Revenge of Odessa

The Odessa Series #2

by Frederick Forsyth, Tony Kent

The bestselling author of The Day of the Jackal returns with his most explosive book yet.

The Nazis may have lost the battle. But the war is just beginning...

Summer, 2025. A US senator is burned to death in his Washington townhouse. Masked gunmen massacre supporters during a football match in Berlin. And an old man is murdered while he sleeps in the dementia ward of a German hospital. Three apparently unconnected events, three steps on the countdown to apocalypse.

When journalist and podcaster Georg Miller starts joining the dots between them, he finds himself the target of professional killers. His investigation soon reveals that his would-be assassins are from an organisation known as the Odessa, a menacing and powerful Nazi group intent on regaining power.

The Odessa has spread its poison from a covert compound in the Bavarian countryside all the way to the halls of the American Capitol. And now, as their campaign to destabilise the Western political system accelerates, Georg must stop the next attack, before it changes the course of history…

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Espionage, Mystery Thriller

454 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 12, 2025

About the author

Frederick Forsyth, CBE was a English author and occasional political commentator. He was best known for thrillers such as The Day of the Jackal, The Odessa File, The Fourth Protocol, The Dogs of War, The Devil's Alternative, The Fist of God, Icon, The Veteran, Avenger, The Afghan, and more recently, The Cobra and The Kill List.

The son of a furrier, he was born in Ashford, Kent, educated at Tonbridge School and later attended the University of Granada. He became one of the youngest pilots in the Royal Air Force at 19, where he served on National Service from 1956 to 1958. Becoming a journalist, he joined Reuters in 1961 and later the BBC in 1965, where he served as an assistant diplomatic correspondent. From July to September 1967, he served as a correspondent covering the Nigerian Civil War between the region of Biafra and Nigeria. He left the BBC in 1968 after controversy arose over his alleged bias towards the Biafran cause and accusations that he falsified segments of his reports. Returning to Biafra as a freelance reporter, Forsyth wrote his first book, The Biafra Story in 1969.

Forsyth decided to write a novel using similar research techniques to those used in journalism. His first full length novel, The Day of the Jackal, was published in 1971 and became an international bestseller and gained its author the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel. It was later made into a film of the same name.

Reviews

[Guy Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deeply disappointing, lacking in any originality.
It seems this may have been languishing in Forsyth's bottom drawer (with good reason) and his literary executors saw a money making opportunity .
I found the entire premise of the new badder and more demonic Odessa , biding its time since the original Forsyth book to remerge boring.
The use of the original character grandson and the peopling of the book with older versions from the original Odessa file virtually cut and paste with wrinkles.
I have always enjoyed Forsyth's books as original, well researched and a gold standard in thriller writing.
This book could not be further from that.

[Dave Young · Rating 2 out of 5]

Frederick Forsyth is my favorite author, and when I heard there would be a sequel to Odessa File, I was looking forward to one final dose of Forsyth. I was disappointed. There is a link through Peter Miller and his grandson, but this was not a Forsyth book. It was quickly obvious that somebody else wrote it.
There is no inside information. There are no interesting backstories to give depth to the characters. Forsyth could create wonderful characters. The Jackal was a criminal and a killer but also brilliant and meticulous. Hasan Rahmani (Fist of God) worked for a tyrant but we could see his humanity, his hopes and his fears. Andrew Drake (Devil's Aleternative) became a terrorist but we saw first that he was a patriot who wanted to liberate Ukraine from Russian oppression. His motives are still valid 45 years later. The Badger (Avenger) chose loyalty to his friend over loyalty to his nation. These were real and complex characters.
Revenge of Odessa had nothing like that. This book was like the plot for an action movie where the bad guys threaten violence and murder so the "good" guys commit violence and murder and we are expected to be OK with that. I was going to give it one star but decided on two because it kept me just curious enough to finish, but it was nowhere near as detailed or complex or enjoyable as a true Forsyth book.

[Bob · Rating 2 out of 5]

**. 2 1/2 Stars: A Very Uneven Thriller - interesting In Its Concept, Disappointing In Its Execution And Cohesion!

I was very much looking forward to reading this book because it’s written by Frederick Forsyth (one of my all-time favorite thriller writers) in collaboration with Tony Kent; and more importantly because it’s to be marketed as a sequel to Forsyth’s classic thriller, The Odessa File.

I won’t take your time summarizing the plot of Revenge Of Odessa, as this can be read about in the Goodreads or Amazon Book Description. My review will focus on why this book - scheduled to be released on November 18th - is not one I’d highly recommend to thriller lovers.

I felt the book’s attempt to merge the different writing styles of the two authors was ambitious in scope but weak in execution. This fusion of styles didn’t work for me because Forsyth’s usual meticulous, well-researched, deliberate storytelling style often seemed to clash with Kent’s brisk, action-driven approach.

One result of this clash in styles is that the pacing often wavered - too slow in the buildup then suddenly rushed through key confrontations. Another key result is that character development was mostly one-dimensional. Further, while the protagonists seemed competent and compelling in moments, they much more often seemed like archtypes rather than fully realized individuals. Finally, the dialogue often seemed stilted, wavering between taut and overly explanatory. It’s as if the authors were tugging the narrative in two directions - Forsyth toward realism and restraint, Kent toward a cinematic feel.

Despite my criticisms, Revenge Of Odessa is likely to deliver enough suspense to satisfy long-term fans of the genre. The books underlying themes - revenge, legacy and the lingering shadow of history - are potent even if the execution doesn’t always match the ambition.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aaaaaargh!!! It happened again…The second book in a row that has the denouement in the upcoming novel…I detest it when TV series employ a two-part, cliffhanger ending in episodes, and I loathe when authors do the same….Frederick Forsyth and his legacy author, Tony Kent, have done it with the Peter Miller efforts to destroy another Nazi empire through the new Odessa movement…This time, it’s Peter’s grandson, Georg…It’s a good thriller, but it’s only marred by this unfortunate two-part effort!

[Hanlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When you outlaw the truth, you pave the road to hell."

When I heard about the release of this book, I was over the moon for two reasons. Firstly, many moons ago, I discovered my love for spy thrillers through The Odessa Files, and secondly, Tony Kent is one of my favorite authors, so to me, this was a match made in heaven!
I can honestly say that this book did not disappoint!
It is a fast-paced, action-packed read that captured my attention from the very beginning.
In The Odessa Files, Ben served as our primary protagonist, and he returns in this book, though this time it is his grandson who inadvertently becomes involved with Odessa after being mistaken for his father.

Sixty years before Georg Miller's grandfather Ben infiltrated and exposed Odessa, an underground network of former SS officers dedicated to protecting ex-Nazis, helping them escape justice, and infiltrating postwar society; an organization everyone thought was wiped out, but it seems as though they are as close to power as they have ever been. They were dormant for a very long time, but it seems as though they are still wheeling and dealing and were responsible for the death of Georg's parents.
What are they planning, and will Georg and his godfather, who is called in to help, be able to stop them in time?

I hope we will see a follow-up to this book because you can remove the head of the snake, but remember Cerberus had more than one head....

[Trevor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frederick Forsyth’s ‘Odessa File’ was published in 1972 – I read it sometime in the 1970’s but remember little of it, except the premise of the story, which was that far from being defeated in 1945, the Nazi’s were laying low, regrouping and planning a comeback. It was an excellent book and a very popular film too.
‘The Revenge of Odessa’ published in 2025 and written by Forsyth (who passed away in 2025) but with Tony Kent, brings the basic premise right up to date but with a few twists. It is an enjoying and somewhat swashbuckling ride, but in truth lacks depth, perception and credibility. A fun and easy read but essentially lightweight.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

A follow-on from the Odessa File which I haven’t read but I saw some reviews of this book calling it disappointing. I agree not because of a comparison but because of the poor quality of some of the writing.

Georg, grandson of a previous scourge of the Nazis, accidentally stumbles across evidence that they are on the rise again. His character is pretty well drawn as is the character of the American staffer, Vaness Price whose story was involving and definitely created a sense of real danger.

I did not feel like I was drawn too far into the world depicted in the book. The fight scenes, for example, came over as written at a distance, clumsy and non involving.

The whole premise of the story is of course, terrifying, especially in this time of history, with the rise of right wing ideology, so perhaps the reader will take it all as a warning.

That said, I sort of enjoyed the read and may read the sequel if there is one, as seems likely given the ‘twist’ at the end.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC for my kindle. This is my honest opinion after a complete read of the book.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked The Odessa File, which I read a long time ago. Revenge of Odessa was a decent book, good cast of charactors(good/bad), interesting storyline/plot, but the story dragged along till the bullets started to fly. Some good action got the story ramped up and then it died a sudden death at the end. Too many questions were left unanswered and you'll need to wait for the follow up, which I might possibly read.
Thanks to G. P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for the ARC of the novel.

[Detlef · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dies ist der lange erwartete zweite Band des in den 1980er Jahren erschienenen Romans »Die Akte Odessa« vom Großmeister der Spionagethrille Frederick Forsyth . Allerdings hatte sich Frederick Forsyth wegen seines Alters bereits einen Co-Autoren hinzugeholt, der ihn bei der Fertigstellung unterstützt. Dieser Co-Autor ist kein geringerer als der britische Thriller-Autor Tony Kent. Es ist sehr bedauerlich, dass der Großmeister das Erscheinen dieses zweiten Teils der ODESSA-Akten nicht mehr erleben kann. Denn er verstarb im Juni 2025, kurz vor dem Erscheinungstermin. Möge er in Frieden ruhen.

Die Fäden des ersten Teils, der im Spannungsfeld des kalten Krieges in den 1960er Jahren in Deutschland spielt, wurden bestens aufgegriffen und in die heute Zeit transformiert. Protagonist des zweiten Teils Georg Miller, ist der Enkel des Protagonisten Peter Miller aus dem ersten Band. Auch Georg ist in die Fußstapfen seines Greoßvaters gestiegen und Journalist geworden. Er arbeitet für das Hamburger Magazin „Komet“. (Ein Schelm, wer dabei an den „Stern“ denkt. )

Der Roman führt die Leser zunächst in die Räume des amerikanischen Senators Jack Johnson. Johnson hat sein ganzes Leben versucht, ehrlich und offen zu sein. Doch an diesem Abend steht eine Praktikantin Spohie aus seinem Team in seiner Wohnung. Sie möchte eigentlich einen Job in der Politik, aber vielleicht auch mehr. Doch Johnson wehrt sich. Da explodiert seine Wohnung und sowohl der Senator als auch die Praktikantin kommen dabei ums Leben. Aber einen Nachfolger auf dem Posten des Senators gibt es bereits.

Dann schwingt die Handlung nach Deutschland in ein Fußballstadion. Es spielen der VfB Stuttgart gegen den TSC Hoffenheim. Das Plätze im Stadion sind ausverkauft. Während die Fußballfans jubeln oder enttäuscht sind, gibt es plötzlich Detonationen und es werden Schüsse auf die Zuschauer abgefeuert. Unter „Allauh Akbar“-Rufen werden viele Menschen getötet. Es ist ein Terroranschlag noch nie dagewesenen Ausmaßes in Deutschland.

Gregor Miller, Reporter beim Hamburger „Komet“, war wegen einer Fußballreportage anwesend und fühlt sich nun berufen, eine Reportage über den Anschlag zu machen. Doch, was er dabei aufdeckt, hätte er nie erwartet. Denn manche Informationen betreffen ihn und seine Familie ganz persönlich.

Vielle echte Fakten aus der heutigen Zeit wurden mit der Handlung verknüpft, die im September 2025 spielt. Die AfD und ihr Erstarken bei den Wahlen und Umfragen spielt eine wesentliche Rolle, um die Existenz von ODESSA zu erklären. Aber auch der Terroranschlag zu Weihnachten 2024 in Magdeburg und die zunehmende Ausländerfeindlichkeit in Deuschland bieten Erklärungen. Das wird alles hervorragend in die Dramaturgie des Thrillers eingebunden.

Schließlich spielt im Rahmen der Dramartugie auch die Manipulation des amerikanischen Präsidenten eine Rolle. Die Organisation ODESSA hat sich nicht nur Deutschland als Ziel vorgenommen, sondern will endlich, nachdem es beim Zweiten Weltkrieg nicht geklappt hat, das Dritte Reich erschaffen und macht vor Amerika nicht halt.

Damit stellt sich Frederick Forsyth erneut ganz klar auf die Seite der Mahner, wie er es schon vor Jahrzehnten gemacht hat. Die Menschen, egal welcher Nation, sollen wachsam bleiben, wann immer es darum geht, eine Weltmacht zu erschaffen.

Auch wenn wie im ersten Teil der Protagonist zunächst etwas naiv wirkt, so lernt er schneller als damals sein Großvater. Schließlich hat er diesen jetzt auch an seiner Seite. Und da beiden klar ist, dass sie den Gegner nicht ohne Gewalt bezwingen können, holen sie sich mächtige Hilfe.

Deshalb können sich Leser dieses Romans nicht nur auf konsequente Ermittlungen freuen, sondern ihnen wird auch eine gehörige Portion Action geboten. Bei dem Terroranschlag im Fußballstadion bleibt es schließlich nicht, denn es gilt einen viel größeren Terroranschlag abzuwehren. Und dabei kommen jede Menge hart ausgebildete Söldner zum Einsatz. Der Wechsel zwischen den Handlungen in USA und denen in Deutschland macht genauso Spaß wie der Wechsel von Ermittlungen und Action.

Revenge of Odessa ist ein fantastischer und würdevoller Nachfolger und zweiter Teil von Die Akte Odessa. Und natürlich macht mich die letzte Anmeldung, dass ODESSA nie stirbt, ein wenig hoffnungsvoll, noch mehr darüber zu erfahren. Ein toller und spannender Roman!!!

© Detlef Knut, Düsseldorf 2025

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give you one piece of advice before reading this book, it would be this; read The Odessa File first. It is not essential – this can be reads as a standalone – but it gives the story far more context, that and it is a really great book. That said, this is not a Frederick Forsyth book as such, nor does it try to be. Tony Kent has been given a premise for the story by the late thriller master himself, Frederick Forsyth, he’s even been given leave to use one of the key characters from the original story, and with very good reason. But this is a thriller for the twenty first century and whilst some of the themes might be a touch familiar – depressingly so in the context of the modern political sphere – this is most certainly a Tony Kent thriller. Action, intrigue and perhaps one of most up to date renderings of the battle between good and evil, should you believe that such things truly exist. You only have to look at the headlines on a daily basis to know that they do.

The book begins in very dramatic style with what can only be the murder of an American politician, a terrorist atrocity in Germany and the 21st centuries answer to journalism – a podcaster working to get to the root of the story and finding himself in the right place at the right and wrong time. Right place as in it is going to lead him to the story of his life. Right and wrong time because of that very fact and that being in the hospital after the terrorist attack will bring him face to face with a man who is going to change the course of his life completely. Or maybe not so much a change as a hastening of the inevitable, for reasons that will become clear in all that comes to be revealed. The podcaster in question is Georg Miller, grandson of The Odessa File’s protagonist, Philip Miller. He is fully aware of his grandfather’s past, but not of how close to it becoming his own reality it is.

This book is packed with brilliant action, the like of which Mr Kent totally excels at. It is inevitable that there is a political slant to this book, given that it has links to a group, The Odessa, which originated in a bid to re-establish the Nazi party within Germany following their defeat in World War II. You would hope that, given all that was learned during and following the war, that the idea of such a party gaining any traction in the modern world would be mere fallacy, and yet you can turn on any television, radio or podcast and hear stories of the rise of the extreme right wing parties in any number of countries across the globe, our own included, so at times this book has an air of depressing realism that, in the hands of a different writer, could just move a reader to a point of melancholy. But, Tony Kent always delivers and not only is Georg Miller a brilliant protagonist, albeit one perhaps a little bit out of his depth – although not as much as his Grandfather had been – but he is joined by an old friend of Georg’s father, and Georg’s own godfather, Scott Brogan. Former SAS and MI6 agent and all action. Think Tony Kent’s Joe Dempsey, only a little older and with literally no-one, and no military or government agency, to limit how far he is willing to go.

There are so many absolutely nail-bitingly brilliant moments in this book that it had me completely hooked right from the start, holding my attention fast, finding myself turning the pages at speed and pulling me right to the edge of my seat. There are scenes that create such tension as we wonder just how Georg will make it out alive, and so many times where you wonder just who, if anyone, you should trust within our protagonists circle of friends. Expect deceit, double crossing and subterfuge – and these are just some of the ‘kinder’ tactics of a foe who would sacrifice seemingly anyone to gain the ultimate in political power. And, if you were paying attention to the start of this review, or even have read the blurb, you might have an inkling as to what that political ambition might be this time around.

There are scenes towards the end of the book where the action really is at fever pitch and which really mark this out as. Tony Kent led novel. Expect Gun fire, sacrifice and maybe just the tiniest bit of justice. Scott Brogan, as effectively a mercenary for hire, has many contacts and surprisingly some of these made a mark really very quickly. I found myself rooting for them and not just because I perceived them to be on the right side of history. Tony kent has a knack of being able to establish character’s very quickly, and making you care about them, even if on occasion they might seem to be a throw away character just there to drive the action on. His ability to create humour, tension and meaning in the story he is telling is what draws me back to his novels again and again, and this was no exception.

There are quite a few surprising characters in this book, including the unlikeliest of heroes whose moral character completely stands out in their specific line of work. The easiest option for them would be to simply step back and ignore what they are witnessing, but at great personal risk, they risk everything and I really liked and respected them for that. But that is one of the great things that this book conveys. That in the face of overwhelming political darkness, the like of which we are all currently living through, there are still those who put the needs of the many over their own personal gain or safety. That idea of people willing to do what is right, not what is easy, is something we could all do with a little of right now, and this book delivers that in spades. Definitely recommended.

[Andy Wormald · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first heard about this book excitement levels went into overdrive for two main reasons:

One being we all know Frederick Forsyth to be one of the greatest thriller writers there has been with books like The Day of the Jackal, The Odessa File, The Dogs of War, secondly I consider Tony Kent to be one of todays foremost thriller writers ever since I first read Killer Intent I knew I was in the presence of a special author. So to read a book where the pair have collaborated on was always going to be something special and so it has proved.

Do you have to have the read the Odessa file first, I would say not, it stands up on its own merits, though I suspect many will read it if not before certainly after, This is a read which brings the original story bang up to date but not as an homage to the original but as a freshly unique modern take, it is its own story

Revenge of Odessa ripples with the power of a torpedo, explosive in hitting the spot

I have kept away from any plot or scene spoilers so you the reader can discover the joy of this book for yourself

A read which is undercut throughout with a heady cocktail of tension, suspense and heart stopping drama

Having finished the book I was struck with the overriding thought as to how startlingly relevant a read it is in today’s geo-political world where in certain places you can see the far right having being dormant for so long now becoming more prevalent. The story line plays on this and then some it takes it a step further and poses the question did the Nazis ever disappear?

The opening prologue not only sets out to shock in its magnitude, but sets an early marker for what is to follow showing the levels of reach that have been built up secretly over many years and the extraordinary levels to which these ideologists are prepared to go, talk about playing the long game, the sting and the the twist in the tale though…

The overall plotting has such a hallmark of Frederick Forsyth the attention to detail, the keen eye on todays political world, that well crafted thriller but then you see Tony Kents influence in taking that and stamping his own footprint on the action thriller, pacey pulling no punches, but don’t be fooled into thinking this is just an action thriller, its way more rich and subtle than that, this is an intelligently deeply thought provoking read where the plot is shrouded in intrigue and mystery

The plotting is so intricately layered designed in a way so that your never sure where the story is going to take you or to what the outcome will ultimately be, a race against time where the stakes are at their highest. Peter Miller has kept hidden a secret from his grandson for his own protection, now the truth will out

A wonderfully character driven read I felt as though the characters within the book were on a journey of discovery and finding themselves Georg is certainly is going to find plenty out about himself, you can see an inner struggle going on initially but then reality takes over and he is forced o face down the deadliest of foes. With Brogan you get a no-nonsense action first, ask questions second type of guy, hard hitting and unflinching he only has one thought to protect Georg. Then on the other side Vanessa who is in someways thrown into things by circumstance and chance, out of her depth with no where to turn, but she does have a steely determination to do the right thing, however, that is not without its risks.

All the charcacters within the book have that feeling of authenticity and belonging, there are not many blurred lines, written with a great level of detail, for some you can the exhilaration etched on their faces, for others the fear

The action unfolds relentlessly in its pursuit of the truth, the pages oozing in suspense and tension. A read which I found hard to put down it’s a heart pounding adrenaline fuelled thriller, That said it is not without its heartfelt moments of emotion. As a read it has plenty of twists and turns and moments which just totally surprise you. As a thriller the actions scene are written with a total air f believability, superbly set up and drawn out mixed with those heart stopping moments. As you read you realise everything is set to build into an explosive finale

Compelling as it is entertaining, from first to last I was totally hooked with it chilling story etched in realism and total plausability

This is a powerful read, one of those where you need to take your time with it, take it all in let things percolate around in your thought processes fully digest what you are reading, because you are reading a masterpiece of a thriller, born in the past, played out out in the present. The way the authors have a created a story etched in realism where you will ask yourself could this happen is to be applauded it’s takes two writers of real quality

The ending well……. (find out for yourself)

I read to be entertained, this book does that in spades, I cannot recommend this highly enough

[Mary Picken · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Odessa File (1972) chased a fugitive Nazi in the post-war shadows. Revenge of Odessa brings us a nightmare for a new generation. There are new manoeuvres, fresh brutality, and a lingering sense that history isn’t quite being relived, but the old horrors are evolving. The novel feels less like nostalgia and more like a grim foretelling: the old horrors may lie dormant, but they have never truly vanished.

Revenge of Odessa isn’t just a thriller — it’s a treatise on memory, legacy, and the danger of forgetting. The revived threat of the shadowy organisation ODESSA —a post-war Nazi network — embodies the idea that evil doesn’t end; it simply changes to suit the circumstances of the times. By bringing ODESSA out of the past and reviving it as a living menace with global reach, Forsyth and Kent force us to confront the possibility that evil can be dormant but not dead.

Georg Miller, a sharp-witted journalist-podcaster, slowly picks apart a string of deaths — a US senator burnt to death in Washington, gunmen mowing down football fans in Berlin, a quiet killing in a German dementia ward. The Revenge of Odessa deftly sets up a chain of horror that refuses to let you look away.

This is excellent plotting, spare and powerful. Each atrocity feels isolated, but as Georg begins to connect the dots, you can sense the slow tightening of a trap. The growing sense of paranoia — that there is no safe place, no moment of respite — is handled deftly. By the time the narrative has spanned from Germany to the heart of Washington, the tension has turned into something explosive: the stakes are now global.

Our protagonist, Georg Miller is resourceful and determined. He is a worthy heir to his grandfather, the journalist from the original The Odessa File, Peter Miller, and he continues a legacy of investigation and seeking the truth.

This is a thriller with tension that grips hard. The resurgence of the old SS network (ODESSA) is a revived and ruthless force infiltrating politics and terror cells worldwide. It feels chillingly plausible. At a time when far-right movements, disinformation and political polarisation are only too real, this novel taps into my genuine anxieties.

Revenge of Odessa challenges the accepted conclusion that the defeat of Nazi Germany was final, that justice was served, and the horrors ended forever. Instead, the novel chillingly suggests that the defeat was only temporary; ideologies may go underground, but their roots remain.

Verdict: In Revenge of Odessa, Forsyth and Kent deliver more than a gripping page-turner; they issue a warning. Evil may sleep, but it can be woken. As a thriller, it is terrific: there’s tension, fast pacing, and an evil conspiracy with sky-high stakes. This book doesn’t just offer thrills, though — it also issues a warning. It asks how many resolved conflicts are only dormant. How many defeated ideologies quietly survive in dark corners? That’s what will keep me up at night now that I have read it.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Revenge of Odessa is a rock-solid winner. The late Frederick Forsyth and accomplished British thriller writer Tony Kent have partnered to give us a contemporary follow-up to the best selling The Odessa File. Frederick Forsyth has been one of my favorite authors since the publication of the classic thriller The Day of the Jackel. Forsyth followed with The Odessa File in 1972. Fifty plus years later Revenge of Odessa skips a generation of the Miller family going from investigative reporter Peter Miller searching out illegal post-nazi activity following Germany’s WWII failure to grandson podcaster/journalist Georg Miller. Why? Georg’s parents were killed in a car accident leaving grandfather Peter to raise him.

Forsyth’s trademark intricate plotting brings alive two seemingly unrelated catastrophic events in Washington DC and Stuttgart, Germany, into a compelling page-turner. A terrorist attack during a soccer match sends Georg to Stuttgart to interview victims and witnesses in the city’s main trauma hospital. A chance encounter with a patient in the memory care wing rattles Georg to his core. A follow-up encounter with the patient’s wife leads to Georg, Peter, and others to uncover a geopolitical plot by the Odessa group attempting to destabilize the German and American governments.

The action and tension ratchet up as police and federal police set out to arrest Georg for murder. He is also being hunted by neo-Nazis who want to eliminate him. Georg’s grandfather enlists the help of an old British SAS friend to help Georg navigate through this geopolitical plot from a rebuilt Odessa organization planning that has inserted key members into the highest positions in government and industry. Georg doesn’t know who to trust as he comes across sleeper agents in government, law enforcement, and industry, white supremists and antisemites committed to restoring the Reich to its proper place in Germany and globally. Georg’s investigation uncovers a major plot Odessa has planned to wipe out all of Germany’s high ranking politicians. A small group of mercenaries led by Peter’s ex-SAS friend are called upon to stop the planned massive terrorist attack. As usual with a Forsyth novel I kept turning the pages right to the completely unsettling ending. Forsyth’s outstanding final work reminds us of what a major contributor he has been to his thriller fans by his suspenseful storytelling.

Thanks to G. P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this outstanding publication.

[Martin Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

ODESSA is alive and well.

The sequel to The Odessa File, "Revenge of the Odessa" opens in the Summer of 2025. A US senator dies in a fire at his Washington townhouse. At the same time in Berlin, gunmen kill supporters at a football match, and an old man dies in the dementia ward of a German hospital. What connects these three, murderous, incidents? When journalist and podcaster Georg Miller starts joining the dots, he finds himself the target of professional killers. His investigation soon reveals they are from an organisation known as Odessa, a powerful group of Nazis intent on regaining their former power.

And so, with the echoes of the original Odessa File book ringing in our ears, we embark on a fast-moving and dark story. The Odessa of the first book has not only not gone away, it has grown and now infiltrates many levels of government across the world. Georg is clearly Peter Miller in a 2025 suit, and in fact, it's easy to picture Jon Voight doing his thing. Like Peter, Georg always seems slightly out of his depth, but manages to pull through. The story moves along nicely, with more action scenes than Forsyth himself usually delivered. As is often the case nowadays, the book does read more like a movie screenplay than a novel, but the action carries it through. There's quite a bit of reflection on the growth of fascism in Europe, and Germany in particular which makes for uncomfortable reading.

Clearly, Frederick Forsyth did not write this book - author Tony Kent took Forsyth's premise and wrote his own book. I've not read any of his other works, but this book, on its own merits, came across as an enjoyable, fast-moving thriller In fact, the prose often flows better than some of Forsyth's stilted sections. That said, some sections did seem more lengthy than the plot required. Although a stand-alone novel, it would probably help to have read The Odessa File for background colour.

Whether or not Frederick Forsyth fans will enjoy this, thriller fans definitely will.

[Karen Watkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Half a century ago, Frederick Forsyth gave us The Odessa File, a cold-war classic that put him firmly on the thriller-writing map. With his recent death, it feels fitting that his final bow comes in the form of Revenge of Odessa, co-written with British thriller writer Tony Kent, who brings fresh pace and modern punch to Forsyth’s meticulous style.
This time the story centres on Georg Miller, a journalist and podcaster with a knack for digging inherited, along with a shadowy family history, from his grandfather Peter Miller, the hero of the original novel. When Georg encounters a patient in a memory ward who insists he “killed him years ago,” the past collides dramatically with the present. Before long, he’s dodging assassins, being framed for crimes and unravelling a plot that reveals Odessa is alive and well and intent on destabilising Western democracies.
It includes classic Forsyth style with detail, politics and it’s disturbingly believable. But Kent adds a more current approach with breakneck action, high-stakes attacks and a pace that rarely slows. From football crowds under siege in Berlin to senators perishing in suspicious blazes in Washington, the action feels like tomorrow’s headlines.
Fans of the original might miss some of the cool spycraft and slow-burn tension. At times Georg survives more through luck than cunning. But as a collaboration it works. Forsyth provides the foundation, Kent supplies the adrenaline. Together they deliver a story that’s a nod to the past and a sharp warning about the present.
Is it Day of the Jackal? No! That icy brilliance remains untouchable. But Revenge of Odessa is a taut, timely thriller that keeps the pages turning. As a swan song for Forsyth, it’s a satisfying and fitting finale.
Thanks to Penguin Random House for the review copy.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a teenager I read and enjoyed Frederick Forsyth’s Odessa Files and I have also read all of Tony Kent’s novels, written more recently, so I was intrigued to find “Revenge. Of Odessa” . It was one of those books that I couldn’t put down and it certainly lived up to my high expectations for an action packed thriller. Unlike some sequels which bear no relation to the original book, this one was spot on and it certainly left me wanting to read more. Will there be a third one? I know Frederick Forsyth recently passed away but Tony Kent definitely deserves to carry the mantle.
Georg is a journalist and podcaster in Germany who stumbles on some information about his parents’ untimely death whilst reporting on a terrorist atrocity. His grandfather exposed Odessa many years previously and what Georg learns makes him fear they are actually still around.
What he discovers, shocks him and puts his life and that of his loved ones in extreme danger and he needs all his wits and a lot of help to stay one step ahead of his enemies.
Vanessa works for the office of a senator in Washington DC and she discovers by chance some information that is hard to believe. Looking into it further she becomes convinced a terrible plot is underway but this makes her a target to those involved.
These two strands of the plot coincide in a very exciting and edge of your seat sort of way! I was literally racing through the pages to find out what would happen. It’s also bang up to date and contains much that I could almost see happening today!
It’s a long time since I read the original novel but “Revenge of Odessa” is a worthy successor which I highly recommend to action thriller fans. Definitely five stars from me!!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the “sequel” to Forsyth’s original, brilliant “The Odessa Files.” I gave the book the following SCORE:
Setting: Present day, various cities in Germany and Washington, D.C.
Characters: Peter Miller, grandson of George Miller, the original exposer of Odessa, Scott Brogan, a mercenary, Miller’s family, Vanessa Price, a campaign worker, and a crew of heinous Odessa members
Overview of plot: The Odessa organization has clearly never gone away, and a deadly, complex plot is being formulated to assume power in the United States. Miller forms an unlikely alliance with Brogan to follow leads, track down, and stop Odessa’s plans.
Meanwhile, in the US, Price, while working on an up-and-coming junior US Senator’s staff, unfortunately overhears an imprudent conversation among Odessa plotters to change the balance of politics at the highest level. Incredibly, the highest levels of the organization take time from their critical master plan to bring her to Germany, and the two main story threads meet in the final scenes.
Recommendation: 3 stars, sadly
Extras: This is not up to the quality standards of Forsyth’s early, wonderful stories. The two primary plots, in the US and in Germany, do not come together until late in the story with surprising ineptness, unexpected in such a professional, well-structured organization as Odessa. With the pages running out, the main premise of the story is left open to, unfortunately, likely planned sequels.
Thanx to NetGalley and G. P. Putnam’s Sons for the opportunity to provide this candid review

[Ренета Кирова · Rating 5 out of 5]

Динамиката и интензивността от първата книга са се запазили и в продължението на "Досието ОДЕССА". Романът е смесица от напрежение, екшън и журналистически разследвания. Действието вече се развива днес, затова е немислима самата идея за съществуването на такава организация, чиито пипала са обхванали изключително важни политически структури.
Георг е внук на Петер, който е разследвал организацията ОДЕССА през 60-те години на 20-и век и я е унищожил. Вече през 21-ви век същата организация се оказва по-мощна и по-хитра. Тя е успяла да прикрие дейността си през всичките тези години, укрепвала е и е печелила влияние, за да придвижи плановете си. Решението на Георг и Петер е да отговорят на насилието и интригите с пълна мощ, за да ликвидират плановете на Медуза.
Стилът на писане на Тони Кент не отстъпва по нищо на Фредерик Форсайт. Написал е достойно продължение на „Досието ОДЕССА“ по идеи на автора. Книгата е забързана, динамична, лесно четивна, предизвикваща размисъл и не доскучава нито за миг. Наблюдавайки как в наши дни се заглушава истината и се приемат закони в ущърб на обикновения човек, не мога да не се запитам дали това не е точно описание на нашия съвременен свят? Дали тази човеконенавист не започва да избива все повече на повърхността и вече няма как да се прикрие? Знам само, че светът е много променен и то не към добро.
Книгата завърши така, че очаквам поне още едно продължение, което бих прочела с удоволствие. Препоръчвам на всички, които обичат екшъна, разследванията, конспирациите и приключенията.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

What would you do if you found out that your parent's death wasn't the accident you thought it was? Georg is successful podcaster and writer who is at a hospital working on a story when an old man sees him and freaks out. The old man claims to have killed him years ago. The man is confusing Georg for his dad. Shocked by this outburst, Georg turns to is grandfather Peter Miller (who is the protagonist of the original book in the Odessa series) to help figure out what is going on and especially about the shady organization the Odessa the old man claimed to have worked for.

It has been about a decade since I read the first book and about four since the Odessa Files were published. There was something about it that being a sequel, even with a new main character, that made me feel like I was missing important information, possibly from the first book. I really liked the first book. I feel like the drastic change in times and technology didn't have the same nuance to spy craft that the first book had.

I understand that Georg was thrown into his situation, but I also don't like when the main character sort of lucks into anything that goes his way. A lot didn't go his way, but luck and happenstance were largely on Georg's side in this book. This was true for a few characters.

I also understand that the Odessa is never really gone, which is the point of this book, but the door was widely left open for third book with not all the plot points being resolved (to be a vague about it as possible). I wish more of it was wrapped up.

[John Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Revenge of Odessa” by Fredrick Forsyth and Tony Kent is the sequel to “The Odessa File”. It is a very good thriller involving the takeover of the German and US governments by Odessa. The story starts off in Washington DC with the death of a US senator and a young staff member in his home in a fire. The second act is a terrorist attack in Germany at a football match. These are two separate story lines that come together during the climax of story.

Georg Miller in Germany while investigating the terrorist attack comes up with information on the involvement of Odessa in the attack. Georg is the grandson of the man who exposed Odessa 50 years earlier in the first novel. Separately, Vanessa Price in DC is working on the reelection campaign of the new senator when she comes across information that indicates that the senator will be soon nominated to replace the Vice President in the coming month.

Odessa is a group that was formed at the end of WWII to continue the Nazi Reich. It is now composed of the children and grandchildren of the original members at the end of WWII. They are plotting to take over a government and continue the policies of the Nazi Reich in WWII.

[Nickie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.6/5

I went into this eyes fully open knowing it was written by Tony Kent based on a premise given to him by Forsyth. This is a Tony Kent book not a Forsyth book. I have loved all the Tony Kent books I have read to date so had high hopes for this.

I wasn't disappointed. I found myself flying through it. It is high paced, more so than The Odessa File. Frederick Forsyth books tend to slowly ramp up. There was little of that here. It was straight out the starting blocks with energy and pushing the story forward. So if you love Forsyth books for their slow burn I can see why this might not be for you. If, on the other hand, you enjoy things a bit faster paced sometimes then this is a great book.

Do I wish there was a little more depth to the main characters? Yes. Does it make this a bad book? No. Some parts could have been slowed down a little but then this would have been a much longer book.

Although this is book 2 of the series it can be read as a standalone without issue. Book 1 will help to add context to your reading though should you wish to read them in order.

Once again, much like the first book, it feels like a timely read given the current state of affairs around the world.

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for the eARC.

[Tom - Reader of Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beneath the shadows of history, Odessa rises once more, biding its time before striking with deadly precision in this taut political thriller — a worthy successor to Frederick Forsyth’s original masterpiece. Although Forsyth passed before publication, Tony Kent proves himself a capable heir, guiding the legacy forward with assured control and sharp, purposeful prose.

While a few twists don’t quite deliver their intended impact, Kent’s pacing, atmosphere, and attention to authenticity keep the narrative gripping throughout. The conclusion, though somewhat predictable, lands with enough weight to feel earned rather than convenient. As tributes go, this is a faithful and admirably crafted continuation — respectful of the original, yet bold enough to stand on its own merit.

[Cheryl Tabor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not have the pleasure of reading the 1st book on the Odessa Files. Though this as read as a stand alone was filled with alot of Political Scary dealings with Germany. Germany was once Run by a Radical Inhuman man. Apparently their mission was only slowed down till they could regroup and build a new Army, over and over again. Who was once believed to be trusted has been uncovered as part of this Army. You never know who's hiding their true identity or who's side their on. Best Political Thriller and there is more to the Odessa Files, seems each book just scratches the surface of what their end game truly is. Thanks Goodreads, The Author for his outstanding way of keeping the reader invested from the first page to the last. This would make a great movie.

[Joemodz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great and timely piece despite a few KK (Kalashnikov Kid) scenes. the KK scenes kept it from being a true Forsyth "great," but is still a great ride. Reading this in early 2026, it's all too real looking a today's politics.

This is a solid 4 Stars

My personal review ratings are based upon the following:
1 Star, “I did not like it or couldn’t finish it”;
2 Stars, “I think it is just Ok, but I’ll never think about it again”;
3 Stars, “I think it is an entertaining, enjoyable book, but it probably won’t warrant a reread”;
4 Stars, “I really love this book, and I may read it again”;
5 Stars, “I think this book is excellent, I will read it again, and it will likely stand the test of time.”

[Greville Waterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frederick Forsyth made his glowing reputation with Day of the Jackal followed by The Odessa File and he bows out with a fitting finale in conjunction with another acclaimed author in Tony Kent, with a return to the story of Odessa and how they have been biding their time before planning a resurgence that will restore the Nazi ideology to both Germany and the USA.

Their plans are eventually foiled after a lot of derring do and violence. The book excites but does not quite catch fire in the way that classic Forsyth did but it is a sophisticated and credible thriller assisted by accurate and detailed descriptions of the political systems in both countries.

A good read and recommended.

[Karen Ross · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wanted to love this eagerly-awaited book. But sadly, difficult even to like it.

At best, a decent first draft. Which is to say, that while there's a coherent narrative (you can hear the requisite plot points pinging), there's precious little else to engage you.

Lacking in texture and layering. And almost no characterisation to speak of: the characters are as alive as wooden pieces on a chess board.

Great premise. Gone horribly wrong in the execution. Can only assume there was publisher/author pressure to get the book to market as fast as possible, rather than producing a worthy sequel.

I dare say it will work well enough as an all-action movie.

[Blessing Okwuofu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decades after Peter Milller seemingly took down the Odessa by exposing them, his grandson stumbles on evidence that the Odessa is well and truly flourishing with big international plans. I was so glad to see another Frederick Forsyth book after many years and he has not lost his touch. This I was a gripping thriller that kept me at the edge of my seat. It ended with a bang and the promise of another book which I really look forward to. Great read.
I got the ARC from Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons via Netgalley. This is my honest review.

[Andrew Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Odessa File was my first Forsyth (about 30 years ago) and it made Forsyth one of then-and-still-now favourite authors. But the circumstances of this sequel made me go in with low expectations that were matched and not exceeded.

There is little evidence of the hallmarks of Forsyth’s writing - meticulous detail; inside knowledge and believability. This is a functional politically-based action read but that’s about it.

I’m not upset to have read it, but my advice here is to expect very little.

[Richard Millington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a long time since I read the preceding book, and it maybe didn’t feel full Forsyth, but it’s is a tremendously well written thriller which speeds along. It is a proper page turner which keeps you engaged and enthralled as it charges from one situation to the next. The ending seemed a bit abrupt but nicely set up for ROO2.

If you go in expecting FF in his 50 years ago prime then…. If you go in looking for an FF styled thriller fighting the rising tide of the modern far right, you won’t be disappointed. Bring on ROO2!

[Bill Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE man who invented the modern thriller is back.
Forsyth, who died in June, transformed action tales in the 1970s, drawing on experiences as  a fighter pilot, spy and journalist.
Bestsellers included The Day Of The Jackal and The Odessa File. In this new book, Georg Miller, grandson of original hero journalist Peter Miller, is a podcaster.
When he witnesses a massacre it leads him to a dementia victim. Then Georg is attacked by sharp-dressed men with sharper military skills.
Odessa is back with plans more ambitious than ever.
Odessa2 captures a real flavour of the ground-breaking original.