Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

The Fulcrum Files

by Mark Chisnell (Goodreads Author)

3.74 of 5 stars 3.74 · rating details · 23 ratings · 10 reviews

The young Ben Clayton was one of Britain’s brightest boxing prospects, until the day he slammed a left hook into a fragile chin. Sickened by the consequences he turned away from the ring, found solace in the arms of the beautiful Lucy Kirk and looked for new challenges.

On the 7th March 1936, after almost two decades of peace in Europe, Hitler ordered the German Army back i...more

Kindle Edition, 317 pages

Published February 1st 2012

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré

The Spy Who Came In from the Cold by John le Carré

Best Spy Novels

219th out of 488 books — 450 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 75)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Jul 26, 2012 Misty Baker rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have this acquaintance (I’d call her a friend, but I think that’s slightly overstating) that is obsessed with puzzles. She has an entire room in her home dedicated to them. She has the roll up mat meant for easy travel and the finishing spray to ensure that her completed beauties remain intact and full of glory. She frames them and hangs them on the wall. Like I said…she is obsessed. So one day I asked her, “What is it about puzzles that you love so much?” Her response (much like her puzzles)...more I have this acquaintance (I’d call her a friend, but I think that’s slightly overstating) that is obsessed with puzzles. She has an entire room in her home dedicated to them. She has the roll up mat meant for easy travel and the finishing spray to ensure that her completed beauties remain intact and full of glory. She frames them and hangs them on the wall. Like I said…she is obsessed. So one day I asked her, “What is it about puzzles that you love so much?” Her response (much like her puzzles) was incredibly drawn out and detailed, so I’ll spare you the exact details, but the overall conclusion was that she “loved to see chaos come together.” Eloquent…is it not? That the entire reason for her hours of mindless rearranging was to add order where there once was none.

Now, I’m still not a fan of puzzles. I’ll do one every five or six years, but the thought of it taking over my kitchen table for a month while I try to squeeze in a new part every four or five days makes my skin crawl. Instead, I prefer the scattered chaos of books, and this week it was Mark Chisnell’s historical thriller “The Fulcrum Files.”

“The young Ben Clayton was one of Britain’s brightest boxing prospects, until the day he slammed a left hook into a fragile chin. Sickened by the consequences he turned away from the ring, found solace in the arms of the beautiful Lucy Kirk and looked for new challenges.

On the 7th March 1936, after almost two decades of peace in Europe, Hitler ordered the German Army back into the Rhineland. It was a direct challenge to Britain and France. Still unnerved by the toll of the Great War, the politicians dithered. The French Army stayed in its barracks, while the aristocratic British elite looked on from their country retreats.

History teetered on a knife edge, but the spymasters were busy.

Just one man could make the difference between war and peace, victory or defeat. And that man was Ben Clayton. Thrown into the maelstrom of plot and counter-plot, into a world of murder, spies and traitors, Ben must battle not just to survive, but to protect all that he loves and holds most dear.”

If I was to tell you that I liked this book right out of the box, I’d be lying. It’s quite the opposite in fact. I wasn’t happy with it at all. While I can knock most books out in a few hours (or at the very most a day) it took me more than two weeks to gulp down Chisnell’s 407 page throwback to the 30′s. Why? Because it read like a 10k piece puzzle that (until 50%) was nothing but scattered plot points and confusing references. Was it a book about boats? (Which we know -in no small part to Mark’s book “The Defector”- he is well versed in.) Was it about politics? Spies? War? There were so many people with so many thoughts floating around that the significance of them all was lost on me. (Who knows…maybe I’m just slow.) Was the writing “bad?” Of course not. Chisnell is nothing if not well spoken. It was just a tremendous amount of information to take in.

That said (and puzzle references aside. Kinda.) Once the “course” of the book was finally set, I was hooked. Just when I thought I couldn’t take it anymore this amazing, fast paced story emerged before my very eyes and I couldn’t put it down. All those crazy distracting (off color) pieces finally came together and made sense! The characters (Ben and Anna mostly – which is impressive considering Anna wasn’t a lead in this story) evolved into two very full bodied characters that exhibited qualities only those with first hand knowledge of the pain of the era could muster, and they did so with such causal dialogue that it didn’t feel forced but matter of fact. Add to that the range of action this duo (well…all the characters actually) was forced to navigate through and what you have is just another shining example of why Chisnell is an indie name to keep your eyes on.

I will go on record as saying this isn’t the “easiest” read on the planet, it is chock-full of twists, turns and espionage, so if you are a person that likes to read for the frivolous enjoyment of it, you might want to steer clear. ”The Fulcrum Files” takes focus, and more importantly a love of history to enjoy. But if you are a person that loves a good challenge when it comes to their literature. Go ahead…it might just surprise you too.

Happy reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: When the world says, “Give up,” Hope whispers, “Try it one more time.” Sometimes you just need to stick with it to see if it goes anywhere.(less)

like · see review

Feb 11, 2012 TC rated it 4 of 5 stars

In inter-war Britain forces are at work either trying to prevent or prepare for a second world war. Ben Clayton is more interested in sailing and fisherman's daughter Lucy. When an apparent accident kills his friend Ben is plunged into a world of intrigue, plots and counter-plots. As a sworn pacifist he doesn't even want to be involved with the production of warplanes like the Spitfire, but events force him to rethink his position. His beliefs aren't the only thing under threat, as his relations...more In inter-war Britain forces are at work either trying to prevent or prepare for a second world war. Ben Clayton is more interested in sailing and fisherman's daughter Lucy. When an apparent accident kills his friend Ben is plunged into a world of intrigue, plots and counter-plots. As a sworn pacifist he doesn't even want to be involved with the production of warplanes like the Spitfire, but events force him to rethink his position. His beliefs aren't the only thing under threat, as his relationship with Lucy is threatened by the seductive Anna.

This novel is primarily a spy thriller but for me it was much enhanced by the historical element. I found the writing so evocative of the period. I could picture the people and their dress and it captured the tensions, including class divisions, of the time. When the story moved to Germany I found some of the narrative chilling and very tense, and I read on keen to get to the bottom of the tale. I found the author's note about certain facts that pertain to the story fascinating. They were facts I weren't aware of and often it's the stories like those that bring history to life for me. Sailing also plays an important part, and is a recurring and interesting theme in Mark's novels (no great surprise if you read his author biog)

Ben is a very empathetic character. His life looks to be heading in exactly the direction he wanted, but he rapidly finds it all unraveling and unwittingly becomes a key to the course of the future. The strength of his beliefs has alienated his parents and he doesn't seem to fit within any particular class, and now he finds himself pulled from all angles. It's impossible not to be on his side. Lucy is also an attractive character and the polar opposite of slick, glamorous Anna. There are some very interesting dynamics among the various characters and while there is a lot going on it wasn't hard to follow the twists and turns, and unlike some spy stories I didn't find myself scratching my head trying to figure out what I had missed at the end.

This was a really enjoyable read and for me it cast a new light on the run up to World War II. The writing is fluid and allows the story to move on at a good pace. This was quite a departure from The Defector, by the same author, but Mark Chisnell's books are very welcome on my kindle.(less)

like · see review

Feb 25, 2012 Julie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: author-giveaway, kindle-docs

I never would've discovered Mark Chisnell's writing if it my friend hadn't talked me into getting an e-reader, which I did. I then discovered Smashwords and free e-books. After slogging through some real dreck, I picked up The Defector. I was blown away. I found Mark on Twitter and asked why he was giving away such a quality read. I mean - I know I complain about e-book prices, but The Defector and it's sequel, The Wrecking Crew are too good to be free. (They aren't any more, but they're still w...more I never would've discovered Mark Chisnell's writing if it my friend hadn't talked me into getting an e-reader, which I did. I then discovered Smashwords and free e-books. After slogging through some real dreck, I picked up The Defector. I was blown away. I found Mark on Twitter and asked why he was giving away such a quality read. I mean - I know I complain about e-book prices, but The Defector and it's sequel, The Wrecking Crew are too good to be free. (They aren't any more, but they're still worth more than their current price.) So thank goodness for e-books!

So I was thrilled when Mark asked me if I would read and review The Fulcrum Files. I knew I was in for a good read.

This book is nothing like the other two but don't take that statement wrong. It proves there's a lot of depth and range in Mark's writing. The story, set in the 1930s as the Nazis rise to power in Germany, starts by introducing us to Ben Clayton as a young boxer and then moves relentlessly and steadily into murder and intrigue as Ben's friend, Stanley Arbethwaite, is killed while they're working together on a racing yacht. Ben's boxing experiences shape his attitude about another war so close on the heels of the first World War, yet he unwittingly becomes the fulcrum for political intrigue and spy games.

Chisnell's characters are always complex and well developed. The political intrigues behind the characters double the fun and Chisnell keeps the reader guessing right up to the end - who's lying? who's working for whom? Who is the murderer? The only thing I was sure of was that it wasn't Ben Clayton. Ben's life just gets more complicated after the death of Stanley when Mrs. Arbethwaite discovers bills that haven't been paid for months and faces foreclosure of her home, where Ben is a boarder. He just gets drawn further into the intrigue when he attempts to find out what happened to Arbethwaite's money, and who might have killed him. And he never sees the political tug of war that he's involved in without any clue as to what's actually going on.

I like that Chisnell's stories take place around and on the water and in the lives of the people who work and live there. I know nothing about that kind of life, but Chisnell brings it life. The way he weaves that life into the story and uses it to build tension just makes the story that much better.

Even better, Chisnell's done an excellent job of portraying historical events of the time and the tensions in Europe over Hitler's aggression.

This isn't a mile-a-minute psychological thriller like The Defector and The Wrecking Crew but it's still a really good story, and told well. As I read it, I was tempted to compare it to the other two books but I couldn't really - it's a very different kind of story. If you haven't already read anything by Chisnell, my suggestion is that you read this one first. You'll enjoy it thoroughly but won't be comparing it to the other two. Then, read the other two. If you've already read Chisnell, don't skip this one - it's still as good - but in a different way.(less)

like · see review

May 17, 2012 Bob rated it 4 of 5 stars

Set in England and Germany as Hitler is starting his encroachment in to France this tale follows an engineer who was a scholarship student at university and found himself between the lower class working men and the upper crust of the privileged. He and a friend while working for an aircraft company designed an advanced aluminum mast for another industrial mogul’s racing yacht. When the friend is killed in an accident while stepping the mast the trouble begins workers on the yacht strike, the tit...more

like · see review

Feb 20, 2012 Carol Cronin rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'm not usually a big fan of thrillers, but I really enjoyed this one. Chisnell has overlaid the big picture tensions of a significant moment in European history (1936) with the small details of people who are just trying to do the right thing.

Read my full review: http://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_...

like · see review

Jul 07, 2012 Karis North rated it 3 of 5 stars

A slow starter with a good finish. Pre war England, espionage, politics, Nazis sailing, class struggles, handsome stalwart hero and the dark and light heroines. What's not to enjoy!

like · see review

Mar 28, 2013 Louise Warman rated it 5 of 5 stars

Excellently well plotted thriller set against the build up to the Second World War.
This novel goes beyond conventional as it also explores issues of class, gender and sexuality of the period. A fine read.

like · see review

May 08, 2012 Hal Zenner rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

Enjoyed the book. It took awhile to "get started," so the second half was better than the first.

like · see review

Apr 13, 2012 Christine rated it 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed the twists and suspense ....

like · see review

Dec 25, 2012 Karl Strohmeier rated it 3 of 5 stars

Marginally okay.

like · see review

May 03, 2013 Adriana marked it as purchased

Apr 20, 2013 Stacie marked it as to-read

Shelves: owned

Apr 17, 2013 Pam marked it as to-read

Shelves: chisnell-mark

Apr 16, 2013 Rjme marked it as to-read

Mar 31, 2013 Familyreader added it

Shelves: thriller-suspense

Mar 29, 2013 Karla Sonnenberg marked it as to-read

Shelves: free-books-on-kindle

Feb 15, 2013 Anika marked it as to-read

Feb 15, 2013 Ellen Lazaris marked it as to-read

Jan 26, 2013 Lori marked it as to-read

Shelves: kindle-lendable

Jan 25, 2013 Carol and Gary Curtis rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: gary-has-read, carol-only-when-desperate

Jan 23, 2013 Donna Friday marked it as to-read

Shelves: kindle-books, i-own

Jan 22, 2013 Jane(Janelba) marked it as unread

Jan 21, 2013 Joseph-Daniel Peter Paul Abondius marked it as to-read

Jan 15, 2013 Andrew rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-finished

Dec 19, 2012 Mark Chisnell marked it as to-read · (Review from the author)

Dec 12, 2012 Lisa marked it as to-read

Shelves: aficionados-group-authors

Dec 09, 2012 Lisa marked it as to-read

Jan 14, 2013 Terry rated it 3 of 5 stars

Nov 20, 2012 Ana marked it as to-read

Nov 12, 2012 David Lowther rated it 3 of 5 stars

« previous 1 2 3 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (2)

Popular Shelves

to-read

40 shelves

currently-reading

2 shelves

kindle

2 shelves

to-read-kindle

1 shelf

oac-kindle

1 shelf

purchased

1 shelf

chisnell-mark

1 shelf

thriller-suspense

1 shelf

free-books-on-kindle

1 shelf

carol-only-when-d...

1 shelf

About Mark Chisnell

What will you do... When it's you or them? When it's them... or the woman you love?

I’m Mark Chisnell and I write the kind of stories that will keep you turning the pages till you’re done, and still thinking about them long after that. This is the home of the Kindle-chart-topping Janac’s Games thrillers, and the Burn series featuring Vermont backcountry girl and wannabe-investigative journalist, Sa...more

More about Mark Chisnell...

Books by Mark Chisnell

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About The Fulcrum Files

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: The Fulcrum Files
avg rating	preview: The Fulcrum Files Goodreads rating: 3.74 (23 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13456429-the-fulcrum-files?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328632176l/13456429.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13456429-the-fulcrum-files?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Fulcrum Files by Mark Chisnell[/url]

The Fulcrum Files

Friend Reviews

Lists with This Book

Community Reviews

new topicDiscuss This Book

combineOther Editions (2)

Popular Shelves

About Mark Chisnell

Books by Mark Chisnell

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website

Trivia About The Fulcrum Files

new topic
Discuss This Book

combine
Other Editions (2)