
September 8, 2024
Good series
There are well developed characters and a fast paced story line. I've read and enjoyed all the books in this series.
There are well developed characters and a fast paced story line. I've read and enjoyed all the books in this series.
June 5, 2025
Great Spy Thriller
Good read with plenty of action a little romance and some interesting plot twists. You’ll feel your right there with them.
Good read with plenty of action a little romance and some interesting plot twists. You’ll feel your right there with them.
July 12, 2025
None
Fast paced with interesting characters, both male and
Female. Could have been forced out more with additional sub plots or locations.
Fast paced with interesting characters, both male and
Female. Could have been forced out more with additional sub plots or locations.
December 7, 2024
Another really good instalment in this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews