The Black Orchestra

The Black Orchestra #1

by J.J. Toner, Gildart Jackson (Reading)

WW2 Germany. The German war machine has invaded Poland and is advancing west toward France. In Berlin Kurt Muller, an Abwehr signalman, discovers a colleague lying dead at his radio receiver. The criminal police dismiss the death as suicide, but Kurt is not convinced. Kurt follows a trail of mysteries, witnessing several atrocities that expose the Nazi regime for what it truly is. When the trail leads him to the German resistance, he faces the most difficult choices of his life. He must choose between his duty and his conscience, between his country and his family, between love and death.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, World War II, Espionage, Audiobook

1 pages, Audio CD

First published January 13, 2013

About the author

After 27 years working with computers in a variety of industries: Oil exploration, pharma, hospitals, manufacturing, shipping etc., I retired early and began to write. I've been writing full time since 2007, and have completed hundreds of short stories and self-published 7 novels.

The Black Orchestra, a WW2 spy story set in Berlin.
The Wings of the Eagle (Black Orchestra #2)
A Postcard from Hamburg (Black Orchestra #3)
The Gingerbread Spy (Black Orchestra #4)

The Serpent's Egg (Red Orchestra WW2 spy thriller)

Irish detective thrillers:
Houdini's Handcuffs (Ben Jordan #1)
Find Emily (Ben Jordan #2)

My latest publications are 2 short novellas featuring Kriminalkommissar Saxon in pre-war Munich. Zugzwang and Queen Sacrifice and 2 short SF stories called Murder by Android and Rogue Android.

I live in Ireland.

Reviews

[J.J. Toner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't really review this book, since I wrote it, but I enjoyed writing it.

[Karen Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Berlin, 1940, and Kurt Muller finds the body of one of his co-workers, Kleister, slumped at his work station in the Communications Unit of the Abwehr. He supposedly committed suicide, but Muller is not convinced and the police (ORPO) do not seem interested in carrying out a thorough investigation. He takes it on himself to consult the head of his section about his concerns, but not only are his ideas dismissed, but also reported to Muller's uncle – Reinhard Heydrich, the head of the RSHA (Reich Security Headquarters, incorporating the ORPO, KRIPO, Gestapo, SD & SS). Muller's life is further complicated when he meets Gudrun von Sommerfeld, who seems to know quite a bit about him and makes a big impression on the young Berliner.

After having been arrested and interrogated by the Gestapo, and released thanks to his powerful uncle, Muller is then promoted to work with the Enigma and TypeX coding systems in the Translations Unit on his uncle's recommendation. He is not there long before he is given a further promotion to run Germany's agents in Ireland – his mother's home country. But Muller can't leave it alone. He becomes more and more convinced that Kleister was murdered – most likely by his old boss, Drobol, because of an uncoded signal that passed through his hands from Leipzig – where there has been another murder disguised as suicide.

Full of intrigue and conspiracy, 'The Black Orchestra' builds a sinister picture of life for the average Berliner in the 1940s, and shows an officious hierarchy that stretches into every walk of life. To survive, people need to keep their heads down, be very careful what they say and who they say it to, and do not do anything to be noticed.

JJ Toner offers some wonderful descriptions, one of my favourites is: 'copious moustache of the old style that merged with bushy sideburns to cover most of his face.' and one of the moist poignant describes fingers as 'two bunches of knuckle and bone held together by skin.' I could not get the images of concentration camp victims out of my head, despite the description being of a Berlin police officer.

There are also some wonderful descriptions of Berlin the city – in particular Unter den Linden, and the Tiergarten – 'majestic boulevards flanked by rows of mature trees' which contrasts remarkably with the sinister aspects of everyday life there in 1940. As the daughter of a Berliner, the city holds a special place in my heart, despite some of its history, and JJ Toner's descriptions absolutely do Berlin justice.

The beauty and majesty of the city also serve to highlight the horrors of life there during World War II – the people are scared, and with good reason. Berlin is not safe for anyone who does not toe the Nazi party line. This makes Kurt Muller's investigations even more admirable and important. Only a few chapters in and I was terrified for him, whilst urging him on.

Very well written, well-paced, intriguing, sinister, disturbing and gripping, 'The Black Orchestra' is an excellent historical novel, tackling an extremely emotive and horrific part of European history. If you liked Ken Follet's 'Winter of the World', you will love 'The Black Orchestra'. It has it all: a totalitarian society, murder, conspiracy, constant danger, a mysterious and slightly sinister love interest and a likeable, honourable and slightly naive main character with depth. Muller not only uncovers the truth about his colleague's murder, but also about his uncle – Heydrich – and the Nazi government and it was a pleasure to join him on his journey, albeit from the safety and comfort of my own home.

[Judith Barrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say I struggled with this book and it took a long time to read, mainly because the beginning is convoluted and littered with so many characters that each time I picked it up again, I needed to go back to see who was who, what rank they held and and where they fitted into the Nazi regime.

However, around three quarters through, the book became easier to read and was interesting.

After reading the first part of the book, and to be fair to the author, I knew I needed to make notes on what was working for me and what didn’t. (it’s the first time I’ve done this) So here are my thoughts:

I know little about the intricacies of the Nazi regime during WW2 so I had to take the military rankings, the way the regime worked and the historical details within the book at face value Though some of the scenes did seem a little far fetched.

I felt that many of the characters deserved more ‘fleshing out’ because of the part they play in the story. The protagonist, Kurt Müller, grows more rounded as the story unfolds and becomes easier to empathise with. The female characters, Gudren, Liesal and Tania are well portrayed but I felt that some of the sections they were each in could have been given more depth. The descent of Kurt’s friend, Alex, is well written and reflects the breakdown of the society at the time. I would have liked more to be shown of the character of main antagonist, Uncle Reinhard; his function in the plot is enormous but, for me, he wasn’t layered enough.

The dialogue was more difficult to judge as, of course, it’s necessary to believe most of the characters are speaking in German. It became more realistic in the parts where the protagonist is in Ireland. I did like the passages between him and his mother; the dialogue is good and the love between them is palpable.

There is a good sense of place, both in Germany and in Ireland. The tension that is in some segments of the story is reflected in the descriptions of these backgrounds.

The general plot-line is thought-provoking because it gives the story from the angle of Germany at that time. But quite a lot of the scenes are rushed and told rather than shown. And I felt somewhat disappointed with the denouement; it appears to be hastily written and a little unbelievable. I’m not sure if my dissatisfaction was because of the way the characters, Kurt and Gudren were shown in this part or through the action in the story itself.

I think, overall The Black Orchestra could be viewed as a cross genre book, rather than a thriller. There is the capacity for it to be an intriguing spy novel, to fit into the historical genre and also for romantic fiction. But as it stands it seems, to me anyway, that it doesn’t quite make it in any.

[Eric_W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lt. Kurt Muller, nephew of the infamous Reinhold Heydrich, reports for work at the Abwehr one morning only to discover the body of his colleague, an ostensible suicide. It was certainly a peculiar way to kill oneself, pointing the gun to the back of his head before pulling the trigger. Odd indeed and Kurt starts asking a few questions, wondering why the Kripo is taking such little interest in the case. He’s soon promoted to the translation section where they receive all incoming signals which are then translated and distributed. The Gestapo takes an interest in Kurt’s meddling and it’s only because of his relationship to Heydrich that he’s not shot.

Kurt is sent to Ireland, where he was born, to find out what happened to their Irish agents. There he learns of the “Black Orchestra,” originally a college chess club, to which his father (his mother was German) and several others now prominent in the Abwehr had belonged. He finds himself enmeshed in a vicious political battle to take down Hitler but also for control of the Reich’s security forces orchestrated by his uncle.

It’s often a convoluted story with a few gaps but a fun read that barrels along.

Some nice similes: :”Our conversation was like a loose clutch” i.e., slow to start and jerky.”

[Mike Billington · Rating 5 out of 5]

A murdered Army signalman whose death is quickly covered up as a suicide by the German police sets the stage for J.J. Toner's excellent World War II espionage thriller "The Black Orchestra" and introduces us to its hero Kurt Muller, an honorable man serving a regime that is a synonym for barbarism.
Muller refuses to believe that the signalman killed himself and sets out to discover what actually happened. In Hitler's Germany that could easily lead to his own death but he doesn't let that fact deter him even after he is "questioned" none-to-gently by Gestapo thugs. The fact that he is related by marriage to the infamous Reinhard Heydrich, a close confidant of Hitler's, is quite possibly the only thing that saves him from being murdered and dumped in a ditch. The deeper he probes the more he learns that not all Germans worship Hitler and that there is an active organization composed of military men whose aim is to cause the downfall of the Nazi regime.
Toner has a deft hand when it comes to describing action and throughout the book we have cause to wonder whether or not Muller - the son of a murdered German civil servant and an Irish mother who returned to her homeland after his father's death - will actually survive until the end of the book. He is not a spy, although he eventually ends up working with spies, and as a consequence he makes many mistakes because he naively believes that the regime is as interested in getting to the truth as he is.
When he learns that is not the case Muller is forced to make some very heart-wrenching moral choices: Does he remain loyal to his country and expose the secret organization known as "The Black Orchestra" or does he stay silent because he finally realizes that Hitler and his minions are, at the root, little more than soulless thugs? Should he help the dead signalman's family uncover the truth or do as he is repeatedly ordered to and simply turn a blind eye to the murder? Should he continue to trust his oldest friends, who might turn out to be informers?
This is a tautly written novel of deceit, betrayal, and what people will do for love. It is fast moving and full of historical figures and facts, many of which will come as a shock to American readers.
(There really was, for example, a secret organization of high-ranking German military men who actively worked against Hitler during World War II - a fact carefully hidden by generations of high school history teachers in the United States. Toward the end of the war, many of them paid for their actions with their lives when they were finally discovered by the Gestapo.)
The characters are believable and often survive more by chance than because they are blessed with all the attributes that make James Bond a super-spy. I liked that about this book because, in truth, that's much more realistic in my opinion than most fictional spies ever are.
All in all, an excellent read for fans of World War II thrillers and for those who just like a really good spy story.

[David E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of “The Black Orchestra”

This is a stunningly good book by JJ Toner who has carefully woven a story of dangerous affiliations within the intelligence services of the German military establishment at the beginning of the second world war.
Kurt Muller a math scholar and language expert worked in the signal’s division of the Abwehr. His uncle SS-Gruppenführer Reinhard Heydrich thought his nephew had a good future in the new Germany.
Kurt became embroiled in the internal power games of the different branches of the intelligence services and was saved from severe harm from the Gestapo by his relationship to Heydrich. Kurt was given the responsibility of being placed in charge of running German spies in Ireland. It was in this role he discovered that a mysterious group known only as The Black Orchestra within the intelligence services were plotting to overthrow Hitler. It appeared that even his own uncle might be involved.
The increasing violence, cruelty, and propaganda of the Nazi regime have slowly poisoned Kurt’s idealistic image of the Hitler regime.
When his uncle is assassinated in Prague it becomes apparent that Kurt and his knowledge of the secret group his protection leave him exposed to his enemies. He makes plans to escape Germany and flee to Ireland with his girlfriend Goodrun, and her daughter Ann.
Throughout this intricate tale of espionage and internal departmental power struggles, the author’s grasp of the signals, coding, and structure of the German intelligence apparatus is astounding. JJ Toner’s display of knowledge in this field is as if he had been there at the time. Highly authentic! I look forward to any sequel.
David E. Huntley

[E.L. Lindley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Black Orchestra by JJ Toner is a historical thriller set during the period of the Third Reich. It is a thorough depiction of the terror and danger of that time.

The story is told in first person narrative from the point of view of Kurt Muller, a twenty-something man living in Berlin and working for the Intelligence Service. His suspicions that a colleague has been murdered lead to him unearthing information that proves to be potentially deadly both for himself and the dead man’s family.

At the centre of the mystery is Kurt’s uncle, a leading figure in the SS. Kurt’s relationship with his uncle is a double edged sword as it provides him with some protection and is the reason for his meteoric rise through the ranks of the Intelligence Service. However, his uncle’s shadowy presence also has ramifications for Kurt’s past and future as he begins asking questions about his father’s death and embarks upon a relationship with the mysterious Gudrun.

This novel is a must read for history buffs and there is no doubt that Toner has an incredible knowledge of this period. One of the book’s strengths is the way it contextualises events that we have all heard of such as the Night of the Long Knives and Turing’s work at Bletchley deciphering Enigma. At times though it feels as if Toner is listing all of the historical events at the expense of the pace of the novel. I suspect when you have such an impressive bank of research it’s tempting to want to include everything but I think in this case the factual information gets in the way of the tension.

My favourite parts of the novel are the ones when we are shown the human cost of the Nazi regime. The Jewish shops that Kurt had frequented before Hitler’s rise to power were now burned out with the words “Achtung Juden” painted on them. Vigilantism is encouraged by the state and there is a scene where a man is singled out and grabbed by a mob that proceeds to hang him which is especially haunting. The terror of constantly looking over your shoulder and being afraid of not being seen as a “good German” permeates the novel very effectively.

Some of the characters are used very skilfully by Toner to show the horrors of the Nazi ideology, for example Kurt’s friend, Alex, has a brother with learning difficulties who falls foul of the Eugenics Court. Friends turn on each other as the slightest rumour can lead to the Gestapo torturing you and ultimately sending you to a labour camp. Kurt himself becomes the subject of Gestapo interrogations on a couple of occasions. The impact this had on people’s mental health is conveyed successfully via both Kurt and Alex. Toner introducers so many characters into his story however that it is really difficult to keep track of who is who without constantly going back to check which gets in the way of the flow of the story.

Most of the novel is set in Germany but half way through the action switches to Ireland where Kurt’s mother lives and spies have been despatched in order to encourage the IRA to help the Nazis. There are plans for an IRA bombing campaign which would distract England from the war effort. This was an interesting diversion as I had no idea that the IRA and the Nazis worked together. It is through a visit to Ireland that Kurt learns the truth about his father and becomes involved in an anti-Nazi group called The Black Orchestra.

For me one of the weaknesses of the novel is the character of Kurt as I found it hard to relate to him. Given that his mother lives in Ireland and he had studied at university there I couldn’t understand why he had returned to Germany at a time when, for people not sympathetic to the Nazi cause, it must have been horrendous. By 1940 Kurt had already rejected Nazism and there was no evidence that he had been a supporter even before that. There are other characters such as Johann, who embraces Nazism out of self-preservation or Blesset whose father was a brown shirt and was indoctrinated in the Hitler Youth but Kurt has no allegiance to Nazism and seemingly few links to Germany.

There is much to recommend this novel; it is a wealth of information about an important period of history which lends itself perfectly to fiction. When it works, Toner conveys the human price that was paid in such a way that it is both moving and unbearably tense. For me, however I would have preferred less of the factual information and more detailed characterisation as this would have allowed me to fully immerse myself into the story. Having said that, The Black Orchestra is a well written thriller and I think readers who enjoy history will get a lot out of it.

[Paul Manytravels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Black Orchestra is the first in aa short series of spy/suspense novels. It is an engaging tale and suspenseful enough to keep me reading all the way to the end.
The hero is not the usual pick. He is working for a spy organization in Nazi Germany as a loyal German citizen. nevertheless, he gets tangled up into a few intrigues, each of which is suspenseful and all of which are linked.
The novel is written in a very straightforward style with little time spent in descriptions that would detract from the movement of the story.
I enjoyed the read and actually gave it one more star that I originally thought I would. Its suspenseful nature and well-told story overwhelmed my concerns about the writing style which sometimes seemed too straightforward, providing answers where a little more suspense could have been used. But, as I said, the story was engaging enough that I believe it deserves a favorable rating.

[Mr_noyes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea. The word that always came up in my mind was "artless". The plot progresses with the charm of a shopping list ticked off one item after another. Characters act in ways that are incongruous, no matter how you look at it.

On top of it, there are anachronisms sprinkled here and there. Asking a fellow Nazi official “How can you be sure there’s no Jewish blood in your family?” in 1940 is quite something when you consider that a law passed in 1933 demanding proper documentation for bureaucrats and other people working with the government. And having the protagonist's bachelor pad littered with "half eaten pizzas" in 1940's Berlin is honestly hard to believe.

Usually, I am not that pedantic when it comes to anachronisms, especially since it's entirely possible that the author did their homework and I am making an ass out of myself. However, in this case, in combination with everything else, it just made me put the book aside for good.

[Joe Stamber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this as I enjoy Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther novels, and also liked David Downing's John Russell series. The Black Orchestra is set mostly in Berlin during the first years of the Second World War. Kurt Muller, an Abwehr signalman, is suspicious of a colleague's supposed suicide. When he takes it upon himself to look into it, he discovers a lot more then he bargained for and soon discovers that he's playing a dangerous game. However, Toner and narrator Gildart Jackson mix it up with a fledging agent who suffers from Tourette's and German interpretations of how typical Brits and Irish live among other things. It's another historical novel that blends a bit of fact into the fiction, and Toner does a good job of recreating the period in question. I listened to this on Audible, and the narrator did a good job of telling me the story, keeping me interested from start to finish.

[Brett Van Gaasbeek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting premise and an intriguing plotline (even though some of the twists are fairly predictable). I had not really looked into the Black Orchestra as a resistance group before this book, but I have started reading the real story behind this fiction and it is fascinating in its own right. The book is a quick read and keeps the pace up without dwelling on too many frivolous details, which I appreciate.

[Dianne C. Bumgarner · Rating 4 out of 5]

GoodRead

I liked the book. It was very attention-grabbing! I gave it a 4 star rating because, if I put it down, the names of the characters jumbled together. That is NOT the author’s fault but my inability to keep German names and officers‘ ranks in order. If you are a WWII buff, you will love it!

[Johen Lvinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started to read this book, I didn't find what I was looking in a book. I must admit I do not really like detective novels. On the other hand, exciting literature bordering on World War II, I like very much, so I gave this book another chance turned out to be true. This is a story of tension that guaranteed to the reader entirely and enjoyable. Worth reading.

[Adam M Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great WWII spy novel

Very well written book about German intelligence officer. The German perspective was very interesting. Enjoyed the subtle sarcastic yet humorous comments sprinkled throughout the book. Looking forward to second book.

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly different aspect of Nazi Germany

The story line was interesting, there was sufficient characterization very good intrigue, and a lot of intensity. All from a German viewpoint.

[Richard Domann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well done tale of World War Two mystery and intrigue. Abwehr protagonists dodge SS henchmen and manipulative senior officers. Who killed the signalman and why? You must finish this first stage to begin to unravel the answers.

[Dale L. Stinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sent interesant

Very well written with good plot changes. A good history lesson about Nazi Germany and those who overcame the deception

[Sekhar N Banerjee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story

A very entertaining read. Most of the WW II spy stories are about allies. This one stands out, it is a story of the other side. I loved it.

[Mary Sue Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

I enjoy WWII fiction. This is not a book describing g battles or concentration camps. It is a story of espionage among the Nazi leadership. It is also a romance.

[MICHAEL MOGILEVSKY · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an OK book about a harrowing period in European history.Parts did not seem too realistic.

[Neil Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice read, intriguing.

[Jared · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spies in Berlin

Until the climax of the book this seemed to be a more casual spy story than most. I enjoyed that about it. It follows the story of a German man working in Berlin during WW2. He’s not a member of the Nazi party but gets involved with some signals work and some spy work. There is danger all around him but he’s got friends looking out for him too. Some romance, adventure, and thrills too.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful well written novel by JJ Toner. It takes the reader back to WW II Germany telling how the Nazi party operated. If you a fan of WW II this a must read book

[Arthur Salyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good WW@ nazi mystery. At times challenging to keep track of the characters. End of story a little predictable. Still a fun story

[Patricia Darling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, lots of twists and turns

[Candace Simar · Rating 4 out of 5]

entertaining

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

[Michael S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining WW2 thriller set in Berlin. Recommended.

[Maralyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the fact that the book hooked me immediately (with protagonist Kurt Muller discovering a suspicious suicide on page one) and progressed decently from there, the plot was kind of slow through the first half of the book. There was still a moderate amount of tension--it’s WW2 Germany; at any time something could be about to happen, so there is a certain amount of inherent tension by nature of the setting--and it kept my interest enough to keep going, but I wouldn’t call those early pages riveting. Still, I think it had its place in building the tension and complex possibilities that made this book a really phenomenal ride.

Part of my difficulty with the first half of this book came from the language difference. It’s written in English, yes, but the names, titles, places, and contextual words are German. (Gunther Bartholomaus von Speddig. Oberfeldwebel. Oberst von Neumann. Heinz Franzelberg.) That was all very foreign and confusing for a while. I had a hard time keeping track of a few of the characters. In large part, this was due to mistakenly thinking there were multiple characters with the first name of “Oberst,” a writing mechanism I could not understand. Why would you give so many characters the same first name? Why?! Oh. Right. Oberst is a military rank. It took me a few confusing chapters to pick up on those essential nuances. I understand if the author didn’t want to detract from the authenticity by inserting explanations into the prose, but at least give me a glossary or reference page! It was a bit of work on my part to get invested in the story.

Nonetheless, I did figure it out, so I guess it wasn’t a big deal (though that’s why it took me so long to really start reading, as my confusion led to waning interest each time I started). And it was absolutely worth the work of sorting out those first few chapters. About half to two-thirds through, mysteries unfolded, the stakes were raised, the tension was nail-bitingly good, and the story really took off. It was the kind of book that kept me up way late into the hours of the night and early morning hours reading, a decision I would regret the next day and then reenact the next night.

The main character, Kurt Muller, reminded me a little bit of Ed from Markus Zusak’s I Am the Messenger . It’s hard to describe it exactly, but Ed’s character was one of my favorite aspects of that story, so it was a good thing. I found Kurt to be a likeable character. His curiosity, investigation, increasing awareness of German ethics, and transition into spying and fighting against Germany, to me, was very believable.

The inclusion of two gay characters was interesting, as I’m sure WW2 Germany did not tolerate homosexuality, but I hadn’t thought much about it. It didn’t feel like it was thrown in to be edgy, trendy, or shocking, and it wasn’t overdone or explicit; in fact, it was just a subtle undercurrent in the story. But I thought it was thought-provoking and interesting and added a subtext to the genre that is often overlooked. Only one thing about it made me pause: Kurt was aware but unfazed by his best friend’s homosexuality and I wonder if that would have been the case in real life. It could have been, certainly. But in that time and place, I doubt homosexuality would be something even an unbigoted anti-nazi would feel comfortable with, even if they weren’t hateful about it.

I have to hand it to the author for crafting such an impressively clever story. It was realistic (admittedly I’m no WW2 Germany expert, but I do read in this genre and suffice it to say thought the story was highly plausible). The foreshadowing still left me surprised at the plot and twists. The ending was satisfying without things feeling like they conveniently worked out. A very satisfying read, well worth the slower first half, and one that I could even see myself rereading. Definitely recommended to readers who enjoy historical thrillers.

FYI: A few sex scenes. Strong but infrequent profanity. And, of course, war activity and period violence and persecution. Overall, some mature content (mostly relevant to the plot) but nothing highly objectionable.

Thank you to the author and Goodreads First Reads program for a free book in exchange for an honest review.

[Neil Spark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Striking a page-turning chord
When committed Nazi and Abwehr signalman Kurt Muller discovers the body of a colleague his life changes forever. Police investigate and conclude the cause was suicide. Kurt isn’t convinced. He starts an investigation of his own that leads him to a horrible truth. He had to choose between his conscience and duty to his country.

Complicating his life is Gudrun who has a secret of her own. The love complication is ratcheted up a few notches when Liesel from the Propaganda Ministry comes to write a profile about an Abwehr spy.

As this fast-paced, easy-to-read story unfolds, Kurt is drawn deeper into a mire of danger and intrigue. I was constantly asking: how is he going to get out of this?

Kurt is a likeable, a little naïve and well-rounded character. The portrayal of time and place takes the reader there. The level of detail provides an educative and entertaining experience.

Second World War fiction fans will enjoy this page-turner.