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The Reich Trilogy #1
Falsul candidat
Berlin, 30 aprilie 1945. În timp ce armata rusă se apropie de orașul devastat de război, Adolf Hitler și Eva Braun își iau viața.
Buenos Aires, 9 ianuarie 2012. Trei hoți comit cel mai mare jaf din istoria Argentinei. În câteva ore, un apel telefonic criptat cître America declanșează o vânătoare de oameni sângeroasă, în timp ce hoții sunt prinși, torturați și apoi uciși.
San Francisco, 18 ianuarie 2012. Senatorul John Franklin obține nominalizarea republicană la președinție și pare destinat Biroului Oval. Inspectorul-șef Nicolas Vargas și locotenentul Troy Hembury, de la Departamentele de Poliție din Buenos Aires, respectiv Los Angeles, sunt atrași într-o conspirație politică întunecată, care se întinde de la infamul buncăr din Berlin până la Buenos Aires și Washington, amenințând însăși inima și sufletul democrației americane.
Buenos Aires, 9 ianuarie 2012. Trei hoți comit cel mai mare jaf din istoria Argentinei. În câteva ore, un apel telefonic criptat cître America declanșează o vânătoare de oameni sângeroasă, în timp ce hoții sunt prinși, torturați și apoi uciși.
San Francisco, 18 ianuarie 2012. Senatorul John Franklin obține nominalizarea republicană la președinție și pare destinat Biroului Oval. Inspectorul-șef Nicolas Vargas și locotenentul Troy Hembury, de la Departamentele de Poliție din Buenos Aires, respectiv Los Angeles, sunt atrași într-o conspirație politică întunecată, care se întinde de la infamul buncăr din Berlin până la Buenos Aires și Washington, amenințând însăși inima și sufletul democrației americane.
368 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2025
About the author
Brian Klein
16 books48 followersBrian is an award-winning Television Director, with over twenty-five years' experience in the industry. His work regularly appears on Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC and Sky. Amongst his directing credits are twenty-five seasons of the iconic car show, TOP GEAR and five seasons of A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN ROADTRIP, Sky One's highest rating entertainment show.
He was part of the core team that produced twenty-two series of the controversial car show that became the biggest TV phenomena in the world, with 350 million weekly viewers in 120 countries and worked extremely closely with TV heavyweights, Jeremy Clarkson and James Corden, high profile comedians, Jack Whitehall, Alan Carr, Tom Allen, Romesh Ranganathan and Micky Flanagan, sports stars turned presenters, Freddie Flintoff, Jamie Redknapp and Ronnie O’Sullivan and TV chefs Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White.
He has directed two feature-length films for BBC Worldwide and five entertainment specials for Netflix. THE COUNTERFEIT CANDIDATE is his debut novel.
He was part of the core team that produced twenty-two series of the controversial car show that became the biggest TV phenomena in the world, with 350 million weekly viewers in 120 countries and worked extremely closely with TV heavyweights, Jeremy Clarkson and James Corden, high profile comedians, Jack Whitehall, Alan Carr, Tom Allen, Romesh Ranganathan and Micky Flanagan, sports stars turned presenters, Freddie Flintoff, Jamie Redknapp and Ronnie O’Sullivan and TV chefs Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White.
He has directed two feature-length films for BBC Worldwide and five entertainment specials for Netflix. THE COUNTERFEIT CANDIDATE is his debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
October 27, 2021
What is the connection between the brutal murder of 9 people, a presidential candidate, a lost mobile phone, a high-profile pharmaceutical company, an expertly planned and executed bank robbery, a vial of cyanid, and a 10 carat diamond Cartier ring? You got it, Safe Deposit box 1321 or more importantly its contents.
The bank heist, planned like a military operation for 8 months and perfectly executed was part of Pedro Garcia’s retirement plan, he was just looking for cash and money but was totally unaware of the contents of box 1321. They were equally oblivious to the small red velvet pouch that had spilled from one of the cloth bags and was now lying on the grass verge in his father’s garden, a few feet from the front door. The first mistake had been made.
Señor Franklin is informed that Box 1321 has been stolen, and what started as an audacious but pretty regular robbery has morphed into a catalogue of torture and murder, with levels of brutality that seasoned detective Chief Inspector Vargas has never seen before. The story takes us from Germany to San Francisco, and from Argentina to Washington, as the running candidate for presidency is informed that the specific items in the stolen security box were preserved for posterity and for the sake of political history, which could now bring an end to his campaign.
The characters were so well developed but many cloaked with lies, secrets and a dark history. The plot was superb although not exactly original, once you were introduced to the moving parts it was obvious who the counterfeit candidate was and how they were linked to Box 1321. However, with magnificent story telling you are carried through this roller coaster of a story that will keep you at the edge of your seat and with a mere 259 pages, the pace is fast, absorbing and to the point without all the superfluous bumf that authors sometimes use to fill up the pages.
I loved this book and would highly recommend.
The bank heist, planned like a military operation for 8 months and perfectly executed was part of Pedro Garcia’s retirement plan, he was just looking for cash and money but was totally unaware of the contents of box 1321. They were equally oblivious to the small red velvet pouch that had spilled from one of the cloth bags and was now lying on the grass verge in his father’s garden, a few feet from the front door. The first mistake had been made.
Señor Franklin is informed that Box 1321 has been stolen, and what started as an audacious but pretty regular robbery has morphed into a catalogue of torture and murder, with levels of brutality that seasoned detective Chief Inspector Vargas has never seen before. The story takes us from Germany to San Francisco, and from Argentina to Washington, as the running candidate for presidency is informed that the specific items in the stolen security box were preserved for posterity and for the sake of political history, which could now bring an end to his campaign.
The characters were so well developed but many cloaked with lies, secrets and a dark history. The plot was superb although not exactly original, once you were introduced to the moving parts it was obvious who the counterfeit candidate was and how they were linked to Box 1321. However, with magnificent story telling you are carried through this roller coaster of a story that will keep you at the edge of your seat and with a mere 259 pages, the pace is fast, absorbing and to the point without all the superfluous bumf that authors sometimes use to fill up the pages.
I loved this book and would highly recommend.
March 23, 2026
„Falsul candidat” de Brian Klein a fost pentru mine o surpriză extrem de plăcută, genul acela de carte care te prinde încă din primele pagini și nu-ți mai dă drumul până la final. Mi-am dat seama, citind-o, că îmi lipseau thrillerele despre teorii ale conspirației, acele povești care te fac să te întrebi cât din realitate este, de fapt, controlat din umbră. Am fost complet absorbită de această carte și am citit-o pe nerăsuflate, curioasă să descopăr fiecare detaliu.
Mai multe în recenzia de pe blog: https://carti.blog/2026/03/23/falsul-...
Mai multe în recenzia de pe blog: https://carti.blog/2026/03/23/falsul-...
May 3, 2022
This was my monthly book club read. We are a group of people with different tastes and preferences. Each month it is one members turn to pick four books and out of those four, we vote for one to read.
Consequently, we review a huge variety of books.
Now I must admit, I didn't think that I would be that enamoured with this one but I was very wrong. I thought it was great!
Safe depository heist ✅
Adolf Hitler ✅
Conspiracy ✅
Fast paced ✅
Page turner ✅
Now I can imagine that a few will
state it as too far-fetched... but is it?!
I would say that lovers of Dan Brown might enjoy this. It also has a hint of James Patterson about it, but maybe because of the structure of the chapters.
Consequently, we review a huge variety of books.
Now I must admit, I didn't think that I would be that enamoured with this one but I was very wrong. I thought it was great!
Safe depository heist ✅
Adolf Hitler ✅
Conspiracy ✅
Fast paced ✅
Page turner ✅
Now I can imagine that a few will
state it as too far-fetched... but is it?!
I would say that lovers of Dan Brown might enjoy this. It also has a hint of James Patterson about it, but maybe because of the structure of the chapters.
July 4, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️½ A Fun and Imaginative Alternate-History Thriller
I received the audiobook of The Counterfeit Candidate by Brian Klein from NetGalley, and since I also had access to the physical copy, I decided it would be an interesting opportunity to experience an alternate-history thriller in both formats. The novel is a fast, engaging, and highly readable work, and I finished it in a single day. Klein constructs an imaginative historical conspiracy that immediately creates curiosity, and the central premise is strong enough to keep the reader invested in what will happen next. As an alternate-history narrative, the book succeeds most when it allows the reader to consider how history, political power, secrecy, and manipulation might intersect within a fictionalized version of the past.
The novel’s greatest strength is its momentum. The clues, revelations, and conspiracy elements are compelling, and there is a clear sense of narrative propulsion throughout the story. However, the book is not without its limitations. Some of the dialogue feels somewhat clunky, and there are moments when the plot stretches believability beyond what the story has fully earned. I also found the characterization somewhat limited. Although Vargas and Hembury are essential to the narrative, they remain largely surface-level figures, and the supporting characters are not developed with enough depth to make them feel fully realized. The ending also did not completely work for me, though it seems clear that Klein is positioning the book as the beginning of a larger trilogy.
Overall, The Counterfeit Candidate is an entertaining and imaginative thriller with a strong premise and enough intrigue to overcome several of its weaknesses. While I wanted more depth in the characters and a more convincing resolution, I still found the book enjoyable, accessible, and consistently engaging. Reading The Counterfeit Candidate felt like entering a fast-moving historical conspiracy where the ideas were sometimes larger than the characters, but the ride remained entertaining enough that I wanted to keep going. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy alternate history, political conspiracies, and fast-paced thrillers, and I will definitely continue with the next two books in the trilogy.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Brian Klein, and Dreamscape Media for the ADC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheCounterfeitCandidate #NetGalley
I received the audiobook of The Counterfeit Candidate by Brian Klein from NetGalley, and since I also had access to the physical copy, I decided it would be an interesting opportunity to experience an alternate-history thriller in both formats. The novel is a fast, engaging, and highly readable work, and I finished it in a single day. Klein constructs an imaginative historical conspiracy that immediately creates curiosity, and the central premise is strong enough to keep the reader invested in what will happen next. As an alternate-history narrative, the book succeeds most when it allows the reader to consider how history, political power, secrecy, and manipulation might intersect within a fictionalized version of the past.
The novel’s greatest strength is its momentum. The clues, revelations, and conspiracy elements are compelling, and there is a clear sense of narrative propulsion throughout the story. However, the book is not without its limitations. Some of the dialogue feels somewhat clunky, and there are moments when the plot stretches believability beyond what the story has fully earned. I also found the characterization somewhat limited. Although Vargas and Hembury are essential to the narrative, they remain largely surface-level figures, and the supporting characters are not developed with enough depth to make them feel fully realized. The ending also did not completely work for me, though it seems clear that Klein is positioning the book as the beginning of a larger trilogy.
Overall, The Counterfeit Candidate is an entertaining and imaginative thriller with a strong premise and enough intrigue to overcome several of its weaknesses. While I wanted more depth in the characters and a more convincing resolution, I still found the book enjoyable, accessible, and consistently engaging. Reading The Counterfeit Candidate felt like entering a fast-moving historical conspiracy where the ideas were sometimes larger than the characters, but the ride remained entertaining enough that I wanted to keep going. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy alternate history, political conspiracies, and fast-paced thrillers, and I will definitely continue with the next two books in the trilogy.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Brian Klein, and Dreamscape Media for the ADC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheCounterfeitCandidate #NetGalley
July 19, 2021
My review is on my website www.bookread2day.wordpress.com
I was taken by surprise as this story jumps straight into action.
As three men in Argentina dig a tunnel at precisely on Monday 24th May 2011 they start drilling a tunnel that three men, continued every weekday night and weekend for eight months.
The earth they dug up was put into large bags and loaded onto a lorry which was driven far away to the north out of the city and dumped where no one would suspect where the earth had originally come from.
It took the three men a whole eight months until the tunnel was completed. They were smart lighting up the tunnel standing inside the giant vault.
All them were cautious not to be seen by the six CCTV cameras so they all wore plastic monkey masks.
Their job wasn’t over yet they had to drill through dual locks that took them forty-eight hours.
Once each box was opened they emptied them, with US Dollars, Euros, English Pounds and Argentinian Pestos. One box alone contained twenty solid gold bars and other boxes were crammed with jewellery, designer watches and hundreds of loose gemstones.
All they have to do now is get out before the bank was due to open.
My heart was in my stomach I wondered if the three men Pedro, Ricardo, and Sebastian will get away with this biggest heist in Argentina’s history.
I was taken by surprise as this story jumps straight into action.
As three men in Argentina dig a tunnel at precisely on Monday 24th May 2011 they start drilling a tunnel that three men, continued every weekday night and weekend for eight months.
The earth they dug up was put into large bags and loaded onto a lorry which was driven far away to the north out of the city and dumped where no one would suspect where the earth had originally come from.
It took the three men a whole eight months until the tunnel was completed. They were smart lighting up the tunnel standing inside the giant vault.
All them were cautious not to be seen by the six CCTV cameras so they all wore plastic monkey masks.
Their job wasn’t over yet they had to drill through dual locks that took them forty-eight hours.
Once each box was opened they emptied them, with US Dollars, Euros, English Pounds and Argentinian Pestos. One box alone contained twenty solid gold bars and other boxes were crammed with jewellery, designer watches and hundreds of loose gemstones.
All they have to do now is get out before the bank was due to open.
My heart was in my stomach I wondered if the three men Pedro, Ricardo, and Sebastian will get away with this biggest heist in Argentina’s history.
July 23, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
The Counterfeit Candidate is the debut novel by author Brian Klein. It features a mixture of genres including thriller, mystery, action, adventure, crime, and historical fiction. It also packs a punch and if you love books that suck you into the plot and get your heart pumping then this is certainly one to pick up.
We begin the story back in 1945 and the supposed suicide of Adolf Hitler and his new bride Eva Braun. The book runs with the conspiracy theory that Hitler never killed himself and that he and his wife fled to Argentina.
We then move to 2012, Argentina where three men have been building a tunnel for the last eight months from an old café site to a bank’s security deposit vault nearby. The three plan to hit the vault in the early hours of the morning, drill and take the contents of 120 boxes and then escape. Their plan includes splitting the boxes between them, each hiding their stash and not touching them for another year so as not to bring suspicion on themselves.
Also in 2012 Senator John Franklin has secured the Republican’s Presidential Nominations and seems to be on his way to being the next President of the United States. What is held in one of the boxes taken could have devastating consequences on his candidacy. He has an elite team of ‘finders’ looking for the contents of the box and they are willing to do anything to retrieve it.
Can the men get away with the biggest heist in Argentinian history or will the finders get to them first? There is a third option, that Chief Inspector Nicolas Vargas who has been put on the case discovers who the men are first and get to them before the finders do.
The Counterfeit Candidate had me on the edge of my seat. It is pure action and adventure with a few lulls when it comes to the parts set back in time with Hitler and his wife. The conspiracy theory that Hitler never killed himself is one I hadn’t heard before, even though it began straight after his death. I can see why given the circumstances and what happened to the bodies as to why people would think that.
I loved the weaving of the past into the present, it worked well. I also love how the three thieves had planned everything for months, including getting rid of the dirt, timings (though they got this slightly wrong as only 90 boxes were taken), even their encounters with the police were calculated and planned. However, they never calculated for the storm that was about to rain down on them!
This was an absolutely outstanding piece of fiction that I couldn’t put down. With its short chapters that heightened the action and its cat and mouse feel I was in my element. Being able to perfectly visualise every moment and scene has me believing that this book would be an ideal choice for a movie adaptation. It would seem that Brian Klein is a natural storyteller.
The Counterfeit Candidate is the debut novel by author Brian Klein. It features a mixture of genres including thriller, mystery, action, adventure, crime, and historical fiction. It also packs a punch and if you love books that suck you into the plot and get your heart pumping then this is certainly one to pick up.
We begin the story back in 1945 and the supposed suicide of Adolf Hitler and his new bride Eva Braun. The book runs with the conspiracy theory that Hitler never killed himself and that he and his wife fled to Argentina.
We then move to 2012, Argentina where three men have been building a tunnel for the last eight months from an old café site to a bank’s security deposit vault nearby. The three plan to hit the vault in the early hours of the morning, drill and take the contents of 120 boxes and then escape. Their plan includes splitting the boxes between them, each hiding their stash and not touching them for another year so as not to bring suspicion on themselves.
Also in 2012 Senator John Franklin has secured the Republican’s Presidential Nominations and seems to be on his way to being the next President of the United States. What is held in one of the boxes taken could have devastating consequences on his candidacy. He has an elite team of ‘finders’ looking for the contents of the box and they are willing to do anything to retrieve it.
Can the men get away with the biggest heist in Argentinian history or will the finders get to them first? There is a third option, that Chief Inspector Nicolas Vargas who has been put on the case discovers who the men are first and get to them before the finders do.
The Counterfeit Candidate had me on the edge of my seat. It is pure action and adventure with a few lulls when it comes to the parts set back in time with Hitler and his wife. The conspiracy theory that Hitler never killed himself is one I hadn’t heard before, even though it began straight after his death. I can see why given the circumstances and what happened to the bodies as to why people would think that.
I loved the weaving of the past into the present, it worked well. I also love how the three thieves had planned everything for months, including getting rid of the dirt, timings (though they got this slightly wrong as only 90 boxes were taken), even their encounters with the police were calculated and planned. However, they never calculated for the storm that was about to rain down on them!
This was an absolutely outstanding piece of fiction that I couldn’t put down. With its short chapters that heightened the action and its cat and mouse feel I was in my element. Being able to perfectly visualise every moment and scene has me believing that this book would be an ideal choice for a movie adaptation. It would seem that Brian Klein is a natural storyteller.
October 2, 2022
Ouch, quite a hopeless book. If you are going to write a plot - WARNING SPOILER - where Hitler survived the war and escaped thanks to the mastermind of his Nazi secretary Bormann, you better make it as believable and as balanced as possible. Well, forget it. The characters don't have any depth, the story lines are extremely thin, and the story over-all is rushed. Would not recommend this to anybody.
August 10, 2021
Enjoyable. But too far fetched and characters lack depth
A good lightweight read but the characters are a bit superficial, almost stereotypical. Pushes the conspiracy too far. Had Maria Callas sung with a whole bunch of musicians for Adolf Hitler it’d be a secret too hard to keep.
A good lightweight read but the characters are a bit superficial, almost stereotypical. Pushes the conspiracy too far. Had Maria Callas sung with a whole bunch of musicians for Adolf Hitler it’d be a secret too hard to keep.
March 27, 2026
Engrossing, Entertaining And Thought-Provoking!
I’m generally not a fan of alternative, “what-if” thrillers but I am a big fan of WWII thrillers. So, I decided to give Brian Klein’s The Counterfeit Candidate a read and, having just finished it, I’m pleased with my decision.
Here’s why I feel this way.
The strongest aspect of the book is its pacing. It moves quickly without feeling rushed, and the plot keeps unfolding in ways that mostly feel surprising and believable. The political backdrop adds tension without becoming overwhelming, and the author does a solid job of making complex ideas accessible
.
The main character is pretty well-developed and easy to stay invested in (as long as you can overlook some minor credibility issues). However, I feel some of a of the supporting characters are a bit underdeveloped. I found myself wanting just a little more depth from them, especially in key moments where their motivations could have added extra weight to the story.
There are also a couple of plot turns that, while entertaining, stretch plausibility slightly. They don’t derail the reading experience, but they do stand out enough to momentarily pull you out of the narrative. That said, I found The Counterfeit Candidate to be mostly consistently engaging and thought-provoking.
Bottom line for me is that Counterfeit Candidate is a compelling read that balances entertainment with substance. Not perfect, but definitely worth your time.
I’m generally not a fan of alternative, “what-if” thrillers but I am a big fan of WWII thrillers. So, I decided to give Brian Klein’s The Counterfeit Candidate a read and, having just finished it, I’m pleased with my decision.
Here’s why I feel this way.
The strongest aspect of the book is its pacing. It moves quickly without feeling rushed, and the plot keeps unfolding in ways that mostly feel surprising and believable. The political backdrop adds tension without becoming overwhelming, and the author does a solid job of making complex ideas accessible
.
The main character is pretty well-developed and easy to stay invested in (as long as you can overlook some minor credibility issues). However, I feel some of a of the supporting characters are a bit underdeveloped. I found myself wanting just a little more depth from them, especially in key moments where their motivations could have added extra weight to the story.
There are also a couple of plot turns that, while entertaining, stretch plausibility slightly. They don’t derail the reading experience, but they do stand out enough to momentarily pull you out of the narrative. That said, I found The Counterfeit Candidate to be mostly consistently engaging and thought-provoking.
Bottom line for me is that Counterfeit Candidate is a compelling read that balances entertainment with substance. Not perfect, but definitely worth your time.
August 15, 2025
Begint als complottheorie, eindigt als de Zeven Zussen. Was best vermakelijk.
July 16, 2021
The Counterfeit Candidate by Brian Klein
Action-packed thrill-ride from beginning to end. This story is one of conspiracy, intrigue, crime, and moves between continents and time periods with facility. Settle in for a great story that will leave you thinking…what if?
What I liked:
* The plot, writing and story told
* The way it made me think about the past and what could have happened if something like this story had truly happened
* The dark gritty reality of the story
* That it had me doing google searches and reading about various places and characters in the book
* Wondering about what would motivate the various characters
* The police procedural aspect of the story
* Being able to hate the bad guys entirely – saw no redeeming qualities in them
* Thinking about who I would cast in the roles of the characters if this were to be made into a movie
* Wondering about the true relationship between Braun and Hitler
* Stepping into the past without actually having to be there
* Reading a debut novel by a new author
What I didn’t like:
* Exactly what I was meant NOT to like
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to MidasPR for the ARC – this is my honest review.
5 Stars
Action-packed thrill-ride from beginning to end. This story is one of conspiracy, intrigue, crime, and moves between continents and time periods with facility. Settle in for a great story that will leave you thinking…what if?
What I liked:
* The plot, writing and story told
* The way it made me think about the past and what could have happened if something like this story had truly happened
* The dark gritty reality of the story
* That it had me doing google searches and reading about various places and characters in the book
* Wondering about what would motivate the various characters
* The police procedural aspect of the story
* Being able to hate the bad guys entirely – saw no redeeming qualities in them
* Thinking about who I would cast in the roles of the characters if this were to be made into a movie
* Wondering about the true relationship between Braun and Hitler
* Stepping into the past without actually having to be there
* Reading a debut novel by a new author
What I didn’t like:
* Exactly what I was meant NOT to like
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to MidasPR for the ARC – this is my honest review.
5 Stars
January 26, 2022
What a load of rubbish but superbly entertaining and, at times, quite exciting. Some interesting characters as well.
Hitler is alive and well and living in Patagonia with Eva Hitler and Martin Boorman. Naturally he has changed his name and, believe or not, sired a son who’s a chip off the old block and thoroughly evil. He provides Hitler with a grandson who’s in line to become the next US President, thus founding the Fourth Reich. How the Mossad didn’t track this nest of vipers down is beyond me.
I suppose Hitler, the most vile man in the history of the planet, shouldn’t be a source of humour but there are so many laugh out loud moments it was difficult to keep a straight face at times.
Nonsense.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of ‘39, all published by Sacristy Press.
Hitler is alive and well and living in Patagonia with Eva Hitler and Martin Boorman. Naturally he has changed his name and, believe or not, sired a son who’s a chip off the old block and thoroughly evil. He provides Hitler with a grandson who’s in line to become the next US President, thus founding the Fourth Reich. How the Mossad didn’t track this nest of vipers down is beyond me.
I suppose Hitler, the most vile man in the history of the planet, shouldn’t be a source of humour but there are so many laugh out loud moments it was difficult to keep a straight face at times.
Nonsense.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of ‘39, all published by Sacristy Press.
October 17, 2023
The plot of The Counterfeit Candidate is a great idea, and although dual timelines don't always work for me, I was intrigued enough to give it a try. Although the characters are pretty shallow, the bread and butter of the plot unfolds pretty well and it's entertaining all the way through. For pure dumb entertainment, I could almost have given it 4 stars. However, there are too many obstacles to get past. I can't go into them all as it would be too revealing. One example, though. A powerful global corporation uses a security company with almost unlimited resources that will stop at nothing to get results. When they need to find a character's address, it takes them forever to find it out. They knew where he worked... maybe they could have followed him? Enjoyable in its own way, if you're happy to overlook its faults.
August 13, 2021
Need to suspend belief
To be fair the concept is interesting, there has always been conspiracy theories surrounding the death of Hitler and Eva Burn.
Also there are a fair few prominent historians and investigating journalists that believe that Martin Boorman did escape to South America with the knowledge of both the British an American intelligence agencies.
But the problem with this book is it isn't very good.
The idea is good but the writing isn't.
The characters have no depth its almost comical in parts.
Still I have given the book 3 stars for effort, and there is a good book in there somewhere.
To be fair the concept is interesting, there has always been conspiracy theories surrounding the death of Hitler and Eva Burn.
Also there are a fair few prominent historians and investigating journalists that believe that Martin Boorman did escape to South America with the knowledge of both the British an American intelligence agencies.
But the problem with this book is it isn't very good.
The idea is good but the writing isn't.
The characters have no depth its almost comical in parts.
Still I have given the book 3 stars for effort, and there is a good book in there somewhere.
August 22, 2022
Counterfactual stories always interest me but this one is ruined by poor writing. Novels such as SS-GB and Fatherland admittedly set the bar very high but there's no excuse for using clichés whenever the opportunity presents, nor for the number of murders included. I have the impression that this book was written very quickly.
February 13, 2022
Only give a 5 star if a book really intrigues me and stays on my mind for a while. The What-ifs flowing from this book kept me busy for a while because the scenarios are believable. Well done for a debut book. It's nice to see that something positive came from the lock down.
May 5, 2024
If you just want a page-turner, this is probably 4.5 stars. If you want anything even vaguely approximating possibility, probably best not to start. However, I suspended all disbelief, raised my eye-brows a lot, but did enjoy the filmic ride.
October 31, 2025
Het is een politieke thriller van het type "Wat als?".
Zoals de schrijver zelf in zijn nabeschouwing aangeeft, is het boek gebaseerd op 1 van de vele complottheorieën die ontstonden na de val van het Derde Rijk en de veronderstelde dood van Adolf Hitler. De waarschijnlijkheid dat net deze theorie de waarheid zou bevatten is trouwens heel erg laag.
Uiteraard geen probleem voor een fictieboek, maar het vormt wel een drempel om in het verhaal mee te gaan. Dit wordt gaandeweg in het verhaal wel beter als de elementen van de complottheorie op de achtergrond belanden en de fantasie van de schrijver de overhand neemt.
Toch is er ook een ander vervelend probleem: doordat deze theorie heel wat aanhangers heeft en publiekelijk beschikbaar is, zijn er ook heel wat verhalen rond geweven en boeken geschreven. Echt origineel voelt het niet aan (al zal het dag ongetwijfeld wel zijn).
Er wordt nogal eens door de tijd gesprongen en de locatie en het perspektief verandert ook regelmatig. Gelukkig staat er onder elke hoofdstuknummer een datum en een locatie.
Het geheel loopt van 30 april 1945 (de officiële datum van de zelfmoord van Adolf Hitler en Eva Braun) tot 6 april 2012 waarde auteur ons in de epiloog een open einde en cliffhanger voorschotelt.
De verhaallijn uit 1945 tot voor 2012 gaat over het lot van Hitler en Braun en hun nazaten. De ontsnapping uit Duitsland en reis naar Argentinië, waar ze zich vestigen en hoe ze hun leven opnieuw inrichten. In enkele tijdsprongen krijgen we dan een zicht op de uitbouw van het nieuwe pharmaceutische concern en de volgende generaties nazaten die van Argentinië naar de Verenigde Status verhuizen. Het einddoel is het Vierde Rijk met aan het hoofd de kleinzoon van Hitler die in 2012 op het punt staat om president van de U.S.A. te worden.
Na een korte intro in Duitsland gevolgd door een zeereis zal de schrijver constant switchen tussen Buenos Aires en Los Angeles. Aanvankelijk gaat het vooral over Hitler, Braun en Martin Bormann. Later wordt de aandacht verdeeld tussen Paz in Argentinië en vader en iets minder zoon Franklin in de U.S.A.
De verhaallijn uit 2012 begint met een bankoverval en legt dan de focus op de gevolgen en het onderzoek dat steeds een groter terrein zal beslaan en waarbij heel wat doden vallen.
Speurders Hembury en Vargas spelen de hoofdrollen.
Het is gebaseerd op een heel bekende complottheorie waarvan de waarschijnlijkheid erg laag wordt ingeschat. Toch is er al veel inkt over gevloeid. De gegevens uit het begin van het boek zijn dus zeker niet uniek te noemen.
Het is een "Wat als?" boek en gaandeweg nemen de interpretaties en toevoegingen (zeg maar de inspiratie) van de schrijver de overhand en dat is natuurlijk zijn eigen verdienste.
Om een zekere couleur locale en ook geloofwaardigheid te demonstreren zal de schrijver een heel aantal personen en historische feiten doorheen zijn fictie mengen.
Feiten zijn per definitie niet origineel maar de mix met fictieve personen en gebeurtenissen is dat wel.
De ontsnapping van Adolf Hitler en Eva Braun uit nazi-Duitsland is natuurlijk een onverwacht gegeven.
De ontdekking dat de buit van de bankoverval bij de nazaten van Hitler alarmbellen doet afgaan betekent absoluut een plotwending, wat de overvallers al snel tot hun dodelijke spijt zullen ontdekken.
Paz laat zijn mobiel op een plaats delict liggen en dat zal heel zware gevolgen hebben waarbij opnieuw een wending in het schijnbaar doodgelopen politieonderzoek wordt gegeven.
Het even ten tonele voeren van de bijna 100-jarige Eva duwt het plot weer in een andere richting en de zelfmoord van vader Franklin lijkt alle vorderingen in het onderzoek te niet te doen.
De karakters zijn stereotypes met weinig echte diepgang. De schrijver heeft goede maar beperkte bronnen voor de historische onderbouw gebruikt en dat merk je. Het gedrag van Hitler en Eva, hun omgang met mekaar en Bormann is nogal op de populistische interpretaties van feiten en veronderstellingen gebaseerd.
Ook van de andere criminelen komen we op zich weinig te weten, de focus ligt volledig op het handelen in het hier en nu (waar en wanneer dat dan ook mag zijn).
Maar zelfs de inspekteurs ontsnappen niet aan deze trend: als er al iets van hun achtergrond wordt meegegeven is dat puur functioneel omdat het direct impact heeft op wat verteld wordt.
Uiteraard is het altijd oppassen met een verhaal over Hitler en de auteur heeft er, misschien wel zo verstandig, voor gekozen om geen risico te lopen en besloten om heel voorzichtig te zijn met interpretaties die verkeerd kunnen uitgelegd worden. In de praktijk zorgt dat voor een lichte bias van links en woke (dat toen nog alomtegenwoordig was met zijn cancel-cultuur).
Er is weinig ontwikkeling te merken, zelfs niet over de lange tijdspanne die het boek dekt. Een aantal mensen sterven natuurlijk en anderen groeien op maar verandering of verdieping zit er niet in.
Argentinië is het land dat heel veel nazi's een nieuw vaderland heeft geboden, de Verenigde Staten zijn natuurlijk nog altijd het belangrijkste westers land op politiek, economisch en militair vlak. Die met mekaar verbinden is een goeie zet van de schrijver, de tijdspanne is realistisch als je, net zoals de schrijver zelf, nadenkt over het "wat als..." gevolgd door "hoe bouw je het Vierde Rijk met onbeperkte financiële middelen?".
Het boek zit vol aktie en bevat een zekere dosis spanning maar mist diepgang, en dat merk je ook in de ietwat fletse sfeer buiten de aktiescènes om.
Het deel over het verleden is natuurlijk niet echt spannend te noemen, we kennen de geschiedenis. En doordat er van het heden terug naar het verleden wordt gesprongen is daar ook niet echt veel spanning te rapen, daar kennen we immers ook al de afloop van.
Maar het echte verhaal van de bankoverval en het daaropvolgende onderzoek en de tegenakties staan bol van de spanning. Van komen ze weg met de buit van de overval, over zullen de nazi's hun geheim kunnen bewaren tot de spanning die gepaard gaat met een onderzoek naar een misdaad en de jacht op de daders. Op het einde komt daar het element van machtspolitiek, valstrikken en een race tegen de tijd bij.
Door de algemene oppervlakkigheid is de spanning vooral voelbaar en verbonden met de aktie. Daarbuiten valt dat merkbaar weg.
Er zit veel aktie in en dat is uiteraard beeldend, maar voor de rest, inclusief de dialogen, is het eerder vlak geschreven. Korte zinnen en hoofdstukken, actieve taal, lage moeilijkheidsgraad - het past allemaal bij de indruk van de domme en sadistische nazi. Maar bevat ook wel een tegenstelling doordat ondanks die domheid de kleinzoon van Hitler toch ei zo na Amerikaans president dreigt te worden. Het taalgebruik is, ondanks de regelmatige vermelding van het gebruik van het Spaans, typisch Amerikaans Engels. Dat maakt het erg toegankelijk en daarbij merk je dat Brian Klein dat ook bij zijn tv-werk gebruikt.
Het is heel goed leesbaar door de vele aktie en de lage moeilijkheidsgraad. Ik had in het begin wel wat moeite met de assumpties die niet stroken met de algemeen aanvaarde geschiedenis maar dat is nu eenmaal het kenmerk van complottheorieën.
Zeker in het begin vroeg ik me af wat het verschil is tussen dit boek en iets wat op basis van dezelde complottheorie door de laatste A.I. kan geproduceerd worden. (dit is geen beschuldiging). Maar het zal niet lang blijven hangen, en ik heb ook niet de intentie om de andere boeken in deze stijl van dezelfde schrijver te lezen.
Zoals de schrijver zelf in zijn nabeschouwing aangeeft, is het boek gebaseerd op 1 van de vele complottheorieën die ontstonden na de val van het Derde Rijk en de veronderstelde dood van Adolf Hitler. De waarschijnlijkheid dat net deze theorie de waarheid zou bevatten is trouwens heel erg laag.
Uiteraard geen probleem voor een fictieboek, maar het vormt wel een drempel om in het verhaal mee te gaan. Dit wordt gaandeweg in het verhaal wel beter als de elementen van de complottheorie op de achtergrond belanden en de fantasie van de schrijver de overhand neemt.
Toch is er ook een ander vervelend probleem: doordat deze theorie heel wat aanhangers heeft en publiekelijk beschikbaar is, zijn er ook heel wat verhalen rond geweven en boeken geschreven. Echt origineel voelt het niet aan (al zal het dag ongetwijfeld wel zijn).
Er wordt nogal eens door de tijd gesprongen en de locatie en het perspektief verandert ook regelmatig. Gelukkig staat er onder elke hoofdstuknummer een datum en een locatie.
Het geheel loopt van 30 april 1945 (de officiële datum van de zelfmoord van Adolf Hitler en Eva Braun) tot 6 april 2012 waarde auteur ons in de epiloog een open einde en cliffhanger voorschotelt.
De verhaallijn uit 1945 tot voor 2012 gaat over het lot van Hitler en Braun en hun nazaten. De ontsnapping uit Duitsland en reis naar Argentinië, waar ze zich vestigen en hoe ze hun leven opnieuw inrichten. In enkele tijdsprongen krijgen we dan een zicht op de uitbouw van het nieuwe pharmaceutische concern en de volgende generaties nazaten die van Argentinië naar de Verenigde Status verhuizen. Het einddoel is het Vierde Rijk met aan het hoofd de kleinzoon van Hitler die in 2012 op het punt staat om president van de U.S.A. te worden.
Na een korte intro in Duitsland gevolgd door een zeereis zal de schrijver constant switchen tussen Buenos Aires en Los Angeles. Aanvankelijk gaat het vooral over Hitler, Braun en Martin Bormann. Later wordt de aandacht verdeeld tussen Paz in Argentinië en vader en iets minder zoon Franklin in de U.S.A.
De verhaallijn uit 2012 begint met een bankoverval en legt dan de focus op de gevolgen en het onderzoek dat steeds een groter terrein zal beslaan en waarbij heel wat doden vallen.
Speurders Hembury en Vargas spelen de hoofdrollen.
Het is gebaseerd op een heel bekende complottheorie waarvan de waarschijnlijkheid erg laag wordt ingeschat. Toch is er al veel inkt over gevloeid. De gegevens uit het begin van het boek zijn dus zeker niet uniek te noemen.
Het is een "Wat als?" boek en gaandeweg nemen de interpretaties en toevoegingen (zeg maar de inspiratie) van de schrijver de overhand en dat is natuurlijk zijn eigen verdienste.
Om een zekere couleur locale en ook geloofwaardigheid te demonstreren zal de schrijver een heel aantal personen en historische feiten doorheen zijn fictie mengen.
Feiten zijn per definitie niet origineel maar de mix met fictieve personen en gebeurtenissen is dat wel.
De ontsnapping van Adolf Hitler en Eva Braun uit nazi-Duitsland is natuurlijk een onverwacht gegeven.
De ontdekking dat de buit van de bankoverval bij de nazaten van Hitler alarmbellen doet afgaan betekent absoluut een plotwending, wat de overvallers al snel tot hun dodelijke spijt zullen ontdekken.
Paz laat zijn mobiel op een plaats delict liggen en dat zal heel zware gevolgen hebben waarbij opnieuw een wending in het schijnbaar doodgelopen politieonderzoek wordt gegeven.
Het even ten tonele voeren van de bijna 100-jarige Eva duwt het plot weer in een andere richting en de zelfmoord van vader Franklin lijkt alle vorderingen in het onderzoek te niet te doen.
De karakters zijn stereotypes met weinig echte diepgang. De schrijver heeft goede maar beperkte bronnen voor de historische onderbouw gebruikt en dat merk je. Het gedrag van Hitler en Eva, hun omgang met mekaar en Bormann is nogal op de populistische interpretaties van feiten en veronderstellingen gebaseerd.
Ook van de andere criminelen komen we op zich weinig te weten, de focus ligt volledig op het handelen in het hier en nu (waar en wanneer dat dan ook mag zijn).
Maar zelfs de inspekteurs ontsnappen niet aan deze trend: als er al iets van hun achtergrond wordt meegegeven is dat puur functioneel omdat het direct impact heeft op wat verteld wordt.
Uiteraard is het altijd oppassen met een verhaal over Hitler en de auteur heeft er, misschien wel zo verstandig, voor gekozen om geen risico te lopen en besloten om heel voorzichtig te zijn met interpretaties die verkeerd kunnen uitgelegd worden. In de praktijk zorgt dat voor een lichte bias van links en woke (dat toen nog alomtegenwoordig was met zijn cancel-cultuur).
Er is weinig ontwikkeling te merken, zelfs niet over de lange tijdspanne die het boek dekt. Een aantal mensen sterven natuurlijk en anderen groeien op maar verandering of verdieping zit er niet in.
Argentinië is het land dat heel veel nazi's een nieuw vaderland heeft geboden, de Verenigde Staten zijn natuurlijk nog altijd het belangrijkste westers land op politiek, economisch en militair vlak. Die met mekaar verbinden is een goeie zet van de schrijver, de tijdspanne is realistisch als je, net zoals de schrijver zelf, nadenkt over het "wat als..." gevolgd door "hoe bouw je het Vierde Rijk met onbeperkte financiële middelen?".
Het boek zit vol aktie en bevat een zekere dosis spanning maar mist diepgang, en dat merk je ook in de ietwat fletse sfeer buiten de aktiescènes om.
Het deel over het verleden is natuurlijk niet echt spannend te noemen, we kennen de geschiedenis. En doordat er van het heden terug naar het verleden wordt gesprongen is daar ook niet echt veel spanning te rapen, daar kennen we immers ook al de afloop van.
Maar het echte verhaal van de bankoverval en het daaropvolgende onderzoek en de tegenakties staan bol van de spanning. Van komen ze weg met de buit van de overval, over zullen de nazi's hun geheim kunnen bewaren tot de spanning die gepaard gaat met een onderzoek naar een misdaad en de jacht op de daders. Op het einde komt daar het element van machtspolitiek, valstrikken en een race tegen de tijd bij.
Door de algemene oppervlakkigheid is de spanning vooral voelbaar en verbonden met de aktie. Daarbuiten valt dat merkbaar weg.
Er zit veel aktie in en dat is uiteraard beeldend, maar voor de rest, inclusief de dialogen, is het eerder vlak geschreven. Korte zinnen en hoofdstukken, actieve taal, lage moeilijkheidsgraad - het past allemaal bij de indruk van de domme en sadistische nazi. Maar bevat ook wel een tegenstelling doordat ondanks die domheid de kleinzoon van Hitler toch ei zo na Amerikaans president dreigt te worden. Het taalgebruik is, ondanks de regelmatige vermelding van het gebruik van het Spaans, typisch Amerikaans Engels. Dat maakt het erg toegankelijk en daarbij merk je dat Brian Klein dat ook bij zijn tv-werk gebruikt.
Het is heel goed leesbaar door de vele aktie en de lage moeilijkheidsgraad. Ik had in het begin wel wat moeite met de assumpties die niet stroken met de algemeen aanvaarde geschiedenis maar dat is nu eenmaal het kenmerk van complottheorieën.
Zeker in het begin vroeg ik me af wat het verschil is tussen dit boek en iets wat op basis van dezelde complottheorie door de laatste A.I. kan geproduceerd worden. (dit is geen beschuldiging). Maar het zal niet lang blijven hangen, en ik heb ook niet de intentie om de andere boeken in deze stijl van dezelfde schrijver te lezen.
April 11, 2026
I didn’t expect to get this invested, but this book really surprised me.
The Counterfeit Candidate is technically a thriller, but what stood out the most for me is how realistic everything felt. The story is written in such a believable way that, at times, it honestly felt like something that could happen in real life, which made it even more unsettling.
I really enjoyed the way the timeline moves between past and present. It felt smooth and easy to follow, without ever becoming confusing, and it added just the right amount of depth to the story.
The characters were also very well built. Each of them had a clear role and personality, which made the whole plot feel more grounded and engaging.
Overall, a very solid and immersive read, one of those books that pulls you in without trying too hard.
The Counterfeit Candidate is technically a thriller, but what stood out the most for me is how realistic everything felt. The story is written in such a believable way that, at times, it honestly felt like something that could happen in real life, which made it even more unsettling.
I really enjoyed the way the timeline moves between past and present. It felt smooth and easy to follow, without ever becoming confusing, and it added just the right amount of depth to the story.
The characters were also very well built. Each of them had a clear role and personality, which made the whole plot feel more grounded and engaging.
Overall, a very solid and immersive read, one of those books that pulls you in without trying too hard.
February 26, 2023
Never imagined this book to turn out so intriguing and exciting throughout. A wonderful and entertaining narrative which mixes up European history with contemporary America and gives the reader a wonderful experience. The idea of keeping Adolf Hitler and his lineage at the core of a Bank heist and murder mystery is simply brilliant. Look forward to more work from the author. The audible experience was good.
July 5, 2026
In this alternate-reality story, the author imagines a timeline in which Hitler and Eva Braun fake their own deaths and board a ship in 1945. Several facial reconstruction surgeries later, they arrive in Argentina and set up home in a compound named for his dog, Blondie. With all the money they've stolen and secreted away, Hitler and his cronies have the resources to create a long-term plan to take over the world by taking control of America. Chillingly, this involves a run at the presidency. This thriller alternates between the two timelines (after WWII and the present day), with well-thought-out scenarios and colorful details that lend the story verisimilitude. The narration is excellent, and kept me engaged. 4.6 stars.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @DreamscapeMedia, and #NetGalley for access to the audiobook of #TheCounterfeitCandidate for review purposes. It is now available and worth a read or listen.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @DreamscapeMedia, and #NetGalley for access to the audiobook of #TheCounterfeitCandidate for review purposes. It is now available and worth a read or listen.
February 10, 2026
Een wat-als verhaal. wat als Hitler, Eva Braun samen met Martin Borman ontsnappen uit Berlijn vlak voor het volledig in Russische handen viel. Wat als zeer dan in Argentinië gaan leven, over een valse naam. Wat als ze daar een de farmaceutische industrie starten die uiteindelijk zeer machtig werd. wat als Hitler's kleinzoon een Amerikaanse senator wordt die kandidaat is voor het presidentschap.
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September 3, 2023
Great premise and engaging story that is well told. A couple of minor narrative jarrs only slightly detracted from an otherwise enjoyable read.
March 17, 2024
The plot was really good, I thought that the major twist halfway through would be it but then it revealed lots of other twists later on! Very excited to read the 2nd one 😁🇦🇷
April 14, 2026
Vermakelijk! Vond er tot ver in het verhaal weinig vaart inzitten maar het plot zelf, het idee, fascineerde me genoeg om steeds verder te lezen. Vond de personages ook goed en levendig.
June 2, 2024
The book wants to build suspense and make the reader feel like something big is happening but the story ends up being very shallow and amateur. The historical fiction element was a bummer.
January 7, 2022
I very rarely give 5 stars but this was an unexpected read which surprised and excelled. Not my usual genre but a very well written, thought provoking political thriller.
The premis: Hilter escaped rather than commit suicide. And now his grandson is about to become President of the United States of America!
The premis: Hilter escaped rather than commit suicide. And now his grandson is about to become President of the United States of America!
July 27, 2021
This is an intriguing story and one of the few books that has had me turning pages until the candle guttered. The plot takes several turns that often leave one guessing. The plot drives the book rather than the quality of the prose.
I was halfway through before I tuned in to Mr Klein’s style. I had started to wonder if English is his first language - the use of some words and phrases hinted at a translation. Often the dialogue is somewhat stilted - and nobody in Argentina or America uses the phrase: “Done a runner.” The descriptive passages suffer from frequent pleonasm (unnecessary words) and repetition. The product placement is overdone. The author is obsessed with glass topped coffee tables.
In summary: Excellent theme - questionable writing - would make a good film.
PS: If you want to know what really happened to Hitler, read Look Who’s Back by Timur Vermes.
I was halfway through before I tuned in to Mr Klein’s style. I had started to wonder if English is his first language - the use of some words and phrases hinted at a translation. Often the dialogue is somewhat stilted - and nobody in Argentina or America uses the phrase: “Done a runner.” The descriptive passages suffer from frequent pleonasm (unnecessary words) and repetition. The product placement is overdone. The author is obsessed with glass topped coffee tables.
In summary: Excellent theme - questionable writing - would make a good film.
PS: If you want to know what really happened to Hitler, read Look Who’s Back by Timur Vermes.
May 21, 2022
Counterfeit fantasy
Not helped by often archaic or stilted language this paint by numbers "thriller" took an inordinately long time to plough through.
Had I read this as a thirteen year old I'm sure I would have enjoyed it.
Not helped by often archaic or stilted language this paint by numbers "thriller" took an inordinately long time to plough through.
Had I read this as a thirteen year old I'm sure I would have enjoyed it.
January 3, 2022
Brilliant read, I can't remember finding a book I couldn't put down in a long time. highly recommended .
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