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RAF Saga #4
The Whirlwind
As World War II rages, The Whirlwind concludes the gripping saga of the Bayley family.
In the winter of 1942, it’s the job of Max Bayley, a young German General, to protect the transport planes dropping supplies to the stranded Wehrmacht in Russia. While Max’s mission seems doomed to failure, the Luftwaffe is facing even worse on the Western Front, where they confront the RAF’s formidable new Mosquito aircraft.
Reichsmarschall Goering knows the war cannot be won without the Mosquito, and orders military intelligence to obtain the specifications at any cost. This they endeavour to do by targeting the wife of Mosquito Squadron Leader, John Bayley — Max’s half-brother. But this marks the point at which blood really does run thicker than water…
The Whirlwind tells the story of two young men united by blood but separated by ideology, and of a family that longs to reunite. It's written with close attention to detail and is therefore a perfect read for aviation and military history enthusiasts, as well as all who enjoy compelling family sagas.
Alan Savage is one of several pseudonyms used by the popular and prolific British writer Christopher Nicole, who has written more than 200 novels and nonfiction works. Nicole was born in Guyana, and now lives on Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands.
In the winter of 1942, it’s the job of Max Bayley, a young German General, to protect the transport planes dropping supplies to the stranded Wehrmacht in Russia. While Max’s mission seems doomed to failure, the Luftwaffe is facing even worse on the Western Front, where they confront the RAF’s formidable new Mosquito aircraft.
Reichsmarschall Goering knows the war cannot be won without the Mosquito, and orders military intelligence to obtain the specifications at any cost. This they endeavour to do by targeting the wife of Mosquito Squadron Leader, John Bayley — Max’s half-brother. But this marks the point at which blood really does run thicker than water…
The Whirlwind tells the story of two young men united by blood but separated by ideology, and of a family that longs to reunite. It's written with close attention to detail and is therefore a perfect read for aviation and military history enthusiasts, as well as all who enjoy compelling family sagas.
Alan Savage is one of several pseudonyms used by the popular and prolific British writer Christopher Nicole, who has written more than 200 novels and nonfiction works. Nicole was born in Guyana, and now lives on Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
259 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2007
277 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Alan Savage
52 books15 followersChristopher Robin Nicole was born on 7 December 1930 in Georgetown, British Guiana (now Guyana), where he was raised. He is the son of Jean Dorothy (Logan) and Jack Nicole, a police officer, both Scottish. He studied at Queen's College in Guyana and at Harrison College in Barbados. He was a fellow at the Canadian Bankers Association and a clerk for the Royal Bank of Canada in Georgetown and Nassau from 1947 to 1956. In 1957, he moved to Guernsey, Channel Islands, United Kingdom, where he currently lives, but he also has a domicile in Spain.
On 31 March 1951, he married his first wife, Jean Regina Amelia Barnett, with whom he had two sons, Bruce and Jack, and two daughters, Julie and Ursula, they divorced. On 8 May 1982 he married for the second time with fellow writer Diana Bachmann.
As a romantic and passionate of history, Nicole has been published since 1957, when he published a book about West Indian Cricket. He published his first novel in 1959 with his first stories set in his native Caribbean. Later he wrote many historical novels set mostly in tumultuous periods like World War I, World War II and the Cold War, and depict places in Europe, Asia and Africa. He also wrote classic romance novels. He specialized in Series and Sagas, and continues to write into the 21st century with no intention of retiring.
He signs his books as Christopher Nicole and uses several pseudonyms, some of them female. Pseudonyms used include: Peter Grange, Andrew York, Robin Cade, Mark Logan, Christina Nicholson, Alison York, Leslie Arlen, Robin Nicholson, C. R. Nicholson, Daniel Adams, Simon McKay, Caroline Gray and Alan Savage. He wrote disaster thrillers in collaboration with his wife, Diana Bachmann, under the penname Max Marlow. Under his different pseudonyms he has worked with many publishing houses: Jarrolds, Hutchinson, Simon & Schuster, Coward-McCann & Geoghegan, Jove, Michael Joseph, Mills & Boon, and Severn House.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christop... and
http://openlibrary.org/authors/OL1009...
On 31 March 1951, he married his first wife, Jean Regina Amelia Barnett, with whom he had two sons, Bruce and Jack, and two daughters, Julie and Ursula, they divorced. On 8 May 1982 he married for the second time with fellow writer Diana Bachmann.
As a romantic and passionate of history, Nicole has been published since 1957, when he published a book about West Indian Cricket. He published his first novel in 1959 with his first stories set in his native Caribbean. Later he wrote many historical novels set mostly in tumultuous periods like World War I, World War II and the Cold War, and depict places in Europe, Asia and Africa. He also wrote classic romance novels. He specialized in Series and Sagas, and continues to write into the 21st century with no intention of retiring.
He signs his books as Christopher Nicole and uses several pseudonyms, some of them female. Pseudonyms used include: Peter Grange, Andrew York, Robin Cade, Mark Logan, Christina Nicholson, Alison York, Leslie Arlen, Robin Nicholson, C. R. Nicholson, Daniel Adams, Simon McKay, Caroline Gray and Alan Savage. He wrote disaster thrillers in collaboration with his wife, Diana Bachmann, under the penname Max Marlow. Under his different pseudonyms he has worked with many publishing houses: Jarrolds, Hutchinson, Simon & Schuster, Coward-McCann & Geoghegan, Jove, Michael Joseph, Mills & Boon, and Severn House.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christop... and
http://openlibrary.org/authors/OL1009...
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 25, 2023
By far the weakest book in the series
The author's historical inaccuracies which occur frequently throughout the series and get worse as the series goes on become particularly egregious. The already unlikely characters behave less and less believably. By book 3 the series had already been struggling to keep my interest, and the whirlwind lost it completely as the author starts setting up the main characters wife presumably for another round of the author's fetish for marital infidelity and incest. Overall this series is less military historical fiction and more "50 shades of world war 2".
The author's historical inaccuracies which occur frequently throughout the series and get worse as the series goes on become particularly egregious. The already unlikely characters behave less and less believably. By book 3 the series had already been struggling to keep my interest, and the whirlwind lost it completely as the author starts setting up the main characters wife presumably for another round of the author's fetish for marital infidelity and incest. Overall this series is less military historical fiction and more "50 shades of world war 2".
October 11, 2023
I bought this four book Kindle series on a special offer for 99p due to my long time interest in the RAF but having now read it, I am glad that I didn't pay more for it. I am afraid I cannot recommend this RAF in WW2 series for a lots of reasons.
It is billed as the "Complete RAF Story", "The RAF in WW2", "The RAF Saga" but none of these are accurate. The second of those is inaccurate because the first book is set in the First World War and the other three are more than 50 per cent about the Luftwaffe not the RAF.
Yes the books are billed as fiction but if fiction books mention facts then they should be correct. So many 'facts' within these stories are totally incorrect. For example in book four, Hatfield is constantly quoted as an RAF base for the de Havilland Mosquito when in fact no RAF squadrons were ever based there. It was a private airfield, owned by de Havilland who had their factory there which built the Mosquito. Also the famous Gloster Gladiator is referred to as the Bristol Gladiator and apparently the famous Spitfire wasn't made by Supermarine but by Fairey Marine, a company that never made a single Spitfire and didn't even come into being until the late 1940s, after WW2 had finished! There are plenty of other errors.
The author constantly refers to "planes" but during WW2, the RAF never used that term. To the British they were aircraft or aeroplanes. "Planes" was more of an American term.
Then there is the editing itself which at times is appalling particularly when moving from one place to another. In many places the reader will be reading a conversation between people but the following sentence or paragraph you will be in a completely different place without any indication that this has happened. All the editors need to to was separate the paragraphs with
***
but that was obviously too difficult for them. All I found myself doing when trying to read these four stories was highlighting all the errors.
I am a loyal reader of books from Joffe Publishing - usually British crime or psychological novels - which are usually very good but this series was a total let down.
It is billed as the "Complete RAF Story", "The RAF in WW2", "The RAF Saga" but none of these are accurate. The second of those is inaccurate because the first book is set in the First World War and the other three are more than 50 per cent about the Luftwaffe not the RAF.
Yes the books are billed as fiction but if fiction books mention facts then they should be correct. So many 'facts' within these stories are totally incorrect. For example in book four, Hatfield is constantly quoted as an RAF base for the de Havilland Mosquito when in fact no RAF squadrons were ever based there. It was a private airfield, owned by de Havilland who had their factory there which built the Mosquito. Also the famous Gloster Gladiator is referred to as the Bristol Gladiator and apparently the famous Spitfire wasn't made by Supermarine but by Fairey Marine, a company that never made a single Spitfire and didn't even come into being until the late 1940s, after WW2 had finished! There are plenty of other errors.
The author constantly refers to "planes" but during WW2, the RAF never used that term. To the British they were aircraft or aeroplanes. "Planes" was more of an American term.
Then there is the editing itself which at times is appalling particularly when moving from one place to another. In many places the reader will be reading a conversation between people but the following sentence or paragraph you will be in a completely different place without any indication that this has happened. All the editors need to to was separate the paragraphs with
***
but that was obviously too difficult for them. All I found myself doing when trying to read these four stories was highlighting all the errors.
I am a loyal reader of books from Joffe Publishing - usually British crime or psychological novels - which are usually very good but this series was a total let down.
March 10, 2023
The AirWar over Europe right up to Normandy
Tells the struggle of both sides as they attempt to achieve Technological Advantages to control The Air & deny it to the other. Introduces The Jet Age as well as longer range Rockets with Very High Explosive Loads to destroy Cities. Two Brothers lead on opposite sides & carry on a personal battle to the death, supported by wives & family with small children. Very readable series.
Tells the struggle of both sides as they attempt to achieve Technological Advantages to control The Air & deny it to the other. Introduces The Jet Age as well as longer range Rockets with Very High Explosive Loads to destroy Cities. Two Brothers lead on opposite sides & carry on a personal battle to the death, supported by wives & family with small children. Very readable series.
September 20, 2023
Don’t bother. Four books, no denouement which is the only thing that kept me reading through the egregious aviation errors. ‘Bristol’ Gladiator! Me210s seemingly having one engine, one crew, and widespread use in Northern France and Russia! And well regarded by its pilots! It’s all a bit Mills and Boon! If you’re after some WW2 aviation fiction look elsewhere. As for the ‘consistent’ high Goodreads markings, it makes me wonder how many have actually read the books.
February 28, 2023
Wonderfully accurate continuation of the saga
I’m really enjoying this series and the character development. Not much time left to explore the family outcomes so I’m trying to savor it.
I’m really enjoying this series and the character development. Not much time left to explore the family outcomes so I’m trying to savor it.
April 10, 2023
Great series
I thoroughly enjoed Mr. Savage's 4-book series on the Bayley brothers, and the air co.bat over Europe in WW2. The historical research keeps it real, and the writer's skills weaves a fast paced story. Well done, sir!
I thoroughly enjoed Mr. Savage's 4-book series on the Bayley brothers, and the air co.bat over Europe in WW2. The historical research keeps it real, and the writer's skills weaves a fast paced story. Well done, sir!
April 29, 2023
Amazing flying action
This is the fourth in the series and it's as good as the first. Great story and characters, all the planes and action scenes are like being there. I am assuming there is a fifth? I will look for it.
This is the fourth in the series and it's as good as the first. Great story and characters, all the planes and action scenes are like being there. I am assuming there is a fifth? I will look for it.
July 26, 2023
A very intriguing story of the air war of WWII.
The author has written a truly amazing story of the air war between England and Germany and of the two half brothers and their heroic actions. A story full of action and conflict.
The author has written a truly amazing story of the air war between England and Germany and of the two half brothers and their heroic actions. A story full of action and conflict.
September 9, 2023
next to the last battle
As the Russian army tears the guts out of the Wehrmacht the two brothers confine to duel. I liked the events leading up to the end game; a miracle the brothers survived.
As the Russian army tears the guts out of the Wehrmacht the two brothers confine to duel. I liked the events leading up to the end game; a miracle the brothers survived.
September 19, 2023
outstanding…the entire series
The historical context is very accurate. The characterization of the brothers confronting one another was compelling. The storyline throughout the series was both exciting and intriguing. A very worthwhile read.
The historical context is very accurate. The characterization of the brothers confronting one another was compelling. The storyline throughout the series was both exciting and intriguing. A very worthwhile read.
November 1, 2023
A Good Read
The air combat incidents were brief & violent but realistic against the red hordes that we were trained to engage had the cold war gone hot. I found g the author's depiction of the combatants personal lives plausible & equally entertaining.
The air combat incidents were brief & violent but realistic against the red hordes that we were trained to engage had the cold war gone hot. I found g the author's depiction of the combatants personal lives plausible & equally entertaining.
January 18, 2024
Conflict and fratricide
Brotherly affection - an ethereal conception; world war within a family. That is the piquant sauce which keeps this book alive and throbbing. A page turner par excellence.
Brotherly affection - an ethereal conception; world war within a family. That is the piquant sauce which keeps this book alive and throbbing. A page turner par excellence.
February 3, 2025
Inaccurate and implausible
Full of anachronisms and inaccuracies. If it is a historical novel it has not been overly researched. If it is supposed to be a modern Biggles, it still falls short
Full of anachronisms and inaccuracies. If it is a historical novel it has not been overly researched. If it is supposed to be a modern Biggles, it still falls short
April 24, 2025
great series
After the first one I was hooked. This guy knew his history. I actually fact checked his dates and aircraft. Spot on.
Well developed characters and every now and then, you just have to cry or laugh. I will remember this one for a while.
After the first one I was hooked. This guy knew his history. I actually fact checked his dates and aircraft. Spot on.
Well developed characters and every now and then, you just have to cry or laugh. I will remember this one for a while.
March 9, 2023
Book 5 please.
Read all 4 books in this series. But this is not the end.......it may be the beginning of the end.
Read all 4 books in this series. But this is not the end.......it may be the beginning of the end.
April 9, 2023
The first book in the series was rather good but alas the story gets sillier and more improbable as the series progresses. Gave up entirely half way in to:book 4. Rubbish!
April 14, 2023
Action packed
This continuation of the Bayley family saga during WWII is a touching, exciting story. Looking for an after war finish.
This continuation of the Bayley family saga during WWII is a touching, exciting story. Looking for an after war finish.
June 2, 2023
We need another book so more women can make a moue.
October 5, 2023
My husband really liked this book
February 14, 2024
Brothers
I read the four books of the RAF series Very exciting Brother against brother Plenty of action A lot of air battles A good read
I read the four books of the RAF series Very exciting Brother against brother Plenty of action A lot of air battles A good read
March 19, 2024
Smashing but sad ending to a very readable series.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews