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Genesis: The Creation of Unit 317
Before Michael Fernsby. Before Ryskamp. There was Genesis.
Autumn 1938. In the wake of recent intelligence disasters, British officials authorise the creation of a covert unit that will operate beyond diplomacy, outside the law, and with complete deniability.
William Carter is a gifted young codebreaker with no experience beyond the safety of his desk. When he is summoned to London without warning, he finds himself recruited into a team unlike any other. Led by Major Tony Sanders and joined by seasoned operatives Richard Keene and Jamie Hawke, Carter is thrown into the shadows of a war that has not yet begun.
Their first mission takes them deep into Czechoslovakia. The objective is urgent. Rescue a captured British officer before he can be broken. What begins as a quiet extraction quickly becomes a race against time, as Hitler’s grip tightens around Europe and betrayal looms on every side.
Genesis is the untold beginning of Unit 317. Set before the events of Ryskamp, it is a taut and emotionally charged prequel to the Fernsby’s War Series.
Autumn 1938. In the wake of recent intelligence disasters, British officials authorise the creation of a covert unit that will operate beyond diplomacy, outside the law, and with complete deniability.
William Carter is a gifted young codebreaker with no experience beyond the safety of his desk. When he is summoned to London without warning, he finds himself recruited into a team unlike any other. Led by Major Tony Sanders and joined by seasoned operatives Richard Keene and Jamie Hawke, Carter is thrown into the shadows of a war that has not yet begun.
Their first mission takes them deep into Czechoslovakia. The objective is urgent. Rescue a captured British officer before he can be broken. What begins as a quiet extraction quickly becomes a race against time, as Hitler’s grip tightens around Europe and betrayal looms on every side.
Genesis is the untold beginning of Unit 317. Set before the events of Ryskamp, it is a taut and emotionally charged prequel to the Fernsby’s War Series.
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 16, 2025
About the author
J.C. Jarvis
19 books29 followersJ.C. Jarvis grew up in Derbyshire, England, with a lifelong fascination for history, particularly the Second World War and Tudor England.
After serving in the British Army and later working in the IT industry, he turned fully to writing, transforming a lifelong passion for history into a career as a bestselling historical fiction author.
He is best known for the Fernsby’s War Series, a sweeping World War II saga following British intelligence officer Michael Fernsby and those drawn into the hidden war of espionage, resistance, and sacrifice behind enemy lines.
The series has built a loyal international readership and is praised for its depth of research, emotional realism, and cinematic storytelling.
In addition to Fernsby’s War, Jarvis is the author of the John Howard Tudor series and the origin novel Defying the Reich, which tells the powerful early story of fan-favourite resistance heroine Mina Postner.
When not writing, J.C. continues to research obsessively, always chasing the next story buried in history’s shadows.
After serving in the British Army and later working in the IT industry, he turned fully to writing, transforming a lifelong passion for history into a career as a bestselling historical fiction author.
He is best known for the Fernsby’s War Series, a sweeping World War II saga following British intelligence officer Michael Fernsby and those drawn into the hidden war of espionage, resistance, and sacrifice behind enemy lines.
The series has built a loyal international readership and is praised for its depth of research, emotional realism, and cinematic storytelling.
In addition to Fernsby’s War, Jarvis is the author of the John Howard Tudor series and the origin novel Defying the Reich, which tells the powerful early story of fan-favourite resistance heroine Mina Postner.
When not writing, J.C. continues to research obsessively, always chasing the next story buried in history’s shadows.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 10, 2025
Another great read by the author! Love this series!
August 7, 2025
After reading the first book of the Fernsby War Series, I was pleased to get a copy of the prequel. Although the protagonist of the series, Michael Fernsby, doesn’t make an appearance in this book, it was still quite interesting to learn how his special unit was initially formed. Despite being a quick read, JC Jarvis still was able to cover a great deal of ground explaining the creation of a secret intelligence group on the eve of WWII. Not only that, he packed in more than a few unexpected twists and turns. All in all, a very good addition to this fascinating series.
August 17, 2025
Having read the whole series it was nice to see how the unit was formed and the progress on these characters good in site how it all helped the war effort and the bravery of operators and the resistence .
October 27, 2025
A good story teller keeps it pithy
This prequel kept my interest but could benefit from a bit more plot development. The author is capable at his craft, so no doubt it is the restrictions of a short form model that prompts my stars rating. .
This prequel kept my interest but could benefit from a bit more plot development. The author is capable at his craft, so no doubt it is the restrictions of a short form model that prompts my stars rating. .
June 18, 2025
Good book
Very good book with great background information. The series that follows is superb. Can't wait to read the next book in the series. I highly recommend this series.
Very good book with great background information. The series that follows is superb. Can't wait to read the next book in the series. I highly recommend this series.
July 19, 2025
The beginning of a great WW2 series
August 2, 2025
In the beginning...
A remarkable covert intelligence group is formed. With insufficient training for one group member they embark on a time critical rescue mission.
A remarkable covert intelligence group is formed. With insufficient training for one group member they embark on a time critical rescue mission.
August 29, 2025
Wish this book was first in the series!
October 26, 2025
Wasn't at good as the actual books from the series. Maybe its because the main characters weren't in it which makes sense as it was a Prequel.
April 5, 2026
Good read
I thoroughly enjoyed read this book. It was an easy read and kept my interest. I would recommend it to anyone who likes reading about the history of the German regime.
I thoroughly enjoyed read this book. It was an easy read and kept my interest. I would recommend it to anyone who likes reading about the history of the German regime.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews