Tag Archives: thriller

Books: When the Germans come

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I loved reading When the Germans Come by David Hewson.

When the Germans Come by David Hewson

It is an outstanding mix of historical fiction and compelling murder mystery/suspense. Set in 1940 with the threat of Nazi invasion in the air, the story paints an authentic-feeling picture of wartime Britain. The characters are cleverly crafted—Louis Renard, a wounded ex-detective, is both compelling and flawed as all book-heroes should be, while Jessica Marshall, the determined, naive Canadian journalist, adds an engaging and fem-fatale perspective as she chases down a story with life-threatening stakes that the Army simply does not want told

The setting and atmosphere feel completely authentic, capturing the fear, uncertainty, and resilience of a small town on the brink of invasion. The murder mystery at the heart of the story is both sensible and believable, weaving seamlessly into the larger context of war and espionage. Hewson’s ability to balance historical detail with a tight, suspenseful plot is evident, keeping the reader engaged until the big reveal. The story’s atmosphere of danger and intrigue is palpable, and the exploration of moral dilemmas in wartime adds another thoughtful layer. This is a book where everything works well—the characters, the plot, and the richly created setting combine to make it a thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking read.

Books: Boney Creek

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Boney Creek by Paula Gleeson is a very good read that kept me hooked from the start to finish.

Boney Creek by Paula Gleeson

The small-town setting is vividly described – it feels like an additional character, soaked in secrets and a strong sense of uh, oh, what’s about to happen? Gleeson’s writing is gentle and atmospheric and captures the slightly sinister quiet of a dying town. The pacing is spot-on, a slow burn that builds suspense before delivering several shocking revelations. The characters feel authentic, particularly Addie, whose determination and vulnerability make her a protagonist I can easily cheer on. The story weaves Addie’s and her husband Toby’s personal tragedies with a larger, chilling mystery, creating a layered and emotional story. I found myself intrigued by the web of connections between the town’s ‘accidents’ and was as eager as Addie to get to the bottom of it all. I especially wanted to know what happened to Kip. Gleeson’s ability to blend character-driven storytelling with a strong, compelling plot is impressive. If you enjoy a good thriller with a real sense of place and authentic-feeling characters, Boney Creek is your next read.

Books: Black Sun

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Black Sun by Owen Matthews is a gripping thriller that held my attention from the first page. Set in 1961 in the ultra-secret Soviet city of Arzamas-16, the story is set against a high-stakes project to build the world’s most powerful nuclear bomb. A young physicist dies under suspicious circumstances and KGB Major Alexander Vasin is sent to investigate, only to discover an elite city of scientists working in secret.

Black Sun by Owen Matthews

Black Sun is very well paced. The author crafts an easy-to-follow plot that pulled me along at just the right speed, building anticipation with each chapter. The plot alone made the book hard to put down and despite the inevitable Physics of nuclear bomb construction was never overwhelming or confusing. The characters are also impressively constructed. The author gives them just enough backstory to make them feel real and relatable without slowing the story. I found myself invested in each character’s motivations, which added an emotional depth to the story that’s rare in thrillers.

The book is based on a real event and the story, setting and characters feel authentic, capturing the atmosphere of paranoia and ambition that defined that era and culture.

Matthews has created a compelling, thoughtful novel, easily as good as and possibly better than Tom Rob Smith’s USSR-era books such as Agent 6. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Owen Matthews’ Black Sun and am excited to know that it is the first in a three-book series.

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Books: The Sea Cemetery

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Aslak Nore’s The Sea Cemetery is a masterfully crafted literary thriller that immerses readers in a convoluted yet intriguing tale of overwhelming family wealth, secrets, and more secrets.

The Sea Cemetery by Aslak Nore

Set near Oslo and Bergen in Norway, the novel explores the complexities of the wealthy Falck family as they navigate a tangled, or perhaps intricately woven, web of inheritance disputes, historical mysteries, and vendettas.

The Sea Cemetery’s intricately woven plot is at once challenging and compelling, and kept me turning pages quickly until the very end. The story unfolds with the death of the family matriarch, whose lack of a will sets off a chain of events that unearth long-buried secrets and scandals spanning generations. From the patriarch’s marriage to a working-class girl (who becomes the family’s matriarch), to the sinking of the SS Prinsesse Ragnhild during World War II and clandestine dealings with the Nazis, to intriguing behaviour by a lone wolf agent in Iraq, on behalf of the Norwegian government’s war on terror, the novel is filled with twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very last page.

The Sea Cemetery is an absorbing and enjoyable read that will appeal to fans of literary thrillers and epic family sagas. With its rich collection of characters, evocative setting, and absorbing plot, this novel is truly remarkable.