Bright Young Things discussion

I'm setting this up as a hot read as it's magnificent (at about 25% through) and it's a perfect BYT book. Only its current unavailability in the USA stopped me nominating it as a group read.

So, here's a place where fellow BYTers can discuss...



"Rendezvous at the Russian Tea Rooms: The Spyhunter, the Fashion Designer & the Man From Moscow" by Paul Willetts

Susan, whose taste is impeccable, gave it five stars. Click here to read Susan's review

Here’s a bit about the book.

Rendezvous at the Russian Tea Room provides the first comprehensive account of what was once hailed by a leading American newspaper as the greatest spy story of World War II. This dramatic yet little-known saga, replete with telephone taps, kidnappings, and police surveillance, centres on the furtive escapades of Tyler Kent, a handsome, womanising 28-year-old Ivy League graduate, who doubles as a US Embassy code clerk and Soviet agent.

Against the backdrop of London high society during the so-called Phoney War, Kent’s life intersects with the lives of the book’s two other memorably flamboyant protagonists. One of those is Maxwell Knight, an urbane, endearingly eccentric MI5 spyhunter. The other is Anna Wolkoff, a White Russian fashion designer and Nazi spy whose outfits are worn by the Duchess of Windsor and whose parents are friends of the British royal family. Wolkoff belongs to a fascist secret society called the Right Club, which aims to overthrow the British government. Her romantic entanglement with Tyler Kent gives her access to a secret correspondence between President Roosevelt and Winston Churchill, a correspondence that has the potential to transform the outcome of the war.

I loved Paul Willetts biography of Julian Maclaren-Ross…
Click here to read my review

…and Paul Willetts biography of Paul Raymond...
Click here to read my review

Come and discuss it as and when you read it

By the by, what's the latest in the US...


http://www.amazon.com/Rendezvous-Russ...

^ Is it available on Kindle yet?

It showing as being available when viewed from the UK but I know US based users often see a different status

Still no kindle in the US. You can find the occasional hardback in the $25 range, but nothing from Amazon yet.

Thanks Jan

And none of my usual alternative stores have it.

Nigeyb wrote: "By the by, what's the latest in the US...


http://www.amazon.com/Rendezvous-Russ...

^ Is it available on Kindl..."


It's only available in audible audio format here in the US. I clicked the link to request it on Kindle but who knows when or if it will become available. I really wish it was available to read here as it looks very intriguing.

Thanks Jan. Thanks Lynaia. Keep us posted.


I’m about 40% through "Rendezvous at the Russian Tea Rooms: The Spyhunter, the Fashion Designer & the Man From Moscow" by Paul Willetts.

There's much to enjoy in this tale of Nazi spies among London’s elite. In some ways it reads more like a thriller than a non-fiction book. Paul Willetts is especially skilled at recreating the era in London. I had no idea just how much MI5 spyhunter Maxwell Knight worked alone and unsupported. He’s an endearingly eccentric man how appears to stand alone amongst swathes of unpleasant anti-semetic, Nazi approving toffs. I can well imagine this story being turned into a brilliant film.

Highly recommended

Susan, whose taste is impeccable, gave it five stars. Click here to read Susan's review

Anna Wolkoff, a White Russian fashion designer and Nazi spy, has just a message to our old pal William Joyce (Lord Haw Haw) which means she can now be prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act however Max Knight, head of MI6 decides to bide his time to see whether she will incriminate other Right Club members.

This is a wonderful read.

Flipboard had an article today about Maxwell Knight from The Guardian.

Jan C wrote: "Flipboard had an article today about Maxwell Knight from The Guardian."


Thanks Jan

Was it this one...?
http://www.theguardian.com/science/bl...

Or this...?
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisf...

I'm loving this book - perfect BYT fare

Reference to William Joyce (one of many) in Rendezvous at the Russian Tea Rooms: The Spyhunter, the Fashion Designer & the Man From Moscow)....

Nigeyb wrote: "Jan C wrote: "Flipboard had an article today about Maxwell Knight from The Guardian."


Thanks Jan

Was it this one...?
http://www.theguardian.com/science/bl......"

The first one.

I’ve just finished.



Paul Willetts has surpassed himself with this stunning book - a methodical, thorough book that, whilst lengthy, is engrossing, compelling and fascinating from start to finish. Highly recommended.

Click here to read my review

5/5

Just come across this film trailer style ad for Rendezvous at the Russian Tea Rooms: The Spyhunter, the Fashion Designer & the Man From Moscow by Guy Myhill, which is quite well done...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wZxa...

It is quite good. Might be tempted to get hold of the book.

^ Hopefully I've given enough info for you to be able to judge if it's your kind of read.

A five star rating from both Susan and me. All the ratings on Amazon UK are five star. If you're interested in the book's subject matter then I feel confident you'd love it.

Ta! I'll see if I can get a copy.

I might have to pony up the dough for a copy as well. Rather pricy on the secondary market here in the US but it just sounds too good to pass up!

Lynaia wrote: "I might have to pony up the dough for a copy as well. Rather pricy on the secondary market here in the US but it just sounds too good to pass up!"

I hope you like it Lynaia. I wonder if it's worth hanging on for a US kindle issue - surely only a matter of time?

I see that Abebooks has it available from Ireland/UK/Germany for $20-25 and it looks like shipping is free.

^ Good news Jan.


Now then, here's one of the many characters contained in the book. Meet Johnny Coast, a British fascist who features in Rendezvous at the Russian Tea Rooms: The Spyhunter, the Fashion Designer & the Man From Moscow and who went on to become a successful show business agent - you really couldn't make this story up...

http://www.express.co.uk/news/history...

Just noticed this on the what book are you currently reading thread and posted a few weeks back...


Susan wrote: "Just finished....

.

"Rendezvous at the Russian Tea Rooms: The Spyhunter, the Fashion Designer & the Man From Moscow" by Paul Willetts

This will have a lot of appeal for our group, with appearances by William Joyce amongst others."

^ Listen to Susan. Susan knows.

Goes well with beer too...

Nigeyb wrote: "Goes well with beer too...





"

My library has this book so I'm going to start my Paul Willetts reading with this one soon. If I like it - which I should do - I'll go on to the others. Thanks for bringing him to our attention Nigeyb.

Ruth wrote: "My library has this book so I'm going to start my Paul Willetts reading with this one soon. If I like it - which I should do - I'll go on to the others. Thanks for bringing him to our attention Nigeyb."

This is great news. I eagerly await your reaction Ruth.

Greg wrote: "I started thinking about the clothes and styles of cars, furniture etc; of my parents time before and through the war years.

I would welcome any suggestions of titles similar of the era of Mr. Norris and A Gun For Sale."

Yes. This very one…. "Rendezvous at the Russian Tea Rooms: The Spyhunter, the Fashion Designer & the Man From Moscow" by Paul Willetts

A truly fantastic read and one that is drenched in the same era with many similar themes.

Add your thoughts here Greg when you get round to reading it.