The Occupation

by Guy Walters

February 1945. In his bunker in Berlin, Hitler makes a desperate decision. He will deploy the V3 - a weapon so secret that its lethal nature is unclear even to the slave labourers constructing it deep beneath the Channel Island of Alderney.

June 1990. Workmen on Alderney mysteriously start to fall sick. Journalist Robert Lebonneur believes he knows why. But the closer he gets to the truth, the more he realises he is up against the same deadly forces that caused so much upheaval nearly half a century ago...

Genres: Historical Fiction, World War II

Paperback

First published November 1, 2004

About the author

Guy Walters (born 8 August 1971) is a British author, novelist, historian, academic and journalist.

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 3 out of 5]

A surprisingly good and gripping war thriller looking at the occupied Channel Islands and how the Brits and their allies looked to investigate a German plot to win the war with a V3 rocket. The obviously well researched way of life on the Channel Islands during the occupation was a good enough hook for me. 6 out of 12.

2010 read

[Khumbulani Ngangelizwe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book accidentally... The first half of the book is strenuous due to being quite obscure - which is at least partially to be expected since the book covers two eras, concurrently. Once you get over that, it is impossible to put down.

READ THIS if you have a penchant for WWII literature (no prior knowledge of the war necessary though.) But an interest and some knowledge of the times of the German occupation makes the picture painted by the author more vivid, more readily believable and simply more enchanting. 4 Stars.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice bit of Nazis in Jersey action. Enjoyed it for a quick read but the author really drags out the "shocking revelation" which is obvious from page 3.

[Jamesm1975 · Rating 3 out of 5]

If it wasn't for the history I may have given up on this one. there's a good conspiracy story, but only the bones - no real meat.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was rather confused at the start of the book due to the number of different characters, however as I read more of the book, I literally became engrossed and could not put it down. I think having just visited the Channel Islands where the location of this book is based, certainly added to my enthusiasm and curiosity regarding the plot, which I found very clever. If you are a fan of WWII History and especially interested in the Occupation of the Channel Islands, you will love this book. The fact that also many elements of the book are based on true stories from the Occupation, certainly added to my interest.

[Sourav Basu Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read and a brilliant page-turner. The only reason my review lost a star, is that the loose ends were predictable, but still the narration and the writing managed to keep me glued until I rolled the last page. Kudos to the author for doing an impeccable job in the research, which made the story more realistic rather than filmsy. Will surely pick up another Walters anytime soon.

[Toby White · Rating 4 out of 5]

This started out a little slow but gradually picked up pace as it went on and turned into quite the page turner with a great plot twist to finish. I’ll be reading more on the occupation of the islands now.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping novel, read it in 3 days, literally couldn't put it down, i enjoyed the von luck encounters more than the journalist's story, however the way both blended together was satisfying. I would 100% read this again. random book i found on the shelf of my hotel and is genuinely incredible.

[Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Occupation in the Channel Islands

[The Villan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, great insight into life on an occupied island during WWII and the plot based around some actual figures and weapons from the era. Would read another of this author’s.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really fascinating book - it's stories like these that make the best case for reading fiction: opening up new worlds and points of view. Set in Nazi-occupied Channel Islands during WW2, Guy Walters sheds light on a part of history I knew nothing about while telling a cracking tale of divided loyalties, heroism and describing the atrocities inflicted on victims of the war. I'd totally recommend this to anyone. Gripping.

[Helena Eatock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unpretentious historical thriller, not purporting to be anything more - was an engaging, immersive read. The dialogue between characters was overly long in places which often distracted from the action/thrills (perhaps it would be better as a script in that regard). Initially I thought there were too many subplots for the plot to unravel effectively, but I was proven wrong eventually.

[Patrick Ellard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book which covers to different timelines, a modern timeline and one which surrounds the German occupation of the channel islands. Full of interesting facts, well written for the most part with a fast paced and interesting story, The Occupation is definitely worth a read.

[misanthropic · Rating 4 out of 5]

very gripping

[Lim Chin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced with a bit of history, thriller, action and romance. Good read.