The Secret Fire

by Martin Langfield

Sotherby's, London, 1936.

A paper by Sir Isaac Newton is sold at auction to a bookseller's agent, and within minutes of leaving the auction house he is killed and the paper stolen. For the Nazis are desperate to get their hands on a Newton formula that will unleash the Secret Fire - a weapon beyond all imagining that can wipe their enemies off the face of the earth. And this document is the key ... unless the French Resistance and SOE operatives also on its trail can stop them.

New York, 2007. Katherine Reckliss learns her grandmother's SOE radio has started picking up disturbing messages from occupied France, warning that a V1 containing the Secret Fire is being launched by the Nazis. It's target? Present day London.

So begins the desperate race to halt the Secret Fire - both in 1940s Nazi-occupied France and modern day London. The clock is ticking as history starts to re-write the future in a new and terrifying script...

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Historical, Mystery

458 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Martin Langfield is a writer and journalist. He was a foreign correspondent, bureau chief and editor for Reuters from 1987 to 2019, working mostly in the Americas. He reported mainly from El Salvador, Mexico, Madrid, Miami, Peru, Cuba, Nicaragua, London and New York. He later worked with the company's Breakingviews commentary team. Martin studied French and Spanish languages and literature at Trinity Hall, Cambridge University in England. He has also worked as an English teacher in Paris and studied indigenous literature in Mexico. He lives in New York.

Reviews

[Colin Hoad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent thriller from Martin Langfield. Following close on the heels of his previous novel, "The Malice Box", this sequel sees Robert, Katherine and Horace pitted once again against the forces of evil, this time in a Nazi incarnation. Running two broad plot lines concurrently - one set during WWII and the other in present-day Europe - the novel weaves together the characters, past and present, in a very compelling way, underscoring Langfield's theme of "time and place elide". The author again proves his tremendous attention to detail, constructing a 1940s world that is thoroughly believable (even in spite of the supernatural goings on) as well as a London that has clearly been researched from the most common landmarks right down to the lowliest thoroughfare. If you enjoyed "The Malice Box", this second outing is equally as satisfying, and I look forward to Martin's future novels.

[Kira · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband bought this book to read on a trip last year. He couldn't get into it (he isn't a "reader") so I picked it up after finishing another book. I wasn't sure what to expect having never heard of the author before but I was drawn into the book from the first few chapters and was soon powering through it. The storyline, whilst a bit "out there" was cleverly pulled together to give a different twist on the potential outcome of WWII. I haven't read the Malice box but it is now on my list after having read this one. A good read :)

[Asy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Qué creo? bueno, el libro me gustó... muy bueno, pero se pone interesante a partir de la página 100 más o menos. El principio es detestable! No se entiende qué pasa, quienes son lo personajes principales, de qué trata... no se entiende nada, por lo que me llevó a odiarlo. Estuve cinco días para leer esas 100 páginas, cinco! Me resultó muy aburrido.
Por otro lado, al pasar el inicio lo encontré entretenido y llevadero. Me encontré con que mi personaje favorito era Peter, y me la pasé todo el libro queriendo saber qué pasaba con él. Me encantó la situación en la que se encontraba, me parecieron muy buenas las escusas que tenía para llegar a convertirse en quién fue al llevar su infancia de la manera en que lo hizo. Terminé amando al Peter de veintitrés años, y solo él me importaba en toda la historia. Hasta que apareció Rose... QUE BUEN PERSONAJE! LA AMÉ DESDE EL MOMENTO EN QUE APARECIÓ! Me encantó su fortaleza y su valentía, y desde entonces tuve la esperanza de que tuviera alguna relación con Peter y que ella iba a ayudarlo a pasar por todas las porquerías en las que él vivía. Pero me equivoqué porque aparece Horace (no me la venía venir), aunque ella juega un papel muy importante en la vida de Peter.
El libro esta muy bien narrado y me encantó la forma en la que viajás del pasado al presente. Al principio es un poco confuso, pero después me terminó gustando.
Sobre todo el final no decepciona, fascinante como describió la llegada de Katherine y Robert a Londres cuando viajaban en tren, muy bien narrado, no podías parar de leer! Y mucho mejor estuvo el momento en que la bomba impacta en 1944 y en el 2007, muy bien descrito.
Además, me gustó el tema tratado... Hacía mucho que no leía un libro basado en la historia real, y este en particular me hizo viajar a la segunda guerra mundial donde los nazis trataron de gobernar.
Solo una cosa no me cerró del todo... Qué pasó con Harry???? el libro terminó sin un final para él, es como si nunca hubiese existido...
Recomiendo el libro a las personas que tienen paciencia y les gusta leer sucesos reales basados en la historia.

[Zephfire · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK..normally,(being the female that I am) I confess that I wouldn't even pick up a book that on first view would seem to be all about war and weapons, but ladies don't be put off, you'll be missing out! I had read this author's previous book, The Malice Box (which I greatly enjoyed) and that made me want to find out what happened next to the characters from that book (this is it's sequel). I am very glad that I did, it was a solidly good read, from start to end for me, weaving some complicated plot along the way (I enjoy having something to really get my teeth into) it's not a book to read when you're remotely sleepy though, as the plot jumps between the eras and places will easily lose you if you're not paying full attention! It includes events from WW2, modern and even some old english eras, for good reasons that you'll have to read to appreciate, the author has a fascinating twist on some events, and places that you think you know well! I loved to see some of my favourite historical people get a nod in this book, Dr John Dee, Nicholas Flamel and Sir Isaac Newton are all mentioned!
I won't try and describe the complex plot to you as I won't be able to do it justice, but I do recommend you give it a shot and stick with it, you won't need to have read The Malice Box to understand The Secret Fire but it would help you understand the characters unusual abilities if you do.
Fans of time line plots, witchcraft,adventure, occult theories, war stories, history and mysteries should all find something rewarding in this book and it's predecessor. I'll be interested to see where this author goes for his next adventure!

[Cam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed the reading of The Secret Fire, the second of Martin's books. It has cemented my love of a dual story line.
This book however has a delightful twist on the usual. The Malice Box (the first in the series) is filled in from both sides with this account. One story line continues the path initialized with The Malice Box. Whilst the second works as a prequel, set mostly in Europe prior & during the Nazi/German occupation of France & the security threat that they posed to London during WWII.
I was concerned that my memory like a goldfish would penalise the reading of this as I read The Malice Box as a new release in 2007. But I needn't have worried, as it can easily stand alone. However if you like to do things in order, I would suggest with this, as with all series books, that you read them in order.
If you are not overly concerned with the finer details of the lead up to this book. Then I would describe it is an intricately woven multi-layered action/adventure/historical/fiction with a healthy dash of supernatural, that builds with intensity as the pieces fall into place. The historical fiction facet of this book has added a whole new dimension to the series. One I thought complimented beautifully with the existing characters & their development.
Bring on the next one I say, & quick!

[Jasmin I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich habe nach dem Klappentext von diesem Buch garnicht allzuviel erwartet, war allerdings SEHR positiv überrascht. Der Autor schafft es, die fantasy-lastige Handlung in die Zeit des Nationalsozialismus einzuflechten, ohne die furchtbare Atmosphäre, die damals geherrscht haben muss, im geringsten anzugreifen oder die geschichtlichen Fakten ins Lächerliche zu ziehen. Ganz im Gegenteil ist die Stimmung für ein Buch dieses Genres irrsinnig authentisch. Allen, denen der Hauch des Okkulten bei einem Thriller nichts ausmacht (insbesondere wohl Fans von Dan Brown und ähnlichen Autoren), kann ich dieses Buch wärmstens empfehlen.

[Leslea · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading The Malice Box by the same author and enjoying it, thought I would give this one a go. The last half was really good but it just took too long to get going. Loved the idea of 'time travel' and a group of people fighting frantically in the present to stop a wrong done in the past. Too many characters over 3 different time periods, was a little hard to keep them all in the right order! Would probably read another of his though as I like these kinda books.

[Wilde Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 2007 a group of people try and contain a mystic Nazi weapon that failed to explode in London at the end of June 1944.

The first half of this book (which felt very long) was confusing jumping between multiple locations and times, but towards the end it was gripping and fast paced. I felt uneasy about the mixing of real attempted terrorist acts with mystic / Nazi plots and schemes.

[Minnie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Na zo'n 60 pagina's had het verhaal me nog niet te pakken en ik had zo'n vermoeden dat dit niet meer ging veranderen. Dus heb ik het ongelezen terug naar de bieb gebracht.

[Tigereno · Rating 3 out of 5]

1940's and 2007 collide in this book. It was a bit of a slow burn with sporadic action. I feel it had the potential to be much more. The plot and twists were somewhat predictable. I enjoyed the historical aspects and the "witchcraft".

[Marijke Van de venne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Difficult to stay into the story when switching between timelines and persons. I read the first chapters, got tired off it, then read the last chapters to know the outcome.

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK, it kinda drag on towards the end.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book blends World War II history with the occult to produce a thrilling climax. Langfield effortlessly evokes Paris and London during World War II and pays tribute to the heroism of the brave resistance agents who risked torture and death to defeat the Nazis. He has an amazing ability to bring to life the true quality of evil in all its sadistic, creepy, malevolent, heartless, perverse and inhuman forms.

The plot revolves around an attempt by Nazis using dark powers of witchcraft, alchemy and the occult to return to life in 2007 and reverse the course of history. Only two agents, both heirs to their own special sources of power, can stop them. It sounds ridiculous -- yet in these skilled hands you willingly suspend your disbelief.

Like Dan Brown's thrillers, this book is mostly about plot and not so much about character. But what a carefully constructed and designed plot, which comes together in a nail-biting climax of genuine power.

Disclosure: the author and I work for the same company and have occasionally over the years inhabited the same office.

[Vikas · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a nice twist on the familiar history of WWII. A lot of magic and such .. I couldn't read it in one go so wasn't overtly existing for me but I did finish it.

People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put I just love reading and so to that end I have made it my motto to just Keep on Reading. I love to read everything except for Self Help books but even those once in a while. I read almost all the genre but YA, Fantasy, Biographies are the most. My favorite series is, of course, Harry Potter but then there are many more books that I just adore. I have bookcases filled with books which are waiting to be read so can't stay and spend more time in this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.

[Amarilli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mi sono avvicinata a questo libro dopo averne letto molte recensioni negative, quindi non ho potuto rimanere delusa, anzi. Sapendo che avevo davanti un romanzo d'avventura di serie B l'ho potuto apprezzare nel suo genere, una lettura d'intrattenimento senza alcuna pretesa.
Ammetto che senza queste precauzioni l'avrei chiuso già a pagina 2.

[Hayley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't expect this book to based so heavily in mysticism, as it was not indicated on the story blurb. It was an interesting idea, but seemed too far-fetched.

The Nazi interest in the occult theme was interesting, but the time-folding made it less enjoyable for me.

[Trisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Het boek moest op gang komen, maar uiteindelijk toen het begon te lopen was het heerlijk om te lezen en wilde ik alleen maar het einde weten.
Voor mij was de ontknoping deels verwarrend en verrassend.

Het boek heb ik in het Nederlands gelezen en de vertaling en schrijfstijl was prettig.

[Grant Shade · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dire trash.

[Winnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This for me was readable story but was expecting so much more from this author after the Malice Box and was left feeling disappointed.

[Amit · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book has an interesting plot line. But most of the concept didn't make any sense at all.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant story kept me entertained right to the end