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The Trojan Horse
Fontana 647 1963 edition paperback vg++ condition. In stock shipped from our UK warehouse
219 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1940
14 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Hammond Innes
104 books107 followersRalph Hammond Innes was an English novelist who wrote over 30 novels, as well as children's and travel books.He was awarded a C.B.E. (Commander, Order of the British Empire) in 1978. The World Mystery Convention honoured Innes with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Bouchercon XXIV awards in Omaha, Nebraska, Oct, 1993.
Innes was born in Horsham, Sussex, and educated at the Cranbrook School in Kent. He left in 1931 to work as a journalist, initially with the Financial Times (at the time called the Financial News). The Doppelganger, his first novel, was published in 1937. In WWII he served in the Royal Artillery, eventually rising to the rank of Major. During the war, a number of his books were published, including Wreckers Must Breathe (1940), The Trojan Horse (1941) and Attack Alarm (1941); the last of which was based on his experiences as an anti-aircraft gunner during the Battle of Britain at RAF Kenley. After being discharged in 1946, he worked full-time as a writer, achieving a number of early successes.
His novels are notable for a fine attention to accurate detail in descriptions of places, such as in Air Bridge (1951), set partially at RAF Gatow, RAF Membury after its closure and RAF Wunstorf during the Berlin Airlift.
Innes went on to produce books in a regular sequence, with six months of travel and research followed by six months of writing. Many of his works featured events at sea. His output decreased in the 1960s, but was still substantial. He became interested in ecological themes. He continued writing until just before his death. His last novel was Delta Connection (1996).
Unusually for the thriller genre, Innes' protagonists were often not "heroes" in the typical sense, but ordinary men suddenly thrust into extreme situations by circumstance. Often, this involved being placed in a hostile environment (the Arctic, the open sea, deserts), or unwittingly becoming involved in a larger conflict or conspiracy. The protagonist generally is forced to rely on his own wits and making best use of limited resources, rather than the weapons and gadgetry commonly used by thriller writers.
Four of his early novels were made into films: Snowbound (1948)from The Lonely Skier (1947), Hell Below Zero (1954) from The White South (1949), Campbell's Kingdom (1957), and The Wreck of the Mary Deare (1959). His 1973 novel Golden Soak was adapted into a six-part television series in 1979.
Innes was born in Horsham, Sussex, and educated at the Cranbrook School in Kent. He left in 1931 to work as a journalist, initially with the Financial Times (at the time called the Financial News). The Doppelganger, his first novel, was published in 1937. In WWII he served in the Royal Artillery, eventually rising to the rank of Major. During the war, a number of his books were published, including Wreckers Must Breathe (1940), The Trojan Horse (1941) and Attack Alarm (1941); the last of which was based on his experiences as an anti-aircraft gunner during the Battle of Britain at RAF Kenley. After being discharged in 1946, he worked full-time as a writer, achieving a number of early successes.
His novels are notable for a fine attention to accurate detail in descriptions of places, such as in Air Bridge (1951), set partially at RAF Gatow, RAF Membury after its closure and RAF Wunstorf during the Berlin Airlift.
Innes went on to produce books in a regular sequence, with six months of travel and research followed by six months of writing. Many of his works featured events at sea. His output decreased in the 1960s, but was still substantial. He became interested in ecological themes. He continued writing until just before his death. His last novel was Delta Connection (1996).
Unusually for the thriller genre, Innes' protagonists were often not "heroes" in the typical sense, but ordinary men suddenly thrust into extreme situations by circumstance. Often, this involved being placed in a hostile environment (the Arctic, the open sea, deserts), or unwittingly becoming involved in a larger conflict or conspiracy. The protagonist generally is forced to rely on his own wits and making best use of limited resources, rather than the weapons and gadgetry commonly used by thriller writers.
Four of his early novels were made into films: Snowbound (1948)from The Lonely Skier (1947), Hell Below Zero (1954) from The White South (1949), Campbell's Kingdom (1957), and The Wreck of the Mary Deare (1959). His 1973 novel Golden Soak was adapted into a six-part television series in 1979.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 17, 2019
This very early Hammond Innes book is contemporary with Eric Ambler's first novels. And it seems influenced by the success Ambler had already garnered. The meticulous plotting and the crescendo of the chase all can be found in Ambler's novels of the 1930s and 1940s. As well is Innes' focus on a nondescript, ordinary protagonist swept up into a fantastic spy story by accident, a signature of Ambler's writing.
At the same time, The Trojan Horse carries the hallmarks of what will come to distinguish and set apart Innes' stories over his lengthy career. In particular, there is the chase through the London sewers that Andrew Kilmartin undertakes while attempting to escape Nazi agents. In book after book, Innes employs the imagery of a sole individual cast into danger and darkness, with nothing but his innate wits to save him. Here, that darkness is literal, as Kilmartin sloshes through the rat infested maze of London sewers until emerging into the oily cold of the Thames. Tested to his limits, he finds new strength in his own surprising accomplishments.
If there is one letdown in this novel, it is with the revelation of the puppet master behind the German spy ring. That comes quite awkwardly about midway through and lacks the satisfaction of allowing the reader to piece the clues together along with Kilmartin. The leader just suddenly comes out of the blue to lead his henchmen in the quest to rob Britain of vital wartime secrets.
The book seems to have been written as well as set during the Phony War, that period of time between the outbreak of World War II in September 1939 and the German invasion of France on May 10, 1940. Only Poland is mentioned as having fallen to the Nazis. Otherwise, the Western front still seems intact behind the Maginot Line.
Innes shows that he is learning quite well with this book. The 27 year-old author would live to be 84 years old, writing novels almost until the end. They would mostly deliver a better overall read than The Trojan Horse. But this one is not too bad, either.
At the same time, The Trojan Horse carries the hallmarks of what will come to distinguish and set apart Innes' stories over his lengthy career. In particular, there is the chase through the London sewers that Andrew Kilmartin undertakes while attempting to escape Nazi agents. In book after book, Innes employs the imagery of a sole individual cast into danger and darkness, with nothing but his innate wits to save him. Here, that darkness is literal, as Kilmartin sloshes through the rat infested maze of London sewers until emerging into the oily cold of the Thames. Tested to his limits, he finds new strength in his own surprising accomplishments.
If there is one letdown in this novel, it is with the revelation of the puppet master behind the German spy ring. That comes quite awkwardly about midway through and lacks the satisfaction of allowing the reader to piece the clues together along with Kilmartin. The leader just suddenly comes out of the blue to lead his henchmen in the quest to rob Britain of vital wartime secrets.
The book seems to have been written as well as set during the Phony War, that period of time between the outbreak of World War II in September 1939 and the German invasion of France on May 10, 1940. Only Poland is mentioned as having fallen to the Nazis. Otherwise, the Western front still seems intact behind the Maginot Line.
Innes shows that he is learning quite well with this book. The 27 year-old author would live to be 84 years old, writing novels almost until the end. They would mostly deliver a better overall read than The Trojan Horse. But this one is not too bad, either.
May 19, 2021
It has some highlights where the book grabs your attention but overall if it was trimmed by around 50 pages it would have been tauter.There are lot of extra descriptions.
The ending is little bit or rather very tame.
Also I observed having read a few of his books the pratagonists of the author are cast in the same mould in all of his books. Just their names and proffession changes. They all think alike and have the same kind of character. His strong point are certain passages like the chase through the London sewers in this book which are captivating. But his plotting and character developement are substandard.But as I said some scenes are very well done and just for that I like reading his book albeit omiting paragraphs.
The ending is little bit or rather very tame.
Also I observed having read a few of his books the pratagonists of the author are cast in the same mould in all of his books. Just their names and proffession changes. They all think alike and have the same kind of character. His strong point are certain passages like the chase through the London sewers in this book which are captivating. But his plotting and character developement are substandard.But as I said some scenes are very well done and just for that I like reading his book albeit omiting paragraphs.
January 25, 2012
well it was the best of a bad selection on the works bookshelf, however i really quite liked it, it was a good crime/mystery lots of twists and turns in the middle of the book, i would say a ideal little holiday read on the beach.
May 14, 2019
Andrew Kilmartin was a quietly respectable lawyer until the day a wanted killer forced his way into his office. Against all the odds, Kilmartin believed Franz Schmidt was innocent, but it was a belief which would endanger not only Kilmartin but also Schmidt's daughter Freya.
When I first started taking a keen interest in reading ( about 13 or 14) the three main authors who wrote the kind of Adventure books that I was most interested in at the time were, Alastair Maclean, Desmond Bagley & Hammond Innes.
Written in 1940 when the Second world war was in its infancy. The main plot centres around respectable lawyer Andrew Kilmartin whose life is turned upside down by a man called Franz Schmidt who has been charged with the murder of an engineer who along with Schmidt has designed a futuristic diesel engine that could turn the tide of the war and the Germans are Hell bent on stealing the prototype.
It's a wonderful wartime adventure story, with shades of John Buchanan's 39 Steps.
When I first started taking a keen interest in reading ( about 13 or 14) the three main authors who wrote the kind of Adventure books that I was most interested in at the time were, Alastair Maclean, Desmond Bagley & Hammond Innes.
Written in 1940 when the Second world war was in its infancy. The main plot centres around respectable lawyer Andrew Kilmartin whose life is turned upside down by a man called Franz Schmidt who has been charged with the murder of an engineer who along with Schmidt has designed a futuristic diesel engine that could turn the tide of the war and the Germans are Hell bent on stealing the prototype.
It's a wonderful wartime adventure story, with shades of John Buchanan's 39 Steps.
December 22, 2017
At the start of WWII, Germany is doing their best to get their hand on a revolutionary diesel engine created by an Austrian Jews Franz Schmidt.
This book brings to you the intrigue and spy wares and lots of dashing through the bowel of London's sewar.
The story begin with Franz on the run for murder charge coming to see a preeminent KC Andrew Kilmatin for help. After listening to his most fantastic tales, he cannot decide either to believe the story or to help him. In the end curiosity got to him and as began to dig deeper into the sordid affairs a picture of a network of German spies are seemingly running the show behind one of the most trusted company to build military equipment for Britain.
The race is on the unmasked them before they escaped back to Germany with their prized diesels engine.
This book brings to you the intrigue and spy wares and lots of dashing through the bowel of London's sewar.
The story begin with Franz on the run for murder charge coming to see a preeminent KC Andrew Kilmatin for help. After listening to his most fantastic tales, he cannot decide either to believe the story or to help him. In the end curiosity got to him and as began to dig deeper into the sordid affairs a picture of a network of German spies are seemingly running the show behind one of the most trusted company to build military equipment for Britain.
The race is on the unmasked them before they escaped back to Germany with their prized diesels engine.
September 7, 2023
This is definitely a novel from the 40's. The story relates to espionage and traitors in England during WWII. A man bursts into the office of a barrister with a bizarre tale of being framed for murder related to his invention of a lighter and more powerful diesel engine for aircraft. Then he disappears after leaving the barrister some unlikely clues.
I said 40's style because there is no run up to the story, little character building, just action. It is like a movie more than a novel. There is excitement, intrigue, daring escapes, and even a little love interest, all happening in 190 pages.
I said 40's style because there is no run up to the story, little character building, just action. It is like a movie more than a novel. There is excitement, intrigue, daring escapes, and even a little love interest, all happening in 190 pages.
July 12, 2018
Taut thriller
This is not Innes' best but still a well plotted thriller. It does seem to end rather abruptly and one wants a more elaborated resolution of its interpersonal dynamic. Nevertheless his tale of Nazi spies, skullduggery and conspiracy in high places and a renewed interest in life for its protagonist still kept this reader turning pages.
This is not Innes' best but still a well plotted thriller. It does seem to end rather abruptly and one wants a more elaborated resolution of its interpersonal dynamic. Nevertheless his tale of Nazi spies, skullduggery and conspiracy in high places and a renewed interest in life for its protagonist still kept this reader turning pages.
September 9, 2024
Ame el libro de principio a fin, me confundió en algunos momentos por descripciones con las que no estoy muy familiarizada. El libro es atrapante, el misterio es interesante y el protagonista es inteligente y apto para la historia.
May 6, 2020
A great old-fashioned mystery with much more action than I expected, plus legal advice, hidden codes, Nazis, rats, and plenty of espionage.
October 20, 2024
Enjoyable and thrilling spy adventure with a touch of politics and finance. Great fun with awesome set-pieces.
November 11, 2014
Part of me knew I shouldn't really have bothered with this, as I've been disappointed by this author before, but I hate books leaving the house when I haven't tried to read them! This starts of really well - a barrister is visited by an old man who is on the run and wanted for murder. He tells him a tale and leaves with a few veiled, mysterious pronouncements, leaves the office and promptly disappears. The barrister sets out to look for him, solve the mystery and just happen to save England from a Nazi plot to steal a superior diesel engine.
From then on, I truly don't think the story holds together very well. It's only half way through that you find out our hero used to be in the intelligence service, which explains why he is so ready to throw himself into action. The weird, sort-of-romance subplot and the continual 'lucky breaks' didn't really grab my attention. There's a sudden Eureka moment when he works out who is behind the plot, but for the reader, having never been introduced to the character in previous chapters, this just leads to confusion. The last few chapters are ok, as everyone ends up separately stowed away on a boat and then fighting together to get away, although I was left wondering what had happened to the innocent crew of the ship, which they'd just rescued. There is no mention of them escaping with our four heroes, but then the ship is blown up - forgetfulness by the author maybe! And the ending was so, so sudden. Nothing really rounded up, no drawing together of plotlines, just a basic - 'ho, hum - we won' kind of feel.
That said, I did keep reading, whereas I am usually more than happy to give up on something if I really didn't like it. It kept me vaguely entertained for a couple of days, but wouldn't make me go running out to track down the rest of this authors books.
From then on, I truly don't think the story holds together very well. It's only half way through that you find out our hero used to be in the intelligence service, which explains why he is so ready to throw himself into action. The weird, sort-of-romance subplot and the continual 'lucky breaks' didn't really grab my attention. There's a sudden Eureka moment when he works out who is behind the plot, but for the reader, having never been introduced to the character in previous chapters, this just leads to confusion. The last few chapters are ok, as everyone ends up separately stowed away on a boat and then fighting together to get away, although I was left wondering what had happened to the innocent crew of the ship, which they'd just rescued. There is no mention of them escaping with our four heroes, but then the ship is blown up - forgetfulness by the author maybe! And the ending was so, so sudden. Nothing really rounded up, no drawing together of plotlines, just a basic - 'ho, hum - we won' kind of feel.
That said, I did keep reading, whereas I am usually more than happy to give up on something if I really didn't like it. It kept me vaguely entertained for a couple of days, but wouldn't make me go running out to track down the rest of this authors books.
August 26, 2023
A 1940 thriller from a master storyteller concerning the difficulties of convincing anyone in authority that you have vital information regarding industrial espionage that could tilt the balance of power in a world war that, at the time of writing, was swinging heavy in favour of the Axis powers.
A famous middle aged barrister is visited by an exiled Austrian Jewish engineer who is wanted for a murder that he plainly didn’t commit and when he disappears whoever finds him and rescues his invention will have an advantage in air power.
Kilmartin, the staid legal man, is forced to become a man of action following various leads to Cornwall, Eastbourne and, more uncomfortably, the cellars of a London merchant bank and their adjacent sewers.
There’s rather an odd (and uncomfortable, but of it’s time) juxtaposition of anti-Semitism and fêting of the Jewish inventor’s brilliance and personal courage.
Hammond Innes is brilliant at describing action sequences so be prepared for a hectic car chase, pursuit through the City of London’s sewers and a small war taking place on a ship bound for Germany.
A famous middle aged barrister is visited by an exiled Austrian Jewish engineer who is wanted for a murder that he plainly didn’t commit and when he disappears whoever finds him and rescues his invention will have an advantage in air power.
Kilmartin, the staid legal man, is forced to become a man of action following various leads to Cornwall, Eastbourne and, more uncomfortably, the cellars of a London merchant bank and their adjacent sewers.
There’s rather an odd (and uncomfortable, but of it’s time) juxtaposition of anti-Semitism and fêting of the Jewish inventor’s brilliance and personal courage.
Hammond Innes is brilliant at describing action sequences so be prepared for a hectic car chase, pursuit through the City of London’s sewers and a small war taking place on a ship bound for Germany.
October 2, 2021
This was my first Hammond Innes thriller and I enjoyed very much. In some ways it reminded me of John Buchan's John Hannay thrillers. In this story, a barrister, Andrew Kilmartin, becomes involved in espionage/ intrigue that has the potential to give the Nazis a technological advantage that might help them win the war in the skies over Britain. Trying to help an Austrian scientist avoid Nazi spies who are seeking his designs for a new, improved aircraft engine, he finds himself travelling across Britain and seeking to escape from imprisonment by these same spies. There is political intrigue in the highest levels of the English government and industry, non-stop, well-paced action and a super ending. I enjoyed this very much.
July 4, 2016
The skills on display in the novel seems rather mixed, when there are long descriptive or thought provoking scenes the book is magnificent. When it actually comes to dialogue and plot the whole story is rather flat. As a result this is less a tense war story and more like a Blyton style jolly jape, just interspersed with Nazis and torture. It is serviceable but not something I would actively seek out.
September 18, 2008
Reread.
November 8, 2013
A solid British adventure novel.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews