Operation Afterlight

by Robert Lassen

'THIS WARTIME THRILLER WILL KEEP YOU GRIPPED TO THE VERY END' James Swallow

March, 1945. Hitler’s fate is sealed. Allied forces have crossed the Rhine and the Red Army is closing in on Berlin. The war is all but over.

But from the darkest depths of the Nazi terror machine, a new danger emerges – the final, awful product of history’s most twisted minds. An ultimate act of bloody defiance against humanity itself.

Four unlikely allies are the only ones who can stop the horror. RAF pilot Andrew Durban, whose medals hide deep scars of battle. Johnny Grant, his terror-stricken navigator. Sarah Lane, brilliant yet ostracised SOE spymaster, haunted by the agents she sent to their deaths. And Jan Stahl, renegade SS assassin who carries his own devastating secrets.

From the deadly skies over Germany to the panic-filled streets of a collapsing Reich, they must find a way to not only uncover a nightmare vision, but to stop it becoming reality.

Failure won’t just end their dreams of peace. It will end everything.

Operation Afterlight is a gripping and suspenseful thriller which reader of Robert Harris, Ken Follett and Charles Cumming will not be able to put down.

Genres: War

372 pages, Paperback

Published April 25, 2024

Reviews

[Sean Peters (A Good Thriller) · Rating 3 out of 5]

But from the darkest depths of the Nazi terror machine, a new danger emerges – the final, awful product of history’s most twisted minds. An ultimate act of bloody defiance against humanity itself.

Four unlikely allies are the only ones who can stop the horror. RAF pilot Andrew Durban, whose medals hide deep scars of battle. Johnny Grant, his terror-stricken navigator. Sarah Lane, brilliant yet ostracised SOE spymaster, haunted by the agents she sent to their deaths. And Jan Stahl, renegade SS assassin who carries his own devastating secrets.

From the deadly skies over Germany to the panic-filled streets of a collapsing Reich, they must find a way to not only uncover a nightmare vision, but to stop it becoming reality.

From an author who loves his Second World War history, aircraft's and military information, where is lacked for me, is pace, suspense, strength of story, I personally found it heavy work, confusing and slow

Three stars.

[Zoë Routh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and compelling

Gritty World War II action and intrigue in the air force. Great descriptions of bombing raids, spy craft and hand to hand combat as the RAF lines up to take out one last Nazi scheme.

Good pacing, admirable characters, and a engaging writing. Very thrilling!

[Ewan Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reasonable WWII action thriller. Not exactly ‘unputdownable’ but it is well paced, especially in the second half. I had a few issues with the writer’s characterisation of our lead female character. A professional SOE handler who seems to be impulsive, emotional and reactionary, rather than precise, collected and measured, as her seniority would entail. Rather than well written characterisation, it comes across as a male author being incapable of writing a three dimensional female character, which is a shame. Of course this is fiction but I also found the motif behind the decision to use the ‘world ending’ chemical weapon on the German people for ‘letting Hitler down’ to be massively historically inaccurate in terms of the characterisation of the German High Command.

The mission sections are fast paced, full of action and easy to follow. I enjoyed the clear love of the Mosquito that the writer clearly has. The sections of the book that develop our antihero are well thought out, if a little rushed. Not a terrible book but I wouldn’t rush to read other novels by this author.

[Michael Rumney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the latter stages of the second world war we follow an RAF squadron on a series of linked missions. There is an espionage narrative featuring a character Stahl who is involved in the SS and through him we fallow a decently written character arc.
There are plenty of dog fights and in the end just too many but the author portrays an air of constant danger and death could be around any corner.
Far too much technical details about aircraft and how they fly and drop bombs, for the lay man like me and these like the Mosquito aircraft themselves would whoosh straight over my head.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Operation Afterlight

Operation Afterlight is up there with the best World War Two action thrillers and it is clear that as a former RAF officer the author, Robert Lassen, has used his knowledge of aircraft and his experience in the RAF to bring the novel to life and keep the author glued to the page. I couldn't help thinking this book would make a great film.

[Brian Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant tale of bravery and action

I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of wartime action with a specialist RAF squadron, teamed with a very special SOE operative tasked with the destruction of the Nazis secret weapon that could lead to the deaths of millions. Superb action scenes and pathos galore. Couldn't help a few tears of emotion at the end.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing storyline

Loved this book, a combination of espionage, heroism, love and comradery. Fantastic characters from a brilliant author, roll on more from Mr Lassen. A thoroughly absorbing read that I didn't want to reach an end.

[Peter Radsliff · Rating 5 out of 5]

With all of today’s political squabbling, it’s important to remember a time of existential dread, and the lives of those who saved us from ourselves. Taught, suspenseful, with everything on the line. A great read!

[Gavin McGrath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! Detailed, crisp and taut narrative.

[Michelle Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

Great read and riveting well written and enjoyable. I could not put it down once I stated. Fast pace and exciting