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Conor Thorn #2
The Ultra Betrayal
October, 1942. Rule breaker OSS Agent Conor Thorn is assigned a mission to help the Allied war effort when a key Swedish cryptographer stationed in England goes missing. Thorn is determined to find him before critical information falls into enemy hands. But his MI6 colleague, Emily Bright, vanishes trailing the codebreaker to Stockholm, plunging Thorn into a sinister Nazi conspiracy.
Suspicious of the cryptographer's wife and racing against time to prevent damaging leaks, Thorn mounts a daring operation. But if the bold agent's plan fails, he risks compromising Allied tactics and jeopardizing thousands of valiant lives.
Can Thorn stop prized secrets from triggering more wartime carnage?
The Ultra Betrayal is the second novel in the thrilling Conor Thorn spy series. If you like harrowing historical drama, riveting espionage, and fast-paced action, then you'll love Glenn Dyer's well-researched World War II adventure.
Suspicious of the cryptographer's wife and racing against time to prevent damaging leaks, Thorn mounts a daring operation. But if the bold agent's plan fails, he risks compromising Allied tactics and jeopardizing thousands of valiant lives.
Can Thorn stop prized secrets from triggering more wartime carnage?
The Ultra Betrayal is the second novel in the thrilling Conor Thorn spy series. If you like harrowing historical drama, riveting espionage, and fast-paced action, then you'll love Glenn Dyer's well-researched World War II adventure.
- GenresFictionWorld War II
363 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 9, 2020
323 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
Glenn Dyer
5 books22 followersLong captivated by the events of World War II, Glenn Dyer couples this fascination with his passion for historical thrillers with the publication of “The Torch Betrayal”, the first in the Conor Thorn Series. "The Ultra Betrayal" and "The Unquiet Genius" are books 2 & 3 in the series. He resides in Park City, Utah with his wife Chris. They have three children, all of whom live too far away.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 9, 2020
Glenn Dyer follows up his debut novel, The Torch Betrayal, with another wonderfully written WWII thriller. The story opens just days after the completion of the first novel and once again we get to experience a realistic WWII spy adventure alongside OSS agent Conor Thorn and MI6 agent Emily Bright. The plot revolves around the disappearance of one of the key code breakers at Bletchley Park, a Swede who appears poised to sell secrets to the enemy. The very thought of the Nazis learning that the Allies have already broken their Enigma machines is unthinkable and would have disastrous consequences on the future of the war.
This second book in the series is just as riveting as the first. We get to learn more of the backgrounds of the main two characters as well as be introduced to a number of intriguing people, both fictional and historical. The stakes are perhaps even higher as is the danger. Cameos by Ian Fleming, Edward R. Murrow, and actor David Niven are fun while getting a behind-the-scenes peek at notable senior leaders in action such as Churchill, Wild Bill Donovan, Himmler, Walter Schellenberg, and Soviet spy Kim Philby is fascinating. But once again, just as in the first book, my favorite parts (other than the nicely complex plot and the characters) are when I get to learn about the lesser-known historical figures who nevertheless played very important roles during the war.
Kudos to the author; my hat is off. A second novel can fall short of expectations but this one was hit out of the park once again. I love these characters and the well-paced plotting always keeps me turning the pages. And the research that went into this is truly impressive. I count both books among the very best WWII spy fiction I have ever read. I only wish I were staring now at a stack of ten more books in the series to sink my teeth into. Alas, I must have patience, but I will be among the first in line for the next.
This second book in the series is just as riveting as the first. We get to learn more of the backgrounds of the main two characters as well as be introduced to a number of intriguing people, both fictional and historical. The stakes are perhaps even higher as is the danger. Cameos by Ian Fleming, Edward R. Murrow, and actor David Niven are fun while getting a behind-the-scenes peek at notable senior leaders in action such as Churchill, Wild Bill Donovan, Himmler, Walter Schellenberg, and Soviet spy Kim Philby is fascinating. But once again, just as in the first book, my favorite parts (other than the nicely complex plot and the characters) are when I get to learn about the lesser-known historical figures who nevertheless played very important roles during the war.
Kudos to the author; my hat is off. A second novel can fall short of expectations but this one was hit out of the park once again. I love these characters and the well-paced plotting always keeps me turning the pages. And the research that went into this is truly impressive. I count both books among the very best WWII spy fiction I have ever read. I only wish I were staring now at a stack of ten more books in the series to sink my teeth into. Alas, I must have patience, but I will be among the first in line for the next.
June 18, 2020
A well written spy thriller with perfect pacing...
The Ultra Betrayal by Glenn Dyer is the second novel in the Conor Thorn spy series. Yet again, the author weaves another riveting espionage spy thriller. With intriguing twists and turns it will easily captivate the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints a gripping and mesmerizing World War II Spy Thriller in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction. It’s a fast-paced novel that will keep you engaged from the first page to the last.
The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘One man’s dark deal with the Nazis could bring the Allies to their knees… Autumn, 1942. Rule breaker OSS Agent Conor Thorn is assigned a mission to help the Allied war effort when a key Swedish cryptographer stationed in England goes missing. Thorn is determined to find him before critical information falls into enemy hands, but when his MI6 colleague vanishes trailing the code breaker to Stockholm, Thorn is plunged yet again into a sinister Nazi conspiracy. Can Thorn stop prized secrets from triggering more wartime carnage? …’
Well, if you want to find out what happens, you’ll just have to turn the pages yourself! However, I will say it was well worth the read. It’s my second time reading this author (The Torch Betrayal - A Conor Thorn Novel Book 1), and I must say I was very impressed yet again.
I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a well written spy thriller with perfect pacing. Not much is as it appears here, which is just the way fans of the mystery, thriller and suspense will want it.
Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
The Ultra Betrayal by Glenn Dyer is the second novel in the Conor Thorn spy series. Yet again, the author weaves another riveting espionage spy thriller. With intriguing twists and turns it will easily captivate the reader’s attention from the beginning. The author paints a gripping and mesmerizing World War II Spy Thriller in a very vivid and convincing way. In addition, the characters are drawn with great credibility and conviction. It’s a fast-paced novel that will keep you engaged from the first page to the last.
The book description gives a sneak preview: ‘One man’s dark deal with the Nazis could bring the Allies to their knees… Autumn, 1942. Rule breaker OSS Agent Conor Thorn is assigned a mission to help the Allied war effort when a key Swedish cryptographer stationed in England goes missing. Thorn is determined to find him before critical information falls into enemy hands, but when his MI6 colleague vanishes trailing the code breaker to Stockholm, Thorn is plunged yet again into a sinister Nazi conspiracy. Can Thorn stop prized secrets from triggering more wartime carnage? …’
Well, if you want to find out what happens, you’ll just have to turn the pages yourself! However, I will say it was well worth the read. It’s my second time reading this author (The Torch Betrayal - A Conor Thorn Novel Book 1), and I must say I was very impressed yet again.
I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a well written spy thriller with perfect pacing. Not much is as it appears here, which is just the way fans of the mystery, thriller and suspense will want it.
Highly recommended and a well-deserved five stars from me. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
July 16, 2020
I gave the first book in this series," The Torch Betrayal," an extremely high rating, pronouncing it one of the bet WWII books I have read. After reading this book," The Ultra Betrayal," I liked it so well I went back and re-read the first book to compare. They are both outstanding narratives of WWII fiction, but I tend to think this book is the better. The characters are very real and well-described. Again the author weaves real people into the fictional narrative, this time including Himmler, Hitler's number two man. The actions involving Himmler appear to be a very good portrayal of the actual person. Conor and Emily's relationship appears to have become more comfortable as they work together to hunt down a rogue cryptographer. This book has a little les emphasis on their inner demons, and it seems to be a little less graphic in details of the violence. It was easy to read and very difficult to put down. It's a great book! I received an ARC of this book from the author for my analysis.
August 2, 2020
Dyer is a good, professional author and this World War Two espionage thriller is a work of quality, research and attention to detail. Based largely on factual events, The Ultra Betrayal tells the story of a Bletchley cryptologist who appears to have gone rogue, and is pursued by American and British MI6 agents before he can sell crucial intelligence to the Germans – information of such value it could change the whole outcome of the war. It is a slow burner, with huge swathes of simmering espionage and clandestine menace driving it, but its true quality is in its fine-tooth comb and its authenticity. However, when the action does occur, it is rousing, engaging and in-depth, and Dyer approaches it with the same professionalism as every other element. It is somewhat unusual to find an author who can change tone from slow interaction to fast action with the same consistent quality, but this author does it well. Overall, the book was perhaps a touch slow for my personal liking, but its superiority and that of its author are certainly not lost on me; I have enormous praise for both.
The book is probably made much better, in the end, by Dyer’s informative and, I must admit, extremely interesting detailed Afterword, in which he adds abundant new fascinating layers to what would otherwise be a formulaic, if intriguing, work of spy fiction. In all truth, the astute addition of this appendix adds much to the book, and I highly recommend that after completing the story you go on and read it. The Afterword seems to make the book more accessible to most fiction readers; before this point – without the knowledge of the truth behind The Ultra Betrayal – I would have perhaps fancied the book more for devoted fans of standard WW2 espionage. Dyer elevates it no end with his account of his own approach to this fascinating tale from the war, whilst revealing his candour and humility as an author. Though the Ultra story is not as well known – and for some reason, not as widely reported – as that around the Enigma machine, its events are long overdue to be told, and I am glad it was Dyer who did so; I applaud him for writing this book in such a studious and articulate manner. He is a good writer, with a conscientious, academic and hardworking ethic; his language and creative phrasing are a pleasure to read, too.
I recommend The Ultra Betrayal for those who want to learn and read actively, rather than simply passing time; moreso, though, I recommend Dyer, whom I hope to read more from soon.
The book is probably made much better, in the end, by Dyer’s informative and, I must admit, extremely interesting detailed Afterword, in which he adds abundant new fascinating layers to what would otherwise be a formulaic, if intriguing, work of spy fiction. In all truth, the astute addition of this appendix adds much to the book, and I highly recommend that after completing the story you go on and read it. The Afterword seems to make the book more accessible to most fiction readers; before this point – without the knowledge of the truth behind The Ultra Betrayal – I would have perhaps fancied the book more for devoted fans of standard WW2 espionage. Dyer elevates it no end with his account of his own approach to this fascinating tale from the war, whilst revealing his candour and humility as an author. Though the Ultra story is not as well known – and for some reason, not as widely reported – as that around the Enigma machine, its events are long overdue to be told, and I am glad it was Dyer who did so; I applaud him for writing this book in such a studious and articulate manner. He is a good writer, with a conscientious, academic and hardworking ethic; his language and creative phrasing are a pleasure to read, too.
I recommend The Ultra Betrayal for those who want to learn and read actively, rather than simply passing time; moreso, though, I recommend Dyer, whom I hope to read more from soon.
June 18, 2020
‘The outcome of the war hangs in the balance’ – ULTRA!
Utah author Glenn Dyer made an impressive literary debut with THE TORCH BETRAYAL, the first volume of his Conor Thorne Novels, and now he very successfully continues that series with Book 2 –THE ULTRA BETRAYAL. Long a fan of historical fiction Glenn dates his initial impulse to begin writing when he encountered the fact that ‘in 1942 a page went missing from Eisenhower's personal wartime diary. That page contained vital details about the impending Allied invasion of North Africa. Reading about it I started thinking: What if that page had fallen into the wrong hands? Who actually took it? What was really at stake?’ The result: a novel series set in WW II inspired by true events.
Given the blend of fact and fiction it is a reader’s first encounter with the initial pages of a book that secures the mood. Glenn opens with an intense Prologue that offers just the right amount of tension and anticipation of the story to come: ‘2245 Hours, Saturday, October 17, 1942 The Crown Inn, Fenny Stratford, Buckinghamshire – Eve Lind scrubbed her hands with a stiff bristle brush and lye soap. Already chapped and cracked, they were soon spotted with beads of blood. She stopped herself and dropped the bush into the sink, raising her hands to her face and drawing in a deep breath. There was no remaining scent. She picked up the small packet of bacon fat and poison, which she had wrapped into a three-inch square of brown wax paper, put on her waist coat, and took a seat in Gunnar’s favorite chair. She knew she would not have to wait long…’ And that degree of mystery and tension pervades his continuation of the WW II events Conor Thorn experiences.
A quick overview of the story: ‘Autumn, 1942. Rule breaker OSS Agent Conor Thorn is assigned a mission to help the Allied war effort when a key Swedish cryptographer Gunnar Lind stationed in England goes missing. Thorn is determined to find him before critical information falls into enemy hands, but when his MI6 colleague vanishes trailing the code-breaker to Stockholm, Thorn is plunged yet again into a sinister Nazi conspiracy. Can Thorn stop prized secrets from triggering more wartime carnage?’
THE ULTRA BETRAYAL is written with exacting, razor sharp prose with a constant reminder that this is history from another vantage, Glenn Dyer has produced another major novel that is on a level with the finest historical fiction authors. Highly recommended.
Utah author Glenn Dyer made an impressive literary debut with THE TORCH BETRAYAL, the first volume of his Conor Thorne Novels, and now he very successfully continues that series with Book 2 –THE ULTRA BETRAYAL. Long a fan of historical fiction Glenn dates his initial impulse to begin writing when he encountered the fact that ‘in 1942 a page went missing from Eisenhower's personal wartime diary. That page contained vital details about the impending Allied invasion of North Africa. Reading about it I started thinking: What if that page had fallen into the wrong hands? Who actually took it? What was really at stake?’ The result: a novel series set in WW II inspired by true events.
Given the blend of fact and fiction it is a reader’s first encounter with the initial pages of a book that secures the mood. Glenn opens with an intense Prologue that offers just the right amount of tension and anticipation of the story to come: ‘2245 Hours, Saturday, October 17, 1942 The Crown Inn, Fenny Stratford, Buckinghamshire – Eve Lind scrubbed her hands with a stiff bristle brush and lye soap. Already chapped and cracked, they were soon spotted with beads of blood. She stopped herself and dropped the bush into the sink, raising her hands to her face and drawing in a deep breath. There was no remaining scent. She picked up the small packet of bacon fat and poison, which she had wrapped into a three-inch square of brown wax paper, put on her waist coat, and took a seat in Gunnar’s favorite chair. She knew she would not have to wait long…’ And that degree of mystery and tension pervades his continuation of the WW II events Conor Thorn experiences.
A quick overview of the story: ‘Autumn, 1942. Rule breaker OSS Agent Conor Thorn is assigned a mission to help the Allied war effort when a key Swedish cryptographer Gunnar Lind stationed in England goes missing. Thorn is determined to find him before critical information falls into enemy hands, but when his MI6 colleague vanishes trailing the code-breaker to Stockholm, Thorn is plunged yet again into a sinister Nazi conspiracy. Can Thorn stop prized secrets from triggering more wartime carnage?’
THE ULTRA BETRAYAL is written with exacting, razor sharp prose with a constant reminder that this is history from another vantage, Glenn Dyer has produced another major novel that is on a level with the finest historical fiction authors. Highly recommended.
July 24, 2020
I swear: I could hear the Andrews Sisters, Tommy Dorsey, and Glenn Miller as I was reading this book—it was so “real” to me! Glenn Dyer’s new book is music to my ears!
It’s been about two years since we last followed the adventures of Conor Thorne. Getting (and reading) Dyer’s new novel has been a welcome sight. In “The Ultra Betrayal” we find Thorne continuing in his worked with the US Forces/Allies in the United Kingdom. D-Day, in 1942, is a long way away (even in practical thoughts), but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of activity (to try to win this war) isn’t going on.
Familiar territory and situations, of course, are readily available here—and the intrigue continues, for this “battle” of time is more than just troops on the ground. “Somewhere (think Bletchley) in England” an important cryptologist has gone missing and Thorne, of course, gets the case: find him, for the fate of the Western World is at stake. The Allies are rapidly gaining ground in the “code service” and a break through is imminent. “Ultra,” of course, is the key word here.
Various scenarios (and theories) abound here and Dyer’s take on the whole picture seems quite thorough. I particularly like the setting (having spent much time in England, although NOT in 1942), the pace (the book moves at rapid speed (which is a plus), the characters are believable (essential), and the plot (certainly plausible). These “likes” make for a good read for me, who, again, likes such mysteries and particularly set in the World War II period.
Fighting the Nazis (and combatting Fascism—even today) always makes a good story, especially (spoiler alert) when “our side” is the winning side.
It’s been about two years since we last followed the adventures of Conor Thorne. Getting (and reading) Dyer’s new novel has been a welcome sight. In “The Ultra Betrayal” we find Thorne continuing in his worked with the US Forces/Allies in the United Kingdom. D-Day, in 1942, is a long way away (even in practical thoughts), but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of activity (to try to win this war) isn’t going on.
Familiar territory and situations, of course, are readily available here—and the intrigue continues, for this “battle” of time is more than just troops on the ground. “Somewhere (think Bletchley) in England” an important cryptologist has gone missing and Thorne, of course, gets the case: find him, for the fate of the Western World is at stake. The Allies are rapidly gaining ground in the “code service” and a break through is imminent. “Ultra,” of course, is the key word here.
Various scenarios (and theories) abound here and Dyer’s take on the whole picture seems quite thorough. I particularly like the setting (having spent much time in England, although NOT in 1942), the pace (the book moves at rapid speed (which is a plus), the characters are believable (essential), and the plot (certainly plausible). These “likes” make for a good read for me, who, again, likes such mysteries and particularly set in the World War II period.
Fighting the Nazis (and combatting Fascism—even today) always makes a good story, especially (spoiler alert) when “our side” is the winning side.
June 29, 2020
Because I read and reviewed Glenn Dyer’s novel, “The Torch Betrayal”, he contacted me requesting that I read and review his new novel, “The Ultra Betrayal”. I immediately agreed since I gave “The Torch Betrayal” five stars. I am again giving his novel five stars. The Ultra Betrayal” was one of those books that I could not put down.
Again, I was super impressed with Mr. Dyer’s knowledge of that historical period and enjoyed the inclusion of big players in the history of that time. It brought a sense of reality to the novel itself. Although knowing that this is a work of historical fiction that includes MI6 and OSS operatives who are not historically correct. I can very well see that the operations and treasonous acts could have occurred.
I was very interested in the author’s notes at the end of the novel which did give the reader the reality of operations and individuals’ roles in this novel. I’m sure that if the British and Americans hadn’t broken the German codes, the outcome of the war may have been very different.
I thought this story was very carefully developed and the characters well-conceived to provide the most suspense and realism to the novel. I hope that Mr. Dyer remembers me after he finishes his next novel. I would happily agree to read and review it also. Congratulations, Mr. Dyer, on another successful novel.
You can find this review on my blog at https://wp.me/p2pjIt-Ab, and other reviews on my blog at http://imhookedonbooks.wordpress.com. I also posted this review on Amazon.com
Again, I was super impressed with Mr. Dyer’s knowledge of that historical period and enjoyed the inclusion of big players in the history of that time. It brought a sense of reality to the novel itself. Although knowing that this is a work of historical fiction that includes MI6 and OSS operatives who are not historically correct. I can very well see that the operations and treasonous acts could have occurred.
I was very interested in the author’s notes at the end of the novel which did give the reader the reality of operations and individuals’ roles in this novel. I’m sure that if the British and Americans hadn’t broken the German codes, the outcome of the war may have been very different.
I thought this story was very carefully developed and the characters well-conceived to provide the most suspense and realism to the novel. I hope that Mr. Dyer remembers me after he finishes his next novel. I would happily agree to read and review it also. Congratulations, Mr. Dyer, on another successful novel.
You can find this review on my blog at https://wp.me/p2pjIt-Ab, and other reviews on my blog at http://imhookedonbooks.wordpress.com. I also posted this review on Amazon.com
July 14, 2020
Glen Dyer did it again with this new adventure-packed novel! It starts strong, with a murder in the first scene. It is a fast paced story, placed mostly in Sweden during WWII, and continues with new adventures for our hero, Conor Thorn, and his companion, Emily Bright, as they solve a new mystery, and save the world once again in this spy thriller. You can’t go wrong with a plot of stollen intelligence, a secret from the past, and plenty of intrigue mixed in, all in the setting of a global war, where everything is at stake. The cast of characters are relatable, and Dyer did a great job using supporting details are to make you feel like you’re really in the midst of the war in Europe in 1942.
While this story frequently alludes to the previous book in the series, the Torch Betrayal, the reader will not miss anything by starting with this book, the second in the series. And it leaves enough unanswered questions to make us want to come back for the next adventure to find out more!
While this story frequently alludes to the previous book in the series, the Torch Betrayal, the reader will not miss anything by starting with this book, the second in the series. And it leaves enough unanswered questions to make us want to come back for the next adventure to find out more!
July 16, 2020
The Ultra Betrayal is the second book in A Conor Thorn Novel series and is an intriguing historical spy thriller.
Although a work of fiction, this classic World War II spy thriller includes a number of historical facts and characters, which added greatly to the story. This book is well written and fast-paced, with realistic characters and situations, espionage, betrayal, secrets, and intrigue. I really appreciated reading the author's notes at the end of the book.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I would love to read more.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
Although a work of fiction, this classic World War II spy thriller includes a number of historical facts and characters, which added greatly to the story. This book is well written and fast-paced, with realistic characters and situations, espionage, betrayal, secrets, and intrigue. I really appreciated reading the author's notes at the end of the book.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I would love to read more.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
February 14, 2021
Excellent Story
This book has a good plot, and weaves a fascinating combination of actual history and real characters with the fictional account. I also liked the fact that the hero was not given super human powers, but used his intellect to resolve problems. My kind of book.
This book has a good plot, and weaves a fascinating combination of actual history and real characters with the fictional account. I also liked the fact that the hero was not given super human powers, but used his intellect to resolve problems. My kind of book.
March 24, 2021
Great read.
Great story, great read, and great characters. Only complaint is the same I had with the first book: unnecessary appearances of famous people, but it wasn’t as pronounced in this book.
Looking forward to the next entry in the series.
Great story, great read, and great characters. Only complaint is the same I had with the first book: unnecessary appearances of famous people, but it wasn’t as pronounced in this book.
Looking forward to the next entry in the series.
August 3, 2020
This was a wonderful spy thriller. And a new author for me. I hope to read more of his work. Very well written. I received a free copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
February 5, 2021
Great Read
Interesting, fast paced action, accurate historical backdrop and wonderful characters! Great read that will keep you on the edge to the end.
Interesting, fast paced action, accurate historical backdrop and wonderful characters! Great read that will keep you on the edge to the end.
February 20, 2021
Good book
This book was mote understandable than the first one. The characters ate suberb. And the twist and turns are wonderful. This book was impossible to put down.
This book was mote understandable than the first one. The characters ate suberb. And the twist and turns are wonderful. This book was impossible to put down.
March 1, 2021
Fast paced and Entertaining
Good basis of historical background mixed with very good fictional protagonists. The two books were very enjoyable.
I look forward to a third.
Good basis of historical background mixed with very good fictional protagonists. The two books were very enjoyable.
I look forward to a third.
November 12, 2021
The second book was better than the first! I really enjoyed this one!
December 21, 2024
Picked this one at a local Thrift Store and absolutely loved it.
Glenn Dyer’s The Ultra Betrayal is a gripping World War II thriller that immerses readers in the high-stakes world of espionage, betrayal, and courage. This novel strikes a delicate balance between historical accuracy and fictional suspense, making it a standout in the genre.
The story follows Conor Thorn, a resourceful American intelligence officer tasked with a perilous mission to recover a British codebreaker who has gone missing. The codebreaker’s knowledge of ULTRA, a top-secret Allied cryptography project, makes this mission critical to the war effort. Thorn teams up with Emily Bright, a sharp and determined MI6 operative, and together they navigate a labyrinth of danger, deceit, and intrigue across war-torn Europe.
Dyer excels in crafting vivid settings that transport readers to the heart of WWII. From the streets of London to the shadowy corners of neutral Sweden, the atmospheric details bring the tension and stakes of the era to life. His meticulous research into wartime espionage ensures a sense of authenticity while still allowing the narrative to unfold with cinematic flair.
The characters are well-developed and compelling. Conor Thorn is a relatable protagonist, struggling with personal demons while staying focused on his mission. Emily Bright’s intelligence and resilience make her a strong counterpart to Thorn, and their dynamic adds depth to the narrative without overshadowing the central plot.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its pacing. Dyer masterfully combines action-packed sequences with moments of quiet suspense, keeping readers engaged throughout. The twists and turns are cleverly executed, and while some revelations are predictable, others will catch readers off guard.
However, the novel occasionally leans on familiar espionage tropes, which might feel derivative to seasoned readers of the genre. Additionally, some secondary characters could have been fleshed out more to enhance their impact on the story.
Overall, The Ultra Betrayal is a highly entertaining and well-crafted thriller that will appeal to fans of WWII fiction and espionage tales. Glenn Dyer’s skillful storytelling and attention to historical detail make this a worthwhile read for anyone looking to delve into a world of spies, secrets, and high-stakes drama.
Glenn Dyer’s The Ultra Betrayal is a gripping World War II thriller that immerses readers in the high-stakes world of espionage, betrayal, and courage. This novel strikes a delicate balance between historical accuracy and fictional suspense, making it a standout in the genre.
The story follows Conor Thorn, a resourceful American intelligence officer tasked with a perilous mission to recover a British codebreaker who has gone missing. The codebreaker’s knowledge of ULTRA, a top-secret Allied cryptography project, makes this mission critical to the war effort. Thorn teams up with Emily Bright, a sharp and determined MI6 operative, and together they navigate a labyrinth of danger, deceit, and intrigue across war-torn Europe.
Dyer excels in crafting vivid settings that transport readers to the heart of WWII. From the streets of London to the shadowy corners of neutral Sweden, the atmospheric details bring the tension and stakes of the era to life. His meticulous research into wartime espionage ensures a sense of authenticity while still allowing the narrative to unfold with cinematic flair.
The characters are well-developed and compelling. Conor Thorn is a relatable protagonist, struggling with personal demons while staying focused on his mission. Emily Bright’s intelligence and resilience make her a strong counterpart to Thorn, and their dynamic adds depth to the narrative without overshadowing the central plot.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its pacing. Dyer masterfully combines action-packed sequences with moments of quiet suspense, keeping readers engaged throughout. The twists and turns are cleverly executed, and while some revelations are predictable, others will catch readers off guard.
However, the novel occasionally leans on familiar espionage tropes, which might feel derivative to seasoned readers of the genre. Additionally, some secondary characters could have been fleshed out more to enhance their impact on the story.
Overall, The Ultra Betrayal is a highly entertaining and well-crafted thriller that will appeal to fans of WWII fiction and espionage tales. Glenn Dyer’s skillful storytelling and attention to historical detail make this a worthwhile read for anyone looking to delve into a world of spies, secrets, and high-stakes drama.
October 5, 2023
I not only learned about World War II but like the continued character development of Conor Thorn. The writing style reminds me of Robert Ludlum. I look forward to reading the last book in the series.
February 16, 2024
The thrilling adventures of Thorn & Bright during WWII continue. The mixture of actual people & the fictional heroes is fantastic & makes for "can't put down" reading! The author's comments at the end make it even more fascinating! On to book 3!!
March 18, 2024
Another great read.
Book 2 carries on where book 1 left off. A real page turner. Plenty of action as Conner and Emily save the allies once again. Can't wait for the next book.
Book 2 carries on where book 1 left off. A real page turner. Plenty of action as Conner and Emily save the allies once again. Can't wait for the next book.
June 26, 2025
Excellent read
Excellent attention grabbing story line, excellent characters, all combining into an excellent enjoyable read . I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it highly.
Excellent attention grabbing story line, excellent characters, all combining into an excellent enjoyable read . I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it highly.
August 10, 2024
Disappointing compared with 2 other books in the series I've read. Too similar in plot, and absolutely unbelievable in many of situations. Any person with a knowledge of Ultra was not allowed to go anywhere near Axis occupied Europe, a high ranking US Officer was removed from command for flying over occupied Europe.
September 3, 2020
A Fast-paced, Wonderfully Thrilling Read!
Glen Dyer’s The Ultra Betrayal, the second of his Conor Thorn series, is a masterful follow-on to his first book The Torch Betrayal. Dyer has proven his place alongside Coonts, Brown, Greaney and the esteemed W.E.B. Griffin!
The story in The Ultra Betrayal takes the reader through a breathtaking rush across four countries in the early days of the Second World War. Dyer’s story covers sixteen tumultuous days in late 1942. His attention to detail allows him to take the actual historical events and then extrapolate an engaging, riveting adventure of his two lead characters, Emily Bright of the British MI6 and Conor Thorn of the United States OSS.
Dyer possess the incredible ability to take what appears to be initially tedious and weave it into an integral part of the story. This being the second book of Glen’s I have read, this is a recurring practice which he utilizes with aplomb. After experiencing his use of this calculated plot diversion, the reader becomes attuned, much like the main character Conor Thorn demonstrates throughout the story, to pay attention to the inconsequential. Unlike many writers of fiction, Dyer does not add “fluff” simply to expand the story; every word is important to the overall mosaic of his story.
Because Dyer’s story homogenously flows from chapter to chapter so effortlessly, even the seemingly unimportant details need not be reread or obsessed over. Dyer’s attention to detail closes every plot loop, every plot thread is gathered and tied without seam into the story, mixing the plausible into the warp and woof of the events in October and November 1942.
Since I have already read The Torch Betrayal, the first Conor Thorn novel, I was anticipating how Emily Bright’s and Conor Thorn’s characters would develop and grow. One aspect of fiction many readers often overlook is that good fiction—for it to be good—must be based on reality and fact. This is true for the setting of the story as well as the psychological makeup of the characters. While most readers have no personal experience facing death, having to harm others in defense of a cause and understanding that their moment-by-moment actions may have radical consequences on a world stage, we must be able to invest in the people being presented.
And Dyer accomplishes this effortlessly; he delivers his characters as three-dimensional, as relatable and they are people we can grow to like more, or in the case of his antagonists, we can come to the precipice of seething animosity. Yet the characters in this book are not part of a Zero-Sum rational; the characters are not merely winners of losers, but they are a mixture of all the traits humanity routinely embodies: the good, the evil, the sad and the pathetic.
I highly recommend this book. Glen’s deft ability at description leaves plenty for our mind to imagine without delving in to the unnecessarily graphic. A wonderful second to the first Conor Thorn novel! A fast paced wonderfully thrilling read!
Glen Dyer’s The Ultra Betrayal, the second of his Conor Thorn series, is a masterful follow-on to his first book The Torch Betrayal. Dyer has proven his place alongside Coonts, Brown, Greaney and the esteemed W.E.B. Griffin!
The story in The Ultra Betrayal takes the reader through a breathtaking rush across four countries in the early days of the Second World War. Dyer’s story covers sixteen tumultuous days in late 1942. His attention to detail allows him to take the actual historical events and then extrapolate an engaging, riveting adventure of his two lead characters, Emily Bright of the British MI6 and Conor Thorn of the United States OSS.
Dyer possess the incredible ability to take what appears to be initially tedious and weave it into an integral part of the story. This being the second book of Glen’s I have read, this is a recurring practice which he utilizes with aplomb. After experiencing his use of this calculated plot diversion, the reader becomes attuned, much like the main character Conor Thorn demonstrates throughout the story, to pay attention to the inconsequential. Unlike many writers of fiction, Dyer does not add “fluff” simply to expand the story; every word is important to the overall mosaic of his story.
Because Dyer’s story homogenously flows from chapter to chapter so effortlessly, even the seemingly unimportant details need not be reread or obsessed over. Dyer’s attention to detail closes every plot loop, every plot thread is gathered and tied without seam into the story, mixing the plausible into the warp and woof of the events in October and November 1942.
Since I have already read The Torch Betrayal, the first Conor Thorn novel, I was anticipating how Emily Bright’s and Conor Thorn’s characters would develop and grow. One aspect of fiction many readers often overlook is that good fiction—for it to be good—must be based on reality and fact. This is true for the setting of the story as well as the psychological makeup of the characters. While most readers have no personal experience facing death, having to harm others in defense of a cause and understanding that their moment-by-moment actions may have radical consequences on a world stage, we must be able to invest in the people being presented.
And Dyer accomplishes this effortlessly; he delivers his characters as three-dimensional, as relatable and they are people we can grow to like more, or in the case of his antagonists, we can come to the precipice of seething animosity. Yet the characters in this book are not part of a Zero-Sum rational; the characters are not merely winners of losers, but they are a mixture of all the traits humanity routinely embodies: the good, the evil, the sad and the pathetic.
I highly recommend this book. Glen’s deft ability at description leaves plenty for our mind to imagine without delving in to the unnecessarily graphic. A wonderful second to the first Conor Thorn novel! A fast paced wonderfully thrilling read!
September 14, 2020
10/17/1942, The Crown Inn, Fenny Stratford, Buckinghamshire, England. Eve Lind (wife) had found out Gunnar Lind (husband) had spending an awful lot of time with Mrs. Buckmaster (65+, mother, landlady, widow).
Gunnar never came home last night, & Eve hadn’t heard from him all day.
Mrs. Buckmaster wouldn’t be taken Winny (dog) for a walk ever again.
Government Code & Cypher School (GC&CS), Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire, England. Hut 8. Alan Turing (Head cryptologist) wondered where Gunnar (Swedish cryptologist associate, mathematician) could be.
Edward Travis (Government Code & Cypher School head, cryptologist) ask how it was going.
Savoy Hotel (Savoy Court). Victoria Embankment, London, England. Conor Thorn (American, OSS Agent, retired US Navy Lieutenant) had just returned from a mission with Emily Bright (MI6 Agent).
Conner introduced Emily to Captain Bivens (US Navy, London asst. naval attaché, Conner’s former C/O).
The Daily Mirror headline news stated there is a new German attack on Stalingrad, SW Russia.
Stewart Menzies (Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service MI6 head) met with PM Winston Churchill & Lieutenant General Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Operation Torch was mentioned.
Conor (associate) & Emily waited for Jack Wallace (MI5 agent) to bring Eve Bright (Lind) in for questioning.
White’s Club, Morning Room. # 37–38 St. James St., London, England. Colonel Bill Donovan went to meet with Stewart Menzies.
Conor later informed Colonel Donovan Emily Bright (MI6 agent, Operation Freshman, Norway) is missing.
10/28/1942. German Legation, Södra Blasieholmshammer 2, Stockholm Sweden. Conor questioned Ms. Lina Stuben (former Gestapo headquarters) about Gunnar Lind & Roger McInnis.
What happened between Connor Kurt Eklof (former Luftwaffe pilot)?
11/3/1942, What happened to Eve Lind (RAF officer,) & Lars Lind?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written historical fictional WWII era thriller book. It was extremely easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great WWII era thriller movie, an animated pulp fiction cartoon, or better yet a mini TV series. An amazingly easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; TMR Press LLC.; BookReviewBuzz; BookFunnel; PDF book.
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Gunnar never came home last night, & Eve hadn’t heard from him all day.
Mrs. Buckmaster wouldn’t be taken Winny (dog) for a walk ever again.
Government Code & Cypher School (GC&CS), Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire, England. Hut 8. Alan Turing (Head cryptologist) wondered where Gunnar (Swedish cryptologist associate, mathematician) could be.
Edward Travis (Government Code & Cypher School head, cryptologist) ask how it was going.
Savoy Hotel (Savoy Court). Victoria Embankment, London, England. Conor Thorn (American, OSS Agent, retired US Navy Lieutenant) had just returned from a mission with Emily Bright (MI6 Agent).
Conner introduced Emily to Captain Bivens (US Navy, London asst. naval attaché, Conner’s former C/O).
The Daily Mirror headline news stated there is a new German attack on Stalingrad, SW Russia.
Stewart Menzies (Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service MI6 head) met with PM Winston Churchill & Lieutenant General Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Operation Torch was mentioned.
Conor (associate) & Emily waited for Jack Wallace (MI5 agent) to bring Eve Bright (Lind) in for questioning.
White’s Club, Morning Room. # 37–38 St. James St., London, England. Colonel Bill Donovan went to meet with Stewart Menzies.
Conor later informed Colonel Donovan Emily Bright (MI6 agent, Operation Freshman, Norway) is missing.
10/28/1942. German Legation, Södra Blasieholmshammer 2, Stockholm Sweden. Conor questioned Ms. Lina Stuben (former Gestapo headquarters) about Gunnar Lind & Roger McInnis.
What happened between Connor Kurt Eklof (former Luftwaffe pilot)?
11/3/1942, What happened to Eve Lind (RAF officer,) & Lars Lind?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written historical fictional WWII era thriller book. It was extremely easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great WWII era thriller movie, an animated pulp fiction cartoon, or better yet a mini TV series. An amazingly easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free author; TMR Press LLC.; BookReviewBuzz; BookFunnel; PDF book.
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
March 16, 2023
Glenn Dyer https://www.glenndyer.net is the author of three novels. The Ultra Betrayal was published in 2020 and is the second book in his Conor Thorn series. This is the 9th book I completed reading in 2023.
I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this novel as ROSS agent Connor Thorn and MI6 Agent Emily Bright Are on a mission.
It is the fall of 1942. Swedish cryptographer Gunnar Lind has disappeared from Bletchley Park. What Lind knows about British code-breaking would harm the Allied war efforts if the Germans discovered what he knew. Thorn and Bright have been assigned the task of finding Lind. Double agent Kim Philly hears about the disappearance and secretly initiates a search for Lind by Russian agents.
Lind has managed to flee to Sweden. He works through his father-in-law to contact German intelligence. He wants to sell them what he knows. Bright has pursued Lind to Sweden, but is taken by the Germans. By this time, Thorn has also arrived in Sweden. He is trying to find both Lind and partner Bright. It becomes a three-way race between Thorn, the Russians, and the Germans as to who will get to Lind.
I enjoyed the 9 hours I spent reading this 380-page WWII-era thriller. The author includes several famous people of the time as minor characters. The novel has a good plot that is full of action. While this novel is the second in a series, it reads well as a stand-alone novel. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a rating of 4.5 (rounded to 5) out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
I received an ARC of this book through https://www.netgalley.com with the expectation of a fair and honest review. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own! Due to scenes of violence, I categorize this novel as ROSS agent Connor Thorn and MI6 Agent Emily Bright Are on a mission.
It is the fall of 1942. Swedish cryptographer Gunnar Lind has disappeared from Bletchley Park. What Lind knows about British code-breaking would harm the Allied war efforts if the Germans discovered what he knew. Thorn and Bright have been assigned the task of finding Lind. Double agent Kim Philly hears about the disappearance and secretly initiates a search for Lind by Russian agents.
Lind has managed to flee to Sweden. He works through his father-in-law to contact German intelligence. He wants to sell them what he knows. Bright has pursued Lind to Sweden, but is taken by the Germans. By this time, Thorn has also arrived in Sweden. He is trying to find both Lind and partner Bright. It becomes a three-way race between Thorn, the Russians, and the Germans as to who will get to Lind.
I enjoyed the 9 hours I spent reading this 380-page WWII-era thriller. The author includes several famous people of the time as minor characters. The novel has a good plot that is full of action. While this novel is the second in a series, it reads well as a stand-alone novel. I like the chosen cover art. I give this novel a rating of 4.5 (rounded to 5) out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
July 28, 2020
This is one epic WWII spy thriller! The Ultra Betrayal by Glenn Dyer is the second installment in the Connor Thorn series. I loved how action-packed this book was. There was a lot at stake during this time period. Two agents including the famous Connor Thorn have their hands full in this tale. Someone has codes that need to be kept away from the enemy but there's a chance that they will be leaked. That's where the agents come in and take the case. There's also a murder case involved that's tied in with the war espionage stuff. I enjoyed following this suspenseful story. The characters were well-developed and the pacing was fast. Glenn Dyer definitely knows how to put readers like me on the edge of their seats and entertain them. This historical thriller is a must read for all.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
September 30, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It’s a period piece thriller, with a touch of romance thrown in. I liked the characters and felt their development was good. The bad guys were a bit over the top as the archetypal NAZIs. Still it was fun.
This is not a history book, and a good bit of suspension of disbelief is required. Though set in WWII, the dialogue is fairly modern. My understanding is that the OSS and MI6 got along about like wasps and spiders, so there was a missed opportunity to have a “Westside” element. The WWII purest may take issue with the brotherly cooperation of those agencies in this book.
But again, this is a work of fiction, so I’m judging it on its entertainment value. I was extremely entertained and will likely read other books in this series.
This is not a history book, and a good bit of suspension of disbelief is required. Though set in WWII, the dialogue is fairly modern. My understanding is that the OSS and MI6 got along about like wasps and spiders, so there was a missed opportunity to have a “Westside” element. The WWII purest may take issue with the brotherly cooperation of those agencies in this book.
But again, this is a work of fiction, so I’m judging it on its entertainment value. I was extremely entertained and will likely read other books in this series.
February 15, 2023
The second Conor Thorn WWII spy novel was an entertaining read. The tightly woven story based on historical intrigue around code breaking secrets falling back into German hands. An improvement for me versus the first novel was the pace of the action (nicely relentless) and less characters to keep track of.
Clearly well researched and loved the historical notes at the end of the book.
Felt I learnt something new about WWII as well.
Recommended read.
Clearly well researched and loved the historical notes at the end of the book.
Felt I learnt something new about WWII as well.
Recommended read.
August 2, 2022
Incredibly researched and roller coaster spy plot.
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