In this enthralling historical thriller set in post—World War II London, detective John Henry Rossett must stop a murderous ex—SS officer as the German occupation of England begins to falter.
Working with the SS in German-occupied Britain was never easy for John Rossett. Though he’s returned to his former job, the police inspector has been tainted by his Nazi associations. His suspicious colleagues see him as a collaborator, and he’s unwelcome at his old haunts. But the Germans aren’t done with Rossett. When decorated SS Captain Karl Bauer kills the US consul in Liverpool, then goes on the run, Generalmajor Neumann orders Rossett to find the missing killer—a swift, cunning, and ruthless man known as "the Bear."
While the Nazis still maintain control over London, Liverpool is run by criminal networks and the British resistance. A wasteland of burned-out buildings and mountains of rubble, the northern port city is the perfect place for a clever warrior like Bauer to hide. Neumann and Rossett’s search also turns up damning new information: Bauer’s superior, Major Theo Dannecker, has been colluding with the US consul and the British resistance to smuggle large amounts of gold out of the country. As for the Bear, the fervent SS officer has repudiated his allegiance to the crumbling Reich and is now focused on destroying Rossett, the famed "British Lion," one innocent victim at a time.
To prevent more deaths and protect Britain, Rossett must trap the Bear and uncover a diabolical conspiracy that has brought Nazi officers and the British resistance together. Vivid and energetic, full of Schumacher’s trademark action and rich, conflicted characters, An Army of One reveals how the strength of one man can turn the tide in an uncertain world.
Tony Schumacher has written for The Guardian Newspaper, the Huffington Post, and many magazines.
He currently is working on the third book in the John Rossett series of thrillers, which are published worldwide by HarperCollins.
"Schumacher's assured and atmospheric writing make this a memorable novel, reminiscent of writers from John Buchan to Ken Follett, and of directors from Alfred Hitchcock to Carol Reed..." Wall Street Journal Sept 14
"...a thrilling novel that poses some very challenging questions to the reader, and tells a fascinating story..." Mark Rubinstein Huffington Post
"By the last quarter of the book, I was in full unputdownable mode, and it wasn’t a disappointment..." My Shelf Confessions
"You won't quickly forget the ending of this novel or the man who created it. Schumacher is just getting started!" Bookloons Review
John Rossett's possibly final mission takes him to a wartorn, defeated and divided Liverpool. In places grim, dark and violent (not surprisingly, I think), I found this at times a difficult and gloomy read. Although this is my least favourite of the three, neverthless, this series is well-written and exciting.
Tony Schumacher’s third entry in his John Rossett alternative history series pulls his main character out of London, where the Nazis have consolidated their victory and returned society to a semblance of normalcy, and drops him in Manchester where the scars of the war are fresh and Nazi control is tenuous.
Rossett wants to put the war behind him and return to his police work, but it’s not an easy adjustment, especially when he has to kill a corrupt fellow copper in self-defense. While he doesn’t jump at the request by Kriminalpolizei (Criminal Police—Kripo for short) General Major Neumann to accompany him to pick up a German sniper who killed the American attaché in Manchester, Rossett has to admit to himself that it might be best to get out of London for a while.
What he finds in Manchester is a world where the SS, the local police, and Resistance fighters have a fluid relationship where their natural enmity can be overcome by need and greed. The American attaché was negotiating the transfer out of the country of a truck full of gold, part of the Bank of England’s reserves. It could have been a mutually beneficial transaction, until the sniper killed the attaché and hid the gold.
But this is no ordinary sniper. Karl Bauer is known as The Bear, a swift and cunning operative who worked solo against the enemies of the Reich. He sees in Rossett, who’s been promoted in the press as The British Lion, a worthy adversary. The rubble of Manchester becomes the field of combat for the two men, even as the other players on the field try to eliminate both of them. The gold is the prize for whoever manages to survive—if anyone does.
“An Army of One” is a non-stop roller coaster ride from its opening scene to the final sentence, filled with sharp turns and drops that take your breath away. Schumacher does an excellent job creating an alternative reality that feels and tastes and smells completely real.
So far the John Rossett books have been fantastic. I hope Mr. Schumacher is working on a 4th???? Hello? Hello?
Picking up where the 2nd left off, Rossett finds himself back on the British police force. His presence is unwanted. His hard work in the past unappreciated. The Germans want him back, anyway. Where he can be more useful and accepted.
The Bear found life boring. He was far too good at what he did. A sniper. A killer. A game master. No one was ever a worthy opponent. He didn't see much point in continuing. The Gold was his last play.
Until he met the Lion. Now his life had new purpose. Meaning.
It is all about gold, and lots of it. The Bear, Bauer, knows where it is. He knows because he killed the people who last had it. And The bear hid the gold. Naturally, everyone wants it. The Germans. The British, and the Resistance.
One could think of John Rossett as some sort of superman, after all, he does seem to come rolling back after a lot of physical abuse. In this, the third outing of Tony Schumacher's alternative history, our hero comes into conflict with bad Nazis, psychopathic "supermen" Nazis, the Resistance and corrupt police. All this in a ruined Liverpool which makes the word "dystopia" look quite positive. We know from the very beginning that it's all going to end fairly positively (in this dirty, dingy, dangerous version of history), but there are times one's faith in our hero is stretched to the limits. It's all good fun, entertaining, even, at times, thought-provoking. It also seems to be a good rounding off of what now appears to be a done-deal trilogy... but we all know that things are never that simple so I'm just going to watch this space.
An Army of One picks up with the British Lion back into policing work as the British legend and current Nazi collaborator is trying to find his way in the world.
Millions of dollars of British bullion are on the line as the resistance and the SS chase down the German 'Bear' who has hidden the stash and is looking for his biggest challenge - facing off with the British Lion, John Rossett.
A fast paced, skull pounding, fists flying action adventure set up in Nazi occupied England that stinks of the smell of cordite and blood. The depth of the look into the psyche of the conflicted Rossett balances out the page turning ambushes, chases, fights, explosions and betrayal.
Tony Schumacher has combined his life experiences with some amazing research setting up this alternate history that races to an incredible ending. Just when you think you know what is going to happen - the rug is pulled out from underneath you.
This book comes out in August 2017 - mark your calendars and get your pre-orders in, but don't worry as you won't be able to put it down until the very end.
Thanks to Tony Schumacher and William Morrow for providing an Advanced Reader copy to be able to preview this release - and thanks to Pete Mock at McIntyre's Fine Books for getting the request out.
I should have been sleeping, but I couldn't stop reading. Another page, another section, another chapter. I just couldn't stop until I'd finished. And now I'm exhausted because I didn't sleep, and I'm sad because the book is over, and I'm wondering how long I'll have to wait before the next book. Withdrawal is already setting in.
I am *slightly* obsessed with John Rossett and the world in which he lives. I suppose that also makes me a bit of a Tony Schumacher groupie, which is fine with me because this guy is a gifted writer. In reading this book, I felt like I was right there in war-torn England. All my senses were activated. I swear I could even taste the coal dust.
This is alternate history, but also completely plausible. Events all too easily could have played out just as Schumacher has written them. The realism he gives us is absolute.
This is the third book in a series, and each one has gotten better. That's saying a lot, too, because I loved them all right from the start. While 'An Army of One' could essentially be read as a stand-alone, I recommend reading them in order. Not only will you get a better sense of John Rossett as a person (okay, character, but he feels real to me), but this series is simply too good to miss.
Tony Schumacher did a wonderful job with his character John Rossett. He is a medal honored Hero who is nick named the Lion and police officer. In the years when the Nazi Germans have infiltrated Britain's Liverpool a spy named the Bear kills for his own purposes. Who will end up with the missing gold shipment? Nazi Commander, the Resistance or the British Officials? And who's side will Detective John Russett fight for? Action packed from beginning to end with so many interesting people who want John's help.
Book Description: In this enthralling historical thriller set in post World War II London, detective John Henry Rossett must stop a murderous officer as the German occupation of England begins to falter.
Working with the SS in German-occupied Britain was never easy for John Rossett. Though he's returned to his former job, the police inspector has been tainted by his Nazi associations. His suspicious colleagues see him as a collaborator, and he's unwelcome at his old haunts. But the Germans aren't done with Rossett. When decorated SS Captain Karl Bauer kills the US consul in Liverpool, then goes on the run, Generalmajor Neumann orders Rossett to find the missing killer; a swift, cunning, and ruthless man known as "the Bear."
While the Nazis still maintain control over London, Liverpool is run by criminal networks and the British resistance. A wasteland of burned-out buildings and mountains of rubble, the northern port city is the perfect place for a clever warrior like Bauer to hide. Neumann and Rossett's search also turns up damning new information: Bauer's superior, Major Theo Dannecker, has been colluding with the US consul and the British resistance to smuggle large amounts of gold out of the country. As for the Bear, the fervent SS officer has repudiated his allegiance to the crumbling Reich and is now focused on destroying Rossett, the famed "British Lion," one innocent victim at a time.
To prevent more deaths and protect Britain, Rossett must trap the Bear and uncover a diabolical conspiracy that has brought Nazi officers and the British resistance together. Vivid and energetic, full of Schumacher's trademark action and rich, conflicted characters, An Army of One reveals how the strength of one man can turn the tide in an uncertain world.
My Review: This is the 3rd installment of the John Rossett series. I have read the first two and enjoyed them very much and the 3rd one did not disappoint. The book is action-packed with fascinating characters. I especially like John Rossett as he is a very likable character. He seems to be a very honest person and just wants to get his job done without killing anyone. I find the book to be entertaining and humorous in parts. The book hooks you immediately and does not let go until the very end. The plot twists kept the pages turning and the descriptive writing makes you feel like you are a part of the story. This series would definitely make a great movie. I look forward to reading the next installment and would highly recommend this series to those who like historical mysteries.
It’s hard being a cop in dystopian universes! Police inspector John Rossett is just trying to serve and protect in the third of this post World War II alternative-history series. Known as The British Lion for his wartime service, he is now, with his German partner, on the hunt for a rouge SS officer and marksman, Captain Bauer, known as The Bear. The chase takes them to Liverpool, where the Nazis have less of a stranglehold. In this bombed out port, criminal networks and the British resistance hold some power, complicating Rossett’s job. And besides a plot to smuggle large amounts of gold to what’s left of the Free World, the Bear loves the challenge of having a worthy opponent in Rossett. He cuts a murderous path to get into man-to-man combat with what he deems a worthy adversary. Author Tony Schumacher’s alternative history is not focused on big events but a realistic landscape of urban despair. His conflicted hero and cohorts experience enough bombing, sniper attacks, and fistfights to fulfill thriller readers expectations. And though he has as many regrets as heroics, fans of the single-minded John Rossett novels might be assured that he will keep going while there is still justice to be served.
*I recently won this book in a goodreads giveaway*
I have to say I really enjoyed this book. Not knowing anything about this author or this series, I jumped right in and was thoroughly entertained. A fun main character (with some memorable supporting characters as well) and an exciting, unpredictable plot made for a quick read. I haven't read that many "action/adventure" books but I can tell you this one is well written and exciting and thrilling.
Two small gripes that weren't important enough for me to deduct any stars: 1) Some of the dialogue is a bit clunky (only a couple of times though - most of it was fine) and 2) It bugged me that the main character was a smoker. I am not saying it isn't realistic as his takes place during WWII and smoking was a lot more prevalent back then. I am saying it isn't realistic to have someone who has no problems running long distances, beating people up, etc. The smokers I know get winded walking up one flight of stairs. All this fitness and the chain smoking didn't quite ring true to me.
But, like I said, these gripes didn't interfere with my enjoyment of this book. It is well worth reading! Thumbs up!
Tony Schumacher did a wonderful job with his character John Rossett. He is a medal honored Hero who is nick named the Lion and police officer. In the years when the Nazi Germans have infiltrated Britain's Liverpool a spy named the Bear kills for his own purposes. Who will end up with the missing gold shipment? Nazi Commander, the Resistance or the British Officials? And who's side will Detective John Russett fight for? Action packed from beginning to end with so many interesting people who want John's help.
Not quite reaching the heights of British Lion this is still a tense action thriller where the boundaries between the good guys and the bad guys are increasingly blurred. No metaphorical western style white hats. Black hats are ubiquitous. John Rossett is very much hated by everyone it seems, amongst both the British and the invading Germans. The Bear is his greatest danger to have faced but is he a friend or foe? An end to a thoroughly enjoyable trilogy or shall we see Rossett again?
A series I really enjoy - didn't see the twist at the end, as Schumacher does a great job of weaving different characters, different plot lines and more. Rossett is such a great character, I look forward to book #4.
3.49 stars - I was impressed by the skill in the storytelling. Given recent bad experiences I was very relieved that I did not need to have read the earlier books in the series. But ultimately this was not really my kind of book, it was much too violent.
John Rossett returns! And as we've come to expect, he kicks ass. These books are getting better and better. I can't recommend this series strongly enough to anyone who wants a suspenseful action thriller with the added interest of the all-too-plausible alternate history setting.
Once again Tony Schumacher takes his hero, John Rossett, out for adventure. The fight writing and plot are extraordinary. Absolutely one of my favorite series. Look forward to every installment. I received this as a Goodreads Sweepstakes, but the other two were all mine.
I really like this series and have read all three of tony schumachers John rossett series . The book has believable characters and the action is non stop The plot is well thought out and the main character is a man who wears many hats . If you haven't read his novels start you won't be disappointed. Five stars for me
This is the 3rd and apparently the last in the 3 book John Rossett arc. I read all three in succession over the past month or 2. Decent series. This book was easy to read but I did find myself tiring somewhat of the super-man like Rossett attributes. Maybe I'd have enjoyed this book more if I'd spaced the 3 out and not read one right after the other. Decent story for book 3, not great.
Historical thrillers really aren't my thing, but I was given this book as a ARC kindle edition. It's a well written book with interesting characters, and would be a good read for a trip or vacatoin.