The Zodiac Deception: A Novel

by Gary Kriss

Summer, 1942: The con man known as David Walker didn't exactly volunteer, but OSS chief Wild Bill Donovan convinced him that serving his country and the cause of freedom by posing as German astrologer Peter Kepler was a better use of his time than going to prison for impersonating a Princeton University professor. His use his skills in illusion, sleight of hand and deception to gain Heinrich Himmler's trust and persuade him to assassinate Adolph Hitler. In a plot that involves German resistance members in high places, Walker walks a tightrope of deceit, playing on the high command's fascination with the occult to penetrate the highest levels of Nazi power in a daring plan to eliminate the Nazi Fu¨hrer. In action that takes him from Berlin to Paris to Cairo; from Hitler's Eagle Nest to Himmler's occult Wewelsburg Castle, Gary Kriss's The Zodiac Deception is a memorable debut, an unforgettable thrill ride through the dark heart of World War II Germany. This edition of the book is the deluxe, tall rack mass market paperback.

Genres: Germany, Fiction, Thriller, Historical

670 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 6, 2014

About the author

GARY KRISS has been stringing together words for longer than he cares to remember, including for The New York Times where he wrote critically acclaimed feature articles.

Born in the great borough of Brooklyn, Gary was raised in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee, near Dolly Parton’s home town, although he has never shown any vocal ability. He did, however, fall under the spell of the South’s rich literary heritage and to this day remains bewitched by it.

Gary studied philosophy and sociology as an undergraduate and did his graduate work in sociology and psychology at The New School for Social Research. A former journalism, communication arts and marketing professor, he was named a Research Associate at Williams College in recognition of his writing.

Like the protagonist of THE ZODIAC DECEPTION, Gary's an accomplished mentalist, magician and ventriloquist. He’s a member of the Society of American Magicians, founded by Houdini, and of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. He’s also an active member of the International Thriller Writers, the Mystery Writers of America, the Horror Writers of America and, because he’s a hopeless romantic, the Romance Writers of America.

Currently he’s working on his next novel, THE HOUDINI KILLER, a prequel to THE ZODIAC DECEPTION. True to form, he’s writing it either in a coffee house or a bookstore rather than in his Westchester County, NY home, which has been invaded by research material, an unruly horde the likes of which have not seen since the glory days of the Vikings and the Goths.

Beyond that, his main concern is making his lovely wife, Pat, his publisher, his editor, his agents, his dog and his cat proud of him. He still holds out hope that he can win over the dog.

Reviews

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book for the historical value, but Peter Keplar was over the top. He could do anything it seemed in the book. He had excellent hearing, sense of smell and a photographic memory just to name a few.

I think the story could have told in a few less pages, because when I got to about the 500 page mark, I really didn't care what happened.

I am giving this 4 out of 5 stars as the writing was very good.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine a hero who is equal parts Robert Langdon, Indiana Jones, and Danny Ocean gets recruited to change the course of World War II. Peter Kepler is that man. Although "Peter Kepler" is just the latest alias for a man who has been a student of Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Recruited by the OSS and aided by a cast of characters ranging from a beautiful Nazi filmmaker to a renegade Catholic priest to Sir Winston Churchill himself, Peter insinuates himself into the elite of the Nazi Party as an astrologer armed with a powerful prophecy aimed at convincing Heinrich Himmler to assassinate Hitler and end the war.

Ranging over vast portions of the globe and mixing fictional plots with real historical events and persons, The Zodiac Deception is a juicy read for anyone who enjoys a rousing tale of spies, history, and adventure with just a dash of the supernatural thrown in for zest.

[Booksyes · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was not a fan at all, I read this for a book club. The author writes in a way where everything is unbelievable, the main character just suddenly seems to remember he has the skill to do this, and this this, and then this... I found his writing to be very contrived rather than fluid. Also, I guess it didn't help that I'm not a fan of the astrology.

[Bret Kinghorn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent story that revolves around Himmler's obsession with the occult which allows a group of German resistant fighters to manipulate him with it, and the help of an American con man.
Only issue I had was the ending, which left far more questions than it answered.

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy reading fiction set in the WW2 era. This book does not disappoint. Loved all the twists and turns throughout even to the very last page.

[Shanon Grady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun twist on a pivotal moment in history.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

8.0

[Sarah Hetzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very interesting. The characters are memorable and cool. I did struggle to finish it due to length, but I do recommend it for historical fiction fans

[Mark Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Walker has created a comfortable life teaching psychology at an exclusive college in the Northeast. But the head of the OSS knows that he is really a con man who was taught by Houdini in the art of deception. His friendship with Arthur Conan Doyle has taught him to be a master of observation and deduction. In exchange for the continuation of his comfortable lifestyle the OSS dragoons him to pose as a German astrologer who must convince a superstitious Himmler to murder Hitler. Walker is intrigued at the idea of pulling off a con of this magnitude. And so he becomes Peter Keppler and is smuggled into Berlin. His plan takes him into the confidence of Himmler and members of the Third Reich as a priest, a film director, and their associates help him to pull off the most important scam of his life. Along the way he travels to Paris, Cairo and into the Eagle's Nest where the final act of his plan threatens to destroy everything he has come to hold dear in life.

They used to call books like this one "rip-roaring" and that could still be attributed today. The inside lore of magicians and tricks of the con man were intriguing and the far-flung locales and adventures were cinematic in scope. I enjoyed this book very much but the only quibble I had was that it was too long. I would have rated it higher if it had been a shorter novel.

[Brendan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The premise was amazing...and everything you think is far-fetched is true. I spent a lot of time fact checking (e.g. "I thought there were no female legionnaires?!"; "You're telling me Himmler is obsessed with the occult?"), and every time, those are the real bits of the story. Even, from what I understand, direct quotes--and bad jokes--from Hitler are meticulously researched. And then spinning all of those unlikely elements into a gripping story spanning multiple countries with a credible and non-cliched love element to boot? Yes, this book gets five stars.

[Linda Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had this book on my 'I want to read' list for one year.

How to explain this book...I suppose one could call it an historical thriller. Set during WWII, spies and counterspies abound, but what is known of the Reich these days, who is to say that something like this could not have happened?

This book takes an American con man and places him into the conning position of a lifetime, conning Himmler, through astrology, to kill Hitler and end the war. But can such a con succeed?

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, and enjoy Gary's writing style. I must say that after hearing him discuss the writing of the book at my store last weekend, I had a completely renewed perspective on his writing style. I feel it is a page turner- a really good thriller and found myself wanted to read his next installment.
Bravo!

[Ryan Hillis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good World War II thriller about the OSS operation to kill Hitler!!

[Felix · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great idea and a period I love. A con man that is recruited to stop Hitler! This is a great read...

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, a fantastic writer.

[Pete · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding novel by a first time author. I'm looking forward to the next one.

[Ted · Rating 2 out of 5]

If ever a book needed a good editor this is the one. At 350 pages it would have been mildly entertaining. At 496 pages its tedious. Its as if the author imagined he was being paid by the word.

[Rob Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gary Kriss hooked me. Fantastic new author.

[Meredith Kramer · Rating 2 out of 5]

did not like writing style. couldn't get into it and quit. However I liked the story line.

[Dee Halzack · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like period suspense, this is a great one. Set during WWII. works with the known interest on the part of some Nazis in astrology and the occult. Lots of twists and turns.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gary Kriss weaves together World War II history, fascinating occult, and an excitingly original plot in a way that is both fantastic and plausible. My kind of book!

[Samuel · Rating 1 out of 5]

A torturous read!

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a novel of historical fiction with fantasy and magic. this is a very good read. some dry spots but unuseally quick reading. this is a book that I recommend.