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Otto's Boy
Ernst Henke boarded the uptown A train, smiling to himself with approval. Yes, these were the right people, a good mix. No one noticed the package he left in the subway. But they noticed the car full of bodies of over a hundred people--and the letter warning New York City that this was just the beginning.
- GenresThriller
263 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1985
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About the author
Walter Wager
55 books20 followersWager was best known as an author of mystery and spy fiction; his works included 58 Minutes (1987), whose story was used as the basis of the action film Die Hard 2 in 1990. Two of his other novels became major motion pictures in 1977: Viper Three (1972), which was released as Twilight's Last Gleaming, and Telefon (1975). Wager wrote a number of original novels in the 1960s under the pseudonym "John Tiger" that were based on the TV series I Spy and Mission: Impossible.
Born Walter Herman Wager in the Bronx, NY, he was the son of Russian immigrants, and he attended Columbia College at Columbia University. He graduated in 1944 and later earned a law degree from Harvard; the practice of law interested him less than aviation, however, and Wager subsequently entered a fellowship program at Northwestern University through which he earned a degree in aviation law. He attended the Sorbonne for a year under a Fulbright scholarship at the end of the 1940s, and then turned his attention to earning a living. Wager spent the early '50s working as an aviation law consultant to the government of Israel, and from there moved to an editorial job at the United Nations, where he oversaw the editing of that organization's myriad publications. His interest in writing got him into radio at the tail-end of that medium's era of prominence, authoring scripts, and in his spare time he wrote stories.
He was also a writer and producer for CBS Radio, CBS television, and NBC television and was editor-in-chief of Playbill from 1963 to 1966. In addition, Wager worked in public relations for ASCAP and the University of Bridgeport.
Born Walter Herman Wager in the Bronx, NY, he was the son of Russian immigrants, and he attended Columbia College at Columbia University. He graduated in 1944 and later earned a law degree from Harvard; the practice of law interested him less than aviation, however, and Wager subsequently entered a fellowship program at Northwestern University through which he earned a degree in aviation law. He attended the Sorbonne for a year under a Fulbright scholarship at the end of the 1940s, and then turned his attention to earning a living. Wager spent the early '50s working as an aviation law consultant to the government of Israel, and from there moved to an editorial job at the United Nations, where he oversaw the editing of that organization's myriad publications. His interest in writing got him into radio at the tail-end of that medium's era of prominence, authoring scripts, and in his spare time he wrote stories.
He was also a writer and producer for CBS Radio, CBS television, and NBC television and was editor-in-chief of Playbill from 1963 to 1966. In addition, Wager worked in public relations for ASCAP and the University of Bridgeport.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 2, 2012
(Updated review) The golden age of the paperback thriller is the 1970s and Walter Wager was one of my favorite thriller author. When he was on top, he was simply audacious; in a very big way. Many of his works became big motion pictures; few people realize it but it was his material which became the script for 'Die Hard'. In short, he is no slouch.
I recently became interested in re-reading this thriller of his; I wanted to see if it was as good as I remember. This title is late in his canon and while its worthwhile (simply because of having come from the pen of Wager) I would not rank it as his best. There are some clever sequences--Wager is firm when it comes to logic and detail; he doesn't allow loopholes--but apart from the gripping kick-off of the story and the rollicking finale--much of this work is less than what Wager is typically capable of.
"Otto" in the story is the son of a former SS hero; with a massive grudge against the American way of life. He sets out to destroy New York City--all by himself. And he's got a damn good chance of succeeding. The depiction of what he does to the NYC subways system is terrifying. Nerve gas, baby. Woah.
"Otto's Boy" is a wild read at times; but I will be fair. Its really only a book a 'completist' could love. Apart from the two action sequences mentioned above the characters are stock/conventional in such a way as to be almost painful to read. Every cliche associated with the 'rampaging psycho on the loose' is trotted out. The book is worth knowing about if you're mindful of the threat of homegrown terrorists and the danger they will always pose; but otherwise is worth only a place in a cardboard box in your closet.
I recently became interested in re-reading this thriller of his; I wanted to see if it was as good as I remember. This title is late in his canon and while its worthwhile (simply because of having come from the pen of Wager) I would not rank it as his best. There are some clever sequences--Wager is firm when it comes to logic and detail; he doesn't allow loopholes--but apart from the gripping kick-off of the story and the rollicking finale--much of this work is less than what Wager is typically capable of.
"Otto" in the story is the son of a former SS hero; with a massive grudge against the American way of life. He sets out to destroy New York City--all by himself. And he's got a damn good chance of succeeding. The depiction of what he does to the NYC subways system is terrifying. Nerve gas, baby. Woah.
"Otto's Boy" is a wild read at times; but I will be fair. Its really only a book a 'completist' could love. Apart from the two action sequences mentioned above the characters are stock/conventional in such a way as to be almost painful to read. Every cliche associated with the 'rampaging psycho on the loose' is trotted out. The book is worth knowing about if you're mindful of the threat of homegrown terrorists and the danger they will always pose; but otherwise is worth only a place in a cardboard box in your closet.
May 7, 2020
One of my best suspense book!
December 15, 2021
Very good read. A regular catch the killer top action book.
July 25, 2025
Oikein mainio ja viihdyttävä. Vauhdikas ja jännittäväkin. Mutta jota ei olisi täydellisyyttä, jätettiin pääpahis vähän ohuelle vaikka kaverin pahuudesta olisi saanut vaikka kuinka paljon irti.
August 28, 2025
A tightly woven story, adrenaline-laced, and full of menace. Like most of Wagner's thrillers, it is hard to put down but also predictable on any emotional levels.
August 20, 2013
An alright police procedural, with the ever popular mid '80's serial killer profile by the good looking female doctor. This psycho is a mass murderer, who our super cop is trying to find in New York City, before O.B. strikes again.
September 11, 2010
Another freebee. Luckee!
December 4, 2022
The cover art was the best part of this book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews