War of the Raven

by Andrew Kaplan

Master storyteller Andrew Kaplan presents an explosive, atmospheric thriller set in the early days of World War II, when the Nazis, with the help of their Argentinean collaborators, staked out territory in the South Atlantic

An Argentine playboy races down the darkened alleys of Buenos Aires, a German on his tail. He darts into a steamy tango hall and begs one of the dancers for refuge, but his pursuer is unshakable. The German leaves with the scrap of information that had been destined for the Americans. The playboy was a spy for the Allies, known as Raven.
 
American polo player Charles Stewart is sent to discover who the Raven’s source was. A secret agent in a time before the CIA, he wants to be on the front lines in Europe, not in the back alleys of Buenos Aires. But the Nazis have engineered a plot to turn Argentina toward their cause—and with it, all of South America. The world’s destiny will be decided in the land of tango, and Stewart, mingling with Argentine high society, will be the one leading the dance.
 
War of the Raven was selected by the American Library Association as one of the 100 Best Books ever written about World War II.

Genres: Thriller, Historical Fiction, Mystery, World War II, Espionage

481 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 31, 1989

About the author

Andrew Kaplan is the author of two spy thriller book series: SCORPION and HOMELAND, as well as three earlier novels, DRAGONFIRE, HOUR OF THE ASSASSINS, and WAR OF THE RAVEN, which was selected by the American Library Association as one of the 100 best books ever written about World War II. A former freelance journalist and war correspondent, he covered events around the world and served in both the U.S. Army and the Israeli Army. His work has been called “a gold standard for thrillers” and has been translated into twenty languages, topping bestseller charts around the world. Recently three of Amazon’s top 20 thrillers at one time were Scorpion books: SCORPION BETRAYAL, SCORPION WINTER and SCORPION DECEPTION. In addition, he is the author of the runaway international bestseller, HOMELAND: CARRIE'S RUN, an original prequel novel based on the award-winning hit television series. HOMELAND: SAUL'S GAME is his second HOMELAND novel.

Reviews

[Sharyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am going to a book club next week where Kaplan will talk to us about the book. I choose this book to discuss because he recommended it. This is a very thrilling spy novel, and I kept looking things up to see what was true. WWlI comes to Argentina, history I knew nothing about. Every twist and turn, including the ending was a surprise. There were some scenes of torture that I had to skim, but they were necessary. I also figured out one sad plot point. I really enjoy reading historical fiction that teaches me history I don't know. I do recommend this book, it is fast moving and will keep you in suspense.

[Scott MacBurnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a very dense book, in some respects, with a very broad swath of characters. Unfortunately, some tend to run together -especially in the early going - and the occasional flashbacks layer in more to keep straight, besides. The sense of time and place is interesting, and the leads are acceptable, and the final resolution works well enough. It is, all the same, somehow more of a slog than it feels like it should be. It has several good bits of business, but it just (somehow) seems to not gel in quite the way that you might want.

[Maryanne Martins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent!

The history was so interesting and so were the characters, held my interest throughout the story. Recommend highly. If u enjoy spy novels, this one will keep u guessing. M. Martins

[Carol Mann · Rating 3 out of 5]

An exciting WWII read. Note the location and date at the beginning of each chapter. The action time hops. There are quite a few characters. Helpful to keep a list. The opening chapter in Buenos Aires will grab your attention!

[Brenda Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book

Fascinating description of the role played by Argentina in World War II. Terrific description of Argentine life and of the country itself. Ending was a little rushed and convoluted but the story compensates.

[Geoff Atwater · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting backstory to the demise of the Graf Spee

WW2 was indeed a world-wide war, even extending to South America. Good spy thriller with perhaps a little too much of a James Bond character.

[Simon Delric · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first part of the story was interesting but personally got disinterested progressing through the book.

[AntKathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story set in Buenos Aires during WWll. Mildly entertaining, it is a perfect male's fantasy spy thriller with graphic sex and vicious violence.

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Espionage story set in WWII era Argentina. After the death of a local go-between, an American spy must find the mole in the German Embassy in Buenos Aires. It could help win the war and prevent the fall of the South Atlantic to the Nazis.

[Judie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent historical fiction/espionage.