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The Reich Trilogy #1
The Counterfeit Candidate
Berlin, 30th April, 1945
As the Russian Army closes in on the war-torn City, Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun take their own lives. Their bodies are burned and buried in the Reich Chancellery garden, above the Führer's bunker.
Buenos Aires, 9th January, 2012
Three audacious thieves carry out the biggest safe depository heist in Argentine history, escaping with more than one hundred million dollars' worth of valuables. Within hours, an encrypted phone call to America triggers a blood-soaked manhunt as the thieves are tracked down, systematically tortured, then murdered.
San Francisco, 18th January, 2012
Senator John Franklin, hailed as the 'Great Unifier', secures the Republican Presidential nomination and seems destined for the Oval Office. Despite the sixty-seven year interval and a span of thirteen thousand miles, these events are indelibly linked.
Chief Inspector Nicolas Vargas of the Buenos Aires Police Department and Lieutenant Troy Hembury of the LAPD are sucked into a dark political conspiracy concealing an incredible historical truth stretching from the infamous Berlin bunker to Buenos Aires and to Washington, which threatens the very heart and soul of American democracy.
As the Russian Army closes in on the war-torn City, Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun take their own lives. Their bodies are burned and buried in the Reich Chancellery garden, above the Führer's bunker.
Buenos Aires, 9th January, 2012
Three audacious thieves carry out the biggest safe depository heist in Argentine history, escaping with more than one hundred million dollars' worth of valuables. Within hours, an encrypted phone call to America triggers a blood-soaked manhunt as the thieves are tracked down, systematically tortured, then murdered.
San Francisco, 18th January, 2012
Senator John Franklin, hailed as the 'Great Unifier', secures the Republican Presidential nomination and seems destined for the Oval Office. Despite the sixty-seven year interval and a span of thirteen thousand miles, these events are indelibly linked.
Chief Inspector Nicolas Vargas of the Buenos Aires Police Department and Lieutenant Troy Hembury of the LAPD are sucked into a dark political conspiracy concealing an incredible historical truth stretching from the infamous Berlin bunker to Buenos Aires and to Washington, which threatens the very heart and soul of American democracy.
384 pages, Paperback
Published July 15, 2021
214 people are currently reading
721 people want to read
About the author
Brian Klein
14 books41 followersBrian is an award-winning Television Director, with over twenty-five years' experience in the industry. His work regularly appears on Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC and Sky. Amongst his directing credits are twenty-five seasons of the iconic car show, TOP GEAR and five seasons of A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN ROADTRIP, Sky One's highest rating entertainment show.
He was part of the core team that produced twenty-two series of the controversial car show that became the biggest TV phenomena in the world, with 350 million weekly viewers in 120 countries and worked extremely closely with TV heavyweights, Jeremy Clarkson and James Corden, high profile comedians, Jack Whitehall, Alan Carr, Tom Allen, Romesh Ranganathan and Micky Flanagan, sports stars turned presenters, Freddie Flintoff, Jamie Redknapp and Ronnie O’Sullivan and TV chefs Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White.
He has directed two feature-length films for BBC Worldwide and five entertainment specials for Netflix. THE COUNTERFEIT CANDIDATE is his debut novel.
He was part of the core team that produced twenty-two series of the controversial car show that became the biggest TV phenomena in the world, with 350 million weekly viewers in 120 countries and worked extremely closely with TV heavyweights, Jeremy Clarkson and James Corden, high profile comedians, Jack Whitehall, Alan Carr, Tom Allen, Romesh Ranganathan and Micky Flanagan, sports stars turned presenters, Freddie Flintoff, Jamie Redknapp and Ronnie O’Sullivan and TV chefs Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White.
He has directed two feature-length films for BBC Worldwide and five entertainment specials for Netflix. THE COUNTERFEIT CANDIDATE is his debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 182 reviews
October 27, 2021
What is the connection between the brutal murder of 9 people, a presidential candidate, a lost mobile phone, a high-profile pharmaceutical company, an expertly planned and executed bank robbery, a vial of cyanid, and a 10 carat diamond Cartier ring? You got it, Safe Deposit box 1321 or more importantly its contents.
The bank heist, planned like a military operation for 8 months and perfectly executed was part of Pedro Garcia’s retirement plan, he was just looking for cash and money but was totally unaware of the contents of box 1321. They were equally oblivious to the small red velvet pouch that had spilled from one of the cloth bags and was now lying on the grass verge in his father’s garden, a few feet from the front door. The first mistake had been made.
Señor Franklin is informed that Box 1321 has been stolen, and what started as an audacious but pretty regular robbery has morphed into a catalogue of torture and murder, with levels of brutality that seasoned detective Chief Inspector Vargas has never seen before. The story takes us from Germany to San Francisco, and from Argentina to Washington, as the running candidate for presidency is informed that the specific items in the stolen security box were preserved for posterity and for the sake of political history, which could now bring an end to his campaign.
The characters were so well developed but many cloaked with lies, secrets and a dark history. The plot was superb although not exactly original, once you were introduced to the moving parts it was obvious who the counterfeit candidate was and how they were linked to Box 1321. However, with magnificent story telling you are carried through this roller coaster of a story that will keep you at the edge of your seat and with a mere 259 pages, the pace is fast, absorbing and to the point without all the superfluous bumf that authors sometimes use to fill up the pages.
I loved this book and would highly recommend.
The bank heist, planned like a military operation for 8 months and perfectly executed was part of Pedro Garcia’s retirement plan, he was just looking for cash and money but was totally unaware of the contents of box 1321. They were equally oblivious to the small red velvet pouch that had spilled from one of the cloth bags and was now lying on the grass verge in his father’s garden, a few feet from the front door. The first mistake had been made.
Señor Franklin is informed that Box 1321 has been stolen, and what started as an audacious but pretty regular robbery has morphed into a catalogue of torture and murder, with levels of brutality that seasoned detective Chief Inspector Vargas has never seen before. The story takes us from Germany to San Francisco, and from Argentina to Washington, as the running candidate for presidency is informed that the specific items in the stolen security box were preserved for posterity and for the sake of political history, which could now bring an end to his campaign.
The characters were so well developed but many cloaked with lies, secrets and a dark history. The plot was superb although not exactly original, once you were introduced to the moving parts it was obvious who the counterfeit candidate was and how they were linked to Box 1321. However, with magnificent story telling you are carried through this roller coaster of a story that will keep you at the edge of your seat and with a mere 259 pages, the pace is fast, absorbing and to the point without all the superfluous bumf that authors sometimes use to fill up the pages.
I loved this book and would highly recommend.
May 3, 2022
This was my monthly book club read. We are a group of people with different tastes and preferences. Each month it is one members turn to pick four books and out of those four, we vote for one to read.
Consequently, we review a huge variety of books.
Now I must admit, I didn't think that I would be that enamoured with this one but I was very wrong. I thought it was great!
Safe depository heist ✅
Adolf Hitler ✅
Conspiracy ✅
Fast paced ✅
Page turner ✅
Now I can imagine that a few will
state it as too far-fetched... but is it?!
I would say that lovers of Dan Brown might enjoy this. It also has a hint of James Patterson about it, but maybe because of the structure of the chapters.
Consequently, we review a huge variety of books.
Now I must admit, I didn't think that I would be that enamoured with this one but I was very wrong. I thought it was great!
Safe depository heist ✅
Adolf Hitler ✅
Conspiracy ✅
Fast paced ✅
Page turner ✅
Now I can imagine that a few will
state it as too far-fetched... but is it?!
I would say that lovers of Dan Brown might enjoy this. It also has a hint of James Patterson about it, but maybe because of the structure of the chapters.
July 19, 2021
My review is on my website www.bookread2day.wordpress.com
I was taken by surprise as this story jumps straight into action.
As three men in Argentina dig a tunnel at precisely on Monday 24th May 2011 they start drilling a tunnel that three men, continued every weekday night and weekend for eight months.
The earth they dug up was put into large bags and loaded onto a lorry which was driven far away to the north out of the city and dumped where no one would suspect where the earth had originally come from.
It took the three men a whole eight months until the tunnel was completed. They were smart lighting up the tunnel standing inside the giant vault.
All them were cautious not to be seen by the six CCTV cameras so they all wore plastic monkey masks.
Their job wasn’t over yet they had to drill through dual locks that took them forty-eight hours.
Once each box was opened they emptied them, with US Dollars, Euros, English Pounds and Argentinian Pestos. One box alone contained twenty solid gold bars and other boxes were crammed with jewellery, designer watches and hundreds of loose gemstones.
All they have to do now is get out before the bank was due to open.
My heart was in my stomach I wondered if the three men Pedro, Ricardo, and Sebastian will get away with this biggest heist in Argentina’s history.
I was taken by surprise as this story jumps straight into action.
As three men in Argentina dig a tunnel at precisely on Monday 24th May 2011 they start drilling a tunnel that three men, continued every weekday night and weekend for eight months.
The earth they dug up was put into large bags and loaded onto a lorry which was driven far away to the north out of the city and dumped where no one would suspect where the earth had originally come from.
It took the three men a whole eight months until the tunnel was completed. They were smart lighting up the tunnel standing inside the giant vault.
All them were cautious not to be seen by the six CCTV cameras so they all wore plastic monkey masks.
Their job wasn’t over yet they had to drill through dual locks that took them forty-eight hours.
Once each box was opened they emptied them, with US Dollars, Euros, English Pounds and Argentinian Pestos. One box alone contained twenty solid gold bars and other boxes were crammed with jewellery, designer watches and hundreds of loose gemstones.
All they have to do now is get out before the bank was due to open.
My heart was in my stomach I wondered if the three men Pedro, Ricardo, and Sebastian will get away with this biggest heist in Argentina’s history.
July 23, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
The Counterfeit Candidate is the debut novel by author Brian Klein. It features a mixture of genres including thriller, mystery, action, adventure, crime, and historical fiction. It also packs a punch and if you love books that suck you into the plot and get your heart pumping then this is certainly one to pick up.
We begin the story back in 1945 and the supposed suicide of Adolf Hitler and his new bride Eva Braun. The book runs with the conspiracy theory that Hitler never killed himself and that he and his wife fled to Argentina.
We then move to 2012, Argentina where three men have been building a tunnel for the last eight months from an old café site to a bank’s security deposit vault nearby. The three plan to hit the vault in the early hours of the morning, drill and take the contents of 120 boxes and then escape. Their plan includes splitting the boxes between them, each hiding their stash and not touching them for another year so as not to bring suspicion on themselves.
Also in 2012 Senator John Franklin has secured the Republican’s Presidential Nominations and seems to be on his way to being the next President of the United States. What is held in one of the boxes taken could have devastating consequences on his candidacy. He has an elite team of ‘finders’ looking for the contents of the box and they are willing to do anything to retrieve it.
Can the men get away with the biggest heist in Argentinian history or will the finders get to them first? There is a third option, that Chief Inspector Nicolas Vargas who has been put on the case discovers who the men are first and get to them before the finders do.
The Counterfeit Candidate had me on the edge of my seat. It is pure action and adventure with a few lulls when it comes to the parts set back in time with Hitler and his wife. The conspiracy theory that Hitler never killed himself is one I hadn’t heard before, even though it began straight after his death. I can see why given the circumstances and what happened to the bodies as to why people would think that.
I loved the weaving of the past into the present, it worked well. I also love how the three thieves had planned everything for months, including getting rid of the dirt, timings (though they got this slightly wrong as only 90 boxes were taken), even their encounters with the police were calculated and planned. However, they never calculated for the storm that was about to rain down on them!
This was an absolutely outstanding piece of fiction that I couldn’t put down. With its short chapters that heightened the action and its cat and mouse feel I was in my element. Being able to perfectly visualise every moment and scene has me believing that this book would be an ideal choice for a movie adaptation. It would seem that Brian Klein is a natural storyteller.
The Counterfeit Candidate is the debut novel by author Brian Klein. It features a mixture of genres including thriller, mystery, action, adventure, crime, and historical fiction. It also packs a punch and if you love books that suck you into the plot and get your heart pumping then this is certainly one to pick up.
We begin the story back in 1945 and the supposed suicide of Adolf Hitler and his new bride Eva Braun. The book runs with the conspiracy theory that Hitler never killed himself and that he and his wife fled to Argentina.
We then move to 2012, Argentina where three men have been building a tunnel for the last eight months from an old café site to a bank’s security deposit vault nearby. The three plan to hit the vault in the early hours of the morning, drill and take the contents of 120 boxes and then escape. Their plan includes splitting the boxes between them, each hiding their stash and not touching them for another year so as not to bring suspicion on themselves.
Also in 2012 Senator John Franklin has secured the Republican’s Presidential Nominations and seems to be on his way to being the next President of the United States. What is held in one of the boxes taken could have devastating consequences on his candidacy. He has an elite team of ‘finders’ looking for the contents of the box and they are willing to do anything to retrieve it.
Can the men get away with the biggest heist in Argentinian history or will the finders get to them first? There is a third option, that Chief Inspector Nicolas Vargas who has been put on the case discovers who the men are first and get to them before the finders do.
The Counterfeit Candidate had me on the edge of my seat. It is pure action and adventure with a few lulls when it comes to the parts set back in time with Hitler and his wife. The conspiracy theory that Hitler never killed himself is one I hadn’t heard before, even though it began straight after his death. I can see why given the circumstances and what happened to the bodies as to why people would think that.
I loved the weaving of the past into the present, it worked well. I also love how the three thieves had planned everything for months, including getting rid of the dirt, timings (though they got this slightly wrong as only 90 boxes were taken), even their encounters with the police were calculated and planned. However, they never calculated for the storm that was about to rain down on them!
This was an absolutely outstanding piece of fiction that I couldn’t put down. With its short chapters that heightened the action and its cat and mouse feel I was in my element. Being able to perfectly visualise every moment and scene has me believing that this book would be an ideal choice for a movie adaptation. It would seem that Brian Klein is a natural storyteller.
October 2, 2022
Ouch, quite a hopeless book. If you are going to write a plot - WARNING SPOILER - where Hitler survived the war and escaped thanks to the mastermind of his Nazi secretary Bormann, you better make it as believable and as balanced as possible. Well, forget it. The characters don't have any depth, the story lines are extremely thin, and the story over-all is rushed. Would not recommend this to anybody.
August 10, 2021
Enjoyable. But too far fetched and characters lack depth
A good lightweight read but the characters are a bit superficial, almost stereotypical. Pushes the conspiracy too far. Had Maria Callas sung with a whole bunch of musicians for Adolf Hitler it’d be a secret too hard to keep.
A good lightweight read but the characters are a bit superficial, almost stereotypical. Pushes the conspiracy too far. Had Maria Callas sung with a whole bunch of musicians for Adolf Hitler it’d be a secret too hard to keep.
August 15, 2025
Begint als complottheorie, eindigt als de Zeven Zussen. Was best vermakelijk.
July 16, 2021
The Counterfeit Candidate by Brian Klein
Action-packed thrill-ride from beginning to end. This story is one of conspiracy, intrigue, crime, and moves between continents and time periods with facility. Settle in for a great story that will leave you thinking…what if?
What I liked:
* The plot, writing and story told
* The way it made me think about the past and what could have happened if something like this story had truly happened
* The dark gritty reality of the story
* That it had me doing google searches and reading about various places and characters in the book
* Wondering about what would motivate the various characters
* The police procedural aspect of the story
* Being able to hate the bad guys entirely – saw no redeeming qualities in them
* Thinking about who I would cast in the roles of the characters if this were to be made into a movie
* Wondering about the true relationship between Braun and Hitler
* Stepping into the past without actually having to be there
* Reading a debut novel by a new author
What I didn’t like:
* Exactly what I was meant NOT to like
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to MidasPR for the ARC – this is my honest review.
5 Stars
Action-packed thrill-ride from beginning to end. This story is one of conspiracy, intrigue, crime, and moves between continents and time periods with facility. Settle in for a great story that will leave you thinking…what if?
What I liked:
* The plot, writing and story told
* The way it made me think about the past and what could have happened if something like this story had truly happened
* The dark gritty reality of the story
* That it had me doing google searches and reading about various places and characters in the book
* Wondering about what would motivate the various characters
* The police procedural aspect of the story
* Being able to hate the bad guys entirely – saw no redeeming qualities in them
* Thinking about who I would cast in the roles of the characters if this were to be made into a movie
* Wondering about the true relationship between Braun and Hitler
* Stepping into the past without actually having to be there
* Reading a debut novel by a new author
What I didn’t like:
* Exactly what I was meant NOT to like
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to MidasPR for the ARC – this is my honest review.
5 Stars
January 26, 2022
What a load of rubbish but superbly entertaining and, at times, quite exciting. Some interesting characters as well.
Hitler is alive and well and living in Patagonia with Eva Hitler and Martin Boorman. Naturally he has changed his name and, believe or not, sired a son who’s a chip off the old block and thoroughly evil. He provides Hitler with a grandson who’s in line to become the next US President, thus founding the Fourth Reich. How the Mossad didn’t track this nest of vipers down is beyond me.
I suppose Hitler, the most vile man in the history of the planet, shouldn’t be a source of humour but there are so many laugh out loud moments it was difficult to keep a straight face at times.
Nonsense.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of ‘39, all published by Sacristy Press.
Hitler is alive and well and living in Patagonia with Eva Hitler and Martin Boorman. Naturally he has changed his name and, believe or not, sired a son who’s a chip off the old block and thoroughly evil. He provides Hitler with a grandson who’s in line to become the next US President, thus founding the Fourth Reich. How the Mossad didn’t track this nest of vipers down is beyond me.
I suppose Hitler, the most vile man in the history of the planet, shouldn’t be a source of humour but there are so many laugh out loud moments it was difficult to keep a straight face at times.
Nonsense.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of ‘39, all published by Sacristy Press.
October 17, 2023
The plot of The Counterfeit Candidate is a great idea, and although dual timelines don't always work for me, I was intrigued enough to give it a try. Although the characters are pretty shallow, the bread and butter of the plot unfolds pretty well and it's entertaining all the way through. For pure dumb entertainment, I could almost have given it 4 stars. However, there are too many obstacles to get past. I can't go into them all as it would be too revealing. One example, though. A powerful global corporation uses a security company with almost unlimited resources that will stop at nothing to get results. When they need to find a character's address, it takes them forever to find it out. They knew where he worked... maybe they could have followed him? Enjoyable in its own way, if you're happy to overlook its faults.
August 13, 2021
Need to suspend belief
To be fair the concept is interesting, there has always been conspiracy theories surrounding the death of Hitler and Eva Burn.
Also there are a fair few prominent historians and investigating journalists that believe that Martin Boorman did escape to South America with the knowledge of both the British an American intelligence agencies.
But the problem with this book is it isn't very good.
The idea is good but the writing isn't.
The characters have no depth its almost comical in parts.
Still I have given the book 3 stars for effort, and there is a good book in there somewhere.
To be fair the concept is interesting, there has always been conspiracy theories surrounding the death of Hitler and Eva Burn.
Also there are a fair few prominent historians and investigating journalists that believe that Martin Boorman did escape to South America with the knowledge of both the British an American intelligence agencies.
But the problem with this book is it isn't very good.
The idea is good but the writing isn't.
The characters have no depth its almost comical in parts.
Still I have given the book 3 stars for effort, and there is a good book in there somewhere.
August 22, 2022
Counterfactual stories always interest me but this one is ruined by poor writing. Novels such as SS-GB and Fatherland admittedly set the bar very high but there's no excuse for using clichés whenever the opportunity presents, nor for the number of murders included. I have the impression that this book was written very quickly.
February 13, 2022
Only give a 5 star if a book really intrigues me and stays on my mind for a while. The What-ifs flowing from this book kept me busy for a while because the scenarios are believable. Well done for a debut book. It's nice to see that something positive came from the lock down.
May 5, 2024
If you just want a page-turner, this is probably 4.5 stars. If you want anything even vaguely approximating possibility, probably best not to start. However, I suspended all disbelief, raised my eye-brows a lot, but did enjoy the filmic ride.
February 26, 2023
Never imagined this book to turn out so intriguing and exciting throughout. A wonderful and entertaining narrative which mixes up European history with contemporary America and gives the reader a wonderful experience. The idea of keeping Adolf Hitler and his lineage at the core of a Bank heist and murder mystery is simply brilliant. Look forward to more work from the author. The audible experience was good.
September 3, 2023
Great premise and engaging story that is well told. A couple of minor narrative jarrs only slightly detracted from an otherwise enjoyable read.
March 17, 2024
The plot was really good, I thought that the major twist halfway through would be it but then it revealed lots of other twists later on! Very excited to read the 2nd one 😁🇦🇷
June 2, 2024
The book wants to build suspense and make the reader feel like something big is happening but the story ends up being very shallow and amateur. The historical fiction element was a bummer.
January 7, 2022
I very rarely give 5 stars but this was an unexpected read which surprised and excelled. Not my usual genre but a very well written, thought provoking political thriller.
The premis: Hilter escaped rather than commit suicide. And now his grandson is about to become President of the United States of America!
The premis: Hilter escaped rather than commit suicide. And now his grandson is about to become President of the United States of America!
July 27, 2021
This is an intriguing story and one of the few books that has had me turning pages until the candle guttered. The plot takes several turns that often leave one guessing. The plot drives the book rather than the quality of the prose.
I was halfway through before I tuned in to Mr Klein’s style. I had started to wonder if English is his first language - the use of some words and phrases hinted at a translation. Often the dialogue is somewhat stilted - and nobody in Argentina or America uses the phrase: “Done a runner.” The descriptive passages suffer from frequent pleonasm (unnecessary words) and repetition. The product placement is overdone. The author is obsessed with glass topped coffee tables.
In summary: Excellent theme - questionable writing - would make a good film.
PS: If you want to know what really happened to Hitler, read Look Who’s Back by Timur Vermes.
I was halfway through before I tuned in to Mr Klein’s style. I had started to wonder if English is his first language - the use of some words and phrases hinted at a translation. Often the dialogue is somewhat stilted - and nobody in Argentina or America uses the phrase: “Done a runner.” The descriptive passages suffer from frequent pleonasm (unnecessary words) and repetition. The product placement is overdone. The author is obsessed with glass topped coffee tables.
In summary: Excellent theme - questionable writing - would make a good film.
PS: If you want to know what really happened to Hitler, read Look Who’s Back by Timur Vermes.
May 21, 2022
Counterfeit fantasy
Not helped by often archaic or stilted language this paint by numbers "thriller" took an inordinately long time to plough through.
Had I read this as a thirteen year old I'm sure I would have enjoyed it.
Not helped by often archaic or stilted language this paint by numbers "thriller" took an inordinately long time to plough through.
Had I read this as a thirteen year old I'm sure I would have enjoyed it.
January 3, 2022
Brilliant read, I can't remember finding a book I couldn't put down in a long time. highly recommended .
March 7, 2022
As far as debut novels are concerned, Brian Klein can be justifiably proud of how his debut attempt has shaped up. The Counterfeit Candidate is a thriller and a historical fiction rolled into one. Klein has allowed his imaginative powers to run wild and has dreamed up a plot that hinges on a conspiracy theory centred around the suicide of Hitler and Eva Braun in their bunker in Berlin, following the capitulation of the German war machine to the Allied Forces.
Klein’s debut novel makes it apparent that he is exceedingly adept at weaving together disparate plotlines thereby conjuring up a vivid narrative spanning three continents and over a timeline of about 70 years. It all begins in Hitler’s bunker in Berlin during the final days of the Third Reich in 1945 where he and his new bride, Eva Braun was supposed to have committed suicide to escape the Allied Forces. Klein spins an unlikely narrative wherein Hitler, Eva Braun and Hitler’s private secretary Martin Bormann flee across the Atlantic to Argentina under false identities after simulating their deaths. Bormann thereafter proves to be ingenious enough to hatch an audacious plan to perpetuate the Fourth Reich thereby attempting world dominance.
The timeline then moves to 2012, when in Buenos Aries, Argentina a bank heist takes place that is set to create ripples across the world. One of the bank lockers that gets looted happens to hold incriminating documents and memorabilia associated with Hitler’s Third Reich and which could disprove the theory of the purported suicide of the Fuhrer and his bride in Berlin in 1945.
The plot then moves on to the election for the President of the United States in which Richard Franklin and his son John Franklin are heavily invested in. Explosive revelations regarding the Hitler memorabilia are likely to unhinge John Franklin’s hugely successful Presidential campaign and the duo of father and son are hell-bent to avoid anything that will prevent them from attaining what they want so desperately – John Franklin being anointed as the President of the United States.
Detective Chief Inspector Nicolas Vargas of the Buenos Aries Police Department sets out to solve the bank heist that had taken place in Buenos Aires. During the investigation, Vargas realises the gravity of the case and the potential geopolitical turmoil that could be unleashed on solving the crime. The inspector and his assistants doggedly follow the leads even while being pitted against extremely powerful, resourceful and ruthless adversaries who are more than determined to attain their nefarious designs against all odds.
Klein’s narrative is fast-paced and he has the talent to keep the action going without a drop in the tempo of the narrative. Large parts of the book feel as though they are a part of a fast-paced thriller movie. In my opinion, the novel is ideal for a movie adaptation. Brian Klein has over the years been associated with top-class television shows such as Top Gear. I can bet on the fact that this book would end up being adapted for television or the big screen.
Klein’s debut novel makes it apparent that he is exceedingly adept at weaving together disparate plotlines thereby conjuring up a vivid narrative spanning three continents and over a timeline of about 70 years. It all begins in Hitler’s bunker in Berlin during the final days of the Third Reich in 1945 where he and his new bride, Eva Braun was supposed to have committed suicide to escape the Allied Forces. Klein spins an unlikely narrative wherein Hitler, Eva Braun and Hitler’s private secretary Martin Bormann flee across the Atlantic to Argentina under false identities after simulating their deaths. Bormann thereafter proves to be ingenious enough to hatch an audacious plan to perpetuate the Fourth Reich thereby attempting world dominance.
The timeline then moves to 2012, when in Buenos Aries, Argentina a bank heist takes place that is set to create ripples across the world. One of the bank lockers that gets looted happens to hold incriminating documents and memorabilia associated with Hitler’s Third Reich and which could disprove the theory of the purported suicide of the Fuhrer and his bride in Berlin in 1945.
The plot then moves on to the election for the President of the United States in which Richard Franklin and his son John Franklin are heavily invested in. Explosive revelations regarding the Hitler memorabilia are likely to unhinge John Franklin’s hugely successful Presidential campaign and the duo of father and son are hell-bent to avoid anything that will prevent them from attaining what they want so desperately – John Franklin being anointed as the President of the United States.
Detective Chief Inspector Nicolas Vargas of the Buenos Aries Police Department sets out to solve the bank heist that had taken place in Buenos Aires. During the investigation, Vargas realises the gravity of the case and the potential geopolitical turmoil that could be unleashed on solving the crime. The inspector and his assistants doggedly follow the leads even while being pitted against extremely powerful, resourceful and ruthless adversaries who are more than determined to attain their nefarious designs against all odds.
Klein’s narrative is fast-paced and he has the talent to keep the action going without a drop in the tempo of the narrative. Large parts of the book feel as though they are a part of a fast-paced thriller movie. In my opinion, the novel is ideal for a movie adaptation. Brian Klein has over the years been associated with top-class television shows such as Top Gear. I can bet on the fact that this book would end up being adapted for television or the big screen.
July 18, 2021
My thanks to Safia at Midas PR for the blogtour invite, and Level Best Publishers for the gifted review copy of 'The Counterfeit Candidate' which is out in paperback from 8th July!
This is not my usual genre of choice, political thrillers, but I am trying to branch out this year and embrace the things I don't normally read, so I jumped at the chance to look into the debut book from Brian Klein.
The novel is made of very short chapters which go back and forth between 1945 and 2012, 2 pivotal points on the global scale as the race for presidential candidacy takes on a whole new mean based on what is thought to have happened in Hitler's bunker.
The conspiracy theory has run amok in the age of the internet where anyone with a laptop and access to Photoshop can deep fake news, make things seem real which really couldn't be, and, the reverse is true, the more outlandish the theory,the less likely it is to require substantiation.
This one tackles the idea, widely held as plausible, that Hitler and Eva Braun committed committed suicide alongside his dog , Blondie. However, what if the only actual casualty was the dog? What if this was an elaborate plan, begun when the war was turning against the Germans, to spirit them away on the spoils of Nazi treasure to Buenos Aires?
And then, totally out of nowhere, three bank robbers using a well worn trope from Holmesian times onwards, dig a tunnel under a unoccupied 'closed for refurbishment' cafe into a bank vault. And steal as many safe deposit boxes as they possibly can. Including, proof that Hitler never died.
The race is now on to get this information back as the contents of the locker are owned by one Richard Franklin, whose son, John, is running for President with followers viewing him as the new JFK.
It is tense, fast paced and well researched, you would never guess that the writer created this in lockdown, it has a sense of validity as if he travelled to and absorbed each of the city's nuances during it's inception.
The story is very cinematic and reads like a made for tv movie expanded into a book format, so I think it is fair to say that it could one day be viewed on television. Again, I have to say that this book is not my usual read, and maybe I am not as switched onto the genre as others who are would be. I think overall it is a decent read which will keep you going through the night as you wonder if Franklin's team will get to the right robber's hiding place or whether the police will.
The story shows its hand pretty early on, so the element of surprise is lost to some extent and I didn't really care for the scenes of Hitler and Braun setting up home in Buenos Aires, I think the reader could have put this together without those passages. However, it is a decent story which explores the long term consequences of the 'What if?' conspiracy theory is taken to a , to me, very plausible conclusion.
This is not my usual genre of choice, political thrillers, but I am trying to branch out this year and embrace the things I don't normally read, so I jumped at the chance to look into the debut book from Brian Klein.
The novel is made of very short chapters which go back and forth between 1945 and 2012, 2 pivotal points on the global scale as the race for presidential candidacy takes on a whole new mean based on what is thought to have happened in Hitler's bunker.
The conspiracy theory has run amok in the age of the internet where anyone with a laptop and access to Photoshop can deep fake news, make things seem real which really couldn't be, and, the reverse is true, the more outlandish the theory,the less likely it is to require substantiation.
This one tackles the idea, widely held as plausible, that Hitler and Eva Braun committed committed suicide alongside his dog , Blondie. However, what if the only actual casualty was the dog? What if this was an elaborate plan, begun when the war was turning against the Germans, to spirit them away on the spoils of Nazi treasure to Buenos Aires?
And then, totally out of nowhere, three bank robbers using a well worn trope from Holmesian times onwards, dig a tunnel under a unoccupied 'closed for refurbishment' cafe into a bank vault. And steal as many safe deposit boxes as they possibly can. Including, proof that Hitler never died.
The race is now on to get this information back as the contents of the locker are owned by one Richard Franklin, whose son, John, is running for President with followers viewing him as the new JFK.
It is tense, fast paced and well researched, you would never guess that the writer created this in lockdown, it has a sense of validity as if he travelled to and absorbed each of the city's nuances during it's inception.
The story is very cinematic and reads like a made for tv movie expanded into a book format, so I think it is fair to say that it could one day be viewed on television. Again, I have to say that this book is not my usual read, and maybe I am not as switched onto the genre as others who are would be. I think overall it is a decent read which will keep you going through the night as you wonder if Franklin's team will get to the right robber's hiding place or whether the police will.
The story shows its hand pretty early on, so the element of surprise is lost to some extent and I didn't really care for the scenes of Hitler and Braun setting up home in Buenos Aires, I think the reader could have put this together without those passages. However, it is a decent story which explores the long term consequences of the 'What if?' conspiracy theory is taken to a , to me, very plausible conclusion.
October 24, 2021
I like the idea of the author Brian Klein reading biographies of Hitler and thinking: that's not a man who would have committed suicide - then imagining what else might have happened. And of Klein sitting with this story for years until the pandemic gave him time to write it.
And it's a good story, no doubt about it. Martin Bormann enables Hitler and Eva Braun's escape to Argentina. There, Bormann plots for Hitler's son to move to California, get rich on pharmaceuticals, and then for his grandson to run for the US presidency. Good job the women kept giving birth to male babies. What will happen as president remains hazy. (I'm guessing it was set in 2012 to avoid any potential lawsuits of parallels with Donald Trump had it been set in 2016.)
The fly in the ointment is a briefcase revealing the truth has been stolen in a bank raid in Buenos Aires. In comes police detective Vargas who conveniently has a good friend Hembury who's a cop in San Francisco.
It's well told, pacy, good dialogue. The ending leaves us with the intriguing possibility of sequels.
So why only two stars?
Firstly, it feels derivative. The Boys from Brazil covered similar ground of Hitler's children surviving in a far more sinister and intriguing way.
Secondly, the writing style. I'm not saying it's poor. Far from it. But someone, somewhere should have asked Klein to pause and read a few books, go on a course or two about the craft of writing. Maybe start with Stephen King's On Writing which would help with the over use of adjectives and adverbs - actions being done 'neatly', or 'gently' etc. which all contribute to a tendency to tell rather than show.
- Work on the occasional clumsy sentence: "concentrated dose of diluted cocaine."
"Bormann noted that the Führer’s daily cocaine intake almost doubled overnight."
- Check use of cliches: "cut through him like a knife." "Hit pay dirt."
- The headhopping:
Some of the changes of points of view would have been solved if the publisher had added breaks between paragraphs.
- There seem to be occasional factual errors: suggestion that Treblinka was opened in late 30s, when it wasn't started until 1942 (although, is the character lying?). Wasn't Hitler vegetarian? (maybe that's a myth).
I know all this is very picky, and this book is a real achievement for a debut novel. But it's my review, and my star rating, so I'm standing by it.
Quite Interesting fact: amongst Martin Bormann's children was his eldest son, also named Martin, who became a well-known theologian and toured Germany, speaking about the horrors of the Third Reich.
And it's a good story, no doubt about it. Martin Bormann enables Hitler and Eva Braun's escape to Argentina. There, Bormann plots for Hitler's son to move to California, get rich on pharmaceuticals, and then for his grandson to run for the US presidency. Good job the women kept giving birth to male babies. What will happen as president remains hazy. (I'm guessing it was set in 2012 to avoid any potential lawsuits of parallels with Donald Trump had it been set in 2016.)
The fly in the ointment is a briefcase revealing the truth has been stolen in a bank raid in Buenos Aires. In comes police detective Vargas who conveniently has a good friend Hembury who's a cop in San Francisco.
It's well told, pacy, good dialogue. The ending leaves us with the intriguing possibility of sequels.
So why only two stars?
Firstly, it feels derivative. The Boys from Brazil covered similar ground of Hitler's children surviving in a far more sinister and intriguing way.
Secondly, the writing style. I'm not saying it's poor. Far from it. But someone, somewhere should have asked Klein to pause and read a few books, go on a course or two about the craft of writing. Maybe start with Stephen King's On Writing which would help with the over use of adjectives and adverbs - actions being done 'neatly', or 'gently' etc. which all contribute to a tendency to tell rather than show.
- Work on the occasional clumsy sentence: "concentrated dose of diluted cocaine."
"Bormann noted that the Führer’s daily cocaine intake almost doubled overnight."
- Check use of cliches: "cut through him like a knife." "Hit pay dirt."
- The headhopping:
"Vargas put his office phone on speaker, enabling Torres to listen in. Then he switched on the recording device for the upcoming call. It was midday in San Francisco and Richard Franklin was sitting at his desk going through the latest polls, which showed his son’s position looking almost unstoppable."
Some of the changes of points of view would have been solved if the publisher had added breaks between paragraphs.
- There seem to be occasional factual errors: suggestion that Treblinka was opened in late 30s, when it wasn't started until 1942 (although, is the character lying?). Wasn't Hitler vegetarian? (maybe that's a myth).
I know all this is very picky, and this book is a real achievement for a debut novel. But it's my review, and my star rating, so I'm standing by it.
Quite Interesting fact: amongst Martin Bormann's children was his eldest son, also named Martin, who became a well-known theologian and toured Germany, speaking about the horrors of the Third Reich.
November 2, 2021
GENERAL IMPRESSION ABOUT THE BOOK
A roaring thriller. Quite enjoyable. I highly recommend. I have read claims by some reviewers that The Counterfeit Candidate (2021) is a rehash of ODESSA File (1972) and Boys From Brazil (1976).
I am not sure that I agree with that. What all three books have in common is their overlapping Nazi German themes. Beyond that, they are different books. ODESSA File (1972) and Boys From Brazil (1976) are more or less political-historical thrillers; with the latter having a science fiction aspect (i.e. the birthing of Hitler clones)
By contrast, The Counterfeit Candidate (2021) is a Nazi-themed mix of the police procedural and alternative history genres, which echoes Fatherland (1992 novel). Based solely on its Nazi-themed bank heist plot, Brian Klein's debut novel also resembles Spike Lee-directed movie, The Inside Man (2006)
CLUMSY SENTENCES
So why did I give Brian Klein's novel a 4-star rating? Well, the quality of the plot is "GREAT" whereas the quality of the prose can described as "JUST OKAY". I think the novel could have benefited from a robust editing process. There are lots of clumsy/clunky sentences in the novel.
Let me give three examples:
The eminent bank was one of the oldest in Argentina and stood,imperiously, on Avenida Cabildo, deep in the heart of the fashionable Belgrano district of Buenos Aires in the north-east of the city.
Bormann noted that the Fuhrer's daily cocaine intake almost doubled overnight.
The concoction created by the Fuhrer's personal physician contained a concentrated dose of diluted cocaine.
IMPLAUSIBLE SCENE IN THE NOVEL
There is a scene in the book that seems implausible to me. Why on Earth would Martin Bormann draw international attention to El Blondi secret hideout by bringing a famous opera singer like Maria Callas (1923-1977) to perform at Hitler's Birthday Party?
CONCLUSION
Apart from a few problematic issues, I think that for a debut novel, The Counterfeit Candidate is quite good. So please go and read, if you haven't already done so.
A roaring thriller. Quite enjoyable. I highly recommend. I have read claims by some reviewers that The Counterfeit Candidate (2021) is a rehash of ODESSA File (1972) and Boys From Brazil (1976).
I am not sure that I agree with that. What all three books have in common is their overlapping Nazi German themes. Beyond that, they are different books. ODESSA File (1972) and Boys From Brazil (1976) are more or less political-historical thrillers; with the latter having a science fiction aspect (i.e. the birthing of Hitler clones)
By contrast, The Counterfeit Candidate (2021) is a Nazi-themed mix of the police procedural and alternative history genres, which echoes Fatherland (1992 novel). Based solely on its Nazi-themed bank heist plot, Brian Klein's debut novel also resembles Spike Lee-directed movie, The Inside Man (2006)
CLUMSY SENTENCES
So why did I give Brian Klein's novel a 4-star rating? Well, the quality of the plot is "GREAT" whereas the quality of the prose can described as "JUST OKAY". I think the novel could have benefited from a robust editing process. There are lots of clumsy/clunky sentences in the novel.
Let me give three examples:
The eminent bank was one of the oldest in Argentina and stood,imperiously, on Avenida Cabildo, deep in the heart of the fashionable Belgrano district of Buenos Aires in the north-east of the city.
Bormann noted that the Fuhrer's daily cocaine intake almost doubled overnight.
The concoction created by the Fuhrer's personal physician contained a concentrated dose of diluted cocaine.
IMPLAUSIBLE SCENE IN THE NOVEL
There is a scene in the book that seems implausible to me. Why on Earth would Martin Bormann draw international attention to El Blondi secret hideout by bringing a famous opera singer like Maria Callas (1923-1977) to perform at Hitler's Birthday Party?
CONCLUSION
Apart from a few problematic issues, I think that for a debut novel, The Counterfeit Candidate is quite good. So please go and read, if you haven't already done so.
February 17, 2023
an explanation with my two star rating.
the topic the idea of the discussion is relevant and could have been possible/feasible historically.
constructive, positive notes is historically correct persons such as borman and such within this theory and possibility.
now what I find absolutely unacceptable and wrong:
without giving the name the most heinous despised leader of the 20th century at the core of this book; when written in a fictional format book his grandson is poised to be specifically exactly and only the "republican" presidential candidate in the US.
if that's not one of the 'slight of hands in writing a fictional historical book especially of WW2 and the leaders of that ers?
since this grandson and his father were so cunning and manipulative should have made him "the" democratic nominee for president, by the author?
as mentioned that would have shown more deception and manipulation this grandson being the nominee of a liberal left (democratic) political party.
but not for mr klein. he could have also made up a fictional political party for the book of the:
central liberty party; or something like that.
that also was scratched, I assume.
so they go with the grandson of one of the most heinous destructive persons in human history (caucasian) as his lineage hence grandson is a leader snd figurehead in the (specifically) republican party of the united states? sure, ok.
way too obvious and cheap mr klein of your "goal" here of the republican specific candidate for president-way too cheap.
one could think and assume the US national democratic committee sponsored and paid for this "fiction" novel of the fureher's grandson being the nominee for president; of specifically, exactly and "only" the republican party in the US.
the topic the idea of the discussion is relevant and could have been possible/feasible historically.
constructive, positive notes is historically correct persons such as borman and such within this theory and possibility.
now what I find absolutely unacceptable and wrong:
without giving the name the most heinous despised leader of the 20th century at the core of this book; when written in a fictional format book his grandson is poised to be specifically exactly and only the "republican" presidential candidate in the US.
if that's not one of the 'slight of hands in writing a fictional historical book especially of WW2 and the leaders of that ers?
since this grandson and his father were so cunning and manipulative should have made him "the" democratic nominee for president, by the author?
as mentioned that would have shown more deception and manipulation this grandson being the nominee of a liberal left (democratic) political party.
but not for mr klein. he could have also made up a fictional political party for the book of the:
central liberty party; or something like that.
that also was scratched, I assume.
so they go with the grandson of one of the most heinous destructive persons in human history (caucasian) as his lineage hence grandson is a leader snd figurehead in the (specifically) republican party of the united states? sure, ok.
way too obvious and cheap mr klein of your "goal" here of the republican specific candidate for president-way too cheap.
one could think and assume the US national democratic committee sponsored and paid for this "fiction" novel of the fureher's grandson being the nominee for president; of specifically, exactly and "only" the republican party in the US.
March 14, 2025
✨The Counterfeit Candidate by Brian Klein✨✨
Genre: Historic Fiction, Crime Thriller, Political Conspiracy
My Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌖(4.8/5)
.
.
.
A gripping thriller that hooks you from the first page and keeps you on edge until the very end.
A shocking discovery in Argentina uncovers a long-buried secret linking the past to a high-stakes political conspiracy. As investigators dig deeper, they unravel a dangerous plot involving deception, hidden identities, and a race against time to prevent history from repeating itself. With suspense escalating at every turn, the truth may be more terrifying than they ever imagined.
The writing is sharp and immersive, making every twist and revelation even more electrifying. The narration flows seamlessly, pulling readers into a world of deception, intrigue, and high-stakes drama.
The story features a mix of determined investigators, ruthless conspirators, and morally complex figures, each playing a crucial role in the gripping mystery.
The plot is masterfully crafted, with tension that builds at just the right pace. The Author weaves action and storytelling together brilliantly, ensuring that every scene serves a purpose. The suspense is relentless, keeping you engaged and eager to uncover the truth.
One of the book’s biggest strengths is how effortlessly it blends historical elements with a modern-day conspiracy, making the story feel both authentic and chillingly possible. The characters are well-developed, each playing a vital role in the unfolding mystery.
Overall, The Counterfeit Candidate is an exhilarating read—fresh, intelligent, and flawlessly executed. If you love thrillers packed with suspense and intrigue, this one is a must-read!
Genre: Historic Fiction, Crime Thriller, Political Conspiracy
My Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌖(4.8/5)
.
.
.
A gripping thriller that hooks you from the first page and keeps you on edge until the very end.
A shocking discovery in Argentina uncovers a long-buried secret linking the past to a high-stakes political conspiracy. As investigators dig deeper, they unravel a dangerous plot involving deception, hidden identities, and a race against time to prevent history from repeating itself. With suspense escalating at every turn, the truth may be more terrifying than they ever imagined.
The writing is sharp and immersive, making every twist and revelation even more electrifying. The narration flows seamlessly, pulling readers into a world of deception, intrigue, and high-stakes drama.
The story features a mix of determined investigators, ruthless conspirators, and morally complex figures, each playing a crucial role in the gripping mystery.
The plot is masterfully crafted, with tension that builds at just the right pace. The Author weaves action and storytelling together brilliantly, ensuring that every scene serves a purpose. The suspense is relentless, keeping you engaged and eager to uncover the truth.
One of the book’s biggest strengths is how effortlessly it blends historical elements with a modern-day conspiracy, making the story feel both authentic and chillingly possible. The characters are well-developed, each playing a vital role in the unfolding mystery.
Overall, The Counterfeit Candidate is an exhilarating read—fresh, intelligent, and flawlessly executed. If you love thrillers packed with suspense and intrigue, this one is a must-read!
July 12, 2021
What a book. I absolutely devoured this book and couldn't put it down even if I wanted to.
In the prologue we hear about Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun's deaths in April 1945. These deaths were faked and Hilter and Braun really fled from Berlin to South America, taking on new identities. They plan to build the Fourth Reich and own a huge pharmaceutical company, essentially taking over the USA.
Flash forward to Buenos Aires in January 2012, and three men break into a bank's safety deposit boxes stealing as much as they can.
Senator John Franklin is set to become the next President of the United States and his father's deposit box is one of the ones in which the contents were stolen. The documents hidden inside cannot be public knowledge. John's father, Richard Franklin hires men to seek out the perpetrators and even has an insider so they stay one step ahead of the police.
What is the connection to Franklin and Hitler/Braun? And why must these documents be kept a secret?
I was immersed in this story right from the beginning. The chapters are short and something big happens in almost every one so you feel that need to keep going and see what happens. There is a real chase and sense of urgency and you are just waiting for the truth to be outed.
It is so cleverly written and the stories between Franklin and Hitler are weaved very well together. It's an easy read and lots of little aspects are added in that probably could have been overlooked but they really add to the narrative. It is obviously meticulously planned and I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a political thriller.
In the prologue we hear about Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun's deaths in April 1945. These deaths were faked and Hilter and Braun really fled from Berlin to South America, taking on new identities. They plan to build the Fourth Reich and own a huge pharmaceutical company, essentially taking over the USA.
Flash forward to Buenos Aires in January 2012, and three men break into a bank's safety deposit boxes stealing as much as they can.
Senator John Franklin is set to become the next President of the United States and his father's deposit box is one of the ones in which the contents were stolen. The documents hidden inside cannot be public knowledge. John's father, Richard Franklin hires men to seek out the perpetrators and even has an insider so they stay one step ahead of the police.
What is the connection to Franklin and Hitler/Braun? And why must these documents be kept a secret?
I was immersed in this story right from the beginning. The chapters are short and something big happens in almost every one so you feel that need to keep going and see what happens. There is a real chase and sense of urgency and you are just waiting for the truth to be outed.
It is so cleverly written and the stories between Franklin and Hitler are weaved very well together. It's an easy read and lots of little aspects are added in that probably could have been overlooked but they really add to the narrative. It is obviously meticulously planned and I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a political thriller.
May 2, 2024
Brian Klein’s debut novel The Counterfeit Candidate (2021) – was written during Lockdown, doubtless one of many resulting from that misguided response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The book is based on the widespread premise that Hitler did not actually die in the ill-fated Berlin bunker in 1945. Stalin believed the Führer had escaped – as did many other conspiracy advocates.
The main action takes place in 2012, in Buenos Aires and San Francisco.
Chief inspector Nicolas Vargas of the BA Police Department is investigating an audacious bank heist, where hundreds of safe deposit boxes have been stolen. Puzzlingly, as he begins to track down the culprits, he comes up against a dead end – and dead crooks, all of whom were tortured before they were executed.
A tenuous link leads to San Francisco and the powerful Pharma group The Franklin Corporation. The head of this corporation is Richard Franklin, whose son John has just secured the Republican Presidential nomination which is highly likely to lead him to the White House.
Vargas enlists the help of San Francisco Lieutenant Troy Hembury, a 50-year-old muscle-bound African American, to investigate.
Their probe is soon fraught with lethal danger...
Spelling out anything else would spoil the story. This is fast-paced writing, with slick scene shifts and flashbacks, to be expected from an accomplished television director with over 25 years’ experience.
Pick it up and you won’t want to put it down until the end.
And then there’s the sequel, already out: The Führer’s Prophecy which again features Vargas and Hembury, some ten years after the events in the first book.
The book is based on the widespread premise that Hitler did not actually die in the ill-fated Berlin bunker in 1945. Stalin believed the Führer had escaped – as did many other conspiracy advocates.
The main action takes place in 2012, in Buenos Aires and San Francisco.
Chief inspector Nicolas Vargas of the BA Police Department is investigating an audacious bank heist, where hundreds of safe deposit boxes have been stolen. Puzzlingly, as he begins to track down the culprits, he comes up against a dead end – and dead crooks, all of whom were tortured before they were executed.
A tenuous link leads to San Francisco and the powerful Pharma group The Franklin Corporation. The head of this corporation is Richard Franklin, whose son John has just secured the Republican Presidential nomination which is highly likely to lead him to the White House.
Vargas enlists the help of San Francisco Lieutenant Troy Hembury, a 50-year-old muscle-bound African American, to investigate.
Their probe is soon fraught with lethal danger...
Spelling out anything else would spoil the story. This is fast-paced writing, with slick scene shifts and flashbacks, to be expected from an accomplished television director with over 25 years’ experience.
Pick it up and you won’t want to put it down until the end.
And then there’s the sequel, already out: The Führer’s Prophecy which again features Vargas and Hembury, some ten years after the events in the first book.
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