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Alex Kovacs #1-3
Alex Kovacs #1-3
The first three books in the Alex Kovacs thriller series, collected in a single volume: Vienna at Nightfall, The Spies of Zurich, and The Lyon Resistance.
So who is Alex Kovacs?
Born in Czechoslovakia, raised in Vienna, a salesman traveling throughout Austria and Germany, Alex is a cosmopolitan nomad drawn into the building European crisis. He is a reluctant spy at first, but as the crisis builds on the continent and as the Nazi steamroller gains momentum, we watch him forced to move from country to country and experience with him as his life evolves and his commitment grows, from courier to espionage agent to Resistance fighter.
Three-quarters of the reviews have been 5-stars. Here is a sampling:
“Richard Wake tells a really good story! His storytelling reminds me a bit of the Bernie Gunther novels by Philip Kerr. The characters are likable, the story is paced well and there's the right amount of suspense.”
“He really knows his stuff.”
“I love this author! Compelling story line with great writing. His writing is clever but not pretentious. Characters are interesting and yet realistic. Not over done.”
“Richard Wake's Alex Kovacs thrillers are among the most intelligent and entertaining in this genre. I've been a fan of Alan Furst and Phillip Kerr for years, and am happy to have discovered Wake's brilliant new books.”
“Having read Wake's first three books nearly non stop I say without reservation he is without doubt one of the top three finest new writers to be published in the last decade. He has a unique writing ability to make one feel they are living the characters own experiences and feeling their emotions, beliefs and ambitions.”
Buy this collection and get started on a great new thriller series!
So who is Alex Kovacs?
Born in Czechoslovakia, raised in Vienna, a salesman traveling throughout Austria and Germany, Alex is a cosmopolitan nomad drawn into the building European crisis. He is a reluctant spy at first, but as the crisis builds on the continent and as the Nazi steamroller gains momentum, we watch him forced to move from country to country and experience with him as his life evolves and his commitment grows, from courier to espionage agent to Resistance fighter.
Three-quarters of the reviews have been 5-stars. Here is a sampling:
“Richard Wake tells a really good story! His storytelling reminds me a bit of the Bernie Gunther novels by Philip Kerr. The characters are likable, the story is paced well and there's the right amount of suspense.”
“He really knows his stuff.”
“I love this author! Compelling story line with great writing. His writing is clever but not pretentious. Characters are interesting and yet realistic. Not over done.”
“Richard Wake's Alex Kovacs thrillers are among the most intelligent and entertaining in this genre. I've been a fan of Alan Furst and Phillip Kerr for years, and am happy to have discovered Wake's brilliant new books.”
“Having read Wake's first three books nearly non stop I say without reservation he is without doubt one of the top three finest new writers to be published in the last decade. He has a unique writing ability to make one feel they are living the characters own experiences and feeling their emotions, beliefs and ambitions.”
Buy this collection and get started on a great new thriller series!
789 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2019
264 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Richard Wake
33 books102 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 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 31, 2020
I have just finished the first three of the Alex Kovacs books and am agog to start the next two! Then, as (spoiler alert!!) another reviewer suggests she is waiting for number six to find out what happened to Manon, I will join her in the plea.
I had never heard of Richard Wake so thanks to Kindle Unlimited. Super books! Great characters and characterisation. with several interweaving plots. Fast pace, and despite the inevitable grimness of the plot on occasions, subtle humour. Wake keeps a good handle on history too, so that I at least didn't get exasperated by inaccuracies. EXCEPT the phrase ' this is so' ….or 'we are so' …..I don't think this was prevalent in the 1930s and forties! But I forgive this as the books are so good. I really have read them one after the other, and for longer into the night hours than I should have.
I hope Richard Wake carries on writing this series if possible, and certainly other novels. A great discovery - and well done to the author.
I had never heard of Richard Wake so thanks to Kindle Unlimited. Super books! Great characters and characterisation. with several interweaving plots. Fast pace, and despite the inevitable grimness of the plot on occasions, subtle humour. Wake keeps a good handle on history too, so that I at least didn't get exasperated by inaccuracies. EXCEPT the phrase ' this is so' ….or 'we are so' …..I don't think this was prevalent in the 1930s and forties! But I forgive this as the books are so good. I really have read them one after the other, and for longer into the night hours than I should have.
I hope Richard Wake carries on writing this series if possible, and certainly other novels. A great discovery - and well done to the author.
January 25, 2021
A heir to Bernie Gunther
Germany is about to breakout spurred on the the Nazi party. Alex, our hero, in these the first 3 volumes of the series goes from avoiding conflict but it follows him from Austria to Switzerland and to France.
As a freedom fighter, Kovacs remains an amateur.
Oh and why are the removing filters from cigarettes which should only happed in the 1960’s.
Germany is about to breakout spurred on the the Nazi party. Alex, our hero, in these the first 3 volumes of the series goes from avoiding conflict but it follows him from Austria to Switzerland and to France.
As a freedom fighter, Kovacs remains an amateur.
Oh and why are the removing filters from cigarettes which should only happed in the 1960’s.
June 15, 2021
Page-turner alert!
The emphasis is more on adventure and suspense than on historical detail, but that’s what made the first three books in this series so quick-to-read and entertaining. And, honestly, I did learn few new things about WWII.
The emphasis is more on adventure and suspense than on historical detail, but that’s what made the first three books in this series so quick-to-read and entertaining. And, honestly, I did learn few new things about WWII.
January 5, 2022
Great settings, great stories, but too long.
I was captured by the historical accuracy of the era and the details of the life of a spy. The stories got long-winded and less believable as I turned more and more pages...impatient to get to some closure.
I was captured by the historical accuracy of the era and the details of the life of a spy. The stories got long-winded and less believable as I turned more and more pages...impatient to get to some closure.
February 18, 2023
Excellent read!
All 3 books are fast paced & holds your interest. Just when you think you know what's going to happen, you get a curve ball! I'm loving' them. Starting #4 immediately.
Also, really like Wake's writing style.
All 3 books are fast paced & holds your interest. Just when you think you know what's going to happen, you get a curve ball! I'm loving' them. Starting #4 immediately.
Also, really like Wake's writing style.
December 28, 2020
Vive la France
Enjoyed the detail about what life was like under the Occupation. I had seen the series about “A Village” under the Occupation. Chilling!
Enjoyed the detail about what life was like under the Occupation. I had seen the series about “A Village” under the Occupation. Chilling!
March 28, 2021
Great book
Great book. I like historically significant works that seem to also tell a good story. This one was well often and very well paced
Great book. I like historically significant works that seem to also tell a good story. This one was well often and very well paced
April 3, 2021
Never a dull moment, brilliant!
September 30, 2022
Excellent read
Every book is getting better. The end of book 3 is a nail biter. Wanting to finish this review so I can download the next book.
Every book is getting better. The end of book 3 is a nail biter. Wanting to finish this review so I can download the next book.
February 19, 2023
a very good read
Very well written. It brings you back to focussing on what war is like in detail rather than just as a news headline.
Very well written. It brings you back to focussing on what war is like in detail rather than just as a news headline.
December 14, 2019
Alex Kovacs seriesbooks 1-3
This series is one that drags you from the beginning and carried you through many parts of Europe during WW2. It was hard to put down and I can't wait to get to the next book in the series.
If you are looking for a different way to learn about WE 2 this is a great way to do it. I will recommend these books to my Western Civilization class that I teach at a community college
This series is one that drags you from the beginning and carried you through many parts of Europe during WW2. It was hard to put down and I can't wait to get to the next book in the series.
If you are looking for a different way to learn about WE 2 this is a great way to do it. I will recommend these books to my Western Civilization class that I teach at a community college
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews