What do you think?
Rate this book
Clandestine Operations #3
Curtain of Death
From #1 New York Times -bestselling author W.E.B. Griffin comes a dramatic thriller in the Clandestine Operations series about the Cold War, the fledgling Central Intelligence Agency—and a new breed of warrior.
January, 1946 : Two WACs leave an officers' club in Munich, and four Soviet NKGB agents kidnap them at knifepoint in the parking lot and shove them in the back of an ambulance. That is the agents' first mistake, and their last. One of the WACs, a blonde woman improbably named Claudette Colbert, works for the new Directorate of Central Intelligence, and three of the men end up dead and the fourth wounded.
The “incident,” however, will send shock waves rippling up and down the line, and have major repercussions not only for Claudette, but for her boss, James Cronley, Chief DCI-Europe, and for everybody involved in their still-evolving enterprise. For, though the Germans may have been defeated, Cronley and his company are on the front lines of an entirely different kind of war now. The enemy has changed, the rules have changed—and the stakes have never been higher.
January, 1946 : Two WACs leave an officers' club in Munich, and four Soviet NKGB agents kidnap them at knifepoint in the parking lot and shove them in the back of an ambulance. That is the agents' first mistake, and their last. One of the WACs, a blonde woman improbably named Claudette Colbert, works for the new Directorate of Central Intelligence, and three of the men end up dead and the fourth wounded.
The “incident,” however, will send shock waves rippling up and down the line, and have major repercussions not only for Claudette, but for her boss, James Cronley, Chief DCI-Europe, and for everybody involved in their still-evolving enterprise. For, though the Germans may have been defeated, Cronley and his company are on the front lines of an entirely different kind of war now. The enemy has changed, the rules have changed—and the stakes have never been higher.
421 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2017
574 people are currently reading
632 people want to read
About the author
W.E.B. Griffin
351 books1,298 followersW.E.B. Griffin was one of several pseudonyms for William E. Butterworth III.
From the Authors Website:
W.E.B. Griffin was the #1 best-selling author of more than fifty epic novels in seven series, all of which have made The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and other best-seller lists. More than fifty million of the books are in print in more than ten languages, including Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, and Hungarian.
Mr. Griffin grew up in the suburbs of New York City and Philadelphia. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1946. After basic training, he received counterintelligence training at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He was assigned to the Army of Occupation in Germany, and ultimately to the staff of then-Major General I.D. White, commander of the U.S. Constabulary.
In 1951, Mr. Griffin was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, interrupting his education at Phillips University, Marburg an der Lahn, Germany. In Korea he earned the Combat Infantry Badge as a combat correspondent and later served as acting X Corps (Group) information officer under Lieutenant General White.
On his release from active duty in 1953, Mr. Griffin was appointed Chief of the Publications Division of the U.S. Army Signal Aviation Test & Support Activity at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Mr. Griffin was a member of the Special Operations Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Army Aviation Association, the Armor Association, and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Society.
He was the 1991 recipient of the Brigadier General Robert L. Dening Memorial Distinguished Service Award of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, and the August 1999 recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, presented at the 100th National Convention in Kansas City.
He has been vested into the Order of St. George of the U.S. Armor Association, and the Order of St. Andrew of the U.S. Army Aviation Association, and been awarded Honorary Doctoral degrees by Norwich University, the nation’s first and oldest private military college, and by Troy State University (Ala.). He was the graduation dinner speaker for the class of 1988 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
He has been awarded honorary membership in the Special Forces Association, the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, the Marine Raiders Association, and the U.S. Army Otter & Caribou Association. In January 2003, he was made a life member of the Police Chiefs Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and the State of Delaware.
He was the co-founder, with historian Colonel Carlo D’Este, of the William E. Colby Seminar on Intelligence, Military, and Diplomatic Affairs. (Details here and here)
He was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association. And he belongs to the Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Pensacola, Florida, chapters of the Flat Earth Society.
Mr. Griffin’s novels, known for their historical accuracy, have been praised by The Philadelphia Inquirer for their “fierce, stop-for-nothing scenes.”
“Nothing honors me more than a serviceman, veteran, or cop telling me he enjoys reading my books,” Mr. Griffin says.
Mr. Griffin divides his time between the Gulf Coast and Buenos Aires.
Notes:
Other Pseudonyms
* Alex Baldwin
* Webb Beech
* Walker E. Blake
* W.E. Butterworth
* James McM. Douglas
* Eden Hughes
* Edmund O. Scholefield
* Patrick J. Williams
* W. E. Butterworth
* John Kevin Dugan
* Jac
From the Authors Website:
W.E.B. Griffin was the #1 best-selling author of more than fifty epic novels in seven series, all of which have made The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and other best-seller lists. More than fifty million of the books are in print in more than ten languages, including Hebrew, Chinese, Japanese, and Hungarian.
Mr. Griffin grew up in the suburbs of New York City and Philadelphia. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1946. After basic training, he received counterintelligence training at Fort Holabird, Maryland. He was assigned to the Army of Occupation in Germany, and ultimately to the staff of then-Major General I.D. White, commander of the U.S. Constabulary.
In 1951, Mr. Griffin was recalled to active duty for the Korean War, interrupting his education at Phillips University, Marburg an der Lahn, Germany. In Korea he earned the Combat Infantry Badge as a combat correspondent and later served as acting X Corps (Group) information officer under Lieutenant General White.
On his release from active duty in 1953, Mr. Griffin was appointed Chief of the Publications Division of the U.S. Army Signal Aviation Test & Support Activity at Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Mr. Griffin was a member of the Special Operations Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Army Aviation Association, the Armor Association, and the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Society.
He was the 1991 recipient of the Brigadier General Robert L. Dening Memorial Distinguished Service Award of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, and the August 1999 recipient of the Veterans of Foreign Wars News Media Award, presented at the 100th National Convention in Kansas City.
He has been vested into the Order of St. George of the U.S. Armor Association, and the Order of St. Andrew of the U.S. Army Aviation Association, and been awarded Honorary Doctoral degrees by Norwich University, the nation’s first and oldest private military college, and by Troy State University (Ala.). He was the graduation dinner speaker for the class of 1988 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
He has been awarded honorary membership in the Special Forces Association, the Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association, the Marine Raiders Association, and the U.S. Army Otter & Caribou Association. In January 2003, he was made a life member of the Police Chiefs Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and the State of Delaware.
He was the co-founder, with historian Colonel Carlo D’Este, of the William E. Colby Seminar on Intelligence, Military, and Diplomatic Affairs. (Details here and here)
He was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association. And he belongs to the Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Pensacola, Florida, chapters of the Flat Earth Society.
Mr. Griffin’s novels, known for their historical accuracy, have been praised by The Philadelphia Inquirer for their “fierce, stop-for-nothing scenes.”
“Nothing honors me more than a serviceman, veteran, or cop telling me he enjoys reading my books,” Mr. Griffin says.
Mr. Griffin divides his time between the Gulf Coast and Buenos Aires.
Notes:
Other Pseudonyms
* Alex Baldwin
* Webb Beech
* Walker E. Blake
* W.E. Butterworth
* James McM. Douglas
* Eden Hughes
* Edmund O. Scholefield
* Patrick J. Williams
* W. E. Butterworth
* John Kevin Dugan
* Jac
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
March 3, 2017
A solid start is nearly derailed by a long, drawn out obvious move that wastes half this novel and leads to an anticlimax. 5 of 10 stars
July 28, 2018
This is not the best book by Mr. Griffin nor is it the best in this story. It is an interesting stories and the characters are interesting. What I really didn't like is the constant use of the name of Christ as an expletive. The F word appears occasionally, but not as often.
August 27, 2024
When I went to write the review for this novel, I was surprised to see that I had reviewed it before and hated it. I had no memory of the story. And this time my experience was quite positive. I think the problem may have been that I read it the first time without having read the earlier books in the series or the preceding series, Honor Bound.
This time around I had a lot of fun with the book. It starts with a bang—an attempt by the Soviets to kidnap two of the people working for the Directorate of Central Intelligence. The attempted kidnapping sends shockwaves throughout the DCI and military commands operating in Germany. But the Soviets aren't finished trying to get some leverage over the new intelligence agency as they enact a plan to stop further defections to the west. A lot is riding on a 22-year-old captain who somehow got stuck being the head of the DCI.
This time around I had a lot of fun with the book. It starts with a bang—an attempt by the Soviets to kidnap two of the people working for the Directorate of Central Intelligence. The attempted kidnapping sends shockwaves throughout the DCI and military commands operating in Germany. But the Soviets aren't finished trying to get some leverage over the new intelligence agency as they enact a plan to stop further defections to the west. A lot is riding on a 22-year-old captain who somehow got stuck being the head of the DCI.
January 30, 2022
A story made more complex then it should have been. Lots of characters to keep track of.
Read
March 26, 2020This was an engaging story as the West transitioned into the Cold War with Russia. Griffin's ability to incorporate a substantive amount of history makes the story captivating and believable. A great read for history enthusiasts.
March 26, 2025
This was good enough that I binged it on a travel weekend, but with many of the same comments I have written on books 1 & 2 in the series - the characters and settings, action and conflict seem only variations of the Charley Castillo series written by Griffith, and it feels like there are large gaps between the books. It clearly is a series, the from the conclusion of one book to the beginning of the next lacks a sense of easy continuity. You clearly get there, it just doesn't feel smooth.
Still it is a good series, and I am enjoying it as a break from other genres.
Still it is a good series, and I am enjoying it as a break from other genres.
February 2, 2017
Of all the books he/they have written, this was the slowest. Not only did it have very little action compared to most of their other books, but it spent much too much time rehashing all of the history of previous books.
While I'm sure the plan was to make this a standalone book, almost anyone who reads a series knows that if they are picking up book 3, they have missed a lot and probably should read book 1 first.
That said, you almost need an organizational chart to keep track of all of the players and their relationships to each other.
I suggest in the future they give a brief synopsis of what has transpired and move on. It got really tired when they repeated the same historical explanation of who somebody is and what they did because a second person wanted to know.
While I'm sure the plan was to make this a standalone book, almost anyone who reads a series knows that if they are picking up book 3, they have missed a lot and probably should read book 1 first.
That said, you almost need an organizational chart to keep track of all of the players and their relationships to each other.
I suggest in the future they give a brief synopsis of what has transpired and move on. It got really tired when they repeated the same historical explanation of who somebody is and what they did because a second person wanted to know.
February 3, 2017
I have to admit I did finish this book. I have read all of the Griffin novels over the years and have generally found them entertaining and fun. They are now to the point that so much time is spent giving background on previous characters and plots that there is little left new to read. If you are a first time reader of Griffin go back to his first army novels and read through them and skip this one. If you are a long time reader, this could be a comfortable evening or two of mindless entertainment.
February 12, 2017
Great work of fiction, one of my absolute favorite authors. This one is set in Germany in 1946 and the main character Capain James Cronley is the chief Europe of DCI the organisation that Truman were responsible for. DCI was what OSS were during the war and what later evolved into CIA. As usual Griffin tells a tale of great insight and much humor and I must sadly say that all his books are far to short. I strongly recommend his work and hope there will be many more books to come.
February 17, 2017
The opening pages of Curtain of Death: A Clandestine Operations Novel by W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV have a great hook: two WACs leave a club in Germany and are promptly abducted by some sketchy thugs. Are they Germans? Russians?
From this opening scene, a secret investigation begins into who these men were, and what their motivation was for trying to abduct the women—who are actually U.S. agents.
In addition to a lot of suspense, there are several things that you can always count on in a W.E.B. Griffin novel. The first is that there is going to be a sense of humor that lightens up what could be a very dark story about violence and espionage. You can count on there being sexist objectification and dialogue right out of the 1940s. Finally, there are going to be a lot of military acronyms and jargon and rank pulling—which is a lot of fun because it takes some dedication to unravel all of the terms, so that the dedicated reader begins to feel like part of a club … an experience not unlike reading a Patrick O’Brian novel with its ballast of nautical terms.
This is a whopper of a novel in length, but it is also a page turner with short sentences and snappy dialogue.
The title refers, of course, to the “Iron Curtain” so famously named by Winston Churchill. In the confusion of post-war Germany, the victorious American forces find themselves facing a whole new enemy. Curtain of Death won’t disappoint with its intrigue, acronyms, and glimpses into the earliest days of the Cold War.
From this opening scene, a secret investigation begins into who these men were, and what their motivation was for trying to abduct the women—who are actually U.S. agents.
In addition to a lot of suspense, there are several things that you can always count on in a W.E.B. Griffin novel. The first is that there is going to be a sense of humor that lightens up what could be a very dark story about violence and espionage. You can count on there being sexist objectification and dialogue right out of the 1940s. Finally, there are going to be a lot of military acronyms and jargon and rank pulling—which is a lot of fun because it takes some dedication to unravel all of the terms, so that the dedicated reader begins to feel like part of a club … an experience not unlike reading a Patrick O’Brian novel with its ballast of nautical terms.
This is a whopper of a novel in length, but it is also a page turner with short sentences and snappy dialogue.
The title refers, of course, to the “Iron Curtain” so famously named by Winston Churchill. In the confusion of post-war Germany, the victorious American forces find themselves facing a whole new enemy. Curtain of Death won’t disappoint with its intrigue, acronyms, and glimpses into the earliest days of the Cold War.
July 13, 2017
tldr: Typical fun Griffin fare his fans will recognise albeit not his best... new readers should start elsewhere (I recommend Honour Bound).
So, I've read a lot of Griffin's books and while I put three stars above I'm going to start off saying I enjoyed it. It wasn't the best book I've ever read and it wasn't even the best of Griffin's that I have read but it was an enjoyable, diverting instalment of a kind any reader of Griffin's would identify. I once read another review that Griffin novels are "like romances for men" and this is an accurate description. These are adventure novels with a large cast of intelligent, likeable characters set against a backdrop of nazi, communist and American bureaucratic malevolence.
This sticks to the old thriller/romance/Griffin tropes. All the good guys get a happy ending, each nazi/communist/bureaucrat gets his comeuppance and the charmingly smart ass Texan hero gets what he wants. The plot details, ingenuity of the hero, the access to seemingly limitless funds as a plot driver stretch the credulity of the reader. This is not necessarily a bad thing as it makes this book, as with most of Griffin's others a fun book, and that's good enough for me.
In summation: a typical Griffin Cold War thriller that existing fans will enjoy. Not if the quality of his earlier work but still an enjoyably escapist outing in the grown up equivalent of a boys own adventure.
So, I've read a lot of Griffin's books and while I put three stars above I'm going to start off saying I enjoyed it. It wasn't the best book I've ever read and it wasn't even the best of Griffin's that I have read but it was an enjoyable, diverting instalment of a kind any reader of Griffin's would identify. I once read another review that Griffin novels are "like romances for men" and this is an accurate description. These are adventure novels with a large cast of intelligent, likeable characters set against a backdrop of nazi, communist and American bureaucratic malevolence.
This sticks to the old thriller/romance/Griffin tropes. All the good guys get a happy ending, each nazi/communist/bureaucrat gets his comeuppance and the charmingly smart ass Texan hero gets what he wants. The plot details, ingenuity of the hero, the access to seemingly limitless funds as a plot driver stretch the credulity of the reader. This is not necessarily a bad thing as it makes this book, as with most of Griffin's others a fun book, and that's good enough for me.
In summation: a typical Griffin Cold War thriller that existing fans will enjoy. Not if the quality of his earlier work but still an enjoyably escapist outing in the grown up equivalent of a boys own adventure.
May 10, 2017
Plot Spoiler Review Follows:
I get that the period immediately following WWII was ripe for espionage opportunities and WEB Griffin's made a core competency out of exploiting the purgatory between the drawdown of the OSS and the standup of the CIA. I get it, Reinhard Gehlen was Santa Claus and his organization became the baseline framework of the CIA, since our only enemy was the Soviet Union and Gehlen had the pulse of the NKVD. Now we get to know all about the disenfranchised former Nazi SS officers who form up like the Contras of Nicaragua, known as ODESSA. Now of course WEB kept us entertained with the sexual antics of Claudette 'Dette' Colbert, who turns out to be a black widow female Spetsnaz when she's not covering Jim Cronley's back. But hunting down and laying traps for ODESSA ain't the same as confounding the NKVD into the Cold War. This series, Clandestine Operations, has just about gotten all the mileage left in that baby.
Don't get me wrong, I admire WEB Griffin and would read about the continuation of Matt Payne's evolution within the Badge of Honor Series forever. It's just that Jim Cronley, a lieutenant who's Director of CIA Europe, ain't that exciting or believable anymore. You may disagree with me, but that's how I see 'Curtain of Death' and may it be the curtain call for Clandestine Operations.
Will
I get that the period immediately following WWII was ripe for espionage opportunities and WEB Griffin's made a core competency out of exploiting the purgatory between the drawdown of the OSS and the standup of the CIA. I get it, Reinhard Gehlen was Santa Claus and his organization became the baseline framework of the CIA, since our only enemy was the Soviet Union and Gehlen had the pulse of the NKVD. Now we get to know all about the disenfranchised former Nazi SS officers who form up like the Contras of Nicaragua, known as ODESSA. Now of course WEB kept us entertained with the sexual antics of Claudette 'Dette' Colbert, who turns out to be a black widow female Spetsnaz when she's not covering Jim Cronley's back. But hunting down and laying traps for ODESSA ain't the same as confounding the NKVD into the Cold War. This series, Clandestine Operations, has just about gotten all the mileage left in that baby.
Don't get me wrong, I admire WEB Griffin and would read about the continuation of Matt Payne's evolution within the Badge of Honor Series forever. It's just that Jim Cronley, a lieutenant who's Director of CIA Europe, ain't that exciting or believable anymore. You may disagree with me, but that's how I see 'Curtain of Death' and may it be the curtain call for Clandestine Operations.
Will
January 8, 2018
I found this at Wal-Mart on New Year’s Day and realized that I had not kept up with one of my favorite authors W.E.B. Griffin.
This book is the third volume of Griffin’s most current series Clandestine Operations. The series follows upon the Honor Bound series.
Most of the action of Honor Bound series takes place in Argentina when Marine aviator Clete Fraude is sent by OSS to reunite with his father, a high ranking official in the Argentine military.
By the last Honor Bound volume #7 Empire And Honor WWII has ended and the action moves to Europe. Clete returns to Argentina and a new character , James Cronley enters the continuing story of Europe after the war’s end. Curtain of Death is the third book in this series Clandestine Mission.
President Harry Truman disbanded the OSS Office of Strategic Services. The Clandestine Mission Series tells the story of the evolving C.I.A. - Central Intelligence Agency.
This book is the third volume of Griffin’s most current series Clandestine Operations. The series follows upon the Honor Bound series.
Most of the action of Honor Bound series takes place in Argentina when Marine aviator Clete Fraude is sent by OSS to reunite with his father, a high ranking official in the Argentine military.
By the last Honor Bound volume #7 Empire And Honor WWII has ended and the action moves to Europe. Clete returns to Argentina and a new character , James Cronley enters the continuing story of Europe after the war’s end. Curtain of Death is the third book in this series Clandestine Mission.
President Harry Truman disbanded the OSS Office of Strategic Services. The Clandestine Mission Series tells the story of the evolving C.I.A. - Central Intelligence Agency.
May 9, 2017
Two WAC's leaving a club one night are kidnapped or at least an attempt was made, they didn't count on Claudette Colbert. Claudette carries a pistol in her bra, she quickly surprises and removes all but one of their kidnappers.
Who are they and why did they want the two women.James Cronley,head of DCI Europe needs to get to the bottom of this quickly, failure could cost him and his team their careers. They have faith in their chief, he wishes he shared the same, the youngest officer with a lot of power bestowed by the president, and many would like to see him fail.
The Germans are defeated, but a new enemy is there on the border and the rulles have changed, he needs to figure out those rules quickly.
This was a good military read and one that captures some of the comradeship between soldiers, no matter their uniform.
Who are they and why did they want the two women.James Cronley,head of DCI Europe needs to get to the bottom of this quickly, failure could cost him and his team their careers. They have faith in their chief, he wishes he shared the same, the youngest officer with a lot of power bestowed by the president, and many would like to see him fail.
The Germans are defeated, but a new enemy is there on the border and the rulles have changed, he needs to figure out those rules quickly.
This was a good military read and one that captures some of the comradeship between soldiers, no matter their uniform.
April 14, 2019
Glad I found this one on the discount table! Any W.E.B. Griffin novel is an enjoyable experience, but this one did seem to drag on without much action.
Curtain of Death is #3 in the Clandestine Operations series that follows the beginnings of the CIA from the ashes of the OSS. Griffin has a habit of repeating himself just in case you forgot something, and he likes the small details of military life. His characters are warriors, misfits, and smart-asses that always seem to win conflicts with the "desk" or career officers
I can't recommend this book to any new readers of W.E.B. Griffin but if you are a fan you gotta read it, even if it is just filler for the series.
Curtain of Death is #3 in the Clandestine Operations series that follows the beginnings of the CIA from the ashes of the OSS. Griffin has a habit of repeating himself just in case you forgot something, and he likes the small details of military life. His characters are warriors, misfits, and smart-asses that always seem to win conflicts with the "desk" or career officers
I can't recommend this book to any new readers of W.E.B. Griffin but if you are a fan you gotta read it, even if it is just filler for the series.
September 24, 2020
I agree with the other reviewers who say this book is not as good as previous novels in the series. But for its detailed insights into the military of 1946; early Cold War espionage; and mix of both fictional and historical characters, I give 4 stars. Although the story line was a bit "scattered" technically, it's all there, BUT a reader would benefit from having read the earlier books before this one. The story was a tad convoluted and maybe even unlikely, but a splendid yarn nonetheless. Cromley's little "mind asides" were off-putting and distracting. (Something like this review, perhaps). I don't know why, but I guess I liked it.
January 4, 2018
I guess because I came into this book without having read the first two, I felt like I was really lost. I almost gave up, however I had read other books by this author and had hopes it would pick up. I did enjoy the last portion of the book and the history that was interwoven into the story.
On a side note I am one of those readers who feels compelled to finish a book that I start especially if it’s a print book. I am more flexible with the ebooks I select. If there are too many editorial errors I sometimes do not finish the book.
On a side note I am one of those readers who feels compelled to finish a book that I start especially if it’s a print book. I am more flexible with the ebooks I select. If there are too many editorial errors I sometimes do not finish the book.
October 8, 2018
Not bad, not great. A lot of repetition, and it struck me as so verbose at points that it seemed like the authors were just trying to fill pages. The interesting points of the plot were few, while the annoying aspects of our "hero" are many. He doesn't even have the good sense to keep his mouth from "going on automatic," a very overused phrase, far too often. I'm still following this series, largely in the hope it will capture some of the magic of earlier W.E.B. Griffin series, but that hasn't happened so far.
October 9, 2017
Read and ebook while listening because very hard to keep up with the "verbosity". This is third of probably an unending series. Based on what was accomplished in the first three, I would think that the first SIX could be combined into one story. Thereby eliminating the constant repetitive introductive dialogue. I gave one star for the imparted historical knowledge, as limited as it was, and one star for a productive that I was able to finish.
January 21, 2018
Typical W.E. B. Griffin Entertaiment
Enjoyed the story line, the plot and the suspense in working a thread through the book. I enjoy the " thoughts" on going through the story line for each character. However, there are alot of names , ranks and titles that reader has to contend with, through out, which detracts from the story line. Each page is very busy with these types of details and detracts my reading concetration.
Enjoyed the story line, the plot and the suspense in working a thread through the book. I enjoy the " thoughts" on going through the story line for each character. However, there are alot of names , ranks and titles that reader has to contend with, through out, which detracts from the story line. Each page is very busy with these types of details and detracts my reading concetration.
July 5, 2019
Continuing Intrigue
Another Griffin/Buttetworth novel. The story is filled with intrigue, deception, misdirection and unexpected twists and turns. The story reflects earlier stories yet it stands alone. The only criticism is the large number of characters who play important roles in the story...it is hard to keep track of all of them, at times. This observation in no way diminishes the recommendation to read this book.
Another Griffin/Buttetworth novel. The story is filled with intrigue, deception, misdirection and unexpected twists and turns. The story reflects earlier stories yet it stands alone. The only criticism is the large number of characters who play important roles in the story...it is hard to keep track of all of them, at times. This observation in no way diminishes the recommendation to read this book.
July 28, 2024
Captain James Cronley is still operating as the head of the organization but is starting to bump heads with senior staff level officers often enough that his time is split between doing his actual duties and dodging the questions about what those duties entail. Now he’s faced with a new crisis when they discover the outright ruthless nature of the Russian opponents in their willingness to fight extremely viciously.
September 26, 2024
The third book in this post WWII series starts in January 1946. DCI- Europe is well aware they have a mole. After an an attempt to take 2 of their WACs hostage is thwarted CDI-Europe's head is in a pickle. He doesn't know if the kidnappers are Russian or members of ODESSA, a group of Germans attempting to smuggle SS officers out of Germany.
A well written book of intrigue following the investigation and process to settle the question and grab the parties responsible.
A well written book of intrigue following the investigation and process to settle the question and grab the parties responsible.
November 26, 2024
A very promising start...and a pretty boring middle and end. Too much filler information. Too many bit-part characters. Too many rehashing's of the events that opened the novel. It's like the authors really didn't want us to forget that someone shot a bunch of bad guys using a gun stored in an inventive location. They must have come back to it a half-dozen times. Also, not nearly enough intrigue and action.
September 23, 2017
Griffin does it again!
I have read every book in each of his series and enjoyed every one... It is rumored that Griffin is such. a prolific writer that he had to go to using pen names because library book selection procedures mad it impossible to buy more than two or three books from the same author.
I have read every book in each of his series and enjoyed every one... It is rumored that Griffin is such. a prolific writer that he had to go to using pen names because library book selection procedures mad it impossible to buy more than two or three books from the same author.
April 30, 2018
Gripping
The author again twists and turns his story all over post WWII Europe, as the fledgling CIA is born and fought over by self centered political egomaniacs. Given the state of the intelligence community today, little could have changed things, but it is a convoluted mess. If only everyone's effort was as altruistic as the authors main characters.
The author again twists and turns his story all over post WWII Europe, as the fledgling CIA is born and fought over by self centered political egomaniacs. Given the state of the intelligence community today, little could have changed things, but it is a convoluted mess. If only everyone's effort was as altruistic as the authors main characters.
June 29, 2018
Story had too many characters, who had too many meetings about too many things. Toward the end of the book, I was having trouble keeping the characters straight in my mind. Not one of Griffin's best.
Fun Fact: A C-47 Skytrain without the cargo door and reinforced cargo deck is, in fact, a C-53 Skytrooper.
Fun Fact: A C-47 Skytrain without the cargo door and reinforced cargo deck is, in fact, a C-53 Skytrooper.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2019
Typical w.e.b. Griffin. Enjoyable, but many complex characters and convoluted story lines. I was well into the book before identifying the major characters and the primary story. This is book 3 of 5 in the Clandestine Operations. I recommend this series, as I recommend all of Griffin's books, but be prepared for a challenging read.
August 19, 2019
After wading through page after page after page of boring back story this book became first unpalatable then absurd to me. I slogged through almost all of it then quit when I realized that none of the 234 people mentioned (or thereabouts) meant anything at all to me. Action? uh.... well the first few pages were nice but after that....
June 19, 2020
Although I found it hard to know where the story was going, as I got toward the end, it became more interesting. If you like military thrillers, this book would be for you. The book begins after World War II has concluded and the U.S. Military is in Germany. I found the main character, James Cronley to be quite a character.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews