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A Gathering of Spies
In 1943, America thought it had rounded up all the German spies on its soil. Now Germany's greatest weapon - a woman with special talents, both for tradecraft and for death - is headed home with critical information about the still-developing atomic bomb, and the Allies chief hope for stopping her is a British agent with agendas of his own. Originally recruited into MI5 to pose as a double agent, he's been telling Germans that he'd do anything to free his wife, a prisoner of a German concentration camp in occupied Poland. This happens to be true. The question is: how much would he really do to set her free? Where are his loyalties exactly?
As the two spies play cat-and-mouse across three countries, the ambiguities deepen, each figure showing new sides, each action providing new twists, until at last both agents are swept into a series of climaxes as breathtakingly unpredictable as they are inevitable.
305 pages, Hardcover
First published June 26, 2000
191 people are currently reading
644 people want to read
About the author
John Altman
21 books54 followersJohn Altman's thrillers have sold over a quarter-million copies in the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan, Poland, and the Netherlands. He graduated from Harvard University in 1992. He lives with his wife and children in Princeton, New Jersey, where he is at work on his next book.
"If there are thriller writers betters than this," Jack Higgins said, "I'd like to know who they are."
"If there are thriller writers betters than this," Jack Higgins said, "I'd like to know who they are."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
January 17, 2025
I was looking for a good spy novel and this fit the bill. John Altman in this book reminded me of Ken Follett, especially his "Eye of the Needle." Once I sat down to read it, I was reading it as fast as I could- I finished the 321 pages in record time! The story involves a German woman spy in America during WWII, who learns about the Allies' biggest secret--The Manhattan Project (the top secret project to build the atomic bomb). To me, it was amazing that the Germans did not discover that the Allies were working on such a massive project (the Soviets knew all about it!). In this story, the German operative learns about the project but has to find a way to pass her info on to the right people ( the British were masters at using double agents). It becomes an intense race to stop the German before she can get the word out to Berlin.... a great thrill ride. I will look to see what else Altman has written.
September 12, 2023
Dang, this was a very good read! It contains spies in America and Germany and in particular a female spy who is quite the Chameleon!
Lots of action and many surprises.
If you enjoy reading as much as I do (probably more than I do🤣) you will find that this book is well worth your time. Seriously, plenty of surprises.
Lots of action and many surprises.
If you enjoy reading as much as I do (probably more than I do🤣) you will find that this book is well worth your time. Seriously, plenty of surprises.
April 17, 2016
I like fiction about WWII spies, but this one was just ho hum. I liked the setup, but the last part of the book was skimmable action where everyone is shooting and stalking everyone else. I liked the inclusion of Canaris and the infighting between the SS and the Abwehr. There is loads of shooting, throat slashing, head beating, and forging on with bullets inside one.
August 13, 2019
Similar to Eye of the Needle by Follett, A Gathering of Spies features bad-ass female anti-hero Katarina Heinrich who messes up everybody in her path.
January 24, 2025
Taking a break from heavier, deeper reading, I chose this first spy novel by Altman. As the author’s first book in espionage this was better than average. The characters were interesting and developed to retain the readers attention. Katherine has had quite a history of adventure and she’s quite good at what needs to be accomplished.
We get some brief glimpses of Himmler, Hitler and Churchill. The setting is WWIi and begins in America, moves to Britain and then to Germany. I plan to pick up the 2nd book which I think is another spy story but standalone.
We get some brief glimpses of Himmler, Hitler and Churchill. The setting is WWIi and begins in America, moves to Britain and then to Germany. I plan to pick up the 2nd book which I think is another spy story but standalone.
March 26, 2019
4 solid stars, if you like this genre you will most probably like this book.
November 14, 2021
Apparently, this writer writes lots of these spy novels. This one was a pretty intense and clearly plotted chain of events with very descriptive details about silent murders and hand-to-hand combat—not so much my thing, but I suspect the author knows what he is describing—it certainly sounds convincing! Much of the writing, however, was truly excellent. The chapter describing the days and nights of the aged lighthouse keeper was absolute perfection. The central characters were remarkably flat, including the femme-fatale, sociopath spy who is desperate to survive and (perhaps) complete her mission. With few motivational conflicts and little interest beyond the self, sociopaths are almost necessarily flat characters. The author handled the contrast between kind and unsuspecting victims and the murderous spy very deftly. An extra star for one great Pushkin quote and solidly good writing. I may read another book by the author.
December 22, 2017
Katarina Heinrich is a German spy who is so far undercover in the U.S. she's barely even spying anymore. That is until, after years of boredom, her American husband is recruited to work on the Manhattan Project in New Mexico. Now her old training kicks in. She discovers enough A-bomb stuff to realize she's got to get back to Germany with her intel.
In England, Henry(?) Winterbotham is recruited by MI5 to pose as a Nazi sympathizer. The idea is to cozy up to German intelligence and pass along misinformation concerning invasion plans while learning whatever he can about their operations. He hopes his cooperation will lead to the release of his wife, who has been held in Nazi-occupied Poland for several years.
I found the story compelling, the action fast-paced and violence aplenty. I like the way Altman used the infighting amongst the Nazis as a main plot point. My only complaint, no really great twists or surprises. Still, overall a darn good spy novel.
In England, Henry(?) Winterbotham is recruited by MI5 to pose as a Nazi sympathizer. The idea is to cozy up to German intelligence and pass along misinformation concerning invasion plans while learning whatever he can about their operations. He hopes his cooperation will lead to the release of his wife, who has been held in Nazi-occupied Poland for several years.
I found the story compelling, the action fast-paced and violence aplenty. I like the way Altman used the infighting amongst the Nazis as a main plot point. My only complaint, no really great twists or surprises. Still, overall a darn good spy novel.
December 18, 2019
Autore che probabilmente ha stampato solo un paio di romanzi qui in Italia, ci presenta una spy-story ambientata nella seconda guerra mondiale: un libro leggero, scorrevole e molto intrigante che lo rendono un'ideale lettura disimpegnata.
La trama è interessante: Katarina Heinrich è una spia di Hitler e della Germania nazista, ovviamente bella, esperta di arti marziali, ed è infiltrata in America sotto copertura. Sposata con un ingegnere nucleare del laboratorio di Los Alamos (dove si portavano avanti gli studi sulla bomba atomica), intercetta la famosa lettera di Einstein a Roosevelt con i piani per la produzione della stessa.
Katarina dovrà trasmetterla a Berlino e per farlo ovviamente non esiterà a lasciarsi dietro una scia di sangue; gli inglesi però non staranno a guardare e arruoleranno una persona con il compito di scovarla e fermarla a tutti i costi.
Bella trama con sotterfugi, doppi e tripli giochi con un'ambientazione quella della seconda guerra mondiale che si presta molto a questi tipi di romanzi, che divertono e si lasciano leggere in poche ore. Inteso che non ci si deve aspettare un capolavoro della letteratura.
La trama è interessante: Katarina Heinrich è una spia di Hitler e della Germania nazista, ovviamente bella, esperta di arti marziali, ed è infiltrata in America sotto copertura. Sposata con un ingegnere nucleare del laboratorio di Los Alamos (dove si portavano avanti gli studi sulla bomba atomica), intercetta la famosa lettera di Einstein a Roosevelt con i piani per la produzione della stessa.
Katarina dovrà trasmetterla a Berlino e per farlo ovviamente non esiterà a lasciarsi dietro una scia di sangue; gli inglesi però non staranno a guardare e arruoleranno una persona con il compito di scovarla e fermarla a tutti i costi.
Bella trama con sotterfugi, doppi e tripli giochi con un'ambientazione quella della seconda guerra mondiale che si presta molto a questi tipi di romanzi, che divertono e si lasciano leggere in poche ore. Inteso che non ci si deve aspettare un capolavoro della letteratura.
February 28, 2015
This is a WW2 story about spies from Germany and England. The story unfolds with interesting twists and turns and keeps the interest high throughout. The fact that the main protagonist is a woman adds to the interest. The writing is terse, appropriate to the time period and the conclusion is unusual and interesting.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
August 20, 2012
Really bloody book!
February 29, 2016
A fast-paced thriller and first novel by this author. Those of us who enjoy WWII fiction will love it--and hope for more to come!
June 6, 2016
Got halfway thru it and realized that I'm a bit long in the tooth to be wasting my time in something I wasn't enjoying.
August 23, 2022
John Altman’s 2000 debut thriller is quite an accomplished first novel, even if flawed.
It begins in New York City in 1933. Catherine, a young woman is walking along the dockside with her friend Katarina. Then Catherine is murdered and her body is consigned to the river. Next we skip to Salisbury, UK in 1942 and one-time pacifist Winterbotham is approached by Taylor, a friend, to join him in some secret work. Winterbotham refuses the offer. Now we jump to New Jersey, 1943 and Richard Carter is moving from Princeton with his wife Catherine to join ‘the greatest thinkers in the world’ at a place called Los Alamos. In England, as the war drones on Winterbotham relents and joins Taylor at a secret destination where he learns about the ‘Double Cross system’ – British Intelligence is using captured German spies to feed misinformation to the Nazis. Winterbotham has his reason: in return for helping Taylor he wants to learn the whereabouts of his wife who has been interned.
At Los Alamos Catherine, in reality the sleeper Katarina, discovers vital documents in her husband’s office, information that she must get to Germany. How she manages this is quite intriguing, landing her in England after an Atlantic voyage. Thereafter there is a good cat-and-mouse chase which keeps the pages turning.
There are some good observations; here’s one: ‘Nitrates from the burning shells had enriched the soil. There were purple crocuses everywhere he looked, and even Sisymbrium irio, the London rocket – more irony – which had t been seen in England since the great fire of 1666.’ (p82)
Katarina proves a deadly and resourceful woman. Perhaps she is portrayed slightly superhuman in her methods and ability to escape from threat. But suspend disbelief and enjoy the action-packed ride. She manages to get a signal off to Germany to arrange to be picked up from the eastern coast of England. This message is intercepted but the actual coordinates are coded. Winterbotham and Taylor attempt to second-guess her. I was surprised and amused to read that one possible pick-up point was Whitley Bay on the north-east coast – my home town! Sadly, there was no real feel for the place – and the well-known lighthouse – St. Mary’s – was not mentioned.
The background, notably the Nazi interludes, is quite well done. We get to see Hitler, Admiral Canaris, and several spymasters on both sides. Even Churchill appears. The ending is satisfying with the possibility of a sequel.
It begins in New York City in 1933. Catherine, a young woman is walking along the dockside with her friend Katarina. Then Catherine is murdered and her body is consigned to the river. Next we skip to Salisbury, UK in 1942 and one-time pacifist Winterbotham is approached by Taylor, a friend, to join him in some secret work. Winterbotham refuses the offer. Now we jump to New Jersey, 1943 and Richard Carter is moving from Princeton with his wife Catherine to join ‘the greatest thinkers in the world’ at a place called Los Alamos. In England, as the war drones on Winterbotham relents and joins Taylor at a secret destination where he learns about the ‘Double Cross system’ – British Intelligence is using captured German spies to feed misinformation to the Nazis. Winterbotham has his reason: in return for helping Taylor he wants to learn the whereabouts of his wife who has been interned.
At Los Alamos Catherine, in reality the sleeper Katarina, discovers vital documents in her husband’s office, information that she must get to Germany. How she manages this is quite intriguing, landing her in England after an Atlantic voyage. Thereafter there is a good cat-and-mouse chase which keeps the pages turning.
There are some good observations; here’s one: ‘Nitrates from the burning shells had enriched the soil. There were purple crocuses everywhere he looked, and even Sisymbrium irio, the London rocket – more irony – which had t been seen in England since the great fire of 1666.’ (p82)
Katarina proves a deadly and resourceful woman. Perhaps she is portrayed slightly superhuman in her methods and ability to escape from threat. But suspend disbelief and enjoy the action-packed ride. She manages to get a signal off to Germany to arrange to be picked up from the eastern coast of England. This message is intercepted but the actual coordinates are coded. Winterbotham and Taylor attempt to second-guess her. I was surprised and amused to read that one possible pick-up point was Whitley Bay on the north-east coast – my home town! Sadly, there was no real feel for the place – and the well-known lighthouse – St. Mary’s – was not mentioned.
The background, notably the Nazi interludes, is quite well done. We get to see Hitler, Admiral Canaris, and several spymasters on both sides. Even Churchill appears. The ending is satisfying with the possibility of a sequel.
April 9, 2018
This is a tale of Nazi spies in the US and England. A deep cover Nazi agent, who married a physicist working on the Manhattan Project in New Mexico, read top-secret paperwork detailing the secrets of the bomb. She manages to travel across the US, board a ship to England, leaving dead bodies in her wake. Once in England, she tracks down another Nazi spy, one who was captured by the Brits and coerced into transmitting fake information under penalty of death. She realizes the spy has been turned but manages to steal his radio and transmit a message to Berlin to arrange a rendezvous with a U-Boat. Once again she leaves bodies behind her as she makes for the coast.
During this time, a MI-5 officer recruits a old friend (Winterbotham) to work with him, and together they devise a plan to get the Nazi's to release Winterbotham's wife. But with news of the Nazi spy reaching England, the plan to help retrieve the wife gets put on hold. Winterbotham takes matters into his own hands and manages to trick MI-5 to search the wrong area for the submarine pickup. He goes there instead and travels to Germany to try and free his wife, and bring her back to England, hopefully convincing the Nazi's that he would spy for them, and provide them with much needed information.
To see how this ends, you must read the book.
During this time, a MI-5 officer recruits a old friend (Winterbotham) to work with him, and together they devise a plan to get the Nazi's to release Winterbotham's wife. But with news of the Nazi spy reaching England, the plan to help retrieve the wife gets put on hold. Winterbotham takes matters into his own hands and manages to trick MI-5 to search the wrong area for the submarine pickup. He goes there instead and travels to Germany to try and free his wife, and bring her back to England, hopefully convincing the Nazi's that he would spy for them, and provide them with much needed information.
To see how this ends, you must read the book.
January 23, 2021
Despite the title, I would not classify this novel as an espionage thriller. This is really a war novel. Espionage novels have a sense of mystery, where the reader doesn't know what the real story is behind the events of the book until the end. This novel begins with a hint of mystery, but all of that resolves itself early in the novel. The main "spy" in the novel can better be described as a serial killer than a spy. She has a secret that she must bring to her German masters, so she murders dozens of people in America and England in her quest to return to the Fatherland.
The problem with murder in spy novels is that spies don't murder people very often. They avoid doing so. Because a spy that leaves a body count in her wake will bring lots of unwanted attention to herself. That does not stop the characters in this book from doing so. Much of this relatively short novel are a series of tedious fight scenes and interrogations. It felt like the verbal equivalent of a Bruce Lee movie. Much of what happens doesn't even make sense. Why are these characters fighting each other? They are working for the same side!
I suppose that if you enjoy reading about fight scenes and implausible activities, you would find this novel to be entertaining. I would not recommend it to most readers though. Instead, read a real espionage novel. It will be much more satisfying!
The problem with murder in spy novels is that spies don't murder people very often. They avoid doing so. Because a spy that leaves a body count in her wake will bring lots of unwanted attention to herself. That does not stop the characters in this book from doing so. Much of this relatively short novel are a series of tedious fight scenes and interrogations. It felt like the verbal equivalent of a Bruce Lee movie. Much of what happens doesn't even make sense. Why are these characters fighting each other? They are working for the same side!
I suppose that if you enjoy reading about fight scenes and implausible activities, you would find this novel to be entertaining. I would not recommend it to most readers though. Instead, read a real espionage novel. It will be much more satisfying!
June 11, 2020
Book- A Gathering of Spies
Author- John Altman
Genre- War Fiction/ Espionage Thriller
Publisher- @berkleypub
My Rating-3.5⭐
As a naive teenager, who had just embarked reading #SpyNovels mostly by Robert Ludlum, I wanted to become a spy too. I was brimming with patriotism and adventure. Everything was black and white.
Soon, the greys started becoming visible and I realized that to efface all other qualities in the name of patriotism was just not in me. To be an efficient spy, there needs to be stark clarity in vision and concept, which life seldom offers. Perspectives are through the lens of the nation only, all else is a distraction.
#AGatheringOfSpies is an #EspionageThriller set in the times of #WW2. A huge secret, double agents, codes, dormant agents revived, killing of all German spies in America, the book has it all and a plot that gallops. The sad thing is the plot fumbles and falls as it reaches the denoument.
Author- John Altman
Genre- War Fiction/ Espionage Thriller
Publisher- @berkleypub
My Rating-3.5⭐
As a naive teenager, who had just embarked reading #SpyNovels mostly by Robert Ludlum, I wanted to become a spy too. I was brimming with patriotism and adventure. Everything was black and white.
Soon, the greys started becoming visible and I realized that to efface all other qualities in the name of patriotism was just not in me. To be an efficient spy, there needs to be stark clarity in vision and concept, which life seldom offers. Perspectives are through the lens of the nation only, all else is a distraction.
#AGatheringOfSpies is an #EspionageThriller set in the times of #WW2. A huge secret, double agents, codes, dormant agents revived, killing of all German spies in America, the book has it all and a plot that gallops. The sad thing is the plot fumbles and falls as it reaches the denoument.
March 15, 2022
A WWII era spy novel that was able to throw some surprises in at the end, which is nice as novels set at this time tend to have a rather predictable ending for obvious reasons! It's why I would have thought this would end about 50 pages sooner than it did and I was glad when it didn't.
Another lovely surprise is that there was actually a major female character who wasn't just a partner/child of one of the men and there for motivational purposes. Katarina held her own and was playing a central role to the plot. It also made how she got her hands on the information she did believable.
The character I didn't like so much was Winterbotham. His motivations and actions were much more predictable and so not nearly as interesting. The fact he also accomplished most of what he did through sheer luck rather than skill also didn't endear him to me. He played his part, but would not have carried the novel for me as the only central character.
Another lovely surprise is that there was actually a major female character who wasn't just a partner/child of one of the men and there for motivational purposes. Katarina held her own and was playing a central role to the plot. It also made how she got her hands on the information she did believable.
The character I didn't like so much was Winterbotham. His motivations and actions were much more predictable and so not nearly as interesting. The fact he also accomplished most of what he did through sheer luck rather than skill also didn't endear him to me. He played his part, but would not have carried the novel for me as the only central character.
January 26, 2024
I am determined this year to read some the close to 1,000 books I have lining my basement walls, books collected over years of thrift shopping and library bag-of-books sales.
This on has been down there a good while, and since they are alphabetized by last name I have decided to start with A and work my way through the alphabet.
What a surprisingly good book. I don't delve much into the Nazi spy genre much anymore, but at one time I was all over this kind of stuff.
This features one of the most lethal and believable undercover agents I've ever encountered. It has a plot that encompasses Los Alamos, compromised agents and the way they are run, hints of D-Day, the internal plot to oust Hitler, and a slew of double crosses.
It is a well put together and interesting read.
Highly recommended.
This on has been down there a good while, and since they are alphabetized by last name I have decided to start with A and work my way through the alphabet.
What a surprisingly good book. I don't delve much into the Nazi spy genre much anymore, but at one time I was all over this kind of stuff.
This features one of the most lethal and believable undercover agents I've ever encountered. It has a plot that encompasses Los Alamos, compromised agents and the way they are run, hints of D-Day, the internal plot to oust Hitler, and a slew of double crosses.
It is a well put together and interesting read.
Highly recommended.
September 14, 2019
I found a paperback copy of "A Gathering of Spies" in a used bookstore, was intrigued by the plot description on the back cover, and bought the book. The book did not disappoint. It is a thrilling tale of World War 2 espionage, with a female German spy attempting to reach Nazi Germany with information about American plans for an atomic bomb. The spy is resourceful, clever, and deadly. She makes her way to England, with MI-5 determined to stop her. At the same time, a double agent operation is underway, and the Nazi spy could complicate matters... A very enjoyable read and well worth seeking out.
February 15, 2020
A Gathering of Spies. John Altman
Hitler has unleashed numerous spies into England. Almost all immediately captured. Executed if they weren't willing to cooperate. One is still at large. The highest trained and most deadly of them all. A cold blooded killer. A college professor, now and accomplished code breaker has been recruited to capture her. A most unlikely candidate. He has his own reasons for volunteering. His wife is incarcerated by the Nazi's. The professor turned spy as well as the German spy, actually a female are playing an elusive game of cat and mouse. This is an excellent spy thriller from the first to last page. Enjoyed immensely!
Hitler has unleashed numerous spies into England. Almost all immediately captured. Executed if they weren't willing to cooperate. One is still at large. The highest trained and most deadly of them all. A cold blooded killer. A college professor, now and accomplished code breaker has been recruited to capture her. A most unlikely candidate. He has his own reasons for volunteering. His wife is incarcerated by the Nazi's. The professor turned spy as well as the German spy, actually a female are playing an elusive game of cat and mouse. This is an excellent spy thriller from the first to last page. Enjoyed immensely!
February 18, 2023
Normally I wouldn't touch this kind of book, but as I was hooked up to an IV in hospital, I had a choice of this or the wall. The writing was good enough that I was actually supporting the heroine who not only can memorize atomic secrets, but take out rooms full of trained men. Ultimately though, the author's enthusiasm in a battle scene over-reached. Did Nazis study aikido? Really?
The author used the technical term tanden to describe a part of the belly. Random sprinkling of Japanese terms into a novel about Nazi's lost the plot for me.
The author used the technical term tanden to describe a part of the belly. Random sprinkling of Japanese terms into a novel about Nazi's lost the plot for me.
November 23, 2019
It ain't John Le Carre. It ain't even Daniel Silva. This standard spy novel (double agents, spies with secrets etc.) was full of improbable fight scenes, plot inconsistencies and cardboard characters. Fortunately it was one of Amazon's cheap books. Unfortunately I bought two by this author at once. Two stars because I was able to finish it, but only just. Save your money.
June 23, 2021
The illusion of “working together”
This book about World War Two has been written at least 100 times
However — this particular work has many twists and turns
With who is really working with who - and are they really on
Our side - your never really sure if what you see and hear is coming from the good guys — are you??
This book about World War Two has been written at least 100 times
However — this particular work has many twists and turns
With who is really working with who - and are they really on
Our side - your never really sure if what you see and hear is coming from the good guys — are you??
January 21, 2025
Plot Salad… and the dressing goes sour
Instead of getting one story with a coherent plot, we get a frayed plot where all the characters are annoying but none meet their deserved ends.
The book starts strong, so it’s a shame it turns into such a mess— and who writes multiple POV in the same scene
Try again, matey
Instead of getting one story with a coherent plot, we get a frayed plot where all the characters are annoying but none meet their deserved ends.
The book starts strong, so it’s a shame it turns into such a mess— and who writes multiple POV in the same scene
Try again, matey
November 23, 2017
I enjoyed this first outing by the author. His character development was quite good and the setup for action was imaginative and realistic. A good yarn regarding World War II intrigue. I am looking forward to reading his newer material.
January 12, 2022
Well crafted and engaging
A page turner with numerous twists and turns, A Gathering of Spies brings alive the era of late world war two with a tale of the many machinations involved in warfare. A good read!
A page turner with numerous twists and turns, A Gathering of Spies brings alive the era of late world war two with a tale of the many machinations involved in warfare. A good read!
September 11, 2017
Slow start---Fast pace ending
The book starts slow but then pick up. It becomes a page turner. I enjoyed the surprises and the action
The book starts slow but then pick up. It becomes a page turner. I enjoyed the surprises and the action
August 2, 2018
A nice WWII spy thriller that had a bit of a reverse Fugitive vibe to it. The female villain was being chased after learning secrets. There is more than a grudging respect for her as well.
August 7, 2019
I liked this book. It was fast paced. A bit boring in places. Lots of action. Although, he doesn't get into their characters a lot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews