Assignment Bletchley: A WWII Novel of Navy Intelligence, Spies and Intrigue

by Peter J. Azzole

Lieutenant Commander Anthony "Tony" Romella, U.S. Navy is a specialist in the field of communications intelligence. Little did Tony know that the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor would have such a direct impact on his career and life. He is urgently ordered from his comfortable duty in Washington, DC to an assignment at Bletchley Park, the British communications intelligence center. This fast-paced, riveting story thrusts Tony into personal, technical and diplomatic situations that test his skills and ingenuity. His love life intermingles with his involvement in a high-level world of intelligence, spies and intrigue. Tony loves every minute of it. Published author, Peter J. Azzole, is a retired U.S. Navy officer with a career in communications intelligence. He crafts this story from history and professional experience.

Genres: Historical Fiction, World War II, Thriller, British Literature

168 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 1999

About the author

Retired U.S. Navy Officer. Secondary careers in the defense, commercial aviation and healthcare industries.

Currently residing in NC.

Reviews

[David W Young, Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent story that may be enjoyed by a reader unfamiliar with heroic work accomplished by UK personal at Bletchley Park. Bletchley Part was supported by other experts in the field of codes and cyphers from the Allied countries. Alan Turning and associates accomplished one "impossible" task. A second "impossible" task built upon the first and was carried out by the work in NCR Building 26 in Dayton, Ohio.
I rather enjoyed reading "Assignment Bletchley:…" and have re-affirmed placing Bletchley Park above the number four spot on my Bucket List. I served two years in Scotland during the mid-60s near Edzell. (Look it up on the map; it has nothing to do with Ford Motor Company.) Maybe it is just that I did know enough to inquire about GC&CS at Bletchley Park or GCHQ Cheltenham during my 30-year association with the American cousins with a similar "DNA." Much selective reading post association has revealed much I would have liked to have known during that association.
Citing Winter Harbor was not unexpected. There were a few other placing that could have been named. I suppose Peter Azzole must have a most excellent purpose for including Winter Harbor. Our paths may have crossed during the late 50s through late 70s; however, if they did then it is my loss for not remembering. WRT "CIGAR" and the file folder Tony discovered most likely was labeled "PEARL HARBOUR" which is the correct spelling of the subject on the file label. (One must consider whose English spelling of words are appropriate when referring to two societies separated by a common language.)
The tunneling for the newest tube line under London is also a strong attraction to return to the birth place of my ancestors. Then again, should I need medical attention whilst visiting there, I can always drop in to Port Wenn (a k a Port Issac) to see Doctor Martin Ellingham.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a test reader of a pre-published version of the novel and are reviewing a signed copy of the finished product.

I wasn’t very familiar with military encryption during the 2nd World War nor did I know about the sometimes adversarial relationship between Britain and American forces. That made Assignment Bletchley very interesting for me. There is just enough of a “relationship” story for non-military readers and who is doing what keeps you turning the pages until the surprising resolution.

[Sandra Milewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I simply could not put it down. Fascinating look into the underside of international conflict.

Fast-paced and intriguing. Opened up a world few are privy to. I am looking forward to more from this author.

[Margaret Crampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an informative page turner, giving insight into intelligence, spying and codebreaking centered at Bletchley. A good read.

[Chaplain Stanley Chapin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story

The details of a intriguing story were well told with all the insight of knowledge of military intelligence, England customs and country

[Neil G Stewart III / Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding Tale of WW2 Espionage

Unlike other novels about Bletchley & Enigma.A story of war and romance, spies and villains with rich characters and a fine ending.

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad!

Has all the right elements, which his background plays into. It feels real. Some of the dialogue is iffy, but the plot and characters are good.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely enthralling read. One feels plunged with the main character into intrigues, customs and eye-opening intelligence challenges of Britain during WWII. It is a well turned story.

I have to admit (like another reviewer here) that I was a bit disappointed that the main character (Anerican) so swiftly slid into the warm arms of a British female colleague, but this is a man’s story, I think.

Women readers might have preferred a slower warm up.

However, I do not let that subjective prejudice hold me back from giving credit to a finely written, captivated my book.

[John McNair · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure when I began reading if this would turn out to be worth carrying on past the first few pages. There was little plot build-up, it seemed disjointed and abrupt and frankly unappealing. But as I read on I found it quite engaging and easy to read. Thank goodness for Lt Cdr Romella's love interests to keep one turning the pages! Clearly the author's experience in Communications Intelligence and his research into the working of Bletchley Park were the backbone to this short novel (Book 1, I see, which makes sense considering how the end of this story leaves one a bit on an edge) but the human dimension was well done too. Errors in context were few (like describing guards as being from the "Royal Army" when no such thing exists) and only mildly distracting. You can read this book in a few days, and I may (emphasis on may) look into Book 2, if for no reason than to keep up to date with Romella's love life.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, I read this in one sitting although that wasn't my plan. It moves at a rapid-fire pace with characters that rang true to me. My dad was a WWll veteran, a Seabee in the Pacific theater. As a foreign service brat, I grew up surrounded by people who served in WWll. A close friend of the family was an American attache who worked at Bletchley Park as a code breaker. Like most of these men, he didn't reveal his involvement until he was quite old. This author had good sources and I appreciate reading well-researched historical fiction. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.

[John J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Started with the excellent book 3 Casablanca, so I’m working backwards. This had less action and more skippable blather. I give Mr. Azzole great credit for accuracy in Navy talk and intelligence matters. Many other authors don’t know what they are talking about in military novels.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could not finish the book

I do not know what I was expecting with this book, but when the main character hops into bed with a fellow worker after only a couple of chapters, I didn't want to read any more.

[Ron Calef · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and well written; good detail, credible story line. Love WWII espionage yarns, and this was a good one. Enjoyed the book and will continue to read the author and series. Mr. Azzole has a talent for the written word.

[Carol Barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting spy story.

This was an interesting story about spy procedures but I found it was slow moving and predictable. It’s not a book I would recommend for my book club to read

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining read. This historical novel provides some insight into the early days of the war when the US and Great Britain first started working together. It emphasizes the work of Bletchley Park, the site where Great Britain’s codebreakers were based. The ability to read the Nazi’s communications to and from their U-Boats was a significant factor in protecting the convoys of food and war supplies going from the USA to both Great Britain and the USSR. Unfortunately, when the Nazi’s changed the code, there was a mad dash to break the new code to keep the slim gain the Allies had in the war. When they crack the code again everything is “tickety-boo!”

[Paul · Rating 1 out of 5]

- Under no circumstances are you bloody yanks allowed to bang our women!
- But I'm Italian!
- You're a loose cannon Tony, you're off the case!
- Don't listen to him Tony, here's a tommy gun, go shoot those nazis!
- Marry me Tony!

The End.

If there was any spy intrigue I completely missed it. Book is only unintentionally funny, mostly through its use of stereotypes and cliches and the fact that every British character in the book uses the word bloody in every other sentence.

[Jack Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Novel

This is one of those novels you want to read nonstop. The storyline just would not permit me to pause more than necessary. The characters were very believable and I could see myself involved in the various events and situations and I am anxious to read the entire series.

[Dale Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good short spy story

Good blend of military and spy story. Good believable characters with a plausible story line. Little technical with the characters trying to triangulate a spy sending Morse code back to Germany . Overall a good light read for those, like me, who love a good spy yarn.

[Bob Swarts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assignment Bletchley Park

Well written and interesting factually. While supposedly being a novel, it seems that most of the insight into the war from the Bletchley Park perspective is believable

[Debbie Trammell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

The characters were superb, and the story was very compelling. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. Kiddos to the author his experience and research were very evident. Hope to see more with these characters. I will recommend this book.

[Christine Andreason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative of a critical time in history, and extremely entertaining. Bravo Zulu, Peter!

Enjoyed this novel as the first of a trilogy, with continuity of cast that adds to the historical drama and interpersonal relationship development. Very enjoyable!

[Corbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very readable.

Not disguised as history but not a romance either, strictly. Good beach book. I may be underestimating the historical content because I read After Dunkirk and that series first.

[Joan Clemente · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed very much

A part of WW2 history I knew nothing about. Main character, Tony, very likeable. Held my interest and also easy to read.

[Mary Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a romance than historical fiction.

[M. R. Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

BZ Mr Azzole. I’ll be working my way through the series. Off to London.

[Carl Hanger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like stories set around Bletchley Park during WW2.

[Andy Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

basic

Somewhat like a readers digest version - kinda fun but simple - readers digest printed for 8th grade level
reading

[Corie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful quick read! I will definitely continue reading the series.