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Spy Masters #4
The Berlin Spies
The thrilling new novel with an astonishing twist from Alex Gerlis, the acclaimed author of The Best of Our Spies, The Swiss Spy and Vienna Spies.
‘Did you fight in the war?’
‘Yes, if fighting is the correct word.’
‘And which side were you on?’
‘The same side as you, I suppose.’
‘The same side as me? Even now I’m not sure which side I was on.’
In the dying days of the Second World War, a group of Nazis frantically plot the next steps for their country. SS recruits gather east of Berlin to be trained for an audacious yet ill-fated mission to bring about a Fourth Reich.
Three decades later, a young British diplomat in East Berlin is compromised after falling into a honey-trap. He contacts Major Edgar, a veteran British spymaster, now living in retirement. Edgar is drawn into an unlikely alliance with an old adversary, Viktor, the veteran Russian spymaster. Can they ever trust one another?
The pair are drawn into a world of Nazi war criminals and sympathisers in Britain, double agents in the East and West and the rise of the Baader Meinhoff – urban terrorists threatening the West German state as Cold War tensions rise.
__________________________________________________________
Praise for Alex Gerlis:
‘Superb read from a fast-maturing master of World War Two spy thrillers.’
‘Amazing plot that keeps the tension to the last page… One of the best spy novels I have read.’
‘A captivating read.’
‘I’ve enjoyed all three books by this author… Loved it, and can’t wait for his next novel.’
‘Did you fight in the war?’
‘Yes, if fighting is the correct word.’
‘And which side were you on?’
‘The same side as you, I suppose.’
‘The same side as me? Even now I’m not sure which side I was on.’
In the dying days of the Second World War, a group of Nazis frantically plot the next steps for their country. SS recruits gather east of Berlin to be trained for an audacious yet ill-fated mission to bring about a Fourth Reich.
Three decades later, a young British diplomat in East Berlin is compromised after falling into a honey-trap. He contacts Major Edgar, a veteran British spymaster, now living in retirement. Edgar is drawn into an unlikely alliance with an old adversary, Viktor, the veteran Russian spymaster. Can they ever trust one another?
The pair are drawn into a world of Nazi war criminals and sympathisers in Britain, double agents in the East and West and the rise of the Baader Meinhoff – urban terrorists threatening the West German state as Cold War tensions rise.
__________________________________________________________
Praise for Alex Gerlis:
‘Superb read from a fast-maturing master of World War Two spy thrillers.’
‘Amazing plot that keeps the tension to the last page… One of the best spy novels I have read.’
‘A captivating read.’
‘I’ve enjoyed all three books by this author… Loved it, and can’t wait for his next novel.’
393 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 18, 2018
556 people are currently reading
424 people want to read
About the author
Alex Gerlis
37 books330 followersAlex Gerlis was born in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, in 1955. He graduated with a degree in Law and Politics from Hull University in 1977 and, after working as a political researcher and journalist, joined the BBC in 1983 as a researcher on Panorama.
Over the next twenty years he worked on a number of BBC News and Current Affairs programmes, including making documentaries for The Money Programme and election programmes with David Dimbleby and Jeremy Paxman. He has also edited Breakfast News, the One o'Clock News, the Six o'Clock News and the Weekend News for the BBC. In August 1998 he was the BBC TV News duty editor on the day of the Omagh bomb in Northern Ireland, the coverage of which later won a Royal Television Society award. In September 2001 he was one of the BBC Newsroom team covering the attack on the Twin Towers. He has also worked for the BBC throughout Europe, the United States, the Middle East and in China, and from 2005 to March 2011 was Head of Training at the BBC College of Journalism – the body in charge of the training of the corporation's 7,500 journalists.
Alex's first novel was inspired by his work covering the 50th anniversary of D-Day from Normandy. He is married with two daughters and lives in west London.
Over the next twenty years he worked on a number of BBC News and Current Affairs programmes, including making documentaries for The Money Programme and election programmes with David Dimbleby and Jeremy Paxman. He has also edited Breakfast News, the One o'Clock News, the Six o'Clock News and the Weekend News for the BBC. In August 1998 he was the BBC TV News duty editor on the day of the Omagh bomb in Northern Ireland, the coverage of which later won a Royal Television Society award. In September 2001 he was one of the BBC Newsroom team covering the attack on the Twin Towers. He has also worked for the BBC throughout Europe, the United States, the Middle East and in China, and from 2005 to March 2011 was Head of Training at the BBC College of Journalism – the body in charge of the training of the corporation's 7,500 journalists.
Alex's first novel was inspired by his work covering the 50th anniversary of D-Day from Normandy. He is married with two daughters and lives in west London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
March 17, 2024
Have been staying in the espionage genre for the last few books. With the Tattooist of Auschwitz as an interlude. This book reminded me strongly of a le Carre. Strong and seedy characters. Great storyline of Nazi’s, KGB, MI6 and the Red Army Faction. Covering time from 1940’s to 1970’s. An end of WW2 action by the Nazi’s to infiltrate young English speaking SS members into Britain to bring about a fourth reich.
Lots of characters and code names and aliases. I found myself initially dipping to and fro into the main character glossary at the start of the book. Lovely writing style and snippets:
‘He became a Marxist, which is not an uncommon occurrence with the English middle class - one of our English agents told me it’s what happens to them between losing their virginity and getting a mortgage.’
Starts slowly and then takes off quickly. The last part keeps you on your toes.
I note this is the fourth in the series. But it looks like the characters Edgar and Viktor appear in book three. So I need to hunt that out.
Lots of characters and code names and aliases. I found myself initially dipping to and fro into the main character glossary at the start of the book. Lovely writing style and snippets:
‘He became a Marxist, which is not an uncommon occurrence with the English middle class - one of our English agents told me it’s what happens to them between losing their virginity and getting a mortgage.’
Starts slowly and then takes off quickly. The last part keeps you on your toes.
I note this is the fourth in the series. But it looks like the characters Edgar and Viktor appear in book three. So I need to hunt that out.
May 5, 2019
Alex Gerlis has become a favorite writer of mine for spy novels, one who ranks right there with LeCarre. I won't attempt to reprise the plot, which, as in all good spy novels is convoluted and opaque. It has MI6, MI5, the BfV, Stasi, KGB, the Baader-Meinhof gang, Nazis, East Berlin, and assorted embassies, all nicely intertwined into a story with a very satisfactory ending.
There are also some delectable quotes. For example, "He became a Marxist, which is not an uncommon occurrence with the English middle class – one of our English agents told me it’s what happens to them in between losing their virginity and getting a mortgage." and in a satisfying snippet of cynicism, "‘You – we – are most fortunate,’ said the Assistant Director, ‘these days the press and indeed the public attribute any act of apparently political violence in West Germany to the Red Army Faction or the Baader-Meinhof Group, whatever one calls them. The West German press and their counterparts over here have already decided that what happened in Cologne and Bonn yesterday were acts of terrorism carried out by the Red Army Faction."
You may think the book gets off to a slow start, but rest assured everything will be nicely tied together.
There are also some delectable quotes. For example, "He became a Marxist, which is not an uncommon occurrence with the English middle class – one of our English agents told me it’s what happens to them in between losing their virginity and getting a mortgage." and in a satisfying snippet of cynicism, "‘You – we – are most fortunate,’ said the Assistant Director, ‘these days the press and indeed the public attribute any act of apparently political violence in West Germany to the Red Army Faction or the Baader-Meinhof Group, whatever one calls them. The West German press and their counterparts over here have already decided that what happened in Cologne and Bonn yesterday were acts of terrorism carried out by the Red Army Faction."
You may think the book gets off to a slow start, but rest assured everything will be nicely tied together.
October 20, 2023
An absolutely fascinating tale which begins with a young British diplomat being lured into a Soviet "honey trap" leading to details of an audacious plan to establish the Fourth Reich, decades after the end of World War II. Although this is a work of fiction, many of the characters - even the most outlandish ones - are based on real people and many of the historical events are based on fact.
The story jumps from war-torn Germany in the final months of Hitler's rule, to life in East and West Germany in the late 1960's and 1970's and features characters working for the KGB, Britain's MI6 and the West German BfV (West Germany's internal security service). Meanwhile, a mysterious wealthy man known as Werner Pohl has an affair with a young woman who is a member of Germany's Red Army Faction (also known as the Baader-Meinhof Gang) funnelling funds to them and even suggesting targets for their bomb attacks in Germany.
Back in 1944, a group of teenage members of the SS, all skilled in speaking perfect English, are recruited with the aim of having them captured by the British and sent to prison camps in Britain. Once there, they will endeavour to escape and, aided by Nazi sympathisers, change identity and become British citizens. Although the plan is doomed to failure, it seems that at least one of the group was successful.
30 years later, long time Soviet agent Viktor meets up with his British counterpart Edgar to tell him of his fear that for years, the Soviet Union has been running a Nazi war criminal in West Germany's BfV. The story becomes more labrythine as Victor and Edgar try to discover who this agent really is.
With double agents abounding in the East and West, they find it difficult to know who to trust and, although both men are elderly and ostensibly retired they both criss-cross Europe, determined to track down a man who may be working for 4 different masters.
As usual, author Alex Gerlis' work is impeccably researched and the main characters of Viktor and Edgar are beautifully drawn as are those of many of the more minor players. The story speeds to its conclusion with so many twists and turns that the reader really has to keep his wits about him/her. For fans of proper "grown up" spy novels, this book is a must.
The story jumps from war-torn Germany in the final months of Hitler's rule, to life in East and West Germany in the late 1960's and 1970's and features characters working for the KGB, Britain's MI6 and the West German BfV (West Germany's internal security service). Meanwhile, a mysterious wealthy man known as Werner Pohl has an affair with a young woman who is a member of Germany's Red Army Faction (also known as the Baader-Meinhof Gang) funnelling funds to them and even suggesting targets for their bomb attacks in Germany.
Back in 1944, a group of teenage members of the SS, all skilled in speaking perfect English, are recruited with the aim of having them captured by the British and sent to prison camps in Britain. Once there, they will endeavour to escape and, aided by Nazi sympathisers, change identity and become British citizens. Although the plan is doomed to failure, it seems that at least one of the group was successful.
30 years later, long time Soviet agent Viktor meets up with his British counterpart Edgar to tell him of his fear that for years, the Soviet Union has been running a Nazi war criminal in West Germany's BfV. The story becomes more labrythine as Victor and Edgar try to discover who this agent really is.
With double agents abounding in the East and West, they find it difficult to know who to trust and, although both men are elderly and ostensibly retired they both criss-cross Europe, determined to track down a man who may be working for 4 different masters.
As usual, author Alex Gerlis' work is impeccably researched and the main characters of Viktor and Edgar are beautifully drawn as are those of many of the more minor players. The story speeds to its conclusion with so many twists and turns that the reader really has to keep his wits about him/her. For fans of proper "grown up" spy novels, this book is a must.
January 22, 2019
When you think of espionage fiction, only a handful of names come quickly to mind. John le Carré, of course. Ian Fleming, unfortunately. You might also name Alan Furst, Joseph Kanon, possibly Charles Cumming. And if you've been reading books in the genre for a long time, as I have, you'll think of Frederick Forsyth, Len Deighton, Graham Greene, and Eric Ambler, among others. The name Alex Gerlis isn't likely to roll off the tongue. But if he keeps writing at the level he displays in his first four spy novels, that's going to change.
An extraordinarily complicated novel
The Berlin Spies is the fourth novel Gerlis has written since he left his job teaching journalism at the BBC in 2011. Like his first three books, The Berlin Spies is solidly rooted in historical reality, cleverly plotted, and features characters whose interactions are invariably plausible. Unlike the first three, this novel is extraordinarily complicated. The cast of "main characters" is four pages long. Included are British, Russians, and Germans in four categories: "recruits" selected by the SS for a special mission, Germans in the Second World War, Germans after the war, and members of the Red Army Faction (Baader-Meinhof) terrorist group active in Germany from 1970 to 1995. Many of these characters have one or more false identities. And the action rockets from Magdeburg, Germany in September 1944, to Moscow in 1949, to Frankfurt and Bonn, West Germany in 1969 and West Berlin in January 1970, to Paris, France in March 1970, and so forth. This story never stands still; the scene shifts repeatedly. I was more than one-quarter of the way through the book before I figured out what was going on. But I'm glad I stuck it out. The story is richly rewarding.
Lest you, too, find it slow going if you read this book, I'll try to tee up the plot for you.
The best spy novelist you've never read
Following the Normandy Invasion in June 1944, elements of the SS concluded that the war was lost. In a desperate scheme to keep the Nazi movement alive after the war, they recruited ten German soldiers who spoke fluent, colloquial English for a secret mission. They assigned the recruits to front-line units where the commanding officer would arrange for them to be captured by the British or Americans. The SS knew the Allies would send them to POW camps in England. Their charge was to escape. They were to make their way to safe houses staffed by pro-Nazi English families and await further instructions.
The plot revolves around the lives of just six of the ten recruits. As their stories unfold over the years, the intelligence agencies of three countries become involved: the West German BfV, British MI5, MI6, and Special Branch, and the Russian NKVD (forerunner of the KGB and today's FSB). The young hotheads of the Baader-Meinhof gang become embroiled as well. As you may be able to see, it takes a masterful writer to weave together all these disparate threads. The Berlin Spies confirms for me why I consider Alex Gerlis the best spy novelist you've never read.
To explain more than this would spoil the suspense.
One bonehead error
I've been editing copy for more than 40 years, including everything from letters, reports, proposals, and short stories to full-length books. So, when I find that a writer has made a glaringly obvious error again and again, I become . . . well, angry. My experience in reading an otherwise excellent piece of work is diminished.
Unfortunately, Alex Gerlis has fallen into that trap in The Berlin Spies. He repeatedly has his characters address each other by name, and not just once at the beginning of a conversation and perhaps again for emphasis midway or at the end, but again and again and again, sometimes more than once in the same paragraph. I understand the impulse: when natural conversation is written, it's not always immediately obvious who's talking to whom. Undoubtedly, Gerlis wanted to be kind to his readers and minimize the confusion. But there are other, more elegant ways to solve this problem. Gerlis's work is otherwise outstanding. It's time he learn those techniques for the sake of readers like me. Then, he may truly become the best spy novelist writing today.
An extraordinarily complicated novel
The Berlin Spies is the fourth novel Gerlis has written since he left his job teaching journalism at the BBC in 2011. Like his first three books, The Berlin Spies is solidly rooted in historical reality, cleverly plotted, and features characters whose interactions are invariably plausible. Unlike the first three, this novel is extraordinarily complicated. The cast of "main characters" is four pages long. Included are British, Russians, and Germans in four categories: "recruits" selected by the SS for a special mission, Germans in the Second World War, Germans after the war, and members of the Red Army Faction (Baader-Meinhof) terrorist group active in Germany from 1970 to 1995. Many of these characters have one or more false identities. And the action rockets from Magdeburg, Germany in September 1944, to Moscow in 1949, to Frankfurt and Bonn, West Germany in 1969 and West Berlin in January 1970, to Paris, France in March 1970, and so forth. This story never stands still; the scene shifts repeatedly. I was more than one-quarter of the way through the book before I figured out what was going on. But I'm glad I stuck it out. The story is richly rewarding.
Lest you, too, find it slow going if you read this book, I'll try to tee up the plot for you.
The best spy novelist you've never read
Following the Normandy Invasion in June 1944, elements of the SS concluded that the war was lost. In a desperate scheme to keep the Nazi movement alive after the war, they recruited ten German soldiers who spoke fluent, colloquial English for a secret mission. They assigned the recruits to front-line units where the commanding officer would arrange for them to be captured by the British or Americans. The SS knew the Allies would send them to POW camps in England. Their charge was to escape. They were to make their way to safe houses staffed by pro-Nazi English families and await further instructions.
The plot revolves around the lives of just six of the ten recruits. As their stories unfold over the years, the intelligence agencies of three countries become involved: the West German BfV, British MI5, MI6, and Special Branch, and the Russian NKVD (forerunner of the KGB and today's FSB). The young hotheads of the Baader-Meinhof gang become embroiled as well. As you may be able to see, it takes a masterful writer to weave together all these disparate threads. The Berlin Spies confirms for me why I consider Alex Gerlis the best spy novelist you've never read.
To explain more than this would spoil the suspense.
One bonehead error
I've been editing copy for more than 40 years, including everything from letters, reports, proposals, and short stories to full-length books. So, when I find that a writer has made a glaringly obvious error again and again, I become . . . well, angry. My experience in reading an otherwise excellent piece of work is diminished.
Unfortunately, Alex Gerlis has fallen into that trap in The Berlin Spies. He repeatedly has his characters address each other by name, and not just once at the beginning of a conversation and perhaps again for emphasis midway or at the end, but again and again and again, sometimes more than once in the same paragraph. I understand the impulse: when natural conversation is written, it's not always immediately obvious who's talking to whom. Undoubtedly, Gerlis wanted to be kind to his readers and minimize the confusion. But there are other, more elegant ways to solve this problem. Gerlis's work is otherwise outstanding. It's time he learn those techniques for the sake of readers like me. Then, he may truly become the best spy novelist writing today.
June 29, 2019
Before I begin my review proper, I want to say that I was somewhat misled by the title as I read it on Amazon.com
:The Berlin Spies: the brilliant Second World War and Cold War thriller for fans of John le Carré"
This was the listed full title on Amazon. In no place in the Kindle edition did I find that descriptive phrase. On the cover page the title is given simply as "The Berlin Spies", then in much smaller print at the lower right of that page: "The new novel from the author of The Best of our Spies, The Swiss Spy, and Vienna Spies. Nowhere
I'm a great fan of Le Carre, at least when his subject is the cold war, specifically set in England, Germany and the Soviet Union. The Amazon title made me curious - was Gerly using some of Le Carre's characters? Were the plots extensions of some of that author's plots? Did le Carre give his blessing? Turns out not to have been the case. In fact it seems to have been a sort of advert tucked into the title to tempt readers to buy the book. A ploy. That irked me a bit. I don't have a print copy and it could be that that subtitle IS used on the hard-or-paper-back.
So let the buyer - the Amazon buyer at least - beware!
Aside from that I enjoyed the book. Among the main characters are an old, retired but not quite inactive MI6 man, and an equally old but still working KGB official who collaborate on finding ex-Nazi SS members gone to ground in England and possibly other place, with the understanding that one day they would be called upon to rise up in a neo-Nazi revolution - highly improbable, but it would not surprise me if, in the late days of the war Nazis thought of this and other. To say more would begin to get into the area of
And Girlis writes convincingly, if somewhat choppily in early chapters a highly complicated tale of what ensues. The plot is almost too complex, but Girlis writes well, and I ripped through it. He's no John Le Carre, but even a Len Deighton, but it held my interest and who knows? Maybe even better is to come!
:The Berlin Spies: the brilliant Second World War and Cold War thriller for fans of John le Carré"
This was the listed full title on Amazon. In no place in the Kindle edition did I find that descriptive phrase. On the cover page the title is given simply as "The Berlin Spies", then in much smaller print at the lower right of that page: "The new novel from the author of The Best of our Spies, The Swiss Spy, and Vienna Spies. Nowhere
I'm a great fan of Le Carre, at least when his subject is the cold war, specifically set in England, Germany and the Soviet Union. The Amazon title made me curious - was Gerly using some of Le Carre's characters? Were the plots extensions of some of that author's plots? Did le Carre give his blessing? Turns out not to have been the case. In fact it seems to have been a sort of advert tucked into the title to tempt readers to buy the book. A ploy. That irked me a bit. I don't have a print copy and it could be that that subtitle IS used on the hard-or-paper-back.
So let the buyer - the Amazon buyer at least - beware!
Aside from that I enjoyed the book. Among the main characters are an old, retired but not quite inactive MI6 man, and an equally old but still working KGB official who collaborate on finding ex-Nazi SS members gone to ground in England and possibly other place, with the understanding that one day they would be called upon to rise up in a neo-Nazi revolution - highly improbable, but it would not surprise me if, in the late days of the war Nazis thought of this and other. To say more would begin to get into the area of
And Girlis writes convincingly, if somewhat choppily in early chapters a highly complicated tale of what ensues. The plot is almost too complex, but Girlis writes well, and I ripped through it. He's no John Le Carre, but even a Len Deighton, but it held my interest and who knows? Maybe even better is to come!
October 21, 2024
Alex Gerlis is one of the very best spy writers around. He started writing late in life. He has now published three short series and begun a fourth.
This is the final volume of his first series (Spy Masters). In order (and my rating):
Spy Masters
Alex Gerlis, Best of Spies (2012) (4.5)
Alex Gerlis, Swiss Spies (2015) (4)
Alex Gerlis, Vienna Spies (2017) (5+)
Alex Gerlis, Berlin Spies (2019) (5)
Bio: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/ale...
This is the final volume of his first series (Spy Masters). In order (and my rating):
Spy Masters
Alex Gerlis, Best of Spies (2012) (4.5)
Alex Gerlis, Swiss Spies (2015) (4)
Alex Gerlis, Vienna Spies (2017) (5+)
Alex Gerlis, Berlin Spies (2019) (5)
Bio: https://www.bookseriesinorder.com/ale...
May 27, 2019
The Berlin Spies is the third of Alex Gerlis' novels I've read. Whilst it is enjoyable with an interesting plot, it lacks the hard edge of its predecessors. The amount of time switching is at times confusing as are the proliferation of names and assumed identities.
Eventually The Berlin Spies settles down to a straightforward hunt for a Nazi war criminal conducted by two old spies, one from each side of the Iron Curtain. The two central characters are attractive but the remainder a bit bland.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of '39, all published by Sacristy Press.
Eventually The Berlin Spies settles down to a straightforward hunt for a Nazi war criminal conducted by two old spies, one from each side of the Iron Curtain. The two central characters are attractive but the remainder a bit bland.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of '39, all published by Sacristy Press.
February 19, 2019
A good old fashioned page turner !
I discovered Alex Gerlis about a month ago, since then I have devoured 3 of his Spy novels. As a baby boomers with a father who travelled extensively during the war I have thoroughly enjoyed these well written and researched tales of intrigue.
I discovered Alex Gerlis about a month ago, since then I have devoured 3 of his Spy novels. As a baby boomers with a father who travelled extensively during the war I have thoroughly enjoyed these well written and researched tales of intrigue.
May 24, 2022
Noticeably more ambitious in scope than Gerlis' other Spy/Spies books and successful for the most part. Spanning over thirty years chronologically and with a big cast, at first I found myself flicking back and forth to the list of characters handily included at the front of the book. Having read and enjoyed the story of Owen Quinn and Nathalie Mercier in The Best of Our Spies I had expected to dislike Edgar, as he is a rather unsympathetic character in that book - but by the end you're rooting for him.
July 20, 2023
Very dense and difficult for me to follow, as one would expect of a sweeping tale of subversion and deception. Lots of characters, each having multiple names. I am grateful that the author includes a list of characters, so I don’t have to compile one myself, which is my standard procedure.
January 15, 2021
Very enjoyable, although I must say that I wished as I was reading it that I had purchased a paper copy rather than reading it on my Kindle. Nearly all the many characters have aliases and the list of these at the beginning of the book would have been nice to refer to. (A thing much more easily done with hard copy!) Quite exciting in the end, and my only complaint is that the fate of a major character is left hanging, presumably until the next volume in the series, which, of course, I'll feel compelled to read.
January 24, 2019
Probably Gerlis’s most ambitious book to date, but also his most problematic. It’s nice to see him move beyond the direct theatre of WW2 for the first time, but this slightly rambling thriller - mostly set in the 1970s - while always readable, is narratively choppy and has problems with momentum and believability. Rare for this author, whose work has been pretty watertight up to now.
Hard to be critical without giving too much away, but probably safe to say that the Nazi implant plot quickly treads water apart from one specific thread and also suffers from too many repetitive testimonies. Some coincidences and implausibilities also pop up at convenient moments to rescue our characters and test credibility.
However there are many good points too, particularly our two anti-heroes Edgar and Viktor: shady, ruthless wartime spymasters of all Gerlis’s previous novels and still pretty resourceful in their semi-retired 70s, even if not quite at their old level. It’s possible to get quite protective of these game old birds, though sentimentality and introspection would never do for this pair, or with Gerlis’s ever impersonal writing style.
A word about the proofreading and copy editing here. Speaking as a former practitioner of both in the pre-digital era, I would have been sacked on the spot back in the day if I had turned in this level of shoddy work. Now it just gets passed and published without a second thought. I don’t care if this makes me sound like a whinging old man; it’s awful, unacceptable and the reading experience suffers for it.
Hard to be critical without giving too much away, but probably safe to say that the Nazi implant plot quickly treads water apart from one specific thread and also suffers from too many repetitive testimonies. Some coincidences and implausibilities also pop up at convenient moments to rescue our characters and test credibility.
However there are many good points too, particularly our two anti-heroes Edgar and Viktor: shady, ruthless wartime spymasters of all Gerlis’s previous novels and still pretty resourceful in their semi-retired 70s, even if not quite at their old level. It’s possible to get quite protective of these game old birds, though sentimentality and introspection would never do for this pair, or with Gerlis’s ever impersonal writing style.
A word about the proofreading and copy editing here. Speaking as a former practitioner of both in the pre-digital era, I would have been sacked on the spot back in the day if I had turned in this level of shoddy work. Now it just gets passed and published without a second thought. I don’t care if this makes me sound like a whinging old man; it’s awful, unacceptable and the reading experience suffers for it.
November 9, 2024
Often in reviews for Gerlis’ novels I see people complain about timelines being confusing and there being too many different characters to keep track of. I usually disagree as I seem to manage to keep up with the various side plots, characters and timelines. However, this book is an exception. I found it very hard to keep up with which Nazi was who and found a lot of different characters and the plots they were involved in to be totally irrelevant. The actual main plot of this book is bold, intricate and well thought out. I’m sure it made total sense in the head of the writer, but it comes out in an incredibly convoluted way.
I’ve read every Gerlis book now and unfortunately this was my least favourite. Still a good page turner and I was incredibly invested in our main characters, Edgar and Viktor but I even found the resolutions of their stories to be poorly done after 4 books. 2.5 stars.
I’ve read every Gerlis book now and unfortunately this was my least favourite. Still a good page turner and I was incredibly invested in our main characters, Edgar and Viktor but I even found the resolutions of their stories to be poorly done after 4 books. 2.5 stars.
July 13, 2024
I generally really like Alex Gerlis spy novels. But this one fell short of the mark for me. It was hard to follow and was only mildly interesting. Unlike his other novels which I have throughly enjoyed, this one was ho-hum at best. For this audio book, I wasn’t even that impressed with Rupert Bush’s narration, which in other books is excellent, but fell a bit flat in this one. I also found some of the sound editing in this book to be sub-standard. I remain an Alex Gerlis fan, but this book isn’t a standout.
December 6, 2024
A less intriguing sequel
I was a bit let down with "The Berlin Spies". Having enjoyed books 1-3, this post WWII story did not hold my interest. The two old spies seemed long in the tooth as well.
I was a bit let down with "The Berlin Spies". Having enjoyed books 1-3, this post WWII story did not hold my interest. The two old spies seemed long in the tooth as well.
September 30, 2024
Probably the best of the Spy Masters series, although I enjoyed them all. This was just a step off being a five star read for me but the ending didn't feel finished.
December 31, 2019
This is a story full of twists and turns, war criminals and spies. Two old adversaries, one Russian, one British uncover a fantastical tale of young English-speaking Nazis being trained to infiltrate British life to be ready to answer the call to create a Fourth Reich even as the Third Reich crumbles.
The story moves between decades, from war-torn Europe in the final throes of the Second World War to the shadowy world of espionage during the Cold War and the divided Germany of the 1970s. With a backdrop of a Europe at the centre of international espionage, we follow spies - current and retired - crisscrossing the continent, meeting up and uncovering clues to the identity and mission of the group of missing former Nazis.
From the grizzled and crafty old KGB spymaster and the equally spry and careful British former spy and ex-MP to their quarry, the psychopathic, vicious Nazi-turned-double-agent and his surprising fellow recruit, this novel is stuffed with fully-realised characters with their own traits and skills.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, its setting, its characters and its plotlines.
The story moves between decades, from war-torn Europe in the final throes of the Second World War to the shadowy world of espionage during the Cold War and the divided Germany of the 1970s. With a backdrop of a Europe at the centre of international espionage, we follow spies - current and retired - crisscrossing the continent, meeting up and uncovering clues to the identity and mission of the group of missing former Nazis.
From the grizzled and crafty old KGB spymaster and the equally spry and careful British former spy and ex-MP to their quarry, the psychopathic, vicious Nazi-turned-double-agent and his surprising fellow recruit, this novel is stuffed with fully-realised characters with their own traits and skills.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, its setting, its characters and its plotlines.
October 21, 2020
The Berlin Spies. Alex Gerlis
This book is based on actual historical occurances in WWII and the cold war. The primary character are fictional but some of the prominent people mentioned are not. As has been noted historically spies were placed in positions of standing in the the British government, as well as the East German. Spies with alligence to Russia and spies with alligence to Nazi Germany. A believable scenario. One of the spies is a Nazi war criminal a ruthless killer. His strings are easily pulled by his handler. In Britain a similar scenario. Both are willing to kill to accomplish their missions. As this story draws to a climax both of the involved countries want everything kept quiet. Problems are eliminated. Then the true story emerges in major newspapers in America Britain and Germany. Someone with a past who played a minor role. This is an amazing read!!!My highest recommendation!!!
This book is based on actual historical occurances in WWII and the cold war. The primary character are fictional but some of the prominent people mentioned are not. As has been noted historically spies were placed in positions of standing in the the British government, as well as the East German. Spies with alligence to Russia and spies with alligence to Nazi Germany. A believable scenario. One of the spies is a Nazi war criminal a ruthless killer. His strings are easily pulled by his handler. In Britain a similar scenario. Both are willing to kill to accomplish their missions. As this story draws to a climax both of the involved countries want everything kept quiet. Problems are eliminated. Then the true story emerges in major newspapers in America Britain and Germany. Someone with a past who played a minor role. This is an amazing read!!!My highest recommendation!!!
September 22, 2022
An interesting spy novel set in post war Europe.
Having enjoyed Vienna Spies very much I found
this sequel lacked dramatic tension. The relationship between the main players, Edgar and Victor, the British and Russians, continues in this novel.
Each agency is trying to uncover and expose Nazi war criminals. The ending reveals some of them, however one of them is famously still at large. The ending was the best part of the book.
I found the characters wooden and stereotypical. The story was predictable as a result.
Most of the book is taken up with the customary double-speak of espionage. The internal workings of each agency were quite interesting. Here are two elderly spies enjoying their craft.
Having enjoyed Vienna Spies very much I found
this sequel lacked dramatic tension. The relationship between the main players, Edgar and Victor, the British and Russians, continues in this novel.
Each agency is trying to uncover and expose Nazi war criminals. The ending reveals some of them, however one of them is famously still at large. The ending was the best part of the book.
I found the characters wooden and stereotypical. The story was predictable as a result.
Most of the book is taken up with the customary double-speak of espionage. The internal workings of each agency were quite interesting. Here are two elderly spies enjoying their craft.
November 15, 2025
Gerlis is an extraordinary spy writer. In intricate, yet subtle, yet enticingly mysterious, he weaves his web of characters and motives into engrossing tales. Apparently separate actors and events over decades are knitted together in a tense, interpersonal tapestry of treason, deception, violence, and ambition. The innocence that began transformed into a tragedy of cruelty and far-reaching consequences. In crisp language, tight scenes, focused dialogues, and realistic characters, Gerlis spins his tales that keep you at the edge until the very end. And, even then, provokes additional pondering.
March 9, 2020
If you are going to read this book I suggest you grab yourself a notebook and pen from the outset. There are so many different dates, places and characters to meet along the way that it’s easy to get lost amongst the dead ends and false leads. Edgar and Viktor are both ageing spies searching for a guy who may be trying to instigate a Nazi uprising in 1970s Britain. The concept and historical context were fascinating, but for me the ending was a disappointment as it didn’t give me the answers that I was seeking from the outset.
September 23, 2019
Great spy novel. Full of intrigue, deception and muddled motives. There is a helpful list of characters at the start. Maybe Kindle could devise a way of being able to access this more easily as you read along. Alex Gerlis writes really well. The clarity of the text helps to penetrate the complexity of the plot. I really liked the author’s note at the end. It’s important for me to separate fact from fiction - something which seems ever more challenging in these strange political times.
January 7, 2021
The story is good and I quickly became immersed in the plot but it needs serious editing. There are so many errors from start to finish which are highly irritating The author also has a habit of mentioning every street, river, alley etc to try and make the book seem authentic and show he has done his research. For me it just feels as if I were reading a tourist guide.
Still good and quite exciting but not as good as the others set during WW2. 3 -3.5 stars
Still good and quite exciting but not as good as the others set during WW2. 3 -3.5 stars
March 12, 2024
The 2 Spymasters go Mano a Mano in unexpected ways
The concluding book in the Spymaster series brings a suitably complex case and characters spanning decades from the end of WWIi to the 1970s. Intriguing, if a little far fetched. I found the profusion of characters and their network of association a little tough to keep straight at times, but perhaps that’s because I found the series so compelling, I read the book in about a day and a half!
The concluding book in the Spymaster series brings a suitably complex case and characters spanning decades from the end of WWIi to the 1970s. Intriguing, if a little far fetched. I found the profusion of characters and their network of association a little tough to keep straight at times, but perhaps that’s because I found the series so compelling, I read the book in about a day and a half!
February 4, 2019
A riveting spy thriller
I have read all the spy thrillers written by Alexis Gerlis and this is a compelling story that provides a glimpse of the dark days before and during the Cold War. The characters are believable and draw the reader into the tense and dangerous world of espionage. I commend the author on this well researched work.
I have read all the spy thrillers written by Alexis Gerlis and this is a compelling story that provides a glimpse of the dark days before and during the Cold War. The characters are believable and draw the reader into the tense and dangerous world of espionage. I commend the author on this well researched work.
June 12, 2019
Spies and Politics
A wide ranging novel involving British, German and Russian spies. Characters involved in the Second World War become embroiled in Cold War subterfuge. The story contains very realistic scenes of the turmoil between the three countries in Berlin, sensitive characters and involved plots. Anyone interested in Cold War spies will enjoy this exciting adventure.
A wide ranging novel involving British, German and Russian spies. Characters involved in the Second World War become embroiled in Cold War subterfuge. The story contains very realistic scenes of the turmoil between the three countries in Berlin, sensitive characters and involved plots. Anyone interested in Cold War spies will enjoy this exciting adventure.
April 9, 2020
My head is spinning!
This book really makes you work hard. Don’t try it if you are looking for something light to read. Alex Gerlis has undertaken quite a task with most characters having at least one alias, sometimes two or three. Some based on real people.
It’s complicated but well worth the effort.
This book really makes you work hard. Don’t try it if you are looking for something light to read. Alex Gerlis has undertaken quite a task with most characters having at least one alias, sometimes two or three. Some based on real people.
It’s complicated but well worth the effort.
May 11, 2020
This book was a decent spy novel however the number of characters and names + name changes, multiple identities etc in this did at times overwhelm me ! A couple of old "retired" spies attempt to track down an old Nazi, who has managed to escape justice for all these years. There are many sub plots , double agents and time swapping threads, and , as I said an over abundance of names !
November 9, 2020
Absolute corker of a book - a real page turner. Gerlis is so good on history of the period and understands that there are always many villains with some less rotten than others. Sometimes, as with this book, there are times when you realise those who were considered "goodies" were in fact reasoning that the ends justifies the means. Best one of Mr Gerlis I've read thus far.
August 29, 2022
Gerlis has rapidly become one of my favorite writers. His work is in the tradition of Le Carre and Furst, telling intriguing tales of spies in WW2. He does not make all the British spies and their handlers out t be good guys, but the drama of WW2 as the backdrop makes it reasonable to forgive some quite distressing actions. Fans of WW2 thrillers should love his books.
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