Kingdoms Fall - The Laxenburg Message

by Edward Parr

The Kingdoms Fall series tells the story of the First World War from the perspective of two British officers recruited into the fledgling Secret Intelligence Service. As David Gresham and James Wilkins pursue their missions for Great Britain, they see (and some times cause) events that shake the very foundations of Europe. In the first novel of a planned three part series entitled “Kingdoms Fall: The Laxenburg Message”, David Gresham, a British Lieutenant from Manchester who has fought on the front lines at Ypres, and Captain James Wilkins, youngest son of Lord Bartlett and fresh from Eton College, are recruited into the Intelligence Service following the British landing on the Gallipoli peninsula in 1915. They are sent to Greece to prepare for the British landing at Salonika, rescue Serbian King Peter, and plot to destroy the Hapsburg dynasty in Austria-Hungary. To learn more about the Kingdoms Fall series and the First World War, please visit the companion website at http://www.kingdomsfallnovel.com/.

Genres: Historical Fiction, World War I

304 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2013

About the author

Edward (Ted) Parr studied playwriting at New York University in the 1980’s and staged several plays Off-Off-Broadway, including Trask, Mythographia, Jason and Medea, Rising and an original translation of Oedipus Rex before pursuing a lengthy career in the law and public service. He has always had a strong interest in narrative and expanding narrative forms. In his novel writing, Edward explores older genres of fiction (like the pulp fiction French Foreign Legion adventure or the earliest spy adventures) as inspiration to examine historical periods and places. His historical fiction trilogy "Kingdoms Fall" was award best first novel and best historical fiction novel 2016 by Literary Classics. His biggest inspirations are Charles Dickens, George Eliot, Bernard Cornwell, Phillipa Gregory, Georges Surdez, and Patrick O’Brien.

Reviews

[Yanper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always liked reading historical fiction and this is a good one about World War One. The story is full of action and historical information.The author does an excellent job mixing his story with real historical facts and takes us from the Gallipoli fight to the battlefields of Verdun, and from the politically unstable Greece to Serbia which is under attack from Austria and Bulgaria. It's a good story for the fans of historical fiction

[James Shore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thrilling and enjoyable story about the First World War. Before there were Nazi's and the Holocaust and Pearl Harbor, there were kingdoms and empires crumbling across Europe, there was the Armenian genocide, there was Gallipoli and Verdun. Although a British spy story on it's face, "Kingdoms Fall - The Laxenburg Message" (the first book in a series of three) is a saga about the war itself and about how the world was changing, or at least how it appeared to be changing to the two main heroes of the story - a clever and vicious young Lieutenant from the streets of Manchester and an even younger but brilliant Captain who is the son of a Lord and top student at Eton. In this first book, we meet the young spies and see them mature - I can hardly wait to see where they go from here. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction, spy stories, or military fiction. It’s an exciting, fun and suspenseful story that will remind you why WWI was called the "Great War."

[Anari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This captured my interest right from the beginning because having read several World War II books, this one begins at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli and offers an exciting insight into what happened at the Battle of Gallipoli within the Ottoman Empire. The visual effect of the book is stunning and hides none of the bloody horrors of war.

Lieutenant David Gresham is the hero of the book, and his first, somewhat unorthodox mission, is to rescue an Arab called ‘Mahammed al-Faruqi’ from behind enemy lines. As the true nature of his mission is classified, he remains mystified as to what British ‘Civilian’ Intelligence might want with him.

The book becomes very intriguing from this point on: “You may call me K. There are no names here, nor are there any Misters Peters or Nash, you should know. I am the individual M sent you to meet.” I almost felt I had fallen into the middle of a James Bond novel, but will have to admit I found this a much better read.

Without giving too much of the plot away, ‘The Laxenburg Message,’ is one of the reasons behind all the secrecy and what Gresham and his cohort Wilkins must set out to deliver, at great personal risk to themselves. They will meet with some of the highest echelons of Austrian society in order to accomplish their aim.

I loved the politics between the officers, the class differential between those of the lower ranks and those higher up and the complete realism. Whilst this book is a work of fiction, much of it based on actual historical events, places and people.

My verdict? A thoroughly engrossing, 5 Star read!

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 9.0/10.0

Review: I'll be the first to admit that I loved the mystery aspect of James Bond and other spy books. The way the author was able to bring in real people, places, and events and tie them to the work of fiction was awesome. Between the single letter names, politics, and action, I'd recommend this book to any spy fan out there. It's going back on my "Read Again" shelf

Reviewed by IABookReviews.com

[Adair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable thriller that is a fast read and also fascinating historical fiction about spies in WWI. Highly recommend it!

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent read for those keen on history and the starting of Special Services.

[Literary Classics Book Awards & Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Edward Parr's Kingdoms Fall, we are reminded that politics is a complex mixture of good and nefarious activities, and that war exists for many unique reasons. Parr's story begins with the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and continues through to 1918 with the armistice. If classroom history could be this good History would be the most popular subject. Romance, murder, intrigue, fear, and uncertainty are woven into this compelling novel which is a fascinating read for history buffs as well as those who may find the subject of history to be a bit tiresome.

This novel incorporates the well known Lawrence of Arabia, as well as fictionalized characters such as OO6 of the British Secret Service. Specific battle plans are dissected and revealed so non-historians can grasp the intricacies involved in even the simplest military endeavors. War in all its horror and gore is described in such detail one can nearly smell the cordite and mustard gas.

[Edward Parr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am pleased to announce that the e-book edition of my 5-star-rated WWI spy thriller "Kingdom's Fall - The Laxenburg Message" is now FREE for a limited time on Amazon in commemoration of the assassinations 100 years ago today that triggered World War I. Please get your copy during this free promotion by Amazon.
In the US at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G707PLY and in the UK at http://amzn.to/1q045RY

[Tim · Rating 1 out of 5]

The storyline might be entertaining, but I can't tell through the horrible writing. The historical trivia is clumsily fit in, discussion of military affairs lacks credibility, and the preponderance of coincidence (Gresham, old boy, remember your tour of duty with that chap Lawrence in Arabia?) grates. I couldn't finish.