The Nazi Spy

Nazi Spy Mystery Series #1

by Alan Hardy

Scotland. 1941. Fiona, rich and privileged, is trapped in a loveless marriage to a Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force. Although, at thirty-seven, she is no longer the pretty young thing she used to be, she still secretly clings to the romantic dreams of her youth. The very young and very handsome Flight Lieutenant Matthew Manfred, in the same squadron as her husband, is starting to figure very strongly in those dreams… Out there, meanwhile, in the real world, Great Britain is on its knees, and Germany triumphant. War threatens not just the survival of Great Britain, but also Fiona’s position and wealth. And even her life… You see, murder has raised its ugly head… Someone close to her has been killed. But who is the murderer? And who might be his (or her) next victim? Fiona sets out to investigate, but it’s not going to be easy, because, you see, there are another two mysteries she needs to solve. Firstly, who has been writing love letters to her? Very beautiful letters, but letters of an extremely intimate nature… Then there’s the other mystery, probably the most important, and the most threatening of all. You see, she fears there is a spy in her midst…who is about to strike the most lethal blow of all… She will have to find out who that person is, not just to protect her country, but to protect herself. She must tread carefully, without arousing suspicions. Are the murderer and the spy one and the same person? Or could they possibly be two different people? Who is implicated? Is it dour, dull Squadron Leader Jackson? Or Belinda, his cheeky, promiscuous wife? Is it ladies’ man, Flight Lieutenant George Turnbill? Or Paula Wentworth, his latest, shameless squeeze? What about the moustachioed Group Captain Jenkins? Or Mary Wilkinson, looking far too attractive in her smart blue-grey uniform? And, to Fiona’s annoyance, looking far too young… And what is the role in all this of gorgeous, young Flight Lieutenant Matthew Manfred, who once gave Fiona a soft, lingering kiss she just can’t forget? What secrets are hidden in his beautiful, throbbing breast? And is he the person who has been writing sweet nothings to her? Fiona hopes so, but fears he might turn out to be something a good deal worse, and quite terrifying… And what is young Mary Wilkinson to him? Fiona has to tread warily, as if on eggshells, because, if she makes one false move, it could well turn out to be her last.

Genres: Mystery, Amazon, Romance

237 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2020

About the author

I'm a director of an English language school for foreign students. Married, with one daughter. Poetry pamphlets: Wasted Leaves, 1996; I Went With Her, 2007. I've had poems published in such magazines as Orbis, Iota, The Interpreter's House, Poetry Nottingham, Poetry Salzburg Review, Poetry Cornwall, and others. I have now written ten novels. I would describe them as surreal novels with plenty of comedy, satire, humor, romance, sex and adventure. They're shocking, original and respectful of nothing and nobody. You have been warned.
The nine published so far are THE CASE OF THE TATTOOED BUTTOCKS, THE CASE OF THE PINIONED BOSOMS, THE CASE OF THE DISAPPEARING CORPSES, THROUGH THE GATES, VAMPIRE HUNT, JULIA, GOOD QUEEN BETH, BRITT, and GABRIELLA.
THE CASE OF THE TATTOOED BUTTOCKS, subtitled AN INSPECTOR CULLOT MYSTERY, is a cheeky, exciting murder mystery, with plenty of thrills, surprises, witty repartee, suspense and sexy ladies, let alone a couple of gory murders. The story takes place in a country mansion, with an assembled array of suspects (a mixture of the rich, decadent, sophisticated and louche) who are all perhaps not quite what they seem and hiding God knows what secrets... Even the renowned Inspector Cullot, with his occasional fits of dark despair, and now working in a department store's lingerie section, is tormented by ghosts from his past... And does the bumbling, simple-minded PC Blunt, recording another Inspector Cullot case for posterity in an array of note-books, also have skeletons in his cupboard..? And do the unsolved Night-Club Hostess Murders committed two years earlier have a bearing on the case? And what about the strange tattoos on the buttocks of the gorgeous ladies assembled at the mansion? What does it all mean? You'll die laughing trying to find out.
Check out the two follow-up novels in the series, THE CASE OF THE PINIONED BOSOMS and THE CASE OF THE DISAPPEARING CORPSES.... let alone THE CASE OF THE TORN YELLOW SOCKS, soon to appear as the fourth book in this hilarious series...
THROUGH THE GATES is a time-travel novel, with the hero (or anti-hero) Mark travelling back to the days of World War Two. He lives in an old house with a big, mysterious garden where he keeps unearthing and discovering objects which draw him back into the past. He's also obsessed with a beautiful young woman he saw when very young, and his attraction towards the past, and journeys into it, are also an attempt to find her and discover who she was... Not to mention the gold bullion buried somewhere in Mark's garden...
VAMPIRE HUNT tells the story of Dr Joseph Aymon's return to Transylvania in search of Bella, his long-lost first love, and in search of vampires...to kill...
JULIA is a novel dealing with a young man's obsession with his first love, and his pursuit of her over seven years. Is he just a young man hopelessly and helplessly in love, or is it something more delusional...or even dangerous?
GABRIELLA is a cheeky, sexy portrayal of young love played out on the sports field. It's romantic, provocative, unabashed, and unapologetic.
BRITT is set in France during World War One, and is a comic, exciting tale of derring-do, spies, aerial dog-fights...and sexual shenanigans... In contrast to this world of sexual abandon and experience, we have Wriggles of the Royal Flying Corps and Britt, his childhood sweetheart. Both are innocents in a world they don't understand, and can't relate to. With a devilishly cunning German spy ring about to escape with top-secret information that might well bring about England's defeat, they are England's only hope. Will they be able to save England, and find true love...?
GOOD QUEEN BETH is a savage, no-holds-barred critique of the monarchy and present-day society, in a novel which is brutal and provocative, yet exhilarating and wide-ranging in events and relationships.

Reviews

[Nico Genes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who’s the spy?

The story got my attention from the start. The events take place during the second world war in Britain. Fiona was married to Freddie, and he was a pilot at war. While their marriage was not a happy one, the letter exchange between the two turned out to show a different story. They addressed each other politely, considerate and loving, something that they were not before the war started.

Could it be that it wasn't Freddie writing them? If not him, who else? Why would anyone else pretend to be Freddie?

After receiving the news about Freddie’s death, Fiona kept receiving letters. She was not mourning, but she went into action. She wanted to find out who her writing pal was and what their reason was. In her quest, not only she succeeds to find out answers that interested her, but she also gets some of her dreams fulfilled. Their importance is much underlined by the events that took place at the time. Fiona's status made her easily involved in everything. Everyone was at war, and they all had a role to play. The story is more intriguing when we can’t tell for sure who’s the spy: Nazi, British or a double one. Interesting right?

I recommend the book to anyone that enjoys a romance story amid certain events during the second world war.

[Carol Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly Written Spy Thriller

Taking place in Scotland in 1941, The Nazi Spy by Alan Hardy is a spy thriller I couldn’t put down. Brilliantly written with suspicion cast in every direction, this story of a Scottish woman caught up in espionage prior to the US entrance into World War II. I loved the ultimate-faceted characters of Matthew and Fiona, and her beautiful estate with mansion and gardens. I’m excited to see this is Book One!!

[Tia Didmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiona is stuck in a loveless marriage. Her husband, when not leading his squadron, is frequenting the bed of other women.
When Freddie starts sending her intimate letters, she believes her marriage is about to rebound. Then she receives news that Freddie’s plane has been shot from the sky. The letters, however, keep coming. Fiona must find out who is sending these rousing letters.
She learns that Freddie was flying someone else's plane. Was he truly the target? Will she be able to find love in the arms of another or is her new admirer a spy?
If you are a fan of Agatha Christie, you will enjoy this book

[Gordon Bickerstaff · Rating 4 out of 5]

WWII spy mystery

This story is set in Scotland at the beginning of WWII, and it revolves around an upper-class woman, Fiona, her life in an unhappy marriage, due to an unfaithful husband, and her desire to find love during desperate and uncertain times when he is KIA. The author captures the 1940s era and the setting very well, and it is easy to imagine the scenes and the characters. By in large, the characters are well constructed with flaws and traits, and sit comfortably in the events and circumstances. The plot contains a spy mystery, and as it moves along there are many twists and revelations, which kept me turning the pages. Recommended.

[Susan Wüthrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a saying about honour among thieves. But what about spies?
In the darkest hours of the second world war, RAF Squadron 287 is sent to patrol the skies over the naval base at Scarpa Flow in Scotland.
Living nearby, self-absorbed Fiona MacIntosh, a wealthy Scottish landowner, believes her loathed pilot husband is dead and begins a torrid love affair with Matthew, an air force officer fifteen years her junior. While dallying with the young man, it soon becomes apparent there is a cluster of secret agents among the squadron, with at least one double agent and possibly more. But who are the traitors and who is deceiving who?
Wrapped in her upper-class snobbery, and besotted with Matthew, she lives on the edge, unsure of whether he is sincere or pulling her strings to his own advantage.
The majority of the characters in this story of wartime betrayal are most unlikeable, and Fiona comes across as cold and heartless. Even so, it is an intriguing read and will appeal to those who are fond of tales of WWII espionage.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad story, but when changing the name of a character, it is important to make sure that all references of said character get changed. For example, Matthew is referred to as Malcolm at least twice. It throw the reader's rhythm.

[C.A. King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Espionage, thriller, or romance? I don't think I could choose just one genre for this book. It has them all including historical fiction, which I've been binging on as of late. This Nazi Spy is an enjoyable read with a fantastic plot. "I'm looking forward to reading more.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the spy games

I loved the intriguing plot and characters. I can't wait to read the second book in the series. It was a nail bitter to find out who the spy's were, and find out what would happen. Keep up the great work!

[Shannon Adams · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a difficult time with this book. I am not a huge fan of espionage thrillers anyway, but I needed to read one for a book club and I like historical fiction better than I like modern settings, so I gave it a try. I felt like WWII Britain had great potential to be interesting.

It didn't feel right for historical fiction. Other than airplanes and lots of talk about the Nazis, it could have been anywhere, any time period. The things the characters said and did felt like they were treated far too casually for 1940's upper society. Honestly, it feels like a woman having an affair with a man 16 years her junior immediately after her husband's death would raise some eyebrows, but no. I just couldn't buy into it, nor the action, what little there was.

The actual copy editing had some problems. There were several places in the book where quotation marks at the end of a sentence were cut off and placed on the next line with the ending punctuation. And a couple times, a sentence was cut off midway through and started again on the next line, like someone had accidentally hit the enter key. It was odd and distracting.

The style of prose, too, was not enjoyable to me. It was like the author went through stages where he thought of a new phrase or technique and then overused it. For the first several chapters, he used "you see" so many times I actually said "ugh" out loud every time I read it. Then there was a "time would tell" phase. Toward the end, everything became rhetorical questions. But that doesn't bother anyone, does it? Surely people enjoy it, don't they? And I know that short, choppy fragments are popular right now, but I personally hate that style of writing. I don't want an author to assume that I need the literary equivalent of twenty cut-scenes per minute. I'm an intelligent person. Don't try to convince me that I can't focus on a sentence for more than 2 seconds.

I don't have anything to compare the actual "spy" content to, since I haven't read another espionage book in at least fifteen years. It did seem there was a lot of figuring things out and lucky guesses without much actual action. In fact, there was more sex in the book than sleuthing. Really, the romance played a more prominent role than figuring out who the spies were. And I didn't care who the spies were. None of it mattered to me, because none of them mattered to me.

And that's the crux of it, right there. People are my favorite part of any novel. If I love the chracters, I will forgive bad copy editing, static writing, even an absolutely lame plot. If I love the characters, I will love the book, and I will even go on to read other pretty-lame books just to stay connected to those characters. But I didn't even remotely like these characters.

There were only two that were supposed to be likable, and the man was marginally better than the woman. But Fiona - she was a psychotic brat. That's not hyperbole. The two adjectives that best describe her are psychotic and bratty. She was selfish, manipulative, backstabbing, vain, jealous, hypocritical, controlling - I was horrified at her stream of consciousness thoughts and actions. She was not likeable. She was not redeemable. She was vicious and catty, and I had no desire for her to succeed or even survive; and I had no respect for the man who adored that, however gorgeous he may have been.

It was also very weird how the author seemed to view women - it was like he had this image in his mind that women spend all their free time lounging around half-dressed and slightly aroused. It was bizarre.

I don't know if all these things are common to this author's books, but I don't intend to find out. One was enough.

[Emerson Gamble · Rating 5 out of 5]

A World War II period mystery – Hardy exceeds all expectations I had going in to this. Smooth writing style kept the pages turning, and all the twists and turns of this mystery kept me guessing until the end. Everything a mystery fan and a history buff needs! This one truly did not disappoint.😎

[Kat Drennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining spy dance.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Fiona is a complex, surprising character. Gotta love a cheeky British mystery. Impeccably written and executed. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intrigue. Suspense. Romance. My mind was running as wild as Fiona's fantasies with the possible outcomes to the story, as she and Matthew attempt to track down a Nazi spy.

The characters are zany at times, and the situations comedic. Spitting. Biting. Then passionate love. Fiona is a pampered, privileged woman of means, who'll do what is best for HER. She often lives in her made-up world of what she believes life and love should be like. Matthew, too, puts himself first: his goals above the needs of others and even above his country. You may not like either of them at times, because of their selfish ways, but when it comes to critical situations, people will do what it takes to ensure they survive.

There's also a sobering look at the tactics of war. The games those in charge play so that they, too, will win. Lives are lost as part of the overall strategy. And so, in some ways, the individual selfish actions of Fiona and Matthew pale in comparison to the games the politicians play with the lives of many. Who can blame individuals for doing what's best for them, when the government does the same?

Thought provoking to the end, with plenty of twists to the story to keep you guessing how it might end.

[J.M. Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in World War 2, this is a clever novel that captivates from the first page. The early twists and turns had me guessing and prompted me to find out what happened next, and from then on, I was hooked.

The main character is a wealthy lady named Fiona who lives alone (with servants) in Scotland while her feckless husband is posted elsewhere with his RAF squadron and uses his time to bed as many willing women as he can. However, this isn’t a novel solely about a loveless marriage and subsequent romantic liaison – it’s a spy thriller. Fiona is harbouring a secret, and it seems everybody else in her life is harbouring a secret too, including the enigmatic Flight Lieutenant Manfred, who appears in her world and turns it upside-down. There is a spy in their midst – perhaps more than one – and nothing can be taken at face value.

Fiona is, thankfully, not a standard beautiful heroine and has a number of flaws and quirks that make her approachable. She is intelligent, but naïve and emotional at the same time, a combination that makes it hard for her to unravel bluff, double-bluff, and even triple-bluff among the other characters who threaten to destabilise not just her renewed love of life but her sanity, as well. She can’t tell (and nor can we) who is lying to her and who is telling the truth, but the author weaves together all the threads to produce a plausible and satisfying outcome.

The author’s wry humour and depth of observation of his characters’ motivations combine to make this an absorbing read; certainly a pleasant diversion from the day-to-day problems of modern life. Well worth reading.

[Madeleine Holly-Rosing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Living in Scotland in 1941, the very rich, entitled, and unstable Fiona MacIntosh has pretty much everything in life, except she also has a boorish husband and a loveless marriage. World War II has just started and the outcome looks grim for Britain, but for Fiona a dream has come true. Her husband has died in battle and the handsome (and young) Lt. Matthew Manford has entered her life. Finally, she has the love and passion she has longed for. But there is a mystery surrounding her husband's death. Could Matthew be involved? What about his squadron? The more mysteries Fiona uncovers, the more it reveals about British Intelligence and herself.

This was an interesting book and a very taut thriller. The author did a terrific job of making the reader want to follow the journey of what became an unlikable character. The mystery of who and who wasn't a spy took a circuitous journey, so you do have to pay attention. However, it pays off in the end. Definitely a page turner. Great job.

[Allan Challis · Rating 2 out of 5]

From the outset we're told a lot of things about Fiona, her marriage and some letters. This put me off. There was a lot of telling in lengthy blocks of text, punctuated by a bit of dialogue. There was little sense of place and time: cities, towns, villages, houses, rooms. Life in Britain at the time of this story was affected by war, and while war is mentioned and is the purpose of this story, the life of 1941 isn't there. The pacing is languid - particularly that it takes quite a while before the purpose of the story is revealed, beyond a marriage and some letters. The story has very little action and what action there is, is stilted and unnatural. The fact that Fiona could wander on and off an RAF base, a key part of the story, was frankly unbelievable - that could never have happened. Sadly, The Nazi Spy didn't work for me.

[Bill Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a mystery, which had me guessing until the very end and confused who was good or bad, In fact, I've finished the book and I'm still not one hundred per cent certain which of the characters can be trusted! Fiona is in a loveless marriage and I was just sympathising with her when a revelation changed my opinion. She starts an affair with Matthew but this is set during the second world war and no one can easily be trusted. As this is Book 1 in a series, I suspect there will be more nefarious activities and revelations in the next book. I should add that the author does a great job with the authentic feel of the nineteen forties. An enjoyable mystery / romance with a wide appeal.

[B.J. Tiernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE NAZI SPY: NAZI SPY MYSTERY SERIES BOOK 1, is a real 'Who dun it?,' so you do have to pay close attention. This novel felt more like a James Bond spy adventure than a mystery to me, yet there are mystery elements to the plot. I always love flawed characters, and the author does not disappoint. In this absorbing read it is hard to trust anyone right up to the end, ergo, once again, pay close attention. The WWII backdrop is well-researched which always makes for a better read. The suspects are numerous, and the clues lead in many directions, but hang in there. If you enjoy the unpredictable, this could be the novel for you.

[Susanne Leist · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Fiona MacIntosh, her troubled marriage with Flight Lieutenant Freddie MacIntosh of the Royal Air Force, and Freddie's murder or possible murder kept me enthralled. She suspects a Nazi shot down her husband's plane. Fiona doesn't know which of the officers in her husband's RAF squadron she can trust. She is attracted to Flight Lieutenant Matthew Manford. Can he be the one sending her love letters, which she assumed had come from her husband? But the love letters continue after Freddie's death.
Against the dark backdrop of WWII, the story thrusts us into Fiona's fears for her life and journey to find the truth. Twists and turns lead us to a satisfying conclusion.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to buy this story after I read the sample, the writing was great.

The story is set in Britan during WW2, the main character, Fiona, is a rich, spoilt and quite crazy woman who has a secret. Her husband is a 'cad' and she is unhappy...then things change.

I can't say I liked Fiona, though she was intriguing. The plot had its twists and turns, and nothing was certain. It's fast-paced and its tone fitted the era very well.

Not wanting to give spoilers, I will say that this tale was enjoyable yet sad, humorous yet ironic and its writing style compelling.

Recommended.

[Mari Law · Rating 3 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed being in 1941, reading the vocabulary that would have been used back then and getting into the minds of some of the characters. However, Fiona was not likeable and thought and did things that I considered difficult to believe. I could not see what Matthew saw in her despite secret motives he might have - or what she identified in his personality as being a good catch. The story started off with a strong premise. There were plenty of twists and turns and it’s well worth dipping into the book for something out of the ordinary.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was less of an espionage novel and more of a story of sexually repressed aristocrats playing at spycraft. These were truly awful people who only cared about preserving their upper-crust lifestyle and improving their sex lives. I should have quit reading this at the halfway mark but thought that surely it would get better. It didn't. There were no surprises and none of these people had an epiphany.

[Lorraine Carey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great wartime romance between Fiona and Matthew, her dashing young Flight Lieutenant. Plenty of thrills and twists and turns too. It’s a murder mystery and spy-story as well, it’s so full of shocks and surprises and you never quite know what to expect. It kept me on my toes all through. Exciting, romantic, intriguing and full of tension. Really enjoyed it.

[Carole D Hutchison · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring

Sorry to say I couldn't even finish the book because it's did it out kind of in a boring way and didn't stop so I decided anyone about the finishing it I Mr. reading stories with more action mystery and suspense so throw some of that in there and you should be okay cause I do like stories about a Nazi and that error

[robert French · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rubbish

I thought this was poorly written and with a grossly overstretched plot. Characters were two dimensional and unconvincing. A very poor attempt at some spy novel

[Zoltan Mathe · Rating 2 out of 5]

the author needs an editor, any editor and a better vocabulary then his writing became believable

[Linda Ives · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm afraid that i couldn't get into this book at all!

[Nova · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mundane

It took all I had to stay focused and interested in this story. The female character was really hard to believe the characterization.

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unusual spy thriller set during World War 2. Full of bluff, double bluff and even triple bluff it is an enjoyable read that will keep your mind alert, trying to work out who is lying to who. It captures the time period well and I loved the idea the central character couldn't imagine America or Russia becoming involved in the conflict. While with hindsight some of the characters' decisions may seem wrong, the author reminds us of the fears and ideas prevalent at the time and how many peoples' aim was simply to survive the best they could until it was all over.
Fun read with an interesting perspective.

[Angel Medina · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Exciting Female Thriller

I'm not big on World War Two books but I decided to give this one a read. What sets this apart is that the MC is female which sets it apart from your traditional thriller. Not to mention the fate of Britain hangs in the balance makes this an exciting read. A real page-turner indeed. I shall be reading book 2!

The only thing was some POV switches were rough but not enough to hurt the experience.

[T.N. Traynor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A twisting turning war time mystery

Fiona, demure English rose living in Scotland. Married to an RAF oaf. The setting is Scotland the year is 1941. In a time of war it is easy to suspect everyone of being a spy. But Fiona does more than suspect, she knows, and she’s determined to find them. Enjoyable mystery.