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Aquila #1
Hunting Aquila
During World War 2, Churchill stumbles across a leak of vital information from the UK to the enemy and calls in Commander Jonathan Porritt to catch the mole. Porritt has no leads until Jane, a young British translator, unwittingly gets caught up with a German spy trying to flee the country. Can Porritt use his Special Branch teams in Glasgow, Yorkshire, London and Belfast to rescue Jane and smash the undercover spy organisation before Churchill’s invasion plans get leaked?This deftly plotted, action-packed spy thriller is full of twists and turns. Carefully weaving fact and fiction, it provides powerful and intriguing lessons that still apply in today’s changing world.
- GenresEspionage
267 pages, Paperback
Published November 28, 2017
About the author
James Hume
3 books2 followersJames is a former engineer who has always had a love of writing and a passion for reading thrillers that unravel a complex puzzle. Now he’s finally put the two together.
His first book, Hunting Aquila, and its sequel, Chasing Aquila, form the Aquila Duo. This covers the activities of a German spy group during and after WW2.
His third book, Killing the Captain, has two sequels, Avenging the Captain and Finding the Cap[tain, to form the Captain Trilogy. These cover a dispute between two businessmen in the UK just after WW2, that escalates into a minor and then a major US CIA v Soviet stand-off.
All his books are highly readable, with great characters and fast-moving stories.
The themes behind these thrillers pull together some of James' other interests, particularly 1940s and 50s history. They explore how historical events and human situations of that time can still resonate in today's changing world.
Born and brought up in Glasgow, Scotland, he is married with a grown-up family.
His first book, Hunting Aquila, and its sequel, Chasing Aquila, form the Aquila Duo. This covers the activities of a German spy group during and after WW2.
His third book, Killing the Captain, has two sequels, Avenging the Captain and Finding the Cap[tain, to form the Captain Trilogy. These cover a dispute between two businessmen in the UK just after WW2, that escalates into a minor and then a major US CIA v Soviet stand-off.
All his books are highly readable, with great characters and fast-moving stories.
The themes behind these thrillers pull together some of James' other interests, particularly 1940s and 50s history. They explore how historical events and human situations of that time can still resonate in today's changing world.
Born and brought up in Glasgow, Scotland, he is married with a grown-up family.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 22, 2021
Oddly archaic language and plot.
I had to give it up. It’s too much like reading a Boys Own story or Biggles from the 50s. The language is not really helping to set the time period. Bombing a city with land mines? Where does that come from? Anyway...
Sorry. I was expecting a spy story, and got something out of the attic.
I had to give it up. It’s too much like reading a Boys Own story or Biggles from the 50s. The language is not really helping to set the time period. Bombing a city with land mines? Where does that come from? Anyway...
Sorry. I was expecting a spy story, and got something out of the attic.
January 25, 2018
A great debut novel.
It had a fairly pacy, intriguing plot that had me wanting to read more. The characters were well written so you had an interest in them and it did tie up all of the loose ends to have a satisfying conclusion.
I felt as if the writing style improved as the book went on as the author became more confident in his plot and writing so I am very much looking forward to the one that his bio says he is along way on with.
It had a fairly pacy, intriguing plot that had me wanting to read more. The characters were well written so you had an interest in them and it did tie up all of the loose ends to have a satisfying conclusion.
I felt as if the writing style improved as the book went on as the author became more confident in his plot and writing so I am very much looking forward to the one that his bio says he is along way on with.
December 20, 2017
Fantastic book from this debut author. Set against a backdrop of WW2, an ordinary girl is asked to help the government, only to find herself at the centre of a spy scandal.
February 28, 2022
It set off very well, some decent character building and relationships built. I was very interested right up to the point of the 'spy' and the implausable spy network being introduced. We were then left to deal with an ever increasingly ridiculous story that stormed along (at possibly too high a pace) and a series of far to convienient thread of solutions ensued. All the good work in the opening chapters seemed to fall by the wayside as one character after another took illogical choices that didnt really sit well with who they were.
Ultimately a book that promised a good read but fell down fairly early on and never really recovered.
Ultimately a book that promised a good read but fell down fairly early on and never really recovered.
May 19, 2020
Enjoyable ...up to a point
This was my first book by James Hume and I found it enjoyable but it just went on and on. At first I thought there may be a twist but no just more of the same including cups of tea and a light lunch! When I eventually finished the book I was asking myself whether the books editor had died before finishing his work.
This was my first book by James Hume and I found it enjoyable but it just went on and on. At first I thought there may be a twist but no just more of the same including cups of tea and a light lunch! When I eventually finished the book I was asking myself whether the books editor had died before finishing his work.
June 24, 2019
Spy Hunting
A very interesting and well written account of the work of British intelligence during WW2 rooting out Spies from the home front.I recommend it for everyone ,but especially to spy buffs,who,like myself,appreciate reading about the process required to bring them down. A good tale indeed.
A very interesting and well written account of the work of British intelligence during WW2 rooting out Spies from the home front.I recommend it for everyone ,but especially to spy buffs,who,like myself,appreciate reading about the process required to bring them down. A good tale indeed.
June 15, 2020
A great yarn with some interesting characters and settings. The style wouldn't be out of place in the era in which it's set, which might put some readers off but it suited the story and as a lover of classic spy and crime novels I have no problems with that.
Looking forward to reading the next one.
Looking forward to reading the next one.
February 11, 2021
A spy thriller written as a detailed documentary. Plausible, readable and fast moving.
As the tale progressed I came to think this had been written by someone who had been there. I even wondered if it were factual. Great detail about procedures, characters mostly convincing and an outcome that left me content.
As the tale progressed I came to think this had been written by someone who had been there. I even wondered if it were factual. Great detail about procedures, characters mostly convincing and an outcome that left me content.
April 1, 2021
I enjoyed this book. Written in a more factual way than normal I found reading it was the equivalent of watching an old black and white film, and certainly none the worse for that. I too was unsure about some of the techniques and apparatus used but found the notes at the back satisfied my queries. i shall go on to read the other books.
September 1, 2024
The premise for the book was fine, and it should have worked, but I found it a little like a mills and boons spy book. I read it, and would possibly read another, but it felt a little amateurish, but if that’s the author is first book, then I get it. His writing will become tighter as he writes. It was ok.
June 5, 2020
Unputdownable
Great story and premise. Many engaging characters.
Once I began reading it the only time I stopped was when I had to charge my kindle. I hate to compare authors but if I didn't know Hume wrote this I would guess Ken Follett did. The novel is that good.
Great story and premise. Many engaging characters.
Once I began reading it the only time I stopped was when I had to charge my kindle. I hate to compare authors but if I didn't know Hume wrote this I would guess Ken Follett did. The novel is that good.
December 28, 2020
A great read
Very readable novel. I like the detail put into the hunt which adds reality to the story. Finished the book in one reading while traveling. A few echos of other earlier masters of this genre like Lecarre and Follett which had me hooked.
Very readable novel. I like the detail put into the hunt which adds reality to the story. Finished the book in one reading while traveling. A few echos of other earlier masters of this genre like Lecarre and Follett which had me hooked.
June 23, 2018
Rip roaring spy story
Well written spy novel. Grabs you from the beginning to the end. A great cast of characters both good and bad.
Well written spy novel. Grabs you from the beginning to the end. A great cast of characters both good and bad.
June 28, 2018
A smashing story
The inner workings of the high British intelligence of world war in great detail. Written through a well written story
The inner workings of the high British intelligence of world war in great detail. Written through a well written story
July 25, 2018
Looking forward to next book
Looking forward to next book
Good book made you think keeps moving keeps you interested.I hope you continue writing many more books
Looking forward to next book
Good book made you think keeps moving keeps you interested.I hope you continue writing many more books
September 8, 2018
Very Enjoyable Book
A spy drama that kept me on edge. Hard to put down. Very well written and not so complicated that I could follow.
A spy drama that kept me on edge. Hard to put down. Very well written and not so complicated that I could follow.
September 21, 2018
Catching a spy
A good spy thriller set in England during the 2 nd world war. Good characteristic smooth plot line. Recommended highly.
A good spy thriller set in England during the 2 nd world war. Good characteristic smooth plot line. Recommended highly.
March 19, 2019
I am enjoying this story so far
March 27, 2019
An excellent spy novel - well written with believeable characters and an exceptionally interesting plot.
Short but tight and compact. Highly recommended.
Short but tight and compact. Highly recommended.
November 4, 2020
.good read
Great WWll spy novel set in the U.K. with other European countries thrown in. A realistic read for lovers of the spy genre.
Great WWll spy novel set in the U.K. with other European countries thrown in. A realistic read for lovers of the spy genre.
January 15, 2022
.
This seemed to me to be about some woman and her woman problems, so I stopped reading and returned the book.
This seemed to me to be about some woman and her woman problems, so I stopped reading and returned the book.
November 23, 2022
I read it but find both the writing and the plot hard going
June 15, 2023
more like a report
Although the plot was quite good, the narration was monotonous and without any colour. More like a report than a spy novel
Although the plot was quite good, the narration was monotonous and without any colour. More like a report than a spy novel
April 7, 2025
awesome
Totally worth the read. I was born after the war, but my parents lived through it. I loved the realism and details of
Places I know!
Totally worth the read. I was born after the war, but my parents lived through it. I loved the realism and details of
Places I know!
July 6, 2025
Page turner from start to finish. Good plot, great characters and fast moving. Recommend reading 👍
October 19, 2021
Unconvincing plot and didn’t know when to stop
Until Jane’s abduction it read OK however from then on it lacked any credibility as a story. The story should have been cut shortly after the ferry crossing and was dragged on for another few chapters! Efforts to include research were far too blatant in the book and there was far too much attention to technology, as further evidenced by the postscript- but hey that’s obviously what interests the author. Sadly did not interest me. Much prefer for example Alex Gerlis and Rory Clements who are far more mature storytellers in this genre
Until Jane’s abduction it read OK however from then on it lacked any credibility as a story. The story should have been cut shortly after the ferry crossing and was dragged on for another few chapters! Efforts to include research were far too blatant in the book and there was far too much attention to technology, as further evidenced by the postscript- but hey that’s obviously what interests the author. Sadly did not interest me. Much prefer for example Alex Gerlis and Rory Clements who are far more mature storytellers in this genre
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews