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The Nazi's Wife
Has the hunter now become the prey?
In the aftermath of the Third Reich a tense cat-and-mouse game is played out between two men and a woman. At the centre of a complex triangle of love and deception is a hoard of gold coins – looted by the Nazis from the monasteries and museums of occupied Europe.
Based on a true story, The Nazi’s Wife powerfully evokes the edgy post-war atmosphere of intrigue and suspicion. Following the German surrender, Walter Wolff, an officer in the US Army’s art recovery unit, is assigned to track down the priceless treasure which may be helping to finance the escape plans of high-ranking Nazi officials.
Wolff sets out in pursuit of Rudolf von Zell, Bormann’s right-hand man last in possession of the coins. His only lead is von Zell’s beautiful, enigmatic wife Konstanze. But as Wolff carefully works towards winning her trust, he finds himself falling in love; and as the relationship and the pressure to fulfil his mission intensify, a desperate battle of wills – and hearts – ensues. Has the hunter now become the prey?
From stark military offices to lush European landscapes and isolated mountain retreats,
In the aftermath of the Third Reich a tense cat-and-mouse game is played out between two men and a woman. At the centre of a complex triangle of love and deception is a hoard of gold coins – looted by the Nazis from the monasteries and museums of occupied Europe.
Based on a true story, The Nazi’s Wife powerfully evokes the edgy post-war atmosphere of intrigue and suspicion. Following the German surrender, Walter Wolff, an officer in the US Army’s art recovery unit, is assigned to track down the priceless treasure which may be helping to finance the escape plans of high-ranking Nazi officials.
Wolff sets out in pursuit of Rudolf von Zell, Bormann’s right-hand man last in possession of the coins. His only lead is von Zell’s beautiful, enigmatic wife Konstanze. But as Wolff carefully works towards winning her trust, he finds himself falling in love; and as the relationship and the pressure to fulfil his mission intensify, a desperate battle of wills – and hearts – ensues. Has the hunter now become the prey?
From stark military offices to lush European landscapes and isolated mountain retreats,
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 1985
169 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Peter Watson
116 books328 followersPeter Watson was educated at the universities of Durham, London and Rome, and was awarded scholarships in Italy and the United States.
After a stint as Deputy Editor of New Society magazine, he was for four years part of the Sunday Times ‘Insight’ team of investigative journalists. He wrote the daily Diary column of the London Times before becoming that paper’s New York correspondent. He returned to London to write a column about the art world for the Observer and then at The Sunday Times.
He has published three exposes in the world of art and antiquities and from 1997 to 2007 was a Research Associate at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research at the University of Cambridge. He has published twelve books of non-fiction and seven novels, some under the pen name of Mackenzie Ford. He lives in London where his interests include theatre, opera and fishing.
Awards, Etc.
Psychology Prize
Durham University, 1961
Italian Government Music Scholarship
Rome University, 1965
United States Government Bursary “for future world leaders”
To study the psychiatric profession and its links to the administration of justice
Books of the Year
Psychology Today Magazine, 1978, for War on the Mind
Daily Mail, 1990, for Wisdom and Strength
Independent on Sunday, for A Terrible Beauty, 2000
Times Literary Supplement, for Ideas, 2005
Time Magazine, for The Medici Conspiracy, 2006
Queen’s Pardon
Copy from Patrick Meehan after I had written a series of articles which brought about his release from prison after he had been wrongly convicted of murder, 1976.
Gold Dagger – Crime Writers’ Association of Great Britain
For The Caravaggio Conspiracy, 1983
Beacon Award – SAFE Award – Saving Antiquities for Everyone
For The Medici Conspiracy, 2006
US Library Association
The Great Divide.
Emmy Nomination
‘The Caravaggio Conspiracy, 1984.
Best sellers
The Caravaggio Conspiracy
Crusade
Landscape of Lies
Sotheby’s: The Inside Story
Nureyev
Lectures
Peter Watson has lectured at the following venues:
Universities
Cambridge
Berkeley
London
UCLA
Birmingham
Georgia
Georgia
Chicago
Birmingham
Santiago de Chile
York
Madrid
Harvard
Tufts
Military Bases
Fort Bragg
Private Institutions in
Cleveland
Berlin
Chicago
Belfast
Los Angeles
New York
Washington
Boston
Palm Beach
Other venues
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum, Copenhagen
Royal Society of Arts
Rugby School
Royal Library, Copenhagen
Festivals
Edinburgh
Oxford
Dartington
York
After a stint as Deputy Editor of New Society magazine, he was for four years part of the Sunday Times ‘Insight’ team of investigative journalists. He wrote the daily Diary column of the London Times before becoming that paper’s New York correspondent. He returned to London to write a column about the art world for the Observer and then at The Sunday Times.
He has published three exposes in the world of art and antiquities and from 1997 to 2007 was a Research Associate at the McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research at the University of Cambridge. He has published twelve books of non-fiction and seven novels, some under the pen name of Mackenzie Ford. He lives in London where his interests include theatre, opera and fishing.
Awards, Etc.
Psychology Prize
Durham University, 1961
Italian Government Music Scholarship
Rome University, 1965
United States Government Bursary “for future world leaders”
To study the psychiatric profession and its links to the administration of justice
Books of the Year
Psychology Today Magazine, 1978, for War on the Mind
Daily Mail, 1990, for Wisdom and Strength
Independent on Sunday, for A Terrible Beauty, 2000
Times Literary Supplement, for Ideas, 2005
Time Magazine, for The Medici Conspiracy, 2006
Queen’s Pardon
Copy from Patrick Meehan after I had written a series of articles which brought about his release from prison after he had been wrongly convicted of murder, 1976.
Gold Dagger – Crime Writers’ Association of Great Britain
For The Caravaggio Conspiracy, 1983
Beacon Award – SAFE Award – Saving Antiquities for Everyone
For The Medici Conspiracy, 2006
US Library Association
The Great Divide.
Emmy Nomination
‘The Caravaggio Conspiracy, 1984.
Best sellers
The Caravaggio Conspiracy
Crusade
Landscape of Lies
Sotheby’s: The Inside Story
Nureyev
Lectures
Peter Watson has lectured at the following venues:
Universities
Cambridge
Berkeley
London
UCLA
Birmingham
Georgia
Georgia
Chicago
Birmingham
Santiago de Chile
York
Madrid
Harvard
Tufts
Military Bases
Fort Bragg
Private Institutions in
Cleveland
Berlin
Chicago
Belfast
Los Angeles
New York
Washington
Boston
Palm Beach
Other venues
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum, Copenhagen
Royal Society of Arts
Rugby School
Royal Library, Copenhagen
Festivals
Edinburgh
Oxford
Dartington
York
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 12, 2018
This novel would have been a very good one if it had been a lot shorter and had stuck to the main storyline. It is described as a thriller, but certainly isn't the type of novel I would personally describe as one.
The first third of the book held my attention and the story showed promise, then unfortunately there was far too much description of one of the main characters former love affairs. I couldn't see the relevance of this to the story, basically the hunt for a missing coin collection. I'm afraid at this point I gave up on the novel, which is a very rare event for me, as I don't like not finishing a novel.
The first third of the book held my attention and the story showed promise, then unfortunately there was far too much description of one of the main characters former love affairs. I couldn't see the relevance of this to the story, basically the hunt for a missing coin collection. I'm afraid at this point I gave up on the novel, which is a very rare event for me, as I don't like not finishing a novel.
July 1, 2018
“When your brother is a Nazi; you can’t ignore evil forever.”
Historical fiction, yes; a “thriller”, not so much. Well written. Close first-person narrative of an art recovery expert after VE Day. Published in 1985; there’s been a sea change in Europe since.
“… People who realized that they would never have as much purpose in their lives, or as much self-respect, as the war had given them. … would never be so happy."
Encyclopedic knowledge of Austria and its art and culture, especially near Salzburg. Much of his knowledge about the inner workings of the army and soldiers seems drawn from hearsay. Watson loves semi-colons; commas, less so. His punctuation occasionally distracts.
“I joined the army to fight Nazis not to fall in love with their wives.”
Respectful of the religious beliefs of Germans in a way no longer routinely found in literature, but is vital to understanding the motives of some characters.
“The war was over; it was time to put away wartime things.”
Historical fiction, yes; a “thriller”, not so much. Well written. Close first-person narrative of an art recovery expert after VE Day. Published in 1985; there’s been a sea change in Europe since.
“… People who realized that they would never have as much purpose in their lives, or as much self-respect, as the war had given them. … would never be so happy."
Encyclopedic knowledge of Austria and its art and culture, especially near Salzburg. Much of his knowledge about the inner workings of the army and soldiers seems drawn from hearsay. Watson loves semi-colons; commas, less so. His punctuation occasionally distracts.
“I joined the army to fight Nazis not to fall in love with their wives.”
Respectful of the religious beliefs of Germans in a way no longer routinely found in literature, but is vital to understanding the motives of some characters.
“The war was over; it was time to put away wartime things.”
June 1, 2023
Um oficial dos monuments' men, Americano de ascendência Alemã é encarrega de procurar uma valiosa colecção de moedas antigas e o Nazi fugitivo que as levou. Procurará junto da mulher e filho descobrir o paradeiro dos dois.
Uma agradável surpresa.
Uma agradável surpresa.
September 2, 2022
This is a tale of an American lieutenant who was one of the "Monuments Men" in the wake of World War II. Author Peter Watson was not on my radar, but I've learned that he is quite prolific. His storytelling is erudite but accessible, and the two main characters are intricately drawn. Except for what felt like a gratuitous sexual escapade early in the book (made me wonder what I was getting into), the narrator's telling of his investigation into some missing gold coins is closely and interestingly detailed, and the romantic triangle he finds himself in tugs the reader in different directions. I might suggest having a map of Austria and Germany beside you if you read, to help you visualize the travels of the narrator. The descriptions of the countryside and the architecture are lavish but not tedious.
March 7, 2018
An excellent read! Heartbreaker.
Would never have guessed this would be a love story from the title when I began this book. Was almost hoping for a different outcome. Living in Germany for so many years and being stationed in southern Bavaria brought back so many memories of this region that will remain with me forever. This region is among the most beautiful of any that I have ever visited in my life. This author left me wanting a different outcome but knowing it could never happen.
Would never have guessed this would be a love story from the title when I began this book. Was almost hoping for a different outcome. Living in Germany for so many years and being stationed in southern Bavaria brought back so many memories of this region that will remain with me forever. This region is among the most beautiful of any that I have ever visited in my life. This author left me wanting a different outcome but knowing it could never happen.
July 29, 2019
Alright
I liked the story, even though the were parts, that were slow going. The characters were very interesting and I like the fact it was some what based on real events in history.
I liked the story, even though the were parts, that were slow going. The characters were very interesting and I like the fact it was some what based on real events in history.
May 30, 2019
A shifting balance of power
set in the natural and ecclesiastical beauty of Austria and imbued with moral complexity. A new concept for me: being a companion of God through prayer.
set in the natural and ecclesiastical beauty of Austria and imbued with moral complexity. A new concept for me: being a companion of God through prayer.
January 4, 2020
This is historical fiction at its best. This is one that is difficult to put down.
October 28, 2022
I don’t need to know what the protagonist ate at every meal. Poorly written, couldn’t finish it.
June 9, 2023
I felt the ending could of been written better.
October 17, 2014
I recently saw the movie Monuments Men, so I was thrilled to find this book on my bookshelf. I read the inside cover jacket, which stated the main character was a Monuments Men. Great! The inside cover jacket also said, "As the relationship - and his pressure to fulfill his mission - intensifies, a desperate struggle for control inevitable ensues. And Walter must face the ultimate truth: has the hunter become the prey?" So now after completing the book, I feel I was kind of misled. I read the book and I enjoyed it, but I kept waiting to find out WHEN the hunter was going to become the prey? For some reason, I thought he was going have a DESPERATE STRUGGLE FOR CONTROL and then to fall prey to something more than just the Nazi's wife. Yeah, he fell in love with her and she with him, but what the hell? It was a love that was never consummated in any way, I don't even think they ever kissed, so I didn't really consider it a desperate struggle for control. For that it lost a star. The writing was good, but I thought the story was just okay, so for that it lost another star. What I thought was going to be A thrilling, intriguing story turned out to be just a war time love story.
December 21, 2014
Easy read and I enjoyed it but I didn't see it as very realistic given the number of other books I have read concerning the Holocaust.
February 20, 2016
I enjoyed this book but was not wholly convinced by the main character.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews