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The Quest for Anna Klein: An Otto Penzler Book
Thomas Danforth has lived a fortunate life. The son of a wealthy importer, he traveled the world in his youth, and now, in his twenties, he lives in New York City and runs the family business. It is 1939, and the world is on the brink of war, but Danforth’s life is untroubled, his future assured. Then, on a snowy evening walk along Gramercy Park, a friend poses a fateful q...more
Hardcover, 352 pages
Published
June 21st 2011
by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
(first published May 30th 2011)
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A cataract, and the surgery to remove it, stopped my reading cold for a couple of months this summer; so I didn’t get around to reading the latest novel by Thomas H. Cook, one of my favorite writers, until this week.
“The Quest for Anna Klein,” which was published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in July, is Cook’s first foray into the spy novel genre. However, the structure of the book will be familiar to fans of the author’s finest crime novels including “The Fate of Katherine Carr” and The “Last T...more
“The Quest for Anna Klein,” which was published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in July, is Cook’s first foray into the spy novel genre. However, the structure of the book will be familiar to fans of the author’s finest crime novels including “The Fate of Katherine Carr” and The “Last T...more
A couple of reasons I picked up The Quest for Anna Klein
I have read Thomas H. Cook before and have liked what I've read.
I heard an interview with Thomas H. Cook and he thinks this book is one of his best including history, sweep, characterization and atmosphere.
I love the cover with its Union Cases, picture of Hitler on the left and perhaps, Anna Klein on the right.
If you are strictly a mystery fan, I'd say don't read The Quest for Anna Klein.
If you are a thriller fan I'd say skip The Quest...more
I have read Thomas H. Cook before and have liked what I've read.
I heard an interview with Thomas H. Cook and he thinks this book is one of his best including history, sweep, characterization and atmosphere.
I love the cover with its Union Cases, picture of Hitler on the left and perhaps, Anna Klein on the right.
If you are strictly a mystery fan, I'd say don't read The Quest for Anna Klein.
If you are a thriller fan I'd say skip The Quest...more
7 likes · like · see review
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Remember the old saying "Don't judge a book by its cover"? This is a perfect example. The cover pictures of Hilter along with the jacket blurb lead me to believe I would be reading a WWII thriller. I was, but at the same time, I wasn't.
Thomas Danforth is a ninety year old man who has contacted Washington after the 9/11 attacks, wanting to meet with Paul Crane, a novice member of a think tank, as he has experiences that he feels would be useful. A reluctant Paul meets with Danforth in the Century...more
Thomas Danforth is a ninety year old man who has contacted Washington after the 9/11 attacks, wanting to meet with Paul Crane, a novice member of a think tank, as he has experiences that he feels would be useful. A reluctant Paul meets with Danforth in the Century...more
This book is very different to most of the previous books I've read by Thomas H Cook and at times I had to remind myself I was reading Cook and not something by Robert Goodard, another of my favourite authors. The story is far reaching in both time and space with the main story taking place in New York in 2001 with flashback that begin in 1939 and cover decades and continents.
Whilst Cook peppers his work with many interesting and individual recollections and stories concerning various atrocities...more
Whilst Cook peppers his work with many interesting and individual recollections and stories concerning various atrocities...more
I really liked this book. It had it's slow moments and ones where the author shouldn't have used his conversation change technique, but it left me changed and I admire books that do that. This book is more than a spy novel, it's a novel about love and the decisions one makes and the consequences and life path changes that one has to live with. There was one (to me) glaring mistake, but I guess it could be understood... on the very first page, the narrator stated that he was a part of a Soviet Th...more
This story is told by a man in his nineties remembering the days when he was in his twenties and recruited to help in what was becoming the struggle against Germany in the days leading up to WWII.
Thomas Danforth lived a pampered life. On a wintry night, his friend persuades him to provide a place and cover for a young woman, Anna Klein. She was to be trained for a secret operation inside Germany; her training involved firearms and explosives.
The action is presented in alternating chapters of Dan...more
Thomas Danforth lived a pampered life. On a wintry night, his friend persuades him to provide a place and cover for a young woman, Anna Klein. She was to be trained for a secret operation inside Germany; her training involved firearms and explosives.
The action is presented in alternating chapters of Dan...more
Although I have read every Thomas H. Cook book and loved them all, The Quest for Anna Klein is the first title I hardly enjoyed and won't recommend to other readers. I found the book slowgoing and while it steamed along it never really got up to full speed. I even read the last few pages twice to see if I could understand this better. While I did get most of the ideas about the bookthe betryals and allegiances were too many too often. And who was Anna Klein? Seems to me as if she had little back...more
An extremely convoluted tale that takes quite a while to develop. If you are used to action thrillers, this will not be your cup of tea. At times the narrative is maddeningly slow, reflecting the rambling nature of the ninety-one year old protagonist. However, the plot is well constructed, if not very believable, and the story gets more interesting in the final third of the book. Set mostly in 1939 in Europe and the US prior to the outbreak of WWII, the book does a fair job of reproducing the at...more
Thomas Danforth has spent much of his ninety-plus years seeking his own brand of vengeance. His tale begins in 1939, when he's recruited to provide cover for a fledgling American intelligence operation that will lead to the attempted assassination of a menacing tyrant named Adolf Hitler.
The younger Danforth figures to stand squarely with the good guys, but the real world of espionage seems beyond him until he meets a secretive and beautiful young spy-in-training, Anna Klein. The mystery of Anna...more
The younger Danforth figures to stand squarely with the good guys, but the real world of espionage seems beyond him until he meets a secretive and beautiful young spy-in-training, Anna Klein. The mystery of Anna...more
I stumbled upon this by accident on the best seller shelves at the library. It sat at the bottom of my to-read stack, a book and author of which I had no previous knowledge. It turns out to be one of my favorite summer reads so far. Set in two main time periods, 1939 and 2001, each year is important to the plot. Much research into historical events and locations is evident, occasionally daunting the reader to keep them straight. But the weaving of all the elements to end in surprising but very s...more
I kept thinking it was going to be a profound and memorable read--ultimately, I was disappointed. The protagonist spouted pithy epigrams that sounded impressive but didn't mean anything. The plot twisted and turned, but by the resolution, I had given up caring about what happened. I never connected with any of the characters enough to emotionally invest myself in what was going on. It felt like it was going to be a meaningful book, but for me, it completely missed the mark.
Nov 19, 2011
Hoover Public Library Adult Fiction
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
mystery,
historical-fiction
I enjoyed how this book jumped from the present to the past throughout. It's a book that left me wondering until the end.
The book takes place shortly after 9/11. Paul Crane, a young researcher, is interviewing Danforth, an elderly man who was lured into a anti-Nazi conspiracy in 1939. Danforth tells his story through this interview, keeping the reader wondering what the conspiracy is and who is at the head of it.
This was a book that held my attention, with twists that were unexpected. The only thing that distracted and annoyed me was that the author kept alluding to the fact that something Anne Klein did or said may have been done or said to throw off the main character, Danforth. Readers can figure that out on their own. By telling the reader this it just takes some of the mystery out of it.
I read this book a few years ago and absolutely loved it. I loved how the author kept you guessing about Anna's true motives. Is she good, is she a Nazi sympathizer, is she even Anna Klein. It's a roller coaster not just for the fast paced story but also because it seems like after every chapter you have to reexamine your theories about Anna.
This book has a few twists and I found it intriguing...I wanted to know who Anna Klein was and it kept me captivated the whole way through. It ends in a way that makes you think about people's heritage and life experiences in ways you might not otherwise. You have to suspend a little disbelief but it's worth it for this great, quick read.
I received this book through the goodreads giveaway. I did like this book, but I thought it moved a little slowly at times. It is a spy book of the WWII era told from an older gentlemans viewpoint talking to a younger guy, with a rather surprising twist at the end. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read about WWII.
I enjoy most of what Cook does HOWEVER this one was not one of his best. Character development
for even the main people was poorly done. I had no point of reference for actions taken by even the top characters in the story. The plot line was interesting and I loved wandering around foreign cities.
for even the main people was poorly done. I had no point of reference for actions taken by even the top characters in the story. The plot line was interesting and I loved wandering around foreign cities.
1 like · like · see review
This is a long tale of intrigued going back between an old man who tells his story to a young man in New York? The novel is about lost love and the search for
the woman he knew as Anna Klein. Many surprises along the way. Thomas Danford who has lived a life of wealth becomes involve with a group
of people who want to destroy Hitler's regime in 1939. So begins his life!!!
the woman he knew as Anna Klein. Many surprises along the way. Thomas Danford who has lived a life of wealth becomes involve with a group
of people who want to destroy Hitler's regime in 1939. So begins his life!!!
Ultimately I was disappointed. My first complaint was the constantly changing time periods - every couple of pages it went from past to present. And the present time was usually an explanation of the follies of youth. Then the story that I thought had built up so meticulously rushed through to an unsatisfactory ending. I will admit that the ending caught me somewhat unaware which is why I gave it 2 stars and not 1.
A most unusual book, which gave me so much to think about and so many references to research. The line between fiction and non-fiction often seemed to be blurred. I strongly recommend it for anyone who is interested in that period of history.
This book was so good, it really reminded me of why I love to read. Gripping story, well-told. Surprise tears in my eyes at the end. WWII tale of espionage, with all the complexities of conflicting loyalties and confusion over who to trust, mixed in with a love story at its core. What's not to like?
Disappointed in this book. Was not crazy about the writing style and felt it dragged a bit. Didn't care much for any of the characters either. Just not my cup of tea, I guess. This was a book club pick, otherwise I might not even have finished it.
Very interesting book. Nice twist at the end. I'm on a WWII kick right now and this filled the bill. Good mystery, a nice love story and a wonderful way to tell the story.
Nov 21, 2011
Lydia
added it
Tried to read this...but I just couldn't get interested...so after 150 pages I moved on. Still think the plot sounds interesting. Maybe it was the writing style. I don't know.
The author has done a wonderful job of creating the elements of a great spy novel. It takes place during Hitler's rein of power and exposes us to plots and plans to change the course of history. But the story is not about Hitler, it's about a man's search for the truth; a man who got caught up in the espionage and the lies and no longer knew what to believe. His "Quest for Anna Klein" revealed more than he anticipated.
THis book was a great read with a twisting plot and mysterious characters. I generally like this genre but lately have been disappointed in how few plots continue to weave in and out of history. Most take an occurence and linger. This follows various events in various locations all the while going back and forth between different time periods.
The author's ability to place characters in situations was really good. As I read, I saw what the protaganist saw but then my view differed upon more inf...more
The author's ability to place characters in situations was really good. As I read, I saw what the protaganist saw but then my view differed upon more inf...more
The story of a search for an old love in world War. The story takes many interesting turns, and the ending is surprising and satisfying.
A spy story, a World War II thriller, but not, and a love story. Confusing at times, but well written and I couldn't put it down.
Two and a half stars. Hard to get into when the story is constantly being interrupted with the interviewer's story.
Aug 02, 2011
Daphne
added it
Cook's thoughtfulness and intelligence are evident in his accomplished writing. I plan to read more of his books.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| Reading and Writi...: Episode 54 - Thomas H. Cook interview | 1 | 5 | Dec 30, 2011 10:15am |
There is more than one author with this name on Goodreads.
Thomas H. Cook is the author of over twenty books, including works of true crime. His novels have been nominated for the Edgar Allan Poe Award, the Macavity Award and the Dashiell Hammett Prize. The Chatham School Affair won the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel in 1996. His true crime book, Blood Echoes, was nominated for the Edgar Alla...more
More about Thomas H. Cook...
Thomas H. Cook is the author of over twenty books, including works of true crime. His novels have been nominated for the Edgar Allan Poe Award, the Macavity Award and the Dashiell Hammett Prize. The Chatham School Affair won the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel in 1996. His true crime book, Blood Echoes, was nominated for the Edgar Alla...more
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“Perspective gets lost in moral certainties. Which only means that no one was ever burned at the stake by a doubter.”
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