Counterclockwise

by David H. Falloure

Set in the tumultuous year of 1942, "Counterclockwise" is a gripping historical novel that vividly captures the mood of a nation under siege. The US is gearing up for a global war on two fronts, and the threat of German U-boats and enemy spies is ever-present. Against this backdrop, the novel weaves together the stories of five individuals, whose fates become inexorably intertwined.At the center of the novel is a captivating love story between a beautiful widow and a mysterious man who rescues her from the clutches of the local mafia. As they navigate the dangerous waters of wartime America, their bond grows stronger, providing a glimmer of hope in a dark and uncertain time.Meanwhile, a sailor embarks on a desperate search for enemy saboteurs, who are determined to cripple American fuel production. His efforts lead him on a perilous journey, fraught with danger and intrigue.But perhaps the most shocking storyline involves a secret alliance with embedded Nazi operatives, who seek to send ripples all the way to Moscow. As their sinister plans unfold, the fate of the war hangs in the balance, and the lives of the novel's protagonists become increasingly intertwined.With its richly drawn characters, intricate plot, and vivid historical setting, "Counterclockwise" is a spellbinding novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. A sweeping saga of love, war, and betrayal, it is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and anyone who appreciates a good page-turner.

361 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 16, 2020

About the author

Falloure writes about history and Texas. His latest work is Counterclockwise—a suspense thriller set primarily in 1942 Houston, but his nonfiction work includes Brands in History, the hard copy book based on his long-running blog; Deep Water: The Story of Beaumont and its Port; The Houston Ship Channel: Open to the World; and Sheer Will: The Story of the Port of Houston and the Houston Ship Channel. Those are long titles but they are long stories, and good ones, too. If you’re the YouTube type, catch Falloure in the award-winning documentary, the Houston Ship Channel: Deep Water Centennial.

Reviews

[Travis Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Counterclockwise was a thrilling read filled with, mystery, danger, and romance. It was awesome to read a book set in Houston, recognizing streets and buildings from my home town was fascinating. The author David Falloure does a fantastic job describing settings and characters, allowing the reader to truly imagine every detail in each chapter.

[Elsa K-W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who can resist a classic WWII movie pitting the good guys against the villainous Nazis, such as “The Great Escape,” “Dirty Dozen,” and “Von Ryan’s Express”? I know I can’t, even though my taste in war movies runs more toward “JoJo Rabbit.” So why am I leading off with movie preferences in reviewing a book? Because Counterclockwise is the best of these Hollywood WWII action epics and romances in book form and then some!

This fascinating work of historical fiction (inspired by the recent discovery of a sunken German U-boat in the Gulf of Mexico) ably integrates romance (and bromance), politics, religion, petroleum engineering, urban development, classic automobiles, wine cellar management, and more. You don’t have to be a WWII aficionado or a long-time Houstonian or have a passion for any of the topics I listed to enjoy the many zigs and zags the author leads us through along the home front of the Gulf Coast.

Although the book takes place over only seven days in 1942 and 1993 (as the protagonist is literally blown across decades), I kept having to check the date because I couldn’t believe how the detailed plot moves so quickly. This is not cluttered minutiae, but a deft weaving of the story’s threads. I forced myself to read only one chapter per evening to better savor the language and building tension instead of devouring Counterclockwise in a marathon dive through it.