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Alex Kovacs #5
Paris in Disguise
Paris is cold and hungry. The Germans are in the fourth year of their occupation, and while a Resistance movement flourishes, it is small and perilous beyond belief. The lives of Resistance radio operators can be measured in weeks, not months — such is the mortal danger. But are they being caught by Nazi efficiency or by betrayal?Alex Kovacs is a part of one of those Resistance cells, a jack-of-all-covert-trades, sometimes a courier of information, other times a guide for new agents, always a committed member of the Resistance movement whose eyes are nonetheless open to its flaws. When several of his fellow agents are caught in rapid succession by the Germans, concern grows that there is a traitor within the cell. And when an outlandish plan to unmask the traitor is proposed, Alex agrees to take on a new identity and a grand lifestyle in order to infiltrate the highest levels of the Gestapo’s murderous operation.Paris in Disguise is the fifth book in the Alex Kovacs historical espionage thriller series. If you like 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 World War II thriller.Pick up Paris in Disguise to travel along on Alex’s latest adventure!
243 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 2019
496 people are currently reading
195 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 63 reviews
October 13, 2021
Richard Wake has written another tense and exciting entry featuring Alex Kovacs , a resistance fighter in World War Two France .
February 15, 2020
A Favourite Series
Although the books are named for Alex Kovacs , a hugely enjoyable part of these thrillers is his interaction with his friend and comrade , Leon. Not just a headless race to the end of the book but a thoughtful and well placed plotline every book of this series. There is ( I hope ) , plenty more to come.
Although the books are named for Alex Kovacs , a hugely enjoyable part of these thrillers is his interaction with his friend and comrade , Leon. Not just a headless race to the end of the book but a thoughtful and well placed plotline every book of this series. There is ( I hope ) , plenty more to come.
March 31, 2020
The Alex Kovacs books are wonderful parts of the larger story that is the series. I picked up the first book last year and was instantly hooked. The writing is clean with plenty, but not too much, atmosphere to make one feel one is in Vienna or Cologne or Lyon or Paris. The dialogue is great and there is a great deal of warmth and humor between the characters. There isn't a lot of action in the books but they are a continuous tale of friendship, honor and survival. I can't wait until the next book is ready for the world and can't recommend these books highly enough.
Being lazy, I am using the same review for each book. But, I loved them all and they are large chapters in a larger story. I've read them from the beginning and I think that's probably the best way to approach the series but even if you start in the middle, you won't be disappointed. And, then you can go back and read the earlier books and fill some gaps in.
Being lazy, I am using the same review for each book. But, I loved them all and they are large chapters in a larger story. I've read them from the beginning and I think that's probably the best way to approach the series but even if you start in the middle, you won't be disappointed. And, then you can go back and read the earlier books and fill some gaps in.
January 11, 2024
Alex has escaped from the area around Lyon and found his way to Paris. While there with his friend
from Vienna, he gets in contact with one of the local Resistance groups. He keeps busy mostly working as a courier between the Resistance and clandestine radio operators. Radio operators have a live expectancy of three months, while couriers usually live six months before their caught.
But Alex gets involved in an odd plot where he becomes the nephew (and lover) of a wealthy Parisian woman who has contacts with all the top Nazis in Paris. The idea is that Alex will go with her for dinners at the best restaurants in Paris and mingle with the Military and Gestapo and make friends. Hopefully he will be able to get in their good graces and find out information that will help the Resistance and the Allies.
Of course it only works for a while and then Alex is back on the run from the Gestapo with Leon.
from Vienna, he gets in contact with one of the local Resistance groups. He keeps busy mostly working as a courier between the Resistance and clandestine radio operators. Radio operators have a live expectancy of three months, while couriers usually live six months before their caught.
But Alex gets involved in an odd plot where he becomes the nephew (and lover) of a wealthy Parisian woman who has contacts with all the top Nazis in Paris. The idea is that Alex will go with her for dinners at the best restaurants in Paris and mingle with the Military and Gestapo and make friends. Hopefully he will be able to get in their good graces and find out information that will help the Resistance and the Allies.
Of course it only works for a while and then Alex is back on the run from the Gestapo with Leon.
November 17, 2019
A decent series but this one is both slack and a little perfunctory because too much time is spent speculating on who is betraying Kovacs’ resistance cell as well as the day to day logistics of moving around the city. Too much is left dangling or unclear (who killed Marie and why? Why is Marta so mad? What happened to Grace?) and there’s a major plot flaw: Rene could easily have found the traitor if he just surveilled his SOE contact/superior, a man he suspects. Leon knows who he is too. And an Englishman in 1943 Paris? That needs more explanation than is given. I also doubt that a double agent would be chauffeured to Gestapo headquarters for regular morning briefings!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2020
Intrigue in Occupied Paris Mid-WWII
This volume of the series gives us Alex in German-occupied Paris, and glimpses into several ways of living in that milieu - all dangerous. His close Jewish friend, Leon, is still very much in the picture. For those who have read previous books in the series, not all loose ends are tied up here. That leaves us hoping author Richard Wake has other tales of Alex and Leon (and friends and enemies) to be told that may conclude the engrossing story we’ve followed thus far from Vienna to Paris. The fate of Manon? Grace?
This volume of the series gives us Alex in German-occupied Paris, and glimpses into several ways of living in that milieu - all dangerous. His close Jewish friend, Leon, is still very much in the picture. For those who have read previous books in the series, not all loose ends are tied up here. That leaves us hoping author Richard Wake has other tales of Alex and Leon (and friends and enemies) to be told that may conclude the engrossing story we’ve followed thus far from Vienna to Paris. The fate of Manon? Grace?
December 3, 2022
I've read all the Kovaks books up to this one, deliberately forcing myself to space them out. The plot is riveting, with puzzles still, hopefully, waiting to be fully explained in the next book(s) - who killed Marie? Who tried to betray Leon?
The author himself asks for comments: as a non-American reader I find the slick, slightly ironic 21st century American style of both the first-person narrative and the dialogue slightly irritating (eg, sentences starting "But here's the thing..."). I know it's a legitimate ploy since the original would have been in French or German bit it grates a little, as do distances in miles and temperatures in Fahrenheit.
When the Gestapo are looking for Alex in the church, they ask for him by his real name. Maybe I'm missing something, but I thought they thought he was Marie's nephew.
All these are minor quibbles - I'll continue to follow Alex's journey and look forward to finding out what happens when the Allies land.
The author himself asks for comments: as a non-American reader I find the slick, slightly ironic 21st century American style of both the first-person narrative and the dialogue slightly irritating (eg, sentences starting "But here's the thing..."). I know it's a legitimate ploy since the original would have been in French or German bit it grates a little, as do distances in miles and temperatures in Fahrenheit.
When the Gestapo are looking for Alex in the church, they ask for him by his real name. Maybe I'm missing something, but I thought they thought he was Marie's nephew.
All these are minor quibbles - I'll continue to follow Alex's journey and look forward to finding out what happens when the Allies land.
November 1, 2023
His first two books weren't bad, but as he quickly knocked out more in the series, they have gone down hill. The main characters are supposed to be mid 40's but their dialogue to each other is as if they are in their 20's. I haven't heard of the phrase "taking a long pull" on a bottle from anyone over 30. The use of phrases such as "continuous loop" clearly don't belong. He is not particularly good at giving the "feel" of WWII France. He does an okay job of putting some suspense into the story. Comparing these books to Phillip Kerr, and Alan Furst, is quite a stretch.
December 18, 2019
Paris inn the Occupation 1943
Alex Kovac, a Chek native, has become a resistance fighter in occupied Paris. He has been a courier for a newly parachutist radio operator when she is arrested by the Gistapo. It is apparent that there is a traitor in the resistance group and this book follows Kovack’s search for the traitor.
Gives a great view into living conditions in occupied Paris. Only thing I couldn’t understand is how he evaded the “draft”.
Alex Kovac, a Chek native, has become a resistance fighter in occupied Paris. He has been a courier for a newly parachutist radio operator when she is arrested by the Gistapo. It is apparent that there is a traitor in the resistance group and this book follows Kovack’s search for the traitor.
Gives a great view into living conditions in occupied Paris. Only thing I couldn’t understand is how he evaded the “draft”.
February 5, 2020
Paris in Disguise. Richard Wake
Alex Kovacs lives a dangerous life in Paris. He is a member of the French Resistance. Every day only one step ahead of the Gestapo. He only has one true friend, Leon, who happens to be Jewish. He also fights for the resistance. Life is incredibly cheap, only a thin thread separates them from capture. An excellent espionage thriller.Enjoyed immensely!
Alex Kovacs lives a dangerous life in Paris. He is a member of the French Resistance. Every day only one step ahead of the Gestapo. He only has one true friend, Leon, who happens to be Jewish. He also fights for the resistance. Life is incredibly cheap, only a thin thread separates them from capture. An excellent espionage thriller.Enjoyed immensely!
April 13, 2020
Lost in Paris
I have now completed the five book Alex Kovaks series . Compared to the previous four, the plot in #5 was more substantive, but not more credible. And, at times it was so convoluted—or I was so dim—that I just lost the thread. Unfortunately, this edition also suffers from excessive, unnecessary vulgarity (not to mention alcohol consumption!)
and expressions that seem out of context in a 1940’s historical novel.
I have now completed the five book Alex Kovaks series . Compared to the previous four, the plot in #5 was more substantive, but not more credible. And, at times it was so convoluted—or I was so dim—that I just lost the thread. Unfortunately, this edition also suffers from excessive, unnecessary vulgarity (not to mention alcohol consumption!)
and expressions that seem out of context in a 1940’s historical novel.
June 12, 2022
Can't put any of Richard's books down. They get better as the series progresses.
Richard Wake writes about spies and the resistance during WW2. Our heroes survive impossible situations, sometimes stretched beyond credibility. He describes the conditions the occupied were living under I think accurately. It is from a man's point of view and can be quite crude. I am a woman and like his books. Nonstop suspense.
Richard Wake writes about spies and the resistance during WW2. Our heroes survive impossible situations, sometimes stretched beyond credibility. He describes the conditions the occupied were living under I think accurately. It is from a man's point of view and can be quite crude. I am a woman and like his books. Nonstop suspense.
August 23, 2025
Another heart pounding thriller
Mr. Wake has an excellent way of depicting the atmosphere of France during WWII, the conflict of the French citizens and the quick conceding to the Germans of the general population. His description of the Resistance Fighters and their actions is excellent.
Alex and Leon have some interesting conflicts, experiences and difficulties in this one.
Hard to put down series! Off to find #6
Mr. Wake has an excellent way of depicting the atmosphere of France during WWII, the conflict of the French citizens and the quick conceding to the Germans of the general population. His description of the Resistance Fighters and their actions is excellent.
Alex and Leon have some interesting conflicts, experiences and difficulties in this one.
Hard to put down series! Off to find #6
February 2, 2020
Terrific series.
I was ready to stop reading holocaust books. This series follows Alex Kovacs, French resistance fighter through a hero and patriots life during the Nazi era. It as a page turner and reminded me what heroism is about. So very well written. Where are the additional volumes!
I was ready to stop reading holocaust books. This series follows Alex Kovacs, French resistance fighter through a hero and patriots life during the Nazi era. It as a page turner and reminded me what heroism is about. So very well written. Where are the additional volumes!
January 8, 2023
Excellent reading WW II Underground resistance
Exciting, engrossing, very realistic in portraying the life back then. Grammar glitches do bug me, but that’s minor.
I’m not sure that the characters portrayed actually spoke in that fashion. Not for me to judge, as it’s before my time. It ends up not being a big deal.
Enjoyed the ride..still going on to the next volume
Exciting, engrossing, very realistic in portraying the life back then. Grammar glitches do bug me, but that’s minor.
I’m not sure that the characters portrayed actually spoke in that fashion. Not for me to judge, as it’s before my time. It ends up not being a big deal.
Enjoyed the ride..still going on to the next volume
Read
January 19, 2024Believable story of the resistance in Europe during the war. Not much on the strategy of the nazis.
Liked the emphasis on the courage and mental agility of the fighters. The author makes the characters come alive in my mind. Would recommend to young college age readers as a not well known aspect of patriotism during the forties.
Liked the emphasis on the courage and mental agility of the fighters. The author makes the characters come alive in my mind. Would recommend to young college age readers as a not well known aspect of patriotism during the forties.
October 28, 2024
Solid entry to this series.
I enjoy this series. It's a dark and moody. This book gives a good sense of occupied Paris. The plot revolves around Alex going undercover to identify a double agent in his Resistance cell. There are plenty of twists and turns along the way to keep the reader engaged.
I enjoy this series. It's a dark and moody. This book gives a good sense of occupied Paris. The plot revolves around Alex going undercover to identify a double agent in his Resistance cell. There are plenty of twists and turns along the way to keep the reader engaged.
February 19, 2025
I've now read the 1st 5 books in this series. They're enjoyable, pacy WW2 thrillers. These books feel like episodes of a TV show that you enjoy at the time but won't remember in a couple of years.This won't be winning a Booker prize anytime soon but nonetheless, an entertaining read and I'll read more in the series.
November 19, 2019
#5 Alex K book
I have read all 5 of Mr. Wake’s books. I have enjoyed reading all of them. The characters in the stories are very interesting as are the descriptions of the places in Europe. The stories lead us to what life was like during WW11. Please keep writing for your fans.
I have read all 5 of Mr. Wake’s books. I have enjoyed reading all of them. The characters in the stories are very interesting as are the descriptions of the places in Europe. The stories lead us to what life was like during WW11. Please keep writing for your fans.
December 18, 2019
He must have been there?
Great story about the French Resistance. A very difficult war to portray because of all the double dealing between the various factions.
These stories does justice to those who served. Many thanks to help to never forget.
Great story about the French Resistance. A very difficult war to portray because of all the double dealing between the various factions.
These stories does justice to those who served. Many thanks to help to never forget.
February 20, 2020
Love this book!
I loved this book - could hardly wait to get back to it every day. Alex Kovacs is the best. Can hardly wait for the next book. The ending to Paris in Disguise was the best!
I loved this book - could hardly wait to get back to it every day. Alex Kovacs is the best. Can hardly wait for the next book. The ending to Paris in Disguise was the best!
March 22, 2020
Great Series
I’ve read all 5 books and really enjoy the writing and characters. Richard has an excellent understanding of the history and geography. He’s right there with Alan Furst.
I’ve read all 5 books and really enjoy the writing and characters. Richard has an excellent understanding of the history and geography. He’s right there with Alan Furst.
September 3, 2020
Intriguing
I enjoyed the development of the story. The two main characters, Alex and Leon, traverse through the years before World War II, and into World War II.
This is not a humdrum WWII novel but full of twists and turns and the unexpected.
I enjoyed the development of the story. The two main characters, Alex and Leon, traverse through the years before World War II, and into World War II.
This is not a humdrum WWII novel but full of twists and turns and the unexpected.
December 26, 2020
The story contines
An excellent follow on from the previous books in the series. The tension is maintained to the end. Well written and crafted stories look forward to the next one.
An excellent follow on from the previous books in the series. The tension is maintained to the end. Well written and crafted stories look forward to the next one.
March 30, 2021
1943 Paris France, the French Resistance fighting the Germans. A traitor is tipping of the Germans and the group Alex and his friend Leon belong to are being captured. Intrigue, murder and living on the edge makes this a fantastic read. Love this series.
March 31, 2021
Excellent read,the first five were great and I look forward to reading the sixth.
This book, as well as the first four, certainly is hard to put down. They all have more plot twists than all of the streets and alleys described in the great maze called Paris. A must read.
This book, as well as the first four, certainly is hard to put down. They all have more plot twists than all of the streets and alleys described in the great maze called Paris. A must read.
April 10, 2021
Lots of intrigue
I have followed this series from the start and look forward to escaping into it each day. I'm going to miss Alex and Leon when I finish the end of the series(next book), although I must admit Leon is my favorite!
I have followed this series from the start and look forward to escaping into it each day. I'm going to miss Alex and Leon when I finish the end of the series(next book), although I must admit Leon is my favorite!
August 24, 2021
Great to see a return to form for this entertaining series. Not only the geography of Paris in the 1940s but the mood and atmosphere under the Occupation were described vividly. A good storyline, well told.
January 21, 2022
Enjoyable and authentic
The Alex Kovacs series is entertaining but also gives enough detail to set the atmosphere and make it feel authentic. The friendship between Alex and Leon continues to form the bedrock of the series and makes the characters even more interesting.
The Alex Kovacs series is entertaining but also gives enough detail to set the atmosphere and make it feel authentic. The friendship between Alex and Leon continues to form the bedrock of the series and makes the characters even more interesting.
September 15, 2022
Great historical fiction
You don't have to be a WW2 fanatic to love these stories (1-5 so far). Richard Wake writes beautifully, with suspense and in a finely tuned style. I'll read them all, I'm sure!!
You don't have to be a WW2 fanatic to love these stories (1-5 so far). Richard Wake writes beautifully, with suspense and in a finely tuned style. I'll read them all, I'm sure!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews