Spies

by Richard Ben Sapir

An FBI investigation of a German spy ring on American soil threatens to devastate lives, loves, and families forty years after the end of World War II   A watertight packet is discovered by a diver in the waters surrounding Block Island. Unrecovered detritus from the last German U-boat sunk off the coast of Rhode Island, it contains secret codes suggesting that a Nazi spy ring operated in the United States during the darkest days of World War II. If confirmed, it could prove a major embarrassment to the FBI—whose late director, J. Edgar Hoover, once assured the government there were no spies in the country—so the Bureau sends one of its best, Unit Chief Todd Oliver, to Newport to investigate.   A war that ended four decades earlier is not yet over for some in this New England naval town, as Oliver’s mission threatens to destroy the lives and relationships of the guilty and the innocent alike. Suddenly, dark, lingering shadows are everywhere, enveloping respected pillars of the community, the wealthy and powerful in their mansions on “the Avenue,” and respectable, law-abiding citizens who merely wish to forget. Even Oliver himself is not safe, as the agent’s inquiries into secret wartime espionage begin unraveling strong, sacred bonds of love, friendship, and family, tempting the dedicated operative to compromise everything he stands for in the face of a shocking murder that rocks Newport society to its core.  

Genres: Fiction, War, Mystery

432 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Under this name, Richard Ben Sapir wrote standalone
thriller/fantasy novels.

Under the name Richard Sapir, he was the creator and original author, with Warren Murphy of the immensely popular series The Destroyer.

Reviews

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've seen a number of reviews that mention the excellent characterization being a highlight of this book. They're right. As the title strongly suggests, the book is certainly about spies, but the focus is less on the spying, which all takes place in the past, but the characters. And Sapir nails it. Highly recommended if you like very good writing, very good characters, and a plot sufficient to carry it all along. I've always been somewhat sad that Sapir died so young and wrote so few novels, and this book just reinforces that feeling. 4.5 stars.

[Terry Simpkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite to the level of The Far Arena, but an entertaining read just the same. Sapir was a skillful, professional writer as you might expect from his beginnings as a journalist — not, in my view, particularly stylish or lyrical, but he avoided the howlers and clichés often found in “genre” writing. I’d probably consider him a a notch or two above Forsythe and a bit below someone like, say, Lawton. Anyway, glad I stumbled on his work

[Steve]

A bit slow to start. Gets very interesting later on and the ending is perfect for this story!

[Harold Kasselman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a marvelous espionage story that takes place in Newport Rhode Island in the heady days of the 80's with significant flash backs to the Second World War. The author depicts Charles Dobrovny in a sympathetic manner despite the fact that Charlie was a German spy. He was not a Nazi monster, but rather a member of the elite German professional staff who felt he was performing a disciplined war game on behalf of his adopted homeland.( He was born in America). The war was a long time ago and Charlie has a wonderful daughter and grandchild, and a has a Jewish partner in a hardware store that has existed for decades. Yet his back story is vulnerable because the Navy will not rest until they can prove that the FBI was unable to uncover a ring of German spies that was operating on the east coast. The Navy is convinced that they lost far too many ships in that venue and attributes it to spies. Now an FBI agent is tasked with the effort to disprove that charge or create a blemish for his superiors if he does find evidence to back up the Navy's claim. The search for truth will put Charlie's life in a headlock. This is a wonderfully written account of a subject not generally written about, and it is a great read.

[Gabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was reluctant to pick up this book because I don't particularly enjoy reading spy stories (I like spy movies, though) but I love Richard Sapir's novels and this was the last one I hadn't read so I thought why not. And it turned out a great decision because it sucked me in from the get-go.
There is a spy story of course, but it's very character driven. I loved how the backstories unfolded, especially Charlie's, and it was fascinating how he changed from negative to relatable and finally likeable.
I only wish Sapir had written more standalone novels.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting premise. Caught my interest from the get-go.

I enjoyed the story of the German spies, how they were recruited and how they continued to live undercover for 40 years after the war.

However, I didn't like the major thread which involved a the romance between an investigator and a conveniently-connected woman. Too staged.

Based on that story line, I'm disinclined to read anything more by this author. He probably won't mind since he's been dead for more than 30 years.

[John Reino · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not his best

Along story, at times good but leaving a lot of holes. Not convinced that you can read this without the general

[laurenpie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating plot, a riveting novel. It's been almost 30 years since I read this novel, so I'll make do with a quick plot synopsis...

Our protagonist is a 1980's single mom in New England, with a wonderful, kind, gentle father. Imagine the unbelievable shock of finding out that said father is a German spy who was sent here to (and did) spy on America during WWII.