Over Here

by James Hockenberry

World War One explodes onto 1915 New York City, in “Over Here”. A thrill ride of espionage, financial implications and real history; depicting German saboteurs attempting a clandestine war, with elite Bomb Squad, GIL MARTIN and PAUL KELLER, hot on their heels.This is the first of the World War One Intrigue Series.

356 pages, Paperback

First published December 7, 2014

About the author

James Hockenberry grew up in Bronxville, NY and had a career in finance before he delved into his dream of writing historical fiction. In his first book of the Martin-Keller Intrigue Series, Over Here, James delves into his German-American heritage. His grandfather was as a prosperous NYC businessman in 1915 which propelled him into meticulous research about that time in America, and the first World War. Revealing the intrigue, suspense and turmoil in his exploration led Jim to write a powerful, historically based thrill-ride of a novel, depicting the intense influential personal and international conspiracy and devious drama that existed at that time in America’s history.

Reviews

[Sandra Brannan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every now and then, as readers we come across a book that so moves us, it stimulates us to take action. Because of OVER HERE, by James Hockenberry, I am grilling my 90-year-old dad on everything he remembers about my Grampa, who served in WWI. Those who fought in the Great War are sadly forgotten in large part by our society and thanks to Hockenberry, perhaps we can all get behind a movement to honor our WWI Vets on the DC Mall, rather than blocks away. Thank you for such a powerful read!

[Charlene Dargay · Rating 4 out of 5]

May 1915. The Great War has been raging in Europe for nearly a year. Despite their sympathy with the Allied forces, most Americans want to avoid involvement in the war. The U.S. might officially have been “neutral," but not all interested parties in war are politicians or soldiers. U.S. bankers provide financial support and U.S. arms merchants sell munitions to any buyer, whether ally or enemy. But when the British blockade of Germany closes the American marketplace to the Central Powers, only the Allies will be supplied by the vast U.S. industrial complex. If Germany is to win the war, this flood of money and munitions to its enemies must be disrupted.

Into this historical canvas James Hockenberry weaves both truth and imaginative fiction in his thriller, "Over Here." (The title is a riff on the patriotic World War I marching song, "Over There.") It's not hard to believe that German agents undertook clandestine espionage and sabotage activities on American soil before (and likely after) the U.S. entry into the war in April 1917. One key incident in the book is indeed true — German saboteurs actually did destroy the munitions depot on Black Tom Island in New York harbor in July 1916, an explosion that reached 5.5 on the Richter Scale and nearly decapitated Lady Liberty.

The book is full of rich historical detail about the period immediately before the U.S. went to war. Part spy thriller, part financial thriller, part political thriller, part detective thriller, this is a satisfying read for anyone who enjoys their thrills wrapped in history and “what if.”

[Robert Rotstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over Here tackles a contemporary issue—the risks of terrorism in the U.S. But it does so in the context of German tactics during the first world war. The author does an outstanding job of making these historical events relevant to modern times, while at the same time spinning a compelling thriller that will keep you up at night.

[J.J. Lair · Rating 4 out of 5]

World War I ends and I think the world moves on. Oh no. A lot of Germans are not happy about the result and they want revenge. The Peace Talks in Paris are happening and world leaders are there. That made Paris unsafe as terrorists are eyeing these leaders. The rise of Communists.
The book opens with a disturbing and violent takedown. Then we get all this story that honestly I never thought of. These are some bad-ass characters. Paul,is right in enemy territory. Shannon is down in the depth of the espionage. Edward House and Clemenceau are in danger. You never know what Ana is up to.
From a fascinating history and storyline standpoint, this is an all-around well done book.
Recommend.

[Cassandra Ulrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Over Here" is a fictional story that reads like a documentary. The author definitely did a lot of research for this book. Although the action is slower paced that the latest espionage drama, it still possesses a steady cadence that kept my interest. A good read.

[James Hockenberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[James Hockenberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met James Hockenberry the author / historian one weekend several years ago. He was promoting his book in peddlers village. After speaking with him I was intrigued and very interested in it . I bought it and I thought of it as a gift to my father who loves historical books-and had it signed for him. Although this book isn’t exactly historical it’s fiction built around historical information of WW1 . After my father was done I read it and I enjoyed this thriller and recommend it