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The Bookworm
Why did Hitler chose not to invade England when he had the chance?
Europe, 1940: It’s late summer and Belgium has been overrun by the German army. Posing as a friar, a British operative talks his way into the monastery at Villers-devant-Orval just before Nazi art thieves plan to sweep through the area and whisk everything of value back to Berlin. But the ersatz man of the cloth is no thief. Instead, that night he adds an old leather Bible to the monastery’s library and then escapes.
London, 2017: A construction worker operating a backhoe makes a grisly discovery—a skeletal arm-bone with a rusty handcuff attached to the wrist. Was this the site, as a BBC newsreader speculates, of “a long-forgotten prison, uncharted on any map?” One viewer knows better: it’s all that remains of a courier who died in a V-2 rocket attack. The woman who will put these two disparate events together—and understand the looming tragedy she must hurry to prevent—is Russian historian and former Soviet chess champion Larissa Mendelovg Klimt, “Lara the Bookworm,” to her friends. She’s also experiencing some woeful marital troubles.
In the course of this riveting thriller, Lara will learn the significance of six musty Dictaphone cylinders recorded after D-Day by Noel Coward—actor, playwright and, secretly, a British agent reporting directly to Winston Churchill. She will understand precisely why that leather Bible, scooped up by the Nazis and deposited on the desk of Adolf Hitler days before he planned to attack Britain, played such a pivotal role in turning his guns to the East. And she will discover the new secret pact negotiated by the nefarious Russian president and his newly elected American counterpart—maverick and dealmaker—and the evil it portends.
Oh, and she’ll reconcile with her husband.
Europe, 1940: It’s late summer and Belgium has been overrun by the German army. Posing as a friar, a British operative talks his way into the monastery at Villers-devant-Orval just before Nazi art thieves plan to sweep through the area and whisk everything of value back to Berlin. But the ersatz man of the cloth is no thief. Instead, that night he adds an old leather Bible to the monastery’s library and then escapes.
London, 2017: A construction worker operating a backhoe makes a grisly discovery—a skeletal arm-bone with a rusty handcuff attached to the wrist. Was this the site, as a BBC newsreader speculates, of “a long-forgotten prison, uncharted on any map?” One viewer knows better: it’s all that remains of a courier who died in a V-2 rocket attack. The woman who will put these two disparate events together—and understand the looming tragedy she must hurry to prevent—is Russian historian and former Soviet chess champion Larissa Mendelovg Klimt, “Lara the Bookworm,” to her friends. She’s also experiencing some woeful marital troubles.
In the course of this riveting thriller, Lara will learn the significance of six musty Dictaphone cylinders recorded after D-Day by Noel Coward—actor, playwright and, secretly, a British agent reporting directly to Winston Churchill. She will understand precisely why that leather Bible, scooped up by the Nazis and deposited on the desk of Adolf Hitler days before he planned to attack Britain, played such a pivotal role in turning his guns to the East. And she will discover the new secret pact negotiated by the nefarious Russian president and his newly elected American counterpart—maverick and dealmaker—and the evil it portends.
Oh, and she’ll reconcile with her husband.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published February 6, 2018
51 people are currently reading
2334 people want to read
About the author
Mitch Silver
6 books41 followersMitch Silver was born in Brooklyn and grew up on Long Island. He received a B.A. in history from Yale and briefly attended Harvard Law School. He later became an advertising writer for several of the big New York agencies.
Mitch and his wife Ellen live in Greenwich, Connecticut and have two grown children.
Mitch and his wife Ellen live in Greenwich, Connecticut and have two grown children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews
August 25, 2018
Historical fiction / Political Thriller / Mystery
Hitler's bible, global warming and espionage!
I gave this book a high rating for perhaps some of the reasons others didn’t do so. I thoroughly enjoyed that there were so many interesting scenarios of historical conspiracy carrying forward to present day as well as a plot that clearly mirrors a slice of the world’s current situation. From the recent elections to the ongoing debate on Global Warming.
This is a work of fiction. Yes, there is a lot going on in this novel, but that is exactly what kept me hooked!
Moscow
Larissa Mendelova Klimt, former Chess champion and temporary transplant to the USA, is a professor of Geopolitical History. She spends a lot of her time in archives studying historical documents and giving lectures in her field of work. She is nicknamed ‘the bookworm’, but the title of the novel really refers to the way a particular worm left its traces on old parchment paper in the past, aiding in today’s process of examining documents for their origin, validity and dating.
Her twin brother Lev works at an Alaska oilfield, monitoring the flow in the pipelines and the quality of the oil that runs through the pipes, which will further come to play on the plot sideline.
Air Force One
The president is on route to Moscow for the G20 summit. As it is present time, he is busy leaving tweets and comments on social media that may insinuate the current US president. There are riots to be dealt with near the summit that allures the reader of a large tragedy to happen.
Alaskan Wilderness Reserve
Lev and his American coworker notice that the smell of the oil is off and the texture of the oil is not right. Upon further investigation, they give it some time to let more flow go through to retest at a later point. When Lev checks on his coworker who went missing the next day, he checks his laptop that shows, he was sent attacking threats via emails. Come to find out, his American coworker ended up dead, a committed suicide over “girlfriend trouble” as the news reported it. In reality Lev’s coworker was actually gay, so Lev knows something isn’t right. He contacts his sister, but their connection abruptly cuts off. In fear and curiosity, Lev is taking matters in his own hands to investigate what really happened to his co-worker. This gets him into life threatening danger. Apparently there is a secret drilling war going on at the preserve, and Lev really needs get in touch with his sister to help him expose what is happening.
1940 England
The British intelligence is comprising a scheme against Hitler to deter the Battle of Britain. They are forging a prophecy by Nostradamus that is to be imprinted at the front of a bible and to be presented to Hitler. This prophesy would lead Hitler to go after the East instead of England if he were to act on it. Changing the outcome of history as we know it today.
Moscow
Larissa Klimt is given six cylinders that hold recordings from the 1940’s made by Noel Coward during the Winston Churchill administration. She is to translate them into Russian. Slowly she finds out about the said prophecy that would lead Hitler to open war on Russia. In Larissa’s hands, this creates a dangerous weapon, as she herself becomes a pawn in the game of politics while tracking down this infamous bible.
G20 summit
One of themes at this summit are the effects of global warming and dwindling energy resources. The current US president does not endorse global warming and is proposing commercial drilling in Alaska. The ownership and usage of the oilfields in Alaska have been regulated years ago, but the Russian leaders would like to offer the US a deal to drop the opposition of the Russian Arctic Claim and provide the US with the successful supply of oil drillings. Secretly, this would further maintain a US dependence on fossil fuels.
But how does that explain the findings that Lev made in his investigations?
Larissa is pretty clever. As something fishy goes on with one of the reporters on the news who is hinting at secret oil drillings, she is beginning to realize the bigger picture. As she is translating an important interview on the job, she guides her words in a way of targeting those that are trying to convolute what is going on in the present, with a decoy of what happened in the past.
Will this do the trick and expose the wrong doings going on or put her into danger like so many others before her?
***
I feel way under-qualified to write a comprehensive review of this novel. There are further elements, names and events presented that I am not even hinting on. But that is what made it such an entertaining and baffling read for me. Thrown off by facts wrapped in fiction, made the novel seem much more plausible then far-fetched. That is exactly what I loved about it. I think it would make a great move too.
Please check out other reviews to broaden your perspective. I’d hate to mislead you. Unless you are solely looking for accuracy in facts then don’t read it. But if you enjoy a decent fictional and mature plot-line at a great pace with a dash of history and espionage in it GO FOR IT and ENJOY!
More of my reviews here: https://scarlettreadzandrunz.com/
Hitler's bible, global warming and espionage!
I gave this book a high rating for perhaps some of the reasons others didn’t do so. I thoroughly enjoyed that there were so many interesting scenarios of historical conspiracy carrying forward to present day as well as a plot that clearly mirrors a slice of the world’s current situation. From the recent elections to the ongoing debate on Global Warming.
This is a work of fiction. Yes, there is a lot going on in this novel, but that is exactly what kept me hooked!
Moscow
Larissa Mendelova Klimt, former Chess champion and temporary transplant to the USA, is a professor of Geopolitical History. She spends a lot of her time in archives studying historical documents and giving lectures in her field of work. She is nicknamed ‘the bookworm’, but the title of the novel really refers to the way a particular worm left its traces on old parchment paper in the past, aiding in today’s process of examining documents for their origin, validity and dating.
Her twin brother Lev works at an Alaska oilfield, monitoring the flow in the pipelines and the quality of the oil that runs through the pipes, which will further come to play on the plot sideline.
Air Force One
The president is on route to Moscow for the G20 summit. As it is present time, he is busy leaving tweets and comments on social media that may insinuate the current US president. There are riots to be dealt with near the summit that allures the reader of a large tragedy to happen.
Alaskan Wilderness Reserve
Lev and his American coworker notice that the smell of the oil is off and the texture of the oil is not right. Upon further investigation, they give it some time to let more flow go through to retest at a later point. When Lev checks on his coworker who went missing the next day, he checks his laptop that shows, he was sent attacking threats via emails. Come to find out, his American coworker ended up dead, a committed suicide over “girlfriend trouble” as the news reported it. In reality Lev’s coworker was actually gay, so Lev knows something isn’t right. He contacts his sister, but their connection abruptly cuts off. In fear and curiosity, Lev is taking matters in his own hands to investigate what really happened to his co-worker. This gets him into life threatening danger. Apparently there is a secret drilling war going on at the preserve, and Lev really needs get in touch with his sister to help him expose what is happening.
1940 England
The British intelligence is comprising a scheme against Hitler to deter the Battle of Britain. They are forging a prophecy by Nostradamus that is to be imprinted at the front of a bible and to be presented to Hitler. This prophesy would lead Hitler to go after the East instead of England if he were to act on it. Changing the outcome of history as we know it today.
Moscow
Larissa Klimt is given six cylinders that hold recordings from the 1940’s made by Noel Coward during the Winston Churchill administration. She is to translate them into Russian. Slowly she finds out about the said prophecy that would lead Hitler to open war on Russia. In Larissa’s hands, this creates a dangerous weapon, as she herself becomes a pawn in the game of politics while tracking down this infamous bible.
G20 summit
One of themes at this summit are the effects of global warming and dwindling energy resources. The current US president does not endorse global warming and is proposing commercial drilling in Alaska. The ownership and usage of the oilfields in Alaska have been regulated years ago, but the Russian leaders would like to offer the US a deal to drop the opposition of the Russian Arctic Claim and provide the US with the successful supply of oil drillings. Secretly, this would further maintain a US dependence on fossil fuels.
But how does that explain the findings that Lev made in his investigations?
Larissa is pretty clever. As something fishy goes on with one of the reporters on the news who is hinting at secret oil drillings, she is beginning to realize the bigger picture. As she is translating an important interview on the job, she guides her words in a way of targeting those that are trying to convolute what is going on in the present, with a decoy of what happened in the past.
Will this do the trick and expose the wrong doings going on or put her into danger like so many others before her?
***
I feel way under-qualified to write a comprehensive review of this novel. There are further elements, names and events presented that I am not even hinting on. But that is what made it such an entertaining and baffling read for me. Thrown off by facts wrapped in fiction, made the novel seem much more plausible then far-fetched. That is exactly what I loved about it. I think it would make a great move too.
Please check out other reviews to broaden your perspective. I’d hate to mislead you. Unless you are solely looking for accuracy in facts then don’t read it. But if you enjoy a decent fictional and mature plot-line at a great pace with a dash of history and espionage in it GO FOR IT and ENJOY!
More of my reviews here: https://scarlettreadzandrunz.com/
February 5, 2018
There are multiple story lines in this novel but I really was only interested in one - Lara the "bookworm," who does research in a Russian archive and is handed these mysterious recordings discovered near a dead body in London. She is uniquely positioned because she is from Russia but studied overseas, and now teaches English. Her brother is an interesting character with ties to the oil industry in Alaska and Russia, and his life is in danger at some point. But along the way there are a lot of minor characters coming and going in the present-day, and some of them prove to be more important than others. Just a few too many, especially on the Russian side.
Then there are the historical story lines like this very convoluted conspiracy involving Hitler, the Russian front, a young JFK, as told on the recordings by Noel Coward, that are somehow connected to the present day dealings between Russia and the "west." I think it gets confusing, not to mention far-fetched.
I just think, in general, that the author is trying to do too much. There are also a lot of super contemporary references, but the perspective of the main characters should feel Russian and I often had to remind myself that they weren't Americans. Then I'd feel like I was rooting for the wrong people. Not the American president who is lying to the American people about the oil deals with Russia but for the Russian scholar who might uncover a secret that would make the world hate America. But wait, I'm American... it's a strange phenomenon, and I rather enjoyed having my head messed with in that way. It's possibly stranger coming from an American author.
Thanks to the publisher for providing early access to this title, which comes out on February 6.
Then there are the historical story lines like this very convoluted conspiracy involving Hitler, the Russian front, a young JFK, as told on the recordings by Noel Coward, that are somehow connected to the present day dealings between Russia and the "west." I think it gets confusing, not to mention far-fetched.
I just think, in general, that the author is trying to do too much. There are also a lot of super contemporary references, but the perspective of the main characters should feel Russian and I often had to remind myself that they weren't Americans. Then I'd feel like I was rooting for the wrong people. Not the American president who is lying to the American people about the oil deals with Russia but for the Russian scholar who might uncover a secret that would make the world hate America. But wait, I'm American... it's a strange phenomenon, and I rather enjoyed having my head messed with in that way. It's possibly stranger coming from an American author.
Thanks to the publisher for providing early access to this title, which comes out on February 6.
February 3, 2018
Lara Klimt, a professor of Geopolitics is 'the bookworm.' Educated in the US she is fluent in English as well as Russian. She has spent her summer break in the Russian State Military Archive (the Osobyi Archiv) in Moscow researching recordings and writings from the Fuhrerbunker for her book on the origins of the invasion by Germany during WWII. However, just as she heads back to University to start the teaching year, she receives some recordings from a mysterious source that threatens to blow all she thought she knew about the German invasion in WWII out of the water.
Mitch Silver has woven two grand conspiracy plots into his novel. One from the 1940s involving notable figures such as Churchill, JFK, Noel Coward and Ian Fleming and one in the present day cooked up by the Soviet and US leaders involving oil fields in Alaska. How all this comes together is complicated and perhaps just a little too contrived. While each conspiracy is an interesting story in its own right, it's a lot to fit into one book and it just all felt a little rushed. Perhaps, also as a result of the book having to pack in so much plot and action, the characters all felt a little underdeveloped. Lara as the main character is the best developed but even then she remains shadowy. Her twin brother Lev, seemed more likeable but didn't feature enough to feel that I got to know him and the other characters were not fleshed out at all. I did enjoy the premise for the book imagining a plot cooked up in the US during WWII to divert Germany towards invading Russia rather than the UK. I also enjoyed the historical background and the use of past and present notable characters and I particularly liked the idea of a book planted in the monastery during WWII to cahnge the course of hstory. I also learnt about the role 'Conception Day' plays in increasing the Russian population, which I hadn't heard of before! 3.5★
With thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher Pegasus Books for a copy of the book
Mitch Silver has woven two grand conspiracy plots into his novel. One from the 1940s involving notable figures such as Churchill, JFK, Noel Coward and Ian Fleming and one in the present day cooked up by the Soviet and US leaders involving oil fields in Alaska. How all this comes together is complicated and perhaps just a little too contrived. While each conspiracy is an interesting story in its own right, it's a lot to fit into one book and it just all felt a little rushed. Perhaps, also as a result of the book having to pack in so much plot and action, the characters all felt a little underdeveloped. Lara as the main character is the best developed but even then she remains shadowy. Her twin brother Lev, seemed more likeable but didn't feature enough to feel that I got to know him and the other characters were not fleshed out at all. I did enjoy the premise for the book imagining a plot cooked up in the US during WWII to divert Germany towards invading Russia rather than the UK. I also enjoyed the historical background and the use of past and present notable characters and I particularly liked the idea of a book planted in the monastery during WWII to cahnge the course of hstory. I also learnt about the role 'Conception Day' plays in increasing the Russian population, which I hadn't heard of before! 3.5★
With thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher Pegasus Books for a copy of the book
February 20, 2018
I received a free hardback copy of The Bookworm from Goodreads for my honest review. This book is a very interesting political thriller. Laura and her twin brother, Lev lead very interesting lives. Although they live in very different places they both investigate conspiracy theories. Lara, A history professor in Russia has come across 6 dictaphone casettes that date back to WWII that she is trying to unravel. Who can lara trust? Lev, who lives in Alaska, is investigating a conspiracy theory in the Alaskan oil fields. There are many twists, plots, threats and even murder. You have to pay very close attention to the multiple story lines in this book but it made for an interesting read.
November 27, 2018
I've been struggling with my rating of The Bookworm for more than a week. On one hand a lot of the book is very compelling and had me flipping page after page not wanting to stop. However, the ending was so anti-climatic and nonsensical that I just can't justify giving it a high rating. So I've settled on 2 stars, although it might be more accurate to give it 2.5...
Concept
Mitch Silver's concept in The Bookworm is really cool. It puts forward a theory that there is a specific, plotted and planned reason that Hitler changed his plan and targeted the USSR when he did during WWII. From a purely tactical point it absolutely makes sense that he changed his focus at this time during the war and Silver gives us a really cool reason why it might have happened. But don't kid yourself this is still fiction. As far as anyone knows there was no 'bookworm' or planted Bible that Hitler was influenced by. But I did enjoy the premise. I also enjoyed the way the story unveils itself. We learn as the researcher learns the situation as described in recordings from WWII. It worked well to look back at the time here, as opposed to being 'in' the time period.
'Book' History
What book lover doesn't want to read about how to make a fake of an old book? Or how to create hundred year (plus) ink? Or what bugs eat away at what paper over the years of storing a book?
For me this was easily the best part of the book. Unfortunately it's a very small part of the story, although critical to the plot. But I certainly enjoyed learning about dust mites, paper eating bugs, lead ink and other things that tip off historians or scientists to whether something is a genuine artifact or a fake. I hope all the science was accurate, and am trusting that Silver did their research here. According to the thank you notes at the back of The Bookworm that appears to be the case.
Prophecy
For me, almost any book (fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, etc.) that has a well done prophecy scenario as part of it's story line is intriguing. Nostradamus and some of his fellow prophets over history are very interesting to me and I'm constantly watching those TLC documentaries and what not about what one prophecy could (or could not) mean. The most interesting piece for me was the alternate interpretation of the fall 'the two towers' Nostradamus prophecy. Since 9/11 this prophecy has been attributed to the events leading up to and the result of the World Trade Center towers being brought down. I'm not sure why Silver chose to use that piece of prophecy in a new context. If it was just because it worked, or because it's some of the better known prophecy; I couldn't say. But it was certainly interesting to see a different spin on those lines from what has been the standard for the last 15+ years.
Oil Story line
I know this plot line put a lot of readers off; and I totally get why. It's not relevant until the very end and it feels unnecessary throughout the whole book until the very end. If I wasn't well versed in the oil and gas sector and how international sales of oil affect the worldwide economy then I think I would have felt the same. Ironically I really enjoyed the beginning of the story that focuses on the 'sour' aspect of the oil and why that is odd to the inspector. However, I knew exactly what was being discussed and so it didn't add complexity to me the way it may have for others. It's definitely a complicated scenario that is used and likely makes things more elaborate than needed to fuel the story forward.
Low Rating
While I rated this book low, it is actually worth reading if you love this type of story.
There are two main reasons I disliked The Bookworm so strongly by the end:
1) If you're going to heavily imply certain Presidents or famous people as main characters then just use their names. I assume that Donald Trump is never written out in the book due to legal concerns, but it just drove me insane. Like we were dancing around what the book was trying to really tell us.
2) There is a lack of an 'ah-ha' or satisfying moment in the final pages and it really did ruin the rest of the book for me. Silver takes a number of complex issues and mashes them all together to make a political point at the end. It's almost like wishful thinking about how the existing political situation in the USA might resolve itself. That wasn't my expectation even at the halfway point of the book and so I was annoyed to feel cheated out of a brilliant ending and instead find myself reading political propaganda for today's politics.
Overall
If the ending could be re-written this book would easily rate 4 stars for me. But I was so disappointed in the outcome that it left a bitter taste in my mouth; and that is why I cannot in good conscious give it a higher rating.
For this and more of my reviews please visit my blog at: Epic Reading
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
Concept
Mitch Silver's concept in The Bookworm is really cool. It puts forward a theory that there is a specific, plotted and planned reason that Hitler changed his plan and targeted the USSR when he did during WWII. From a purely tactical point it absolutely makes sense that he changed his focus at this time during the war and Silver gives us a really cool reason why it might have happened. But don't kid yourself this is still fiction. As far as anyone knows there was no 'bookworm' or planted Bible that Hitler was influenced by. But I did enjoy the premise. I also enjoyed the way the story unveils itself. We learn as the researcher learns the situation as described in recordings from WWII. It worked well to look back at the time here, as opposed to being 'in' the time period.
'Book' History
What book lover doesn't want to read about how to make a fake of an old book? Or how to create hundred year (plus) ink? Or what bugs eat away at what paper over the years of storing a book?
For me this was easily the best part of the book. Unfortunately it's a very small part of the story, although critical to the plot. But I certainly enjoyed learning about dust mites, paper eating bugs, lead ink and other things that tip off historians or scientists to whether something is a genuine artifact or a fake. I hope all the science was accurate, and am trusting that Silver did their research here. According to the thank you notes at the back of The Bookworm that appears to be the case.
Prophecy
For me, almost any book (fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, etc.) that has a well done prophecy scenario as part of it's story line is intriguing. Nostradamus and some of his fellow prophets over history are very interesting to me and I'm constantly watching those TLC documentaries and what not about what one prophecy could (or could not) mean. The most interesting piece for me was the alternate interpretation of the fall 'the two towers' Nostradamus prophecy. Since 9/11 this prophecy has been attributed to the events leading up to and the result of the World Trade Center towers being brought down. I'm not sure why Silver chose to use that piece of prophecy in a new context. If it was just because it worked, or because it's some of the better known prophecy; I couldn't say. But it was certainly interesting to see a different spin on those lines from what has been the standard for the last 15+ years.
Oil Story line
I know this plot line put a lot of readers off; and I totally get why. It's not relevant until the very end and it feels unnecessary throughout the whole book until the very end. If I wasn't well versed in the oil and gas sector and how international sales of oil affect the worldwide economy then I think I would have felt the same. Ironically I really enjoyed the beginning of the story that focuses on the 'sour' aspect of the oil and why that is odd to the inspector. However, I knew exactly what was being discussed and so it didn't add complexity to me the way it may have for others. It's definitely a complicated scenario that is used and likely makes things more elaborate than needed to fuel the story forward.
Low Rating
While I rated this book low, it is actually worth reading if you love this type of story.
There are two main reasons I disliked The Bookworm so strongly by the end:
1) If you're going to heavily imply certain Presidents or famous people as main characters then just use their names. I assume that Donald Trump is never written out in the book due to legal concerns, but it just drove me insane. Like we were dancing around what the book was trying to really tell us.
2) There is a lack of an 'ah-ha' or satisfying moment in the final pages and it really did ruin the rest of the book for me. Silver takes a number of complex issues and mashes them all together to make a political point at the end. It's almost like wishful thinking about how the existing political situation in the USA might resolve itself. That wasn't my expectation even at the halfway point of the book and so I was annoyed to feel cheated out of a brilliant ending and instead find myself reading political propaganda for today's politics.
Overall
If the ending could be re-written this book would easily rate 4 stars for me. But I was so disappointed in the outcome that it left a bitter taste in my mouth; and that is why I cannot in good conscious give it a higher rating.
For this and more of my reviews please visit my blog at: Epic Reading
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
February 2, 2018
I liked this book! This book definitely made me think about things with history and our current political situation but this was not what I expected. I enjoyed how this story mixes things up and ties WW2 with the current Russia/Trump situation. The main issue I had was that this book was so slowwwww….especially the first half. I mean this novel was unique and I love something out there! This story brings to the table a mix of historical figures like The Kennedys and Nostradamus and throws it in with WW2. If it wasn’t slow, I’m sure I would have loved this book but for now I am settling for an overall, ‘I liked this book but don’t know if I would read it again.’
February 4, 2018
*3.5 stars.
'The Bookworm' is Larissa Mendelova Klimt, a Russian professor of 'geohistory' who has been given that nickname by friends because she likes nothing better than spending hours digging through dusty wartime files in the archives, looking for hidden gems among the captured Nazi documents for the book she is writing.
Lara later learns that a bookworm, Anobium punctatum, is actually a furniture beetle whose ravenous larvae eat their way through the leaves of books (and bindings and even bookshelves) when they emerge from their eggs.
Lara is given six dusty cylinders of recordings by a mysterious young messenger and finds these recordings, made in 1940, have testimony given by playwright Noel Coward about a hoax he and Anthony Blunt created involving a book, a Bible, that they hoped would be given to Hitler, supposedly carrying an ancient prediction from Nostradamus written on the flyleaf that would cause Hitler to change his plans for attacking Great Britain. The bookworm larvae and other tools of forgery would be a great aid in this hoax.
But who would benefit from this information coming to light now, some seventy years later? Is Lara being drawn into some Machiavellian political machinations of which she has no clue?
There are many more threads to this suspenseful thriller than I will mention in this review, including a state visit during the G20 summit from the current US president who seems to be involved in a plot of his own. These threads do come together eventually but seem so confusing as they are unfolding--the murkiness of motives in the political arena. Just try to keep all that straight! Who are the good guys; who are the bad guys; who benefits from the various plots?
The highlight of the book for me are the fascinating recordings supposedly made by Coward in which he drops the names of several well-known people he was involved with at the time, including a young JFK. I have to say that I did not like the ending and would like to kick Lara in the seat of her pants for her choice (or perhaps I should save the kick for the author? Ha!)
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me with an arc of this interesting and suspenseful new thriller.
'The Bookworm' is Larissa Mendelova Klimt, a Russian professor of 'geohistory' who has been given that nickname by friends because she likes nothing better than spending hours digging through dusty wartime files in the archives, looking for hidden gems among the captured Nazi documents for the book she is writing.
Lara later learns that a bookworm, Anobium punctatum, is actually a furniture beetle whose ravenous larvae eat their way through the leaves of books (and bindings and even bookshelves) when they emerge from their eggs.
Lara is given six dusty cylinders of recordings by a mysterious young messenger and finds these recordings, made in 1940, have testimony given by playwright Noel Coward about a hoax he and Anthony Blunt created involving a book, a Bible, that they hoped would be given to Hitler, supposedly carrying an ancient prediction from Nostradamus written on the flyleaf that would cause Hitler to change his plans for attacking Great Britain. The bookworm larvae and other tools of forgery would be a great aid in this hoax.
But who would benefit from this information coming to light now, some seventy years later? Is Lara being drawn into some Machiavellian political machinations of which she has no clue?
There are many more threads to this suspenseful thriller than I will mention in this review, including a state visit during the G20 summit from the current US president who seems to be involved in a plot of his own. These threads do come together eventually but seem so confusing as they are unfolding--the murkiness of motives in the political arena. Just try to keep all that straight! Who are the good guys; who are the bad guys; who benefits from the various plots?
The highlight of the book for me are the fascinating recordings supposedly made by Coward in which he drops the names of several well-known people he was involved with at the time, including a young JFK. I have to say that I did not like the ending and would like to kick Lara in the seat of her pants for her choice (or perhaps I should save the kick for the author? Ha!)
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me with an arc of this interesting and suspenseful new thriller.
December 8, 2017
Promising, but didn’t quite deliver for me
This book had a lot going for it with an eclectic cast of historical figures from Nostradamus to Noel Coward, Churchill to Kennedy and with a barely disguised Trump, Putin & Hitler in there too.
Mitch Silver has woven an interesting tale of world war 2 and present day deceptions. The early parts I found were the strongest, but felt the book lost its way somewhat later on leading to a quick and action packed finish.
Don’t get me wrong, this was an entertaining read, but I did feel overall that the characters could have have greater depth and the delivery could have been better.
I received this book via netgalley and was not required to write a favourable review.
This book had a lot going for it with an eclectic cast of historical figures from Nostradamus to Noel Coward, Churchill to Kennedy and with a barely disguised Trump, Putin & Hitler in there too.
Mitch Silver has woven an interesting tale of world war 2 and present day deceptions. The early parts I found were the strongest, but felt the book lost its way somewhat later on leading to a quick and action packed finish.
Don’t get me wrong, this was an entertaining read, but I did feel overall that the characters could have have greater depth and the delivery could have been better.
I received this book via netgalley and was not required to write a favourable review.
February 13, 2018
Larissa Mendelova Klimt is a full professor of history at Moscow State University specializing in geopolitical history, a field that debunks traditional historical interpretations. At the conclusion of her introductory class lecture a young “thug” confronts her with a shopping bag with six Dictaphone recordings dating back to World War II. Since Klimt is about to complete her latest book, THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR she is seen as an expert and is offered a large sum of money to listen to the tapes and uncover a secret related to a book that Hitler had at his desk before he decided to invade the Soviet Union. Klimt is the pivotal character in Mitch Silver’s second historical novel, THE BOOKWORM, which also happens to be Professor Klimt’s nickname. Klimt’s personage is very important to the novel as her character interacts with her twin brother’s oil refinery work in Valdez, Alaska. In addition, the discovery of an ulnar bone with handcuffs on its wrist at a London construction site which had been hit by a V-2 rocket in 1944, by a soon to be murdered worker named Davidson Gordon is difficult to explain. Further, the presence of a leather case that had been attached to the buried bone heightens a sense of mystery. At this point Silver has set elements of his plot that attracts the reader’s attention, particularly when the ulnar bone is discovered a man in a walker yells at a television set, “Fools! You’ve no idea what you’ve got.”
Many well-known historical figures will make their appearance; among them are Noel Coward, the British playwright, Anthony Blunt, who was outed as a Soviet spy after the war, the actress Marlene Dietrich, Ian Fleming, later of James Bond fame, and John F. Kennedy. Silver’s develops a formula to present his counter-factual history. His approach is to develop something that appears to be believable and blends it with something that has actually occurred. British intelligence directs Blunt to prepare a forgery outlining a historical prophecy for Adolf Hitler. Blunt develops a scheme were by a prophecy is given by Michel de Nostradamus and it is imprinted on the cover leaf of a bible. The bible will be given to the German dictator and it calls for a German invasion in the east. The hope was that Hitler would act on the prophecy and turn his attention away from England during the Battle of Britain. This is an interesting scenario, a fit farfetched, but its outcome is something that Winston Churchill would have adopted immediately.
Silver’s competing plot deals with an announcement by the United States of a major oil strike in the Alaskan Wilderness Reserve. Lara’s twin brother and an American are working in Valdez at the end of the oil pipeline when they notice a problem with the texture of the oil. The American either commits suicide or is murdered as they have fallen upon something much larger than they realized. It appears that there is a race to gain drilling rights under the Arctic Circle. Based on previous agreements the Russian claim rests on their energy rights on the Lomonosov Ridge under the Arctic Circle. Fortunately for the Russians the American president is a “Trump like figure” who does not accept global warming and wants to open Alaska to commercial drilling. The Russian leader offers the American president a deal; Moscow would surreptitiously supply the United States oil as a means of showing how successful the Alaska drilling was, and in return Washington would drop any opposition to Russian Arctic claims. This would guarantee the reelection of the “Trump like figure” and allow him to pursue his goal of maintaining America’s dependence on fossil fuels. The deal would last either four to eight years, and by that time the United States would be totally dependent on fossil fuels, and Russian oil.
These two plot lines seem to be very diverse and a number of questions arise; first, how do the plot lines intersect? Second, what role does Professor Lara Klimt play in this process? Third, was the bible real, and if it was where was it? Lastly, how does Lara’s ex-husband, Viktor, a Russian intelligence officer fit into the story? When these questions are finally answered this reader is left dissatisfied. The novel seems to have great potential, but its ending is rather pedestrian. The first half of the book is intense and believable, however, the last half leaves a lot to be desired as the interaction of certain characters leaves the reader wondering how such an ending can be considered dramatic.
Many well-known historical figures will make their appearance; among them are Noel Coward, the British playwright, Anthony Blunt, who was outed as a Soviet spy after the war, the actress Marlene Dietrich, Ian Fleming, later of James Bond fame, and John F. Kennedy. Silver’s develops a formula to present his counter-factual history. His approach is to develop something that appears to be believable and blends it with something that has actually occurred. British intelligence directs Blunt to prepare a forgery outlining a historical prophecy for Adolf Hitler. Blunt develops a scheme were by a prophecy is given by Michel de Nostradamus and it is imprinted on the cover leaf of a bible. The bible will be given to the German dictator and it calls for a German invasion in the east. The hope was that Hitler would act on the prophecy and turn his attention away from England during the Battle of Britain. This is an interesting scenario, a fit farfetched, but its outcome is something that Winston Churchill would have adopted immediately.
Silver’s competing plot deals with an announcement by the United States of a major oil strike in the Alaskan Wilderness Reserve. Lara’s twin brother and an American are working in Valdez at the end of the oil pipeline when they notice a problem with the texture of the oil. The American either commits suicide or is murdered as they have fallen upon something much larger than they realized. It appears that there is a race to gain drilling rights under the Arctic Circle. Based on previous agreements the Russian claim rests on their energy rights on the Lomonosov Ridge under the Arctic Circle. Fortunately for the Russians the American president is a “Trump like figure” who does not accept global warming and wants to open Alaska to commercial drilling. The Russian leader offers the American president a deal; Moscow would surreptitiously supply the United States oil as a means of showing how successful the Alaska drilling was, and in return Washington would drop any opposition to Russian Arctic claims. This would guarantee the reelection of the “Trump like figure” and allow him to pursue his goal of maintaining America’s dependence on fossil fuels. The deal would last either four to eight years, and by that time the United States would be totally dependent on fossil fuels, and Russian oil.
These two plot lines seem to be very diverse and a number of questions arise; first, how do the plot lines intersect? Second, what role does Professor Lara Klimt play in this process? Third, was the bible real, and if it was where was it? Lastly, how does Lara’s ex-husband, Viktor, a Russian intelligence officer fit into the story? When these questions are finally answered this reader is left dissatisfied. The novel seems to have great potential, but its ending is rather pedestrian. The first half of the book is intense and believable, however, the last half leaves a lot to be desired as the interaction of certain characters leaves the reader wondering how such an ending can be considered dramatic.
March 12, 2018
Oops, forgot to post this in Jan!
There are two different plots in this book: one about a Russian historian who is given crucial new information about WWII, and another about a political oil scheme in Alaska. I thought for sure eventually, they'd somehow come together but by the end, I still felt like they really didn't have anything to do with one another. It just didn't make much sense and too much of the plot(s) and premise felt contrived.
The writing was okay, and the characters started off well, but wound up doing things which also didn't make much sense. Characters who don't even know what's going on somehow wind up involved but don't even question it, they just jump right in.
Needless to say, the premise felt flimsy, the plots disjointed, and the characters artificial.
Advanced review copy from publisher via Net Galley. My opinions are my own.
Historical Readings & Reviews
There are two different plots in this book: one about a Russian historian who is given crucial new information about WWII, and another about a political oil scheme in Alaska. I thought for sure eventually, they'd somehow come together but by the end, I still felt like they really didn't have anything to do with one another. It just didn't make much sense and too much of the plot(s) and premise felt contrived.
The writing was okay, and the characters started off well, but wound up doing things which also didn't make much sense. Characters who don't even know what's going on somehow wind up involved but don't even question it, they just jump right in.
Needless to say, the premise felt flimsy, the plots disjointed, and the characters artificial.
Advanced review copy from publisher via Net Galley. My opinions are my own.
Historical Readings & Reviews
February 24, 2018
3* https://greatreadsandtealeaves.blogsp...
My Thoughts
This book promised a lot with a forged document from World War II and its implications in a present day oil price fixing scheme between powerful countries. Therein lies the issue - whilst clever, it did perhaps try to undertake too much for the one book. Without a doubt, it is a fascinating concept but overall due to the intricate complications, there just lacked a greater depth to both characters and subplots. Towards the end there was a lot of action but it all seemed to come together a little too neatly. I also found the short, sharp chapters did nothing to help in the required elaborations.
Present day figures of American and Russian leaders were easy to recognise, as with the historical figures ranging from Churchill to Kennedy. The conspiracy theory is quite involved with a young JFK suggesting a war on both fronts, to present day oil dealings - be prepared to go with the outrageous ideas and pay attention as, at times, it gets a bit confusing. Personally, I would have preferred the focus to remain on the British attempt to trick Hitler as that in itself was engaging and to have left out the contemporary political dealings.
So whilst an interesting read it did not strongly deliver. The idea of the forged book was extremely clever - even to have it tied in with a present day unveiling. However, the problem was undertaking too vast an arena of characters and ideas and getting lost in modern day espionage. The Alaskan component, Lara’s brother and even her estranged husband were difficult to understandably incorporate - especially Lara’s final decision which was just utterly ridiculous given her thoughts throughout.
If you are at all interested in past or present espionage and conspiracy theories, then you will find this an engaging read. For me, it just tried to do too much and ended up lacking substance in the necessary areas. Much like Lara, the book was ‘pulled in too many directions’.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release
My Thoughts
This book promised a lot with a forged document from World War II and its implications in a present day oil price fixing scheme between powerful countries. Therein lies the issue - whilst clever, it did perhaps try to undertake too much for the one book. Without a doubt, it is a fascinating concept but overall due to the intricate complications, there just lacked a greater depth to both characters and subplots. Towards the end there was a lot of action but it all seemed to come together a little too neatly. I also found the short, sharp chapters did nothing to help in the required elaborations.
Present day figures of American and Russian leaders were easy to recognise, as with the historical figures ranging from Churchill to Kennedy. The conspiracy theory is quite involved with a young JFK suggesting a war on both fronts, to present day oil dealings - be prepared to go with the outrageous ideas and pay attention as, at times, it gets a bit confusing. Personally, I would have preferred the focus to remain on the British attempt to trick Hitler as that in itself was engaging and to have left out the contemporary political dealings.
So whilst an interesting read it did not strongly deliver. The idea of the forged book was extremely clever - even to have it tied in with a present day unveiling. However, the problem was undertaking too vast an arena of characters and ideas and getting lost in modern day espionage. The Alaskan component, Lara’s brother and even her estranged husband were difficult to understandably incorporate - especially Lara’s final decision which was just utterly ridiculous given her thoughts throughout.
If you are at all interested in past or present espionage and conspiracy theories, then you will find this an engaging read. For me, it just tried to do too much and ended up lacking substance in the necessary areas. Much like Lara, the book was ‘pulled in too many directions’.
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release
August 28, 2017
Larissa Mendelova Klimt has been named to fill the vacant chair in her department over the summer -- the first full professor of Geopolitical History. She's been doing some serious research into WWII at the Arkiv. Though Lara is undoubtedly a bookworm, this novel is about another kind of bookworm. The kind we rarely think about; many of us have never heard of.
Life seems to be going pretty well for her. Until. It. Isn't. Things begin to go seriously wrong, one phoncall/text/meeting at a time. Changing locations from London to Moscow to Valdez, Alaska, and intervals from Nostradamus to Hitler to Ian Fleming to John Kennedy, this novel is as current as today's headlines. In the background are references to "Conception Day" [ when Russians are urged to do their part to increase the population in the Motherland], and Lara's former International Chess Championship which reminds her throughout the novel that "King Takes Queen".
A dramatic read full of gripping suspense set in a captivating atmosphere. What more could you want?
I read this EARC courtesy of Edelweiss and W. W. Norton; pub date 02/06/18
Life seems to be going pretty well for her. Until. It. Isn't. Things begin to go seriously wrong, one phoncall/text/meeting at a time. Changing locations from London to Moscow to Valdez, Alaska, and intervals from Nostradamus to Hitler to Ian Fleming to John Kennedy, this novel is as current as today's headlines. In the background are references to "Conception Day" [ when Russians are urged to do their part to increase the population in the Motherland], and Lara's former International Chess Championship which reminds her throughout the novel that "King Takes Queen".
A dramatic read full of gripping suspense set in a captivating atmosphere. What more could you want?
I read this EARC courtesy of Edelweiss and W. W. Norton; pub date 02/06/18
December 8, 2017
A conspiracy between the American president and the Russian government? This story reads like it just came off the front pages. Dr. Larissa Klimt is a Russian historian who spends her time teaching and researching her new book. On an otherwise ordinary day, a bag full of old Dictaphone cartridges is given to her along with a mysterious message. Before she knows what’s happening, she finds herself trying to unravel a decades old mystery that has a tremendous impact on current events. Suddenly, her life is in danger and Larissa doesn’t know who to trust.
Hold on to your seats, readers, because this is a thrill ride of a story, made even more exciting because it’s all so current and feels very real. I really enjoyed the twists and turns in this one. I also really liked the character of Dr. Larissa Klimt. She’s not exactly the stereotypical history professor, but then again, she kinda is. In any case, she’s as complex as the story she is telling. And then there’s the ex-husband who I just loved to hate, but sometimes he is a bit charming, and he’s cute. I believe this is a stand-alone novel, but I wouldn’t be sad to see more books with these characters as they really grew on me by the end. Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It will definitely satisfy the appetite of the conspiracy theorists out there, and it’s a good mystery too.
Hold on to your seats, readers, because this is a thrill ride of a story, made even more exciting because it’s all so current and feels very real. I really enjoyed the twists and turns in this one. I also really liked the character of Dr. Larissa Klimt. She’s not exactly the stereotypical history professor, but then again, she kinda is. In any case, she’s as complex as the story she is telling. And then there’s the ex-husband who I just loved to hate, but sometimes he is a bit charming, and he’s cute. I believe this is a stand-alone novel, but I wouldn’t be sad to see more books with these characters as they really grew on me by the end. Overall, I really enjoyed this one. It will definitely satisfy the appetite of the conspiracy theorists out there, and it’s a good mystery too.
September 8, 2017
This story is a bit of everything, a mystery at its base, a tad of political shenanigan to captivate us, some known historical figures to pique our interest (Kennedy, Hitler, Churchill and the French physician Nostradamus) oh…to put a smile on our faces, thinly disguised are our 2 maverick and colourful leaders in a cameo role. To top it all off which is the base of this novel is a conspiracy to keeps us on our toes. With a soupçon of reality and a big dose of fiction we have one ambitious novel that should please most readers.
The setting mainly plays out in Moscow but changes locations between London and Alaska. The mystery features Larissa Klimt, who is a professor of Geopolitical History and her twin brother Lev, who works in Alaska monitoring the oil fields. The plot comes to life when Lara (Larissa) is asked to translate six audio recordings done in the 1940’s from English to Russian and find the book, subject of the recordings. What she hears is just the beginning of her troubles…the book (Bible) contains a false prophecy of all time. Through a series of circumstances Lara and Lev become entwined in the hoax and are pulled into danger and the world of espionage…..
I have mixed feeling about this book. In great parts I liked it a lot and in others I found it dragged so much I was losing interest. It took too much time to get going although I do admit lots was happening but everything seemed to turn in circle then suddenly action and suspense kicked in and voilà you just reached the end. As for the characters they missed colours but were OK in their roles but lacked the credibility and motive to push the mystery forward and make it captivating. I liked the premise, the story is great and interesting and some of the side bars are also very good “ the Bookworm mystery”, “Conception Day”, “King takes Queen”, Lara’s events with her ex-husband the Russian spy just to mention some…..(I let you discover all this).
This novel may not have been my favourite of all times but it was worthwhile passing time reading it nevertheless.
I received this ARC for review from Pegasus Books via Netgalleys
The setting mainly plays out in Moscow but changes locations between London and Alaska. The mystery features Larissa Klimt, who is a professor of Geopolitical History and her twin brother Lev, who works in Alaska monitoring the oil fields. The plot comes to life when Lara (Larissa) is asked to translate six audio recordings done in the 1940’s from English to Russian and find the book, subject of the recordings. What she hears is just the beginning of her troubles…the book (Bible) contains a false prophecy of all time. Through a series of circumstances Lara and Lev become entwined in the hoax and are pulled into danger and the world of espionage…..
I have mixed feeling about this book. In great parts I liked it a lot and in others I found it dragged so much I was losing interest. It took too much time to get going although I do admit lots was happening but everything seemed to turn in circle then suddenly action and suspense kicked in and voilà you just reached the end. As for the characters they missed colours but were OK in their roles but lacked the credibility and motive to push the mystery forward and make it captivating. I liked the premise, the story is great and interesting and some of the side bars are also very good “ the Bookworm mystery”, “Conception Day”, “King takes Queen”, Lara’s events with her ex-husband the Russian spy just to mention some…..(I let you discover all this).
This novel may not have been my favourite of all times but it was worthwhile passing time reading it nevertheless.
I received this ARC for review from Pegasus Books via Netgalleys
January 28, 2018
It was a real struggle to finish this. The entire first half is slooow. Things do pick up at the 50% mark, however, and from there the plot moves along at a good pace.
The Bookworm sounded amazing, but it fell apart for me in the execution. The idea of the outcome of WWII having been determined by a forged book was brilliant. The problem was that, barring Lara, the characters had all the depth of a mud puddle. Lev, in particular, was disappointing. It felt like he was dropped into the story just to push the Alaska oil angle. Besides that, with a plot like this, readers need to believe that it could really happen. The forged book angle worked, but all the different bad guys chasing her around? Not believable at all.
A Russian reviewer noted that not only were most of the foreign phrases used improperly, but that Lara never would have been allowed near the archives because of her heritage.. If true, the access issue could have been resolved with basic research.
*ARC via netgalley*
The Bookworm sounded amazing, but it fell apart for me in the execution. The idea of the outcome of WWII having been determined by a forged book was brilliant. The problem was that, barring Lara, the characters had all the depth of a mud puddle. Lev, in particular, was disappointing. It felt like he was dropped into the story just to push the Alaska oil angle. Besides that, with a plot like this, readers need to believe that it could really happen. The forged book angle worked, but all the different bad guys chasing her around? Not believable at all.
A Russian reviewer noted that not only were most of the foreign phrases used improperly, but that Lara never would have been allowed near the archives because of her heritage.. If true, the access issue could have been resolved with basic research.
*ARC via netgalley*
August 30, 2017
The Bookworm was a great mystery, a bit of a political thriller and a bit of a literary, history fiction book. I received a free copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Lara is a history professor who spent part of her youth in the U.S. where she also went to university. She is brilliant and even was a chess prodigy when she was younger. She is approached by an unknown person with a bag of audio reels from the 1940's with some pretty damning evidence against the U.S. and its role in the fight against Hitler. She is asked to translate the six audio recordings from English to Russian and help the source of the recordings find a book that is the subject of the recordings.
Lara, who is very skeptical about the contents of the recording until something said in the recordings sparks a memory and she begins thinking that the recordings just might be authentic. What is not authentic are all of the people and groups trying to get into her good graces to obtain the book for their own purposes. The Bookworm hints at the two leaders at the center of what is now something that can cause a lot of trouble for both the Russian government and the U.S. government. As she investigates the contents of the recording it seems that a lot of things might be tied together as her twin brother Lev, who has been working in Alaska, stumbles upon another aspect of what just might be a conspiracy, against who is the big question. The Bookworm is a book that appeals to readers of multiple genres and definitely makes me want to investigate more by the author. Review can also be seen at LadyTechie's Book Musings ladytechiesbookmusings.blogspot.com.
Lara, who is very skeptical about the contents of the recording until something said in the recordings sparks a memory and she begins thinking that the recordings just might be authentic. What is not authentic are all of the people and groups trying to get into her good graces to obtain the book for their own purposes. The Bookworm hints at the two leaders at the center of what is now something that can cause a lot of trouble for both the Russian government and the U.S. government. As she investigates the contents of the recording it seems that a lot of things might be tied together as her twin brother Lev, who has been working in Alaska, stumbles upon another aspect of what just might be a conspiracy, against who is the big question. The Bookworm is a book that appeals to readers of multiple genres and definitely makes me want to investigate more by the author. Review can also be seen at LadyTechie's Book Musings ladytechiesbookmusings.blogspot.com.
March 12, 2018
This book gives an exciting twist to the intrigue of World War II. A bible plays an important part of this story and the lives of those who come in contact with it. Larissa Mendelovg is a Russian historian who gathers news and ties events from 2017 together and sets the history field on it's ears. Lots of action with fiction based on reality of World War II London. Well written with a good strong woman character who handles events realistically and could be a real person in today's world.
August 26, 2017
Really two and a half stars.
This is an ambitious thriler--what else can you say about a title that features Noel Coward, JFK, Churchill, Hitler, Nostradamus, thinly viewed caricatures of Trump and Putin, and two of the greatest hoaxes of all time? The main characters are Russian twins, Lara and Lev, she a teaching professor in Russia and he monitoring the Alaskan oil fields. Through a series of convoluted circumstances, they separately become entwined in a conspiracy to perpetuate a hoax on the American and Russian peoples, due to the machinations of the corrupt leaders of each country.
A series of old recordings leads Lara to search for a Bible containing a false prophecy that enticed Hitler to attack Russia instead of England; Lev becomes suspicious of the origins of oil coming from Alaskan pipelines; and all comes together in an improbable series of circumstances that draws Lara's almost ex-husband, a Russian spy, into the mix.
Mitch Silver obviously knows his history and much about the world of espionage. However, a lot of this book just happens, not enough character development and characters who lack believable motives. Lara's decision making at the end of the book is inexplicable, given events with her estranged husband throughout the book.
Silver has all the makings of an enthralling spy thriller; nevertheless, the elements don't quite come together smoothly and believably enough to make this a must read.
Full Disclosure--Net Gallery and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.
This is an ambitious thriler--what else can you say about a title that features Noel Coward, JFK, Churchill, Hitler, Nostradamus, thinly viewed caricatures of Trump and Putin, and two of the greatest hoaxes of all time? The main characters are Russian twins, Lara and Lev, she a teaching professor in Russia and he monitoring the Alaskan oil fields. Through a series of convoluted circumstances, they separately become entwined in a conspiracy to perpetuate a hoax on the American and Russian peoples, due to the machinations of the corrupt leaders of each country.
A series of old recordings leads Lara to search for a Bible containing a false prophecy that enticed Hitler to attack Russia instead of England; Lev becomes suspicious of the origins of oil coming from Alaskan pipelines; and all comes together in an improbable series of circumstances that draws Lara's almost ex-husband, a Russian spy, into the mix.
Mitch Silver obviously knows his history and much about the world of espionage. However, a lot of this book just happens, not enough character development and characters who lack believable motives. Lara's decision making at the end of the book is inexplicable, given events with her estranged husband throughout the book.
Silver has all the makings of an enthralling spy thriller; nevertheless, the elements don't quite come together smoothly and believably enough to make this a must read.
Full Disclosure--Net Gallery and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.
November 23, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley and Pegasus Books for allowing me to read this novel!
The Bookworm is a thrilling story about a former chess champion and current Russian professor, Lara, who finds a secret about the Allies in WWII from records that were given to her by one of her students. This secret could change the course of history and ruin her career as a history professor. Throughout the novel she struggles with an ex-husband, a romantic partner, and historical secrets that could shatter everyone's perception of history as they knew it.
This novel clearly has ties to certain political figures that we currently have in office and the resemblance is funny to see. The Bookworm is clearly a modern novel, seeing as the President resembles the current American President, Trump. It also has ties to the Russian and American relationship that is currently unfolding.
This novel has a little bit of everything, historical events, mystery, crime, and politics. Silver does an excellent job with keeping mysteries and intrigue going throughout the novel. I was captivated the entire time that I read the novel, however I did feel like the ending was a bit rushed in comparison to the rest of the novel. I do however look forward to other novels by Silver in the future.
The Bookworm is a thrilling story about a former chess champion and current Russian professor, Lara, who finds a secret about the Allies in WWII from records that were given to her by one of her students. This secret could change the course of history and ruin her career as a history professor. Throughout the novel she struggles with an ex-husband, a romantic partner, and historical secrets that could shatter everyone's perception of history as they knew it.
This novel clearly has ties to certain political figures that we currently have in office and the resemblance is funny to see. The Bookworm is clearly a modern novel, seeing as the President resembles the current American President, Trump. It also has ties to the Russian and American relationship that is currently unfolding.
This novel has a little bit of everything, historical events, mystery, crime, and politics. Silver does an excellent job with keeping mysteries and intrigue going throughout the novel. I was captivated the entire time that I read the novel, however I did feel like the ending was a bit rushed in comparison to the rest of the novel. I do however look forward to other novels by Silver in the future.
January 11, 2018
I received this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book ambitiously combines the WWII histories of Germany, Russia, USA and England with famous historical figures (Nostradamus, Noel Coward and the Kennedys) and the present day political situation up to and including a Donald Trump-ish president. It has a lot of promise, but for me it failed to deliver. I found the sections where Lara is learning about the past to be the most interesting. But when it switched to the present day, I struggled to stay attentive as there seemed little tying the two timelines together.
After a slow middle, the book concluded very quickly and somewhat unbelievably.
Ok, incredibly unbelievably for me. Where did that last reconciliation come from? Why would the characters agree to that with nothing developing the relationship in that direction in any kind of way before that.
In the end I was left with more questions than I like and a real struggle to get through this book that seemed to be perfect for me.
This book ambitiously combines the WWII histories of Germany, Russia, USA and England with famous historical figures (Nostradamus, Noel Coward and the Kennedys) and the present day political situation up to and including a Donald Trump-ish president. It has a lot of promise, but for me it failed to deliver. I found the sections where Lara is learning about the past to be the most interesting. But when it switched to the present day, I struggled to stay attentive as there seemed little tying the two timelines together.
After a slow middle, the book concluded very quickly and somewhat unbelievably.
Ok, incredibly unbelievably for me. Where did that last reconciliation come from? Why would the characters agree to that with nothing developing the relationship in that direction in any kind of way before that.
In the end I was left with more questions than I like and a real struggle to get through this book that seemed to be perfect for me.
December 9, 2017
This book had me hooked from the start when I was reading about Alaskan oilfields and wondering how this would tie into the title. The author takes the reader on a journey which is varied and intriguing. At times I was not totally sold on the plot and some of the twists, but overall this is an enjoyable read. The combination of modern day and events from World War II added to the overall enjoyment. I am certainly tempted to pick up other novels from Mitch Silver.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 4, 2017
Not quite average due to the heavy use of coincidence--strong start and interesting premise, but the overly political overtones and a poorly established plot meant that many of the characters were moved around like cardboard in unmotivated action. The plot should have remained on the original deal of the British trick on Hitler instead of trying to interweave the unrelated contemporary political subplot.
January 27, 2018
Rec'd arc from Netgalley.
I don't know what I expected from this book, but I found that it was hard to pay attention. The cover is captivating -- lots of action in this, but not something I would recommend. The ending was odd and came way too quickly.
I don't know what I expected from this book, but I found that it was hard to pay attention. The cover is captivating -- lots of action in this, but not something I would recommend. The ending was odd and came way too quickly.
May 3, 2018
“The Bookworm” is an exciting and innovative political thriller that begins with Larissa Mendelova Klimt (Lara) a bookworm and professor with a specialty in Geohistory who’s spending her summer break researching the history of Germany's invasion in WWII for her book. Before returning to her teaching position at the University she’s given six Dictaphone cannisters, uncovering an American/UK plot to divert Hitler from invading the shores of Britain after his conquest of France which could radically change the course of WWII history.
In a parallel plot Lara’s brother working in the Alaskan oil fields discovers an American coverup in an Arctic Wildlife Sanctuary that will not only ensure the U.S. President’s stay in power but have far-reaching implications for the Russians in the long-term. When these two conspiracy plots begin to unravel Lara will not only understand the evil to be unleashed by the discovery of a prophecy hidden in an old leather Bible during WWII, but she will discover the malevolence to be released with a new American/Russian pact.
Intense and complicated, two conspiracy plots- one in 1942 and the other in present day- are woven together in a fast-paced, action-oriented story that keeps you focused and on the edge of your seat from the first page to the last. Intensity and suspense build slowly as Lara not only uncovers an American idea in 1942 to prevent an invasion of Britain by fueling Hitler’s superstition and ego, but her brother after the death of a co-worker makes a startling discovery in the wildlife sanctuary where the U.S. has supposedly unearthed a major oil find.
Weaving credence into the 1940s scheme Mitch Silver has used notable figures like Churchill, JFK, Marlene Dietrich, Noel Coward and Ian Fleming while the pact cooked up by the Soviets and US involving oil fields in Alaska sparks a realistic cord with the description of the political leadership involved. Breaking the building tension with threats to Lara and Lev’s safety is a subplot that revolves around the professor and her soon to be ex-husband the philandering Major Viktor Maltsev an intelligence officer who’s sleeping with her roommate although the ending gives the impression that the couple are reuniting.
Plot-oriented the main characters are interesting like Larissa Mendelova Klimt who studied in America before returning to Russia. A full professor teaching geopolitical history, she’s smart, observant, and spirited although when it comes to charming, womanizing husband Viktor she tends to be short-sighted and foolish. Her brother Lev Klimt is likeable, inquisitive and impulsive which gets him into trouble when investigating the new oil field in the wildlife sanctuary.
I liked “The Bookworm” although it’s a book that must be closely read to enjoy the storyline with all its nuances.
In a parallel plot Lara’s brother working in the Alaskan oil fields discovers an American coverup in an Arctic Wildlife Sanctuary that will not only ensure the U.S. President’s stay in power but have far-reaching implications for the Russians in the long-term. When these two conspiracy plots begin to unravel Lara will not only understand the evil to be unleashed by the discovery of a prophecy hidden in an old leather Bible during WWII, but she will discover the malevolence to be released with a new American/Russian pact.
Intense and complicated, two conspiracy plots- one in 1942 and the other in present day- are woven together in a fast-paced, action-oriented story that keeps you focused and on the edge of your seat from the first page to the last. Intensity and suspense build slowly as Lara not only uncovers an American idea in 1942 to prevent an invasion of Britain by fueling Hitler’s superstition and ego, but her brother after the death of a co-worker makes a startling discovery in the wildlife sanctuary where the U.S. has supposedly unearthed a major oil find.
Weaving credence into the 1940s scheme Mitch Silver has used notable figures like Churchill, JFK, Marlene Dietrich, Noel Coward and Ian Fleming while the pact cooked up by the Soviets and US involving oil fields in Alaska sparks a realistic cord with the description of the political leadership involved. Breaking the building tension with threats to Lara and Lev’s safety is a subplot that revolves around the professor and her soon to be ex-husband the philandering Major Viktor Maltsev an intelligence officer who’s sleeping with her roommate although the ending gives the impression that the couple are reuniting.
Plot-oriented the main characters are interesting like Larissa Mendelova Klimt who studied in America before returning to Russia. A full professor teaching geopolitical history, she’s smart, observant, and spirited although when it comes to charming, womanizing husband Viktor she tends to be short-sighted and foolish. Her brother Lev Klimt is likeable, inquisitive and impulsive which gets him into trouble when investigating the new oil field in the wildlife sanctuary.
I liked “The Bookworm” although it’s a book that must be closely read to enjoy the storyline with all its nuances.
October 10, 2019
With an adult special needs child I do not get away often, but when I do I immerse myself in me time. I love going to the museums and seeing the sights, but I also block out some time to just sit somewhere lovely and comfy, in a coffee shop, a park bench, the hotel room, just somewhere nice where there are no laundry machines, beds that need making, floors that need cleaning, and it's unlikely the phone or doorbell will ring. It's nice to sip a beverage, nosh on something decadent and read uninterrupted. I've no idea why I picked this up... well, that's not true ... I am a sucker for books with books or libraries or book stores in the title and I was in a hurry. I do know I finished it because it was the only book I brought with me and I have insomnia and little patience with television. And The Bookworm was just meh. In the plus column, without something I actually wanted to read, I spent a lot more time at museums in Richmond, and there are some good ones.
January 20, 2018
3.5 Stars
This was an interesting concept and it mostly kept me interested, but this book was just not for me.
I spent some of the book a bit confused about what exactly was going on and who was on what "side." And the ending wrapped up a little too nicely for me. I can see others liking this book though, so if mystery and history is your thing, still give it a shot!
This was an interesting concept and it mostly kept me interested, but this book was just not for me.
I spent some of the book a bit confused about what exactly was going on and who was on what "side." And the ending wrapped up a little too nicely for me. I can see others liking this book though, so if mystery and history is your thing, still give it a shot!
April 15, 2018
FANtastic read.
I stumbled on to Mitch Silver when I looked up a suggested read from my library and saw the blurb for his latest, THE BOOKWORM. Since he’d written a prior book, IN SECRET SERVICE, along the same lines – an event from the past comes to the surface today that has the potential to change history as we know it. Despite some of the same historical figures appearing in both books, they are entirely stand alones. THE BOOKWORM shows a significant change in Silver’s writing because while IN SECRET SERVICE was a good read, THE BOOKWORM is much stronger and better told. I enjoyed both, but THE BOOKWORM is one of my best reads this year.
I stumbled on to Mitch Silver when I looked up a suggested read from my library and saw the blurb for his latest, THE BOOKWORM. Since he’d written a prior book, IN SECRET SERVICE, along the same lines – an event from the past comes to the surface today that has the potential to change history as we know it. Despite some of the same historical figures appearing in both books, they are entirely stand alones. THE BOOKWORM shows a significant change in Silver’s writing because while IN SECRET SERVICE was a good read, THE BOOKWORM is much stronger and better told. I enjoyed both, but THE BOOKWORM is one of my best reads this year.
June 22, 2019
Made it about 30 pages before giving up on the mediocre writing, male gaze, iffy history, and worst of all, Donald Trump sex scene. *vomits*
October 6, 2017
This book is sort of stuffed one in which has mostly everything, a history fiction, mystery, political, romance and suspense. Story involves many historical people like Noel Coward, Hitler, Kennedy, Nostradamus and so on.
Larissa Mendelovg Klimt is a Geopolitical history professor in Russia who studied at an university in the US. She is one of the smart one that is proved as a soviet former chess champion. The story starts from her asked to translate 6 historical Dictaphone cylinders recordings that has hidden truth of the World War. Noel Coward and Kennedy conspired to artifice Hitler?
At the same time, Larissa's twin brother Lev who is monitoring oil cultivating in Alaska finds his colleague died in suspect situation. It's just a beginning of them both drawn to the danger.
Well, I have mixed feeling about this book. Some parts are very indulging, though other parts I found myself losing interest. There are many things happen and suddenly story gets boomed and turn to the action and suspense to the end. It's very thrilling that the twins got surround by life threatening risks. This book makes me willing to learn the history in the world more.
However...this is might be because of my lack of knowledge of history, I felt the things in this book just happen and it's not come smoothly together, it seems inexplicable with not enough connection and motivation to the action in each characters perform.
As soon as I saw this book cover, I fell in love with it. I really wanted to like this book, but couldn't get into it. This is one of the book I want to reread it later.
Thank you Pegasus Books for an advance reading copy of this book.
Larissa Mendelovg Klimt is a Geopolitical history professor in Russia who studied at an university in the US. She is one of the smart one that is proved as a soviet former chess champion. The story starts from her asked to translate 6 historical Dictaphone cylinders recordings that has hidden truth of the World War. Noel Coward and Kennedy conspired to artifice Hitler?
At the same time, Larissa's twin brother Lev who is monitoring oil cultivating in Alaska finds his colleague died in suspect situation. It's just a beginning of them both drawn to the danger.
Well, I have mixed feeling about this book. Some parts are very indulging, though other parts I found myself losing interest. There are many things happen and suddenly story gets boomed and turn to the action and suspense to the end. It's very thrilling that the twins got surround by life threatening risks. This book makes me willing to learn the history in the world more.
However...this is might be because of my lack of knowledge of history, I felt the things in this book just happen and it's not come smoothly together, it seems inexplicable with not enough connection and motivation to the action in each characters perform.
As soon as I saw this book cover, I fell in love with it. I really wanted to like this book, but couldn't get into it. This is one of the book I want to reread it later.
Thank you Pegasus Books for an advance reading copy of this book.
November 30, 2018
It took me some time to read this book, although the theme is very very interesting and also the kind of reading I prefer. History and present are combined very nicely and it is definitely a book I would like to have in paper version on my shelf. I am a historian, after all, and it is really nice to see how some small details could change the history of the world. But... I prefered the story about the Hitler's Bible to the "present" story, and yet, I find it somewhat unfinished. Also, what is with that expression "the leader of the free world" (US president)?! I really want to puke every time I read it. Why force it so much???
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