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The Advocate #1
The Advocate: A Novel of World War II
A novel that seamlessly blends military intrigue, relentless suspense, and a baffling mystery, The Advocate is a harrowing account by two master storytellers who dare to imagine what can really happen in the fire of war, where good and evil aren't always what they seem. Here one man must pierce the military's impenetrable wall of silence to prove that even in the midst of a world war, murder is still a crime.
The Advocate
On a chalky bluff overlooking the windswept English Channel, an old man watches a horrifying spectacle unfold. Within a matter of seconds, one American P-47 Thunderbolt fires on another, mercilessly driving the crippled plane into the sea. And the old man, his cottage strafed, barely escapes with his life. The year is 1943: The Russians have defeated Hitler at Stalingrad. North Africa has fallen to the Allies. And the Americans, after two disastrous years, are winning the war in the Pacific. Now, in England, American fliers wage a bitter air war against the Luftwaffe. But what really happened in the skies above the Channel is something no one--least of all the military--is prepared to have revealed.
To find out the truth, the Judge Advocate's office calls on a brilliant, cynical, homesick lawyer. The last thing Harry Voss wanted was a case that had every indication of becoming a political powder keg. But Harry, a man of honor, cannot turn his back on the possibility that the incident over the Channel may not have been an accident--but an act of cold-blooded murder. Harry has no idea what he is getting into. For his investigation will lead through a labyrinth of military politics, where ambitious, powerful men guard their turf and soldiers guard their secrets with an unbreakable code of silence. For Harry, the case becomes his own personal war, as he uncovers a series of murderous events that detonate up the chain of command. He only wants justice for a crime. And he is willing to risk his own career and life to get it, as he begins a dangerous journey into the dark heart of war. It is here that Harry Voss will dare to enter a world where heroes are killers, wrong becomes right, and even angels must dip their wings into the fire of hell itself
The Advocate
On a chalky bluff overlooking the windswept English Channel, an old man watches a horrifying spectacle unfold. Within a matter of seconds, one American P-47 Thunderbolt fires on another, mercilessly driving the crippled plane into the sea. And the old man, his cottage strafed, barely escapes with his life. The year is 1943: The Russians have defeated Hitler at Stalingrad. North Africa has fallen to the Allies. And the Americans, after two disastrous years, are winning the war in the Pacific. Now, in England, American fliers wage a bitter air war against the Luftwaffe. But what really happened in the skies above the Channel is something no one--least of all the military--is prepared to have revealed.
To find out the truth, the Judge Advocate's office calls on a brilliant, cynical, homesick lawyer. The last thing Harry Voss wanted was a case that had every indication of becoming a political powder keg. But Harry, a man of honor, cannot turn his back on the possibility that the incident over the Channel may not have been an accident--but an act of cold-blooded murder. Harry has no idea what he is getting into. For his investigation will lead through a labyrinth of military politics, where ambitious, powerful men guard their turf and soldiers guard their secrets with an unbreakable code of silence. For Harry, the case becomes his own personal war, as he uncovers a series of murderous events that detonate up the chain of command. He only wants justice for a crime. And he is willing to risk his own career and life to get it, as he begins a dangerous journey into the dark heart of war. It is here that Harry Voss will dare to enter a world where heroes are killers, wrong becomes right, and even angels must dip their wings into the fire of hell itself
320 pages, Hardcover
First published September 5, 2000
10 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Bill Mesce Jr.
28 books299 followersBill Mesce, Jr. is an award-winning author and playwright, as well as a screenwriter.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 8, 2020
I was Bill's agent for this three-book deal with Bantam Books back in the 1990s. The manuscript arrived via a contest, run out of Orlando of all places, to get unknown authors' works in front of agents. I was a judge.
The first scene of the manuscript was on fire...literally...it was the firebombing of Coventry! It was so gripping, so propulsive, so inventively seen that I'd've sworn Author Mesce was there (he wasn't, he was negative thirteen that year). I told my then-partner "this is as good as Slaughterhouse-Five, we've got to rep it!" We did; it sold; Life happened and I left the agenting world.
The scene that grabbed me so hard? Had to be cut. I wept bitter tears (not as many as Bill did) over it. But it had to go, and that was that. The book remains one of the best World War Two mysteries I've ever read, which is saying something.
Spend the 99¢ already!
The first scene of the manuscript was on fire...literally...it was the firebombing of Coventry! It was so gripping, so propulsive, so inventively seen that I'd've sworn Author Mesce was there (he wasn't, he was negative thirteen that year). I told my then-partner "this is as good as Slaughterhouse-Five, we've got to rep it!" We did; it sold; Life happened and I left the agenting world.
The scene that grabbed me so hard? Had to be cut. I wept bitter tears (not as many as Bill did) over it. But it had to go, and that was that. The book remains one of the best World War Two mysteries I've ever read, which is saying something.
Spend the 99¢ already!
February 8, 2017
I am a stubborn reader. This equates to never giving up on a book. I never gave up on this one but got precious little back. The premise was intriguing and that is why I cracked the spine but it never fulfilled. A bizarre style choice was the unidentifiable reporter that lazily filled in the plot. This proved to be very distracting and frustrating. Another irritant was the American service men sounding completely British...where were the editors!? Oh well, enough said. I liked the idea but there was little in execution.
April 30, 2020
England 1943 three USA airplanes are approaching from the sea to the coast of Sussex, after their mission of bombing fuel depots near the village of Halsvagen in Belgium. The leading plane is damaged and being fired at and then shot down by one flown by Major Albert Markham, the other pilot is Captain Jon-Jacob Anderson. The dead pilot is Lieutenant Dennis O'Connell. The two observers on land, Charles and Molly Gresham are then also shot at.
Major Harry Voss JAG heads the investigation with his team.
An interesting and well-written historical mystery
Major Harry Voss JAG heads the investigation with his team.
An interesting and well-written historical mystery
June 24, 2020
"The dog spurted past him in the doorway, trotting to the edge of the cliffs where he paced back and forth near the steep drop. He left his urinary mark of proprietorship on the knots of weeds and shrubs growing twisted in the Channel winds. The gulls circling off the chalk bluffs ignored his perfunctory barks and continued with their breakfast, dropping mussels on the boulders strewn along the pebble beach, then driving to pick at the meat amid the shattered shells."
July 18, 2024
A book with an act one and no conclusion to the climax. Low expectations met.
September 15, 2011
From the back cover: It is 1943-and the unthinkable happened: a local spotter on the remote English coastline has witnessed American pilots, returning from a bombing run, turning their guns on one of their own. The victim and his plane are downed, and the spotter and his wife are the next targets as the rouge American planes return to strafe their home, their livestock, with such force and purpose that it is a miracle anyone survives.
What could cause decorated leaders of men to kill their brother-in arms and then viciously attack allied civilians?
Review:This was an engaging tale of military blunder and cover up in World War Two. I found it to be an interesting read.
What could cause decorated leaders of men to kill their brother-in arms and then viciously attack allied civilians?
Review:This was an engaging tale of military blunder and cover up in World War Two. I found it to be an interesting read.
October 25, 2012
This was a good read. I'd look for other books by the author.
January 7, 2016
The story is well written but there really isn't a whole lot going on that would captivate the reader.
July 27, 2015
Light summer military detective novel. Not great but excellent characters, messy plot, military realism. US army in England, WW2.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews