Ominous Austria

by Richard Wake

This novella is a prequel to the Alex Kovacs thriller series. Set in Vienna in the 1930s, it paints a picture of a city and a country on the edge of crisis — of a parliament that has ceased to function, of political factions on the left and right that have assembled private armies to push their agendas. And when it all explodes in a short, violent civil war, Alex Kovacs finds himself forced to confront the reality of his crumbling homeland. The rest of the series takes us from Anschluss to World War II and beyond — but this is the opening act, the first test for Alex, the first time this everyman will have to decide exactly how involved in the conflict he wants to become, and what might be possible for a solitary man to accomplish while in the middle of a battle between Nazis and Socialists on the streets of Vienna.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Espionage

72 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2021

About the author

Richard Wake's first career was as a newspaper reporter, columnist, and editor. Writing fiction was always an aspiration, especially historical fiction set in Europe during the inter-war period, and now it has become a reality.

Reviews

[KARL PENCE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tight intro to Alex

I didn't know this writer and this.introduction has worked in making me want to read the whole series. I have read a lot about Germany as after WW I and want most of all to place myself not just in the time but more so into the moral crisis. What would I have seen, thought, done ? I still don't have an answer, but after 60 years or so.of engagement, I can at least say I have a clue. I started with Shirer and then many others inside and outside the Reich. My service in the army in Bavaria, and especially visiting Dachau and the Obersalzburg began to raise these questions. In fiction, Philip Kerr really stimulated me. Now, I think, Richard Wake will, too.

[dennis barron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ominous Austria. Richard Wake

The whispers of war are near. The little corporal from Austria is rattling his saber. The socialists are fighting The police who back the little corporal, their new hero, Hitler. The war is coming and Alex and his best friend Leon are becoming aware. Their world is about to change. Forever. This is a precursor to an excellent series by Richard Wake which has my highest recommendation!!

[Debbie Trammell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good short story

Man he sure got way involved in the end. It was good to get a starting place to the series that I have already read. There was so many things that happened to Leon and Alex in pre-war and up to V-E day it was a long time for them and so many others and this was just the start to so much bad stuff.

[John L · Rating 5 out of 5]

You wont stop here

This is the start of a memorable series do read in order. This is historical but not war but how normal nice people get so screwed by war. In 2021 this should make you afraid. Very.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoyed Phillip Kerr’s Bernie Gunther character. Now that mr. Kerr has passed, Mr. Wake has given me a protagonist that I can enjoy just as much.