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Alex Kovacs #2
The Spies of Zurich
It is 1939 and Germany has invaded Poland. World War II has started but the main event is still being planned. Two questions hang over When will Hitler’s army turn to the west, and will France be ready? After the fall of Austria and then Czechoslovakia, Alex Kovacs now lives in Zurich. He is a banker and he is in love – but he hasn’t left the spy business behind, not completely. He and his contacts in the espionage community – and Switzerland is a hotbed of spies – think they know what is going to happen, how Hitler will invade and how he will help to fund the endeavor. The problem is that no one in authority seems to want to listen. Frustrated but also determined, Alex fights for a way to get someone to hear him. The Spies of Zurich is the second book in the Alex Kovacs historical espionage thriller series. If you like to explore the world inhabited by Philip Kerr’s Bernie Gunther or the characters created by Alan Furst, a place and time of unfathomable evil where the biggest questions sometimes are forced upon the most ordinary of people, then you’ll love Richard Wake’s new pre-World War II thriller. Pick up The Spies of Zurich to travel along on Alex’s latest adventure!
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 4, 2018
1747 people are currently reading
338 people want to read
About the author
Richard Wake
30 books101 followersRichard Wake's first career was as a newspaper reporter, columnist, and editor. Writing fiction was always an aspiration, especially historical fiction set in Europe during the inter-war period, and now it has become a reality.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
October 25, 2024
Our protagonist, Alex Kovacs, is now 40 (apparently he was born in 1900, since this current title takes place in early 1940). After Leon, Henry, Liesl, and Alex escaped from Austria just hours before the Anschluss, they eventually settled in Zurich, partly because Henry’s father, Gregory Fessler, had made his home there several years earlier. This is a fortunate choice since Czechoslovakia wiped off the map before the end of 1939. Poland is next to be invaded and divided between Germany and the USSR. France is expected to be next.
Alex is no longer the magnesite salesman; he now is the head of a small private bank that manages funds for the Czech underground intelligence network. When this story opens, Alex has a meeting scheduled to meet with one of those spies, Michael Landers. Unfortunately, Landers is killed near the bank prior to the meeting.
Alex meets a bunch more spies in this story, most notably a female French spy named Manon Friere, although he doesn’t learn about the spy part for a long time. Their relationship is the first serious one Alex has experienced.
Alex is provided with a short-wave radio to report important information to London. He eventually confides in Henry’s father, Gregory, who insists, even begs, to help. Gregory learns how to operate the radio, which is kept in Gregory’s living quarters above Café Fessler. Everyone knows Hitler isn’t finished, but it’s assumed he won’t invade neutral Switzerland.
As any history buff knows, Hitler first dispenses with Denmark and Norway. Alex receives word that Hitler will attack France through the Ardennes rather than through The Netherlands and Belgium and passes that on to his London contacts. Unfortunately, it is pointless, and France falls. Just before, though, Manon goes home to Lyon, and after deliberation, Alex decides to go there as well and that’s how this installment ends.
I am very much enjoying these stories and characters. I agree with other reviewers that there are a number of anachronisms pertaining to language in particular. The stories are told in the first person and Alex’s inner dialogue and all of the dialogue, in fact, is very 21st century. I know it’s a difficult balancing act for authors who want their stories to be easily read with relatable characters, but it is a bit jarring.
Still, these are very enjoyable.
Alex is no longer the magnesite salesman; he now is the head of a small private bank that manages funds for the Czech underground intelligence network. When this story opens, Alex has a meeting scheduled to meet with one of those spies, Michael Landers. Unfortunately, Landers is killed near the bank prior to the meeting.
Alex meets a bunch more spies in this story, most notably a female French spy named Manon Friere, although he doesn’t learn about the spy part for a long time. Their relationship is the first serious one Alex has experienced.
Alex is provided with a short-wave radio to report important information to London. He eventually confides in Henry’s father, Gregory, who insists, even begs, to help. Gregory learns how to operate the radio, which is kept in Gregory’s living quarters above Café Fessler. Everyone knows Hitler isn’t finished, but it’s assumed he won’t invade neutral Switzerland.
As any history buff knows, Hitler first dispenses with Denmark and Norway. Alex receives word that Hitler will attack France through the Ardennes rather than through The Netherlands and Belgium and passes that on to his London contacts. Unfortunately, it is pointless, and France falls. Just before, though, Manon goes home to Lyon, and after deliberation, Alex decides to go there as well and that’s how this installment ends.
I am very much enjoying these stories and characters. I agree with other reviewers that there are a number of anachronisms pertaining to language in particular. The stories are told in the first person and Alex’s inner dialogue and all of the dialogue, in fact, is very 21st century. I know it’s a difficult balancing act for authors who want their stories to be easily read with relatable characters, but it is a bit jarring.
Still, these are very enjoyable.
February 5, 2020
2nd book in a series and good plot and great characters. Also some sneaky twist. Looking forward to reading the next book.
February 5, 2021
I am moving happily through this series and enjoying it very much. I feel it gives me a good sense of what was happening in the different countries in the lead-up to Hitler's invasions of Germany, Czechoslovakia, France, etc. I get a good feeling for the countries and the politics and even, somewhat, the people, although I do notice that several people have found historical errors I didn't realize were there.
I generally like the characters and care about what happens to them. I like that there aren't constant, exciting episodes, but low key ones that often fail. It makes it more realistic. I am glad Wake doesn't shortchange the fear that our main character has when he is recruited into spying. All that is realistic and appealing.
However, I have two big criticisms about not just this book but the first one I read:
One is that, so far, the women feel less than fully realized. They're not bad, but to begin with, I have only a slight sense of what they physically look like, and I have more the impression of sketches than fully-fleshed out human beings. And it bothers me that not one of the women, whether a one-night stand or a deeper (or slightly deeper) relationship, has any qualms about going immediately going to bed with our protagonist, and, actually, is often the initiator of the instant sex. Now, I was not around in the thirties and forties, but this seems unrealistic. Not even today would that happen, and we are post pill and sexual revolution and women's movement! It feels more like a male fantasy. Off-putting.
The second thing is the language. I am not talking about "f**k" being every word, although it seems to be, but the 21st century colloquialisms which continually catapult me right out of the moment. I have been turning down page corners so I could give evidence on this point and here are some examples.
"Better than laying back and throwing their skirts up." ("Laying" is a usage that has evolved in of the last five to ten years. Up till now, and I believe it is still the correct usage, we said "Lying" in the present tense and "laying" or "laid" only in the PAST tense. So when I hear that, I immediately feel I am hearing a present day character and it breaks the living dream. The author (from his picture he is fifty or so) should know better.
"There was no way they could have..." There is no way people in the 30s or 40s would have said "there is no way." And Wake uses this expression a LOT.
"Mess with my head."
"Abject basket case."
"Back in a sec."
"We are so doomed."
"A fucking beret? Seriously?"
"We're like, how many miles?"
It's too bad. Wake's characters are quite witty, and I enjoy that, but how hard is it to give the book to an oldster and ask him to go through it for anachronisms? Since I basically like the books I have learned to wince and ignore the constant drops into current slang. But it is the difference between something entertaining and something with true authenticity and class.
Four stars, however, because I am engaged with the history and the characters.
I generally like the characters and care about what happens to them. I like that there aren't constant, exciting episodes, but low key ones that often fail. It makes it more realistic. I am glad Wake doesn't shortchange the fear that our main character has when he is recruited into spying. All that is realistic and appealing.
However, I have two big criticisms about not just this book but the first one I read:
One is that, so far, the women feel less than fully realized. They're not bad, but to begin with, I have only a slight sense of what they physically look like, and I have more the impression of sketches than fully-fleshed out human beings. And it bothers me that not one of the women, whether a one-night stand or a deeper (or slightly deeper) relationship, has any qualms about going immediately going to bed with our protagonist, and, actually, is often the initiator of the instant sex. Now, I was not around in the thirties and forties, but this seems unrealistic. Not even today would that happen, and we are post pill and sexual revolution and women's movement! It feels more like a male fantasy. Off-putting.
The second thing is the language. I am not talking about "f**k" being every word, although it seems to be, but the 21st century colloquialisms which continually catapult me right out of the moment. I have been turning down page corners so I could give evidence on this point and here are some examples.
"Better than laying back and throwing their skirts up." ("Laying" is a usage that has evolved in of the last five to ten years. Up till now, and I believe it is still the correct usage, we said "Lying" in the present tense and "laying" or "laid" only in the PAST tense. So when I hear that, I immediately feel I am hearing a present day character and it breaks the living dream. The author (from his picture he is fifty or so) should know better.
"There was no way they could have..." There is no way people in the 30s or 40s would have said "there is no way." And Wake uses this expression a LOT.
"Mess with my head."
"Abject basket case."
"Back in a sec."
"We are so doomed."
"A fucking beret? Seriously?"
"We're like, how many miles?"
It's too bad. Wake's characters are quite witty, and I enjoy that, but how hard is it to give the book to an oldster and ask him to go through it for anachronisms? Since I basically like the books I have learned to wince and ignore the constant drops into current slang. But it is the difference between something entertaining and something with true authenticity and class.
Four stars, however, because I am engaged with the history and the characters.
January 26, 2025
Alex is a spy. He's not really good at it, but does his best. He's been run out of Austria as Hitler took it over, now he's wondering if Hitler is coming for Switzerland. He tries to do what he can to help the Czech spy network, and the French network, but the more he tries the less they seem to take the info passed on and use it. He's frustrated and getting desperate.
I really enjoyed this view of spies. No fancy weaponry, just yeoman doing what they can for their countries.
I really enjoyed this view of spies. No fancy weaponry, just yeoman doing what they can for their countries.
September 12, 2025
The second book in the Alex Kovacs series has him posing as a Swiss banker. He explores Swiss money laundering Nazi gold. Also, he finds concerning intelligence about Nazi plans to invade France. Unfortunately French and British leaders are so locked in their prior assumptions they ignore the information.
September 3, 2019
The story was okay, though it ended abruptly. The ending had a rather "tune in next week" sensibility to it.
The writing is terrible: sophomoric, very limited and anachronistic vocabulary, mostly stereotypical characters. The author uses variations on the word fuck at least a couple of dozen times per chapter (it seems, but perhaps I've exaggerated a tiny bit) -- it is Wake's most used adjective (with -ing or -ed), and constant expletive. The characters are Europeans in 1939, living and working in Switzerland, France, Germany, etcetera. They would have had a somewhat more extensive body of words at their disposal, and a little more decorum. An occasional "cursed" or "damned" would be a more fitting crudity for the time and place. The characters are flat, annoying, boring comic book depictions. Too bad. The author's "voice" comes through, and it is an American voice, of an era many decades after the time of the book's events.
The writing is terrible: sophomoric, very limited and anachronistic vocabulary, mostly stereotypical characters. The author uses variations on the word fuck at least a couple of dozen times per chapter (it seems, but perhaps I've exaggerated a tiny bit) -- it is Wake's most used adjective (with -ing or -ed), and constant expletive. The characters are Europeans in 1939, living and working in Switzerland, France, Germany, etcetera. They would have had a somewhat more extensive body of words at their disposal, and a little more decorum. An occasional "cursed" or "damned" would be a more fitting crudity for the time and place. The characters are flat, annoying, boring comic book depictions. Too bad. The author's "voice" comes through, and it is an American voice, of an era many decades after the time of the book's events.
August 22, 2023
I really enjoyed Richard Wake's Book #2 of the Alex Kovacs Series. It has an absorbing plot with some surprising twists and great characters. Because it has been some time since I read the first book of this series, I appreciate the recaps that are peppered throughout the book.
The author has done a good job on his research concerning international politics, economics, and military history. The main points of the story conform to historical reality. Swiss banks laundered the equivalent of billions of dollars in funds seized from Jews and others by the Nazi regime in neighboring Germany. Because the country was officially neutral in the war, Zurich, Geneva, Bern, and other Swiss cities housed spies from every major power in the conflict.
On the other hand I think Mr. Wake was rather sloppy dealing with customs, mores and vernacular of those who peopled 1930s Europe.
It seems to me that Alex's women are way too easy. I understand that European women were a bit more relaxed about sex than their American counterparts of that era, but instant sex initiated by the woman? I wasn't there, but I don't believe it was that easy unless you were Errol Flynn in Hollywood.
Others have mentioned the anachronistic colloquialisms in the dialogue. My favorite has to do with a technology that was new and little known at the time.
"The Gestapo is pretty good at finding things out. For all we know, they're outside in a big black Daimler right now, waiting for us to leave so they can make a report to whoever about the strange coincidence of the three of us being here together, all of us already on their RADAR."
Radar became famous because of its critical role in the Battle of Britain, which is still a wee bit in Alex's future.
So, like many others, because I like the books I have learned to wince and ignore the constant drops into current slang. But, I must agree, these lapses mark the difference between something entertaining and something with true authenticity and class.
The author has done a good job on his research concerning international politics, economics, and military history. The main points of the story conform to historical reality. Swiss banks laundered the equivalent of billions of dollars in funds seized from Jews and others by the Nazi regime in neighboring Germany. Because the country was officially neutral in the war, Zurich, Geneva, Bern, and other Swiss cities housed spies from every major power in the conflict.
On the other hand I think Mr. Wake was rather sloppy dealing with customs, mores and vernacular of those who peopled 1930s Europe.
It seems to me that Alex's women are way too easy. I understand that European women were a bit more relaxed about sex than their American counterparts of that era, but instant sex initiated by the woman? I wasn't there, but I don't believe it was that easy unless you were Errol Flynn in Hollywood.
Others have mentioned the anachronistic colloquialisms in the dialogue. My favorite has to do with a technology that was new and little known at the time.
"The Gestapo is pretty good at finding things out. For all we know, they're outside in a big black Daimler right now, waiting for us to leave so they can make a report to whoever about the strange coincidence of the three of us being here together, all of us already on their RADAR."
Radar became famous because of its critical role in the Battle of Britain, which is still a wee bit in Alex's future.
So, like many others, because I like the books I have learned to wince and ignore the constant drops into current slang. But, I must agree, these lapses mark the difference between something entertaining and something with true authenticity and class.
September 2, 2023
Alex Kovacs recently escaped from Vienna after the 1938 Anschluss is now in the safe haven of Zurich - or is it really safe. A huge presence of spies working for different countries suggest a complicated scenario for Alex. He is again the reluctant spy running a small Zurich bank with few clients; a perfect cover for working with Czech intelligence. Switzerland is also where Nazi gold is miraculously laundered in their banks turning it into very reliable Swiss francs for the Nazis to acquire weaponry. It is Manon, his on and off partner and fellow spy working for the French, who reveals the clandestine Swiss activities with the Nazis to an unsuspecting Alex. This is business as usual with everyone turning a blind eye.
Both Alex and Manon become frustrated in their efforts to advise their handlers of an impending invasion of France through the Ardennes forest. Even though this information has been passed from top rated spies, including one who is in German intelligence, it is largely dismissed by old officers still using World War I strategies.
Vogl, the Gestapo captain who Alex tried to kill in Vienna, because of his complicity in his uncle Otto’s murder is still hovering about; he will be a continuing threat as well as a thread to follow in the series.
This second volume in the series proved to be entertaining as well as informative
concerning the Swiss commitment to profit while maintaining an illusion of neutrality. The one thing that was out of kilter was Alex: an attractive character who appears quite contemporary especially in his dialogue. But it is oddly what draws the reader to him and his various and risky predicaments. All in all - a good read.
Both Alex and Manon become frustrated in their efforts to advise their handlers of an impending invasion of France through the Ardennes forest. Even though this information has been passed from top rated spies, including one who is in German intelligence, it is largely dismissed by old officers still using World War I strategies.
Vogl, the Gestapo captain who Alex tried to kill in Vienna, because of his complicity in his uncle Otto’s murder is still hovering about; he will be a continuing threat as well as a thread to follow in the series.
This second volume in the series proved to be entertaining as well as informative
concerning the Swiss commitment to profit while maintaining an illusion of neutrality. The one thing that was out of kilter was Alex: an attractive character who appears quite contemporary especially in his dialogue. But it is oddly what draws the reader to him and his various and risky predicaments. All in all - a good read.
March 14, 2023
Getting Set for the Beginning of the War
This is not exactly a direct follow-up from the previous book. With Czechoslovakia in the hands of the Germans, Alex had to go to Switzerland. His friends have set him up as the manager of a bank in Zurich that is used as a repository to money used by spies in the field.
Having been contacted by the Swiss Secret Service he has a contact to help him. He continues to get info from his sources which he sends to London by coded radio messages. Having been seduced by a French spy, he in turn makes her one of his informers.
When the German Army attacks France, Zurich becomes to hot for Alex after they kill his Radio operator. He must get out of Europe and to the USA if he's going to continue as a Spy.
This is not exactly a direct follow-up from the previous book. With Czechoslovakia in the hands of the Germans, Alex had to go to Switzerland. His friends have set him up as the manager of a bank in Zurich that is used as a repository to money used by spies in the field.
Having been contacted by the Swiss Secret Service he has a contact to help him. He continues to get info from his sources which he sends to London by coded radio messages. Having been seduced by a French spy, he in turn makes her one of his informers.
When the German Army attacks France, Zurich becomes to hot for Alex after they kill his Radio operator. He must get out of Europe and to the USA if he's going to continue as a Spy.
February 19, 2020
Good Plot and Dialogue, Plus a Look at “Neutral” Switzerland in 1940
I read the first book in the Alex Kovacs series and enjoyed it. This is the follow-up in a three-novel series. Alex remains in intelligence in Switzerland and author Wake’s penchant for interesting and ironic twists is intact. To indicate my satisfaction with the first two books in the series, I will definitely be getting the third one. I have a few ideas about some of the things that may happen, but am looking forward to more surprises. Some form of a matured romance will be part of it. But how that ends is yet to be known.
I read the first book in the Alex Kovacs series and enjoyed it. This is the follow-up in a three-novel series. Alex remains in intelligence in Switzerland and author Wake’s penchant for interesting and ironic twists is intact. To indicate my satisfaction with the first two books in the series, I will definitely be getting the third one. I have a few ideas about some of the things that may happen, but am looking forward to more surprises. Some form of a matured romance will be part of it. But how that ends is yet to be known.
September 25, 2024
This sequel has all the ingredients for a thrilling story of the slither of spies, if I may use a compound noun to characterise Zurich crowded with competing intelligence agents as World War II makes its stumbling start. Alex is now a banker where stolen Nazi gold is being busily banked but his main concern is to warn the Allies that the Ardennes Forest is where the Germans will attack. Obviously, he fails. Nevertheless, it is an exciting story of tension and pursuit in what had to be the then world capital of spying. And Alex is also in love. The problem I had was that he communicates in modern slang and that goes most jarringly for and about the women characters.
April 10, 2025
Alex Kovacs has re-emerged in Zurich as Europe waits to find out where the Nazis will go next. We all know that if it is 1940 and after Poland, France will be be the next country to be invaded. Strangely enough the French and the British heads of army at the time were completely mesmerised. There is an immediacy to Richard Wake’s writing which makes the reader feel that he is part of Kovacs’ story and even we know what will happen, it is pleasant to relax and enjoy a pleasant read. The only quibble that I have with this series is that Alex and his comrades indulge in a great deal of 21st century vernacular. It jars and displaces the reader’s attention back into the present.
April 2, 2019
Another quietly intelligent thriller set just at the outbreak of WW2. The Czech Kovacs, having escaped Vienna for Zurich, continues to spy while fronting a small bank financing operations. None of what he discovers - invasion plans, German using Swiss banks etc - matters though: no one in the high commands wants to hear. Kovacs is, as his girlfriend says, an amateur and careless about security both with friends and at the office. My only slight problem with the plot is that it’s not made clear why the murderer breaks the live and let live truce of spies in Switzerland.
January 18, 2019
I downloaded this Kindle book yesterday and finished it today. I have to say that I really enjoy The Alex Kovacs series. As in the first there are some grammatical and editing errors but still readable. The story continues to be fast paced. Not too many characters but meaningful characters in the arc of the story line. It is not often that I find sequels to be as good as the first but I believe that Mr. Wake has accomplished this. I look forward to the continuation of the Alex Kovacs series.
October 5, 2019
The Spies Of Zurich. Richard Wake
Alex Kovacs has now learned being a spy can be emotionally draining. Then the physical pain of losing a close friend that could have been avoided, but his friend insisted on helping him and was murdered for his involvement. Hitler is marching on Paris. His army appears to be unstoppable, coupled with the French and English leaders incompetence . Actually their stupidity. Book two in this series and another excellent !!
Alex Kovacs has now learned being a spy can be emotionally draining. Then the physical pain of losing a close friend that could have been avoided, but his friend insisted on helping him and was murdered for his involvement. Hitler is marching on Paris. His army appears to be unstoppable, coupled with the French and English leaders incompetence . Actually their stupidity. Book two in this series and another excellent !!
January 6, 2020
Too Many Flaws
Looks like none of the spies in Zurich heard the dictum about loose lips sinking ships. While the turn of phrase is good, the need for the reader to suspend all credulity is too high a bar to render this book anything more than a moderate read. The coincidental meeting in Lichtenstein makes zero sense, for example. I'm afraid I won't be heading to part 3 in the series.
Looks like none of the spies in Zurich heard the dictum about loose lips sinking ships. While the turn of phrase is good, the need for the reader to suspend all credulity is too high a bar to render this book anything more than a moderate read. The coincidental meeting in Lichtenstein makes zero sense, for example. I'm afraid I won't be heading to part 3 in the series.
July 4, 2020
Good plot but dialogue could have been better.
I rather like the characters and the geographical and historical settings are new to me. The plot works well and runs at a good pace. However, some of the dialogue grated on me. There was far too much "Fuck" and "shit" for me and anachronistic phrases such as "We are so doomed" and "Like actually gotten off their arses" or "It was kind of like Vienna" just did not work coming from the mouth of a man in 1940.
I rather like the characters and the geographical and historical settings are new to me. The plot works well and runs at a good pace. However, some of the dialogue grated on me. There was far too much "Fuck" and "shit" for me and anachronistic phrases such as "We are so doomed" and "Like actually gotten off their arses" or "It was kind of like Vienna" just did not work coming from the mouth of a man in 1940.
August 22, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed most of this book, with Alex's development as a spy in the apparently safer territory of Switzerland as WW2 loomed. The frustrations, risks and occasionally ludicrous situations of this caper were well-described. However, the plot twists towards the end seemed tacked on purely in order to get Alex to another city for the next book, which made the story and characters lose their credibility. Otherwise, this would have been a 5* review.
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November 20, 2021Thank you, I enjoyed. This spy serries humanizes the "why" a person becomes a spy.
Could not wait to read after finishing the 1st book. Kept me on the edge of my seat reading.
However, the endings are 'STAY TUNED' rather than come to a conclusuon.
I am getting an education that school history or family stories have not given me. Also that time was before I was born.
I have to take a breather now before the next as binge reading leaves many things undone at my house.
Could not wait to read after finishing the 1st book. Kept me on the edge of my seat reading.
However, the endings are 'STAY TUNED' rather than come to a conclusuon.
I am getting an education that school history or family stories have not given me. Also that time was before I was born.
I have to take a breather now before the next as binge reading leaves many things undone at my house.
November 26, 2022
I really like the story plot and cast of characters and how Mr. Wake describes situations and the background. He is not too hung up on shooting everyone, which is a plus. I'm not too keen on how his protagonist has to screw every woman he meets. And the language vulgarity is a bit much plus it adds little to the story. THis is the second of his books I've read. Not sure if I'll read any more in the series.
June 18, 2019
A good book to cover the parts of Switzerland in a historical perspective... I felt the author , as a spy, was a bit to emotional to act professionally. The part that decided my 3 stars versus 4 was what I felt a rush in the last 2 chapters to finish the book. Perhaps to grow interest in the sequel.
June 22, 2019
A well written story. Alex Kovacs grows on you, you start to care, you begin to wonder what comes next, you hope it's not something bad, you order the next two books in the series. Your hooked and you're glad.
Thanks Richard for some really good stories. You're getting close to Alan Furst and Fredrik Nast. I'm going to keep reading.
Thanks Richard for some really good stories. You're getting close to Alan Furst and Fredrik Nast. I'm going to keep reading.
July 6, 2019
Very good!
This is the second book in the series. I have read hundreds of espionage books and this one does a good job and keeps your interest.Written in the first person, the story is very believable. The subtle humor helps but doesn’t take away from the seriousness of the time period. Highly recommended.
This is the second book in the series. I have read hundreds of espionage books and this one does a good job and keeps your interest.Written in the first person, the story is very believable. The subtle humor helps but doesn’t take away from the seriousness of the time period. Highly recommended.
December 8, 2019
A really good read
This is the second in the series. So far both of the books were excellent reads with one caveat. I really hate the foul language sprinkled throughout each of the books.
The f word the s word you name it. Some of the characters are educated even cultured people. Why the profanity. The book would be much better with much less swear words.
This is the second in the series. So far both of the books were excellent reads with one caveat. I really hate the foul language sprinkled throughout each of the books.
The f word the s word you name it. Some of the characters are educated even cultured people. Why the profanity. The book would be much better with much less swear words.
December 23, 2019
Kovacs special
This series just gets better and better. The gentleman spy with the good heart, living through a tumultuous time. I devoured the first two books with fervour and look forward to the next.
A gem of a series, set around a fascinating time. Do yourself an indulgent favour, and get reading
This series just gets better and better. The gentleman spy with the good heart, living through a tumultuous time. I devoured the first two books with fervour and look forward to the next.
A gem of a series, set around a fascinating time. Do yourself an indulgent favour, and get reading
April 25, 2020
quite an enjoyable spy thriller. At first, i thought it was going to be pretty trite and unrealistic, but i enjoyed the style so kept at it. But the story gets better and better. Was a quick read, and very enjoyable. i liked that it was set in Switzerland, and the author does of good job of describing it.
July 13, 2020
Really Good and series
I've read two so far and enjoyed both . Being in my 80's I was less then 10 years old when these events happen so this is very interesting for me. People like the charters in this book need to be remembered for their contributions. This author did a Great job of doing just that.
I've read two so far and enjoyed both . Being in my 80's I was less then 10 years old when these events happen so this is very interesting for me. People like the charters in this book need to be remembered for their contributions. This author did a Great job of doing just that.
August 1, 2020
A good follow up to the first book
I read the first book in the series a while ago ,but was able to pick up Alex's story
As parts of the first story are retold .so you could read this as a stand alone book .like the way the story moves into different cites with the passing of time and following the build up to and during world war two
I read the first book in the series a while ago ,but was able to pick up Alex's story
As parts of the first story are retold .so you could read this as a stand alone book .like the way the story moves into different cites with the passing of time and following the build up to and during world war two
August 6, 2020
Decent spy story. Cardboard cutout characters. Annoying spelling and grammatical errors.
But my biggest beef is his language: the f-bomb appears on almost every page, and sometimes two or three. I’m a USN and USMC veteran and not squeamish about using salty language, in the right place and time. But this is way too much.
But my biggest beef is his language: the f-bomb appears on almost every page, and sometimes two or three. I’m a USN and USMC veteran and not squeamish about using salty language, in the right place and time. But this is way too much.
January 16, 2021
I couldn’t put this down!
I love this period of history and the way, like Philip Kerr, the author inserts his characters into real events. I really liked the way the characters developed from the first book. The plot felt real and I found I could kind of transport myself there in my mind’s eye.
Can’t wait to read the next one.
I love this period of history and the way, like Philip Kerr, the author inserts his characters into real events. I really liked the way the characters developed from the first book. The plot felt real and I found I could kind of transport myself there in my mind’s eye.
Can’t wait to read the next one.
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