Conspiração em Berlim

Jack Teller #1

by Tom Gabbay

Jack Teller deixou a Agência esperando ter uma vida tranquila numa praia longínqua no sul da Florida. Mas não foi assim que aconteceu. Dias antes de o Presidente Kennedy fazer o seu discurso histórico no muro de Berlim, uma mensagem misteriosa é enviada para a CIA em Berlim por um coronel da polícia secreta da Alemanha de Leste. Alega ter informações importantes, mas só as revelará a uma única pessoa: Jack.
A informação revelada por este oficial alemão, expõe um enredo de traição vinda das mais altas patentes do governo dos Estados Unidos da América. As pessoas a quem Jack reporta, incluindo o seu primeiro mentor, acreditam tratar-se de uma armadilha comunista, e Jack faz o papel de joguete facilmente dispensável. Mas após um encontro com o seu informador, Jack não tem assim tanta certeza e mergulha numa demanda arriscada pela verdade. Depois de receber ameaças da CIA, vê-se sozinho, no eixo da Guerra Fria, numa cidade que guarda muitos segredos sombrios — incluindo alguns do seu próprio passado. No mundo da espionagem, as mentiras são divulgadas e nada parece ser o que é.
Romance policial de estreia excepcional e brilhantemente forjado, Conspiração em Berlim apresenta reviravoltas nebulosas, uma acção empolgante e personagens inesquecíveis. Absorvente do princípio ao fim.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Espionage, Historical Fiction, Suspense, Germany, Historical

300 pages, Paperback

First published January 3, 2006

About the author

Author of the Jack Teller series of historical suspense novels, The Berlin Conspiracy (2006), The Lisbon Crossing (2007) and The Tehran Conviction (2009). Tom Gabbay began his career in New York, producing animated films for the well known children's program Sesame Street, and was Director of Comedy Programs at NBC television from 1985-1990. He also served as Creative Director of NBC Europe in London. In addition to his novels, he has written several screenplays and contributed political cartoons to the Philadelphia Daily News. His most recent novel is the psychological thriller "Access Point."

Reviews

[Will Byrnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Gabbay - from his site

Coming soon to a cinema near you. Well, ok, it didn't. Yeah there was a film with the same name as this book, but it was unrelated. This story is made for film really, someone, get 'er done. Gabbay has written a remarkable spy thriller that provides a preview of events in Dallas. (Will definitely make you think of Day of the Jackal) Dark elements in the US intelligence world plan to assassinate JFK during his historic visit to Germany. News of this comes not from a US spy but from an East German operative loyal to his own side who is eager to avoid World War III. Gripping, fast-moving, engaging. There are holes here and there, but they are quibbles when compared to the cojones of showing exactly how the assassination of JFK in Dallas might have been planned. VERY recommended. It should become a major motion picture as well, pleeeeease.

Gabbay's personal site

Other Tom Gabbay books reviewed
-----2009 - The Tehran Conspiracy - Jack Teller #3
-----2007 - Lisbon Crossing - Jack Teller #2

There are three books in the Jack Teller series - The Berlin conspiracy was the first

[Pierre Tassé (Enjoying Books) · Rating 1 out of 5]

THis is one of those...some like it, some don't...I could never really get into it and there are too many other books and great writers out there that I just shut it down and decided to move on...

[Ami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very rarely give anything 5 stars. My first inclination was to give this one 4.5. But we don't do halves here and I had to decide to round up or down. I went with up because it was that good.

This was pretty cool. I wouldn't consider myself a huge history buff, so before I read this I was somewhat worried about not being familiar enough with the details of the Cold War and Berlin in the 1960's. (I wasn't around for the 60's. Heck, my parents were barely around for the 60's.) Lucky for me, the basics I did know about the time period (The Berlin Wall, KGB, the CIA, all stuff I've seen in movies) was plenty to enjoy this book. For being a spy drama with a fairly intricate plot it was written in a way that was totally easy to understand- I didn't get lost at all.

The main character, Jack Teller, is written as a smart-ass that kept me laughing the whole time.

I really liked this one, and I'm getting it for my dad for Father's Day. There are 2 sequels (so far) and I'm looking forward to more of this character.

[Dipanjan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Berlin Conspiracy starts off as a Plain Jane spy story. It has the usual twists and turns of the espionage game. But the best part about the book is that it builds up pretty neatly to a classic finish. However, what is intriguing about this book is that it delves into the conspiracy theory of "Who actually killed JFK".

Though the story is based around a fictitious assassination plot of JFK right in the heart of Berlin, it will make you wonder about two things. First, if JFK was killed in Berlin instead of Texas could it have triggered a full fledged invasion of Cuba by the US which would have snowballed into an epic war between multiple nations. Secondly, did the CIA really plot the assassination of the most charming President of the United States till date.

I would suggest you pick this book up and follow Jack Teller, the protagonist, through the political climate of the world in 1963.

Overall, a good read. I will definitely pick up the next book by Tom Gabbay, "The Lisbon Crossing".

[Erth · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reader of this author and now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative series. i was hooked after the first page.

The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.

i would highly recommend this author and this series.

[Frederick Tan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cold war spy novel that is similar John La Carre that bring the story of a retired CIA agent Jack Teller out of retirement when an East German agent specifically ask for Jack to be the go between. Dragging his bum off the beach in Florida and his part time fishing expedition when his mentor Sam Clay come a calling. Within 24 hour he was on the plane heading to Berlin for the rendezvous. Coming back to the city where he was born bring back memory that are stored inside suppressed. Linking up with the chief of station a young and ambitious man James Powell goes off on the wrong footing as the supposed meeting with the foreign agent went awry. Jack has to get rid of the incompetent James in order to make contact with the agent who turns out to be a Colonel of the hated STASI. However, the revelation that he received give him a chill down his spine when it was revealed that there will be an assassination attempt on the president of the United State John F Kennedy when he visit West Germany a few days later. The biggest surprise is that the attempt will not be from the Soviet side but from within the hierarchy of the US. Scrambling to uncover the plot however is not easy as he was cut loose by the CIA and was hunted down like an agent went rogue. With the aid of a local man Horst, Jack try to find the truth behind the plot only to be confronted by a secret that lies in his past that bring back strong memories and ties that bind him to Berlin. The final confrontation at the Berlin wall where Kennedy made his historic speech while forces in the background are moving for the final kill is counted by the minutes as some lives have to be scarified for preserving the peace between the east and the west from nuclear annihilations. Will Jack succeed?

[Jamie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great cold war spy thriller!

Very provocative and seemingly realistic. This book has a sense of authenticity that makes it seem very much like an exciting lesson in history told from the backside. I enjoyed every minute of it. The characters had depth and were finely drawn. I could picture them in my mind so the story flowed like a movie in my head. To me that is a sign of a well written book, as I read it, the scenes unfold as a vision in my mind. Definitely worth reading!

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had several story elements similar to other books/movies of the same genre; tow long-separated brothers reunited on opposite sides of a conflict, plots to kill heads of state involving organized crime and government spies, and "black sheep" former spy turned hero. It was well written and quite readable.

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

A decent Cold War era novel where a retired CIA officer is drawn into a conspiracy to assassinate President Kennedy in Berlin by rogue members of the Agency. As he struggles to stop the plot helped by a number of interesting characters on both sides he must face his own past.

[Douglas Graney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun page-turner. Gabbay's writing style has hints of Mickey Spillane but not as defined...not that I've actually read Mickey Spillane but you get the idea. The climax was confusing but predictable. Might read another of his....might not.

[Steve Clemons · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting. Loved the weave of a unique story around factual events. Well written!

[Jerry King · Rating 4 out of 5]

2006

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. A spy thriller that became a believable (but fictional) explanation for the Kennedy assassination. It read very fast. I look forward to more from Gabbay.

[Raza Mustafa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Intersting thinking on part of the author to weave the story around the assisnation of US President, John Kennedy. I wish it were slightly fast-paced.

[Alan Routhieaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first Tom Gabbay book and it won’t be the last. The story captivated from the start and kept me wanting more. The plot was well thought out and very well written to the suspenseful ending.

[Paschalis]

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[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good spy thriller with a really great premise! And the details and characterizations sound very authentic. I’m keeping my eye on this author. He could grow to be one of my faves.

[Pete · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an entertaining novel with a historical backdrop. Gabbay created a solid story with interesting characters. Should be fun seeing where the series goes from here.

[ReddyUS01 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!!!

[Le La · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super

[T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack was born in Germany. His father died in WWI. His mother died when he was 16. He left his little brother with his aunt and he came to the USA and worked different jobs. He is recruited by the CIA as an operator in the South America desk. In his later years he works on the invasion of Bay of Pigs (Cuba) and he is frustrade because he sees that the invasion is going to fail and there is going a masacre and the US Marines are not going to be called into action as promissed. Frustration mount up to retirement and goes to live in Florida. After 10yrs retired he is called into service and sent to Berlin where he discovers a plot to kill President Kennedy. The plot is planned out by a Cuban exile in cohutts with top CIA members. Kennedy wanted to dismantel the CIA and put everything under the Department of Justice where his brother was the Attny/General. He meets his brother who is a Coronel in the STASI and who is providing him the information about the plot. After a seires of events he is captured by CIA and is going to be the scapegoat taking the fall for killing the president. He manages to kill the shooter and the president was not killed. Jack then leaves Berlin and sometime later while in some Latin American Island he hears the news that President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.
I had seen and heard a lot about the failure of Bay of Pigs since living at Ramey AFB Puerto Rico was so close to Cuba. It was hard not to believe that in reality there was leak that alerted Fidel.
.

[Cláudia Santos · Rating 3 out of 5]

É um livro cuja narrativa, não obstante ter um enredo denso, é simples e leve e que ganhou bastante pela opção do autor em contá-la na 1ª pessoa. Esta opção permitiu a Tom Gabby situar o narrador, a personagem principal, bem no centro da trama fornecendo-nos, com isto, uma visão muito concreta e viva do desenrolar dos acontecimentos. Serão as descobertas deste narrador/personagem, as suas suposições que nos irão conduzir por toda a leitura.

Não é um livro deslumbrante, nem que nos agarre e nos torne reféns até o acabar. Mas é um livro, sem dúvida nenhuma, bem conseguido, bem pensado, bem estruturado e bem escrito.

A história trata de um jogo de espionagem na altura do presidente americano John Kennedy. É recheado de informação histórica, com relatos factuais, mas também com várias opiniões sobre acontecimentos marcantes da história americana.

É um livro sobre espiões, sem grandes heróis, mas muito humano e reflexivo. Jack Teller é uma personagem que provavelmente não me irá marcar, mas cuja história e reflexões já me espicaçaram as ideias sobre o Muro de Berlim, a Baía dos Porcos, Kennedy e o seu assassinato.

Foi uma boa leitura que recomendo.

[Jak60 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I read by T Gabbay, after The Tehran Conviction - which I found pretty good - and I enjoyed this too. The main character, Jack Teller, is well constructed and engaged me like he did in the first book; the plot is smartly conceived and its story well told.
Over the last months, I happened to step into a few books with direct or indirect references to the JFK assassination and its underlying conspiracy theories, but this was one with an angle which I found rather intriguing.
All in all, an very enjoyable read.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time with this author, and I will read more. Lots of twists and turns in the plot. Good suspense, and just enough of story line from real life to make it very intriguing.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent book for what it is. Probably the best spy book, I've read in a long time. The JFK conspiracy stuff was ultimately a distraction, and I'd expect his future books to not rely on an overdone hook.

[Tim Byers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pace and plot were strong and the world of Berlin in 1963 is well-suggested, even if on heavy reliance on pop-culture references. The relationship between the two main characters stretches one's belief.

[Marianne Douglas · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. A "what-if" Cold War spy thriller where the assassignation attempt on JFK takes place during his famous trip to Berlin ... comparisons galore between this story and the actual Dallas assassignation.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not particularly strong character-wise (with the exception of the volubly enthusiastic Horst), but an interesting idea for an alternative history.

[Dee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok - not the page turning thriller I was looking for.