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Charlie's War
1941, France
The Battle of Britain is over, but the German occupation of France ensures there is still plenty of action in store for young Spitfire pilot Charlie Quinn.
He is one of the best in his field, but he knows only too well that every sortie could be his last.
Yet the irresistible urge to do everything he can to keep his fellow pilots, his family and England safe drives the young ace to go above and beyond the call of duty.
His worst fear is quickly realised when he is shot down over France during his latest mission.
Charlie somehow manages to steer his stricken fighter to a crash-landing inside German-held territory near Étaples – a town, it turns out, synonymous with a terrible secret for Charlie’s family.
Badly wounded, Charlie survives – but the dogfight and crash trigger a mixed reaction among the French villagers who witness them.
Can they help the English pilot?
And more importantly, should they?
What price will they pay if their German masters discover they are aiding or harbouring the enemy?
With his condition deteriorating with each passing minute, Charlie has almost given up hope when an enigmatic stranger comes to his aid.
With the Germans closing in, can Charlie keep his identity hidden long enough to escape war-torn France and return to the safety of England’s shores?
'Charlie’s War' presents a realistic and accurate picture of Nazi-occupied France and the dangerous world of the French resistance, while also providing a cockpit-seat glimpse of what it takes to battle it out in the skies over war-torn Europe.
The Battle of Britain is over, but the German occupation of France ensures there is still plenty of action in store for young Spitfire pilot Charlie Quinn.
He is one of the best in his field, but he knows only too well that every sortie could be his last.
Yet the irresistible urge to do everything he can to keep his fellow pilots, his family and England safe drives the young ace to go above and beyond the call of duty.
His worst fear is quickly realised when he is shot down over France during his latest mission.
Charlie somehow manages to steer his stricken fighter to a crash-landing inside German-held territory near Étaples – a town, it turns out, synonymous with a terrible secret for Charlie’s family.
Badly wounded, Charlie survives – but the dogfight and crash trigger a mixed reaction among the French villagers who witness them.
Can they help the English pilot?
And more importantly, should they?
What price will they pay if their German masters discover they are aiding or harbouring the enemy?
With his condition deteriorating with each passing minute, Charlie has almost given up hope when an enigmatic stranger comes to his aid.
With the Germans closing in, can Charlie keep his identity hidden long enough to escape war-torn France and return to the safety of England’s shores?
'Charlie’s War' presents a realistic and accurate picture of Nazi-occupied France and the dangerous world of the French resistance, while also providing a cockpit-seat glimpse of what it takes to battle it out in the skies over war-torn Europe.
180 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 24, 2016
11 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Doherty
5 books20 followersKevin Doherty is the author of the novels Landscape of Shadows, The Leonardo Gulag, Villa Normandie, Charlie's War, and Patriots.
Landscape of Shadows is set in a small French town in Nazi-occupied France. Two German troopers are assassinated. The town's mayor faces a terrible choice: surrender the headstrong and beautiful Resistance fighter to whom he is secretly giving refuge, or let the German commander execute ten innocent citizens in her place.
The Leonardo Gulag takes us to the heart of Stalin's regime of terror when a brilliant young artist is forced to make perfect forgeries of the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci. It is a tale of survival against all odds.
Villa Normandie is set in Nazi-occupied France in the weeks before D-Day. It presents a vivid portrait of life under Nazi occupation and is a moving tale of the French Resistance and the struggle for freedom.
Charlie's War tells the story of a Spitfire pilot shot down in German-occupied France near a town that holds a terrible secret for him. Dare the local villagers help him - and who is the mysterious stranger who comes to his aid?
Patriots is a gripping espionage thriller set in 1980s Russia and Britain. It is a story of power politics and betrayal at the highest levels of government and the intelligence services.
Kevin Doherty has worked in advertising and marketing, has been a director of a number of major British and international companies, and has advised businesses and government agencies in Britain and Europe.
He lives in Berkshire, England, with his wife Roz. They have three sons.
Visit www.kevindoherty.com for more about Kevin Doherty and his novels, and to contact him.
Landscape of Shadows is set in a small French town in Nazi-occupied France. Two German troopers are assassinated. The town's mayor faces a terrible choice: surrender the headstrong and beautiful Resistance fighter to whom he is secretly giving refuge, or let the German commander execute ten innocent citizens in her place.
The Leonardo Gulag takes us to the heart of Stalin's regime of terror when a brilliant young artist is forced to make perfect forgeries of the drawings of Leonardo da Vinci. It is a tale of survival against all odds.
Villa Normandie is set in Nazi-occupied France in the weeks before D-Day. It presents a vivid portrait of life under Nazi occupation and is a moving tale of the French Resistance and the struggle for freedom.
Charlie's War tells the story of a Spitfire pilot shot down in German-occupied France near a town that holds a terrible secret for him. Dare the local villagers help him - and who is the mysterious stranger who comes to his aid?
Patriots is a gripping espionage thriller set in 1980s Russia and Britain. It is a story of power politics and betrayal at the highest levels of government and the intelligence services.
Kevin Doherty has worked in advertising and marketing, has been a director of a number of major British and international companies, and has advised businesses and government agencies in Britain and Europe.
He lives in Berkshire, England, with his wife Roz. They have three sons.
Visit www.kevindoherty.com for more about Kevin Doherty and his novels, and to contact him.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 16, 2022
A Different Kind of War.
Not the usual tale of a downed Spitfire pilot in France. Not the usual dashing tale of the French Resistance that one reads about either but just as extraordinary. I enjoyed this author's unique take on a singular World War II event as well as his writing style. We forget that history is made by regular folks, doing the best they can with what they have. And if they are lucky, maybe a guardian angel, as Charlie did.
Not the usual tale of a downed Spitfire pilot in France. Not the usual dashing tale of the French Resistance that one reads about either but just as extraordinary. I enjoyed this author's unique take on a singular World War II event as well as his writing style. We forget that history is made by regular folks, doing the best they can with what they have. And if they are lucky, maybe a guardian angel, as Charlie did.
December 27, 2022
Pilot at war
I thought it was an story of a time that most of us do not understand. You would to be in war to understand the people. Our wars are much more impersonal unless you are on the ground. Tv does not even show conflict we do not want to see or know!
I thought it was an story of a time that most of us do not understand. You would to be in war to understand the people. Our wars are much more impersonal unless you are on the ground. Tv does not even show conflict we do not want to see or know!
February 16, 2020
A fast read. A WWII story with mystery characters.
May 18, 2020
Good read, interesting story, nicely drawn characters. Good ending open to interpretation!
September 22, 2019
Very Good!
Good book, worth a read, characters could have had more depth and the book was too short. The story could have been longer and provided more detail on the activities of the resistance cell. Nice touch to weave in the supernatural into the tale. As I say, worth the read.
Good book, worth a read, characters could have had more depth and the book was too short. The story could have been longer and provided more detail on the activities of the resistance cell. Nice touch to weave in the supernatural into the tale. As I say, worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews