Collision of Centuries

Franz Waldbaer Thriller #3

by John J. Le Beau

A vicious murder with a broadsword leaves a man dead at a remote and ancient castle in the Bavarian forests. Shortly thereafter, the bubonic plague—a hideous disease believed to be eliminated centuries ago, is detected in Bavaria, killing its victims.  German police Kommissar Franz Waldbaer strongly suspects a link to the castle, but his investigation is impeded by the master of the castle, the arrogant Count von Wintelock. As Waldbaer painfully extracts information from the Count, more people die, and it becomes apparent that the deadly plague is spreading—and fast. Waldbaer and his team of international infectious disease specialists find themsleves on a collision course with a twisted genius who wants to plunge the world into the Dark Ages, leaving millions dead.  To make matters worse, the killer has a terminal disease. With nothing to lose, he accelerates his efforts. 

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2015

About the author

John J. Le Beau was born in Northampton, Massachusetts. He is a veteran CIA operations officer, who retired from the Clandestine Service after a twenty-five year career, with tours in various parts of the globe.
Dr. Le Beau is currently a professor of terrorism and intelligence studies at the George C. Marshall Center in Garmisch, Germany, and Chair of the Combating Terrorism Working Group, for the Partnership for Peace Consortium. 'Collision of Evil', his first novel, deals with a transnational terrorism plot aimed at Europe. A second novel, Collision of Lies, is slated for March, 2012 release and will focus on covert intelligence operations against weapons of mass destruction.

Reviews

[Sue Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collisions of centuries by John j Lebeau is a mystery and thriller and general fiction (adult) read.
A vicious murder, a rapidly spreading deadly disease, and a twisted genius determined to plunge the world back into the Dark Ages, hell-bent on killing millions of innocents.
A vicious murder with a broadsword leaves a man dead at a remote and ancient castle in the Bavarian forests. Shortly thereafter, the bubonic plague—a hideous disease believed to be eliminated centuries ago, is detected in Bavaria, killing its victims. German police Kommissar Franz Waldbaer strongly suspects a link to the castle, but his investigation is impeded by the master of the castle, the arrogant Count von Winterloch. As Waldbaer painfully extracts information from the Count, more people die, and it becomes apparent that the deadly plague is spreading—and fast. Waldbaer and his team of international infectious disease specialists find themselves on a collision course with a twisted genius who wants to plunge the world into the Dark Ages, leaving millions dead. To make matters worse, the killer has a terminal disease. With nothing to lose, he accelerates his efforts.
A very good read with good characters. Little slow in places but still a good read. It wasn't what I expected. 4*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.

[Heather Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's pretty straight forward, you get sick, you visit the doctor, you take the prescribed medicine and you get better. That is, unless you are in a particular Bavarian town where a plague, the Black Death, has reared its lethal head once again.

Kommissar Franz Waldbaer is called in to investigate a suspicious death at the remote castle Schloss Winterlock. It soon turns into a murder investigation with links to an unusual outbreak of plague. Waldbaer has to work quickly to solve this case before the illness spreads outside of Bavaria and Germany.

This is the very thing that medical researchers are trying to keep ahead of, the recurrence of something long banished, that would spread infinitely fast via today's rapid transit systems. In modern times we've forgotten the horror of mass deaths from disease, and quickly bury thoughts of SARS and avian flues. It would just take one mad man to wreck global havoc. Author John J. Le Beau did a good job of conveying how this very event could possibly happen. Sure, it is unlikely, or is it....

I like the character of Kommissar Waldbaer. He is single minded in his determination to solve the entire case, not being satisfied with just finding the culprit in the murder. I do think that it would be enlightening to watch him work, were he real. CIA Agent Hirter does much background work that he shares with Waldbaer. I wish he were more involved in the story, though he worked with the Kommissar in a case in an earlier book in this series, so perhaps he is more fleshed out there.

The most fascinating and least understood character in the novel, is the perpetrator of the evil behind the plague deaths. He is certainly egotistical and probably a psychopath. That's all I can say without giving anything away.

I enjoyed the story and it's setting. I am left pondering whether this type of scenario is possible/probable. Each book I read is a learning experience. Aside from being entertained, I did learn a bit about Germany and the challenges of maintaining historic properties.

[Nettie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I tried and tried to read this book but I just couldnt do it. Each time I picked it up to read, it was a relief to put it down again until eventually I just gave up. I found the writing pompous and irritating. I managed just over half the book before giving up. I dont care how it ended. I dont think I will be trying any other books by this author.

[Eileen Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tense, thrilling story set in Bavaria of someone who has not long to live.
This man unleashes Bubonic Plague threatening millions of lives.
It falls on German police Kommisar Franz Waldbaer to find, stop this person and with his Infectious Disease specialist team prevent a catastrophe that the world may not survive.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Ocean View Publications via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this third installment of LeBeau's "Collision" series. He writes with a true depth of detail and level of intelligence that clearly come from his experience in the world of counterterrorism. Fast-paced, I read this in one sitting, and now hope John is working on another. (Full disclosure: John is a relative, but one I've not had the pleasure to know well.)

[Patricia Gussin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Plague returns.
This really could happen.
A great story, great local color - Baveria- and Yes, this really could happen!