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Nightfall Berlin
(Tom Fox #2)
by
'A fine book for those who enjoy vintage Le Carre' IAN RANKIN
In 1986, news that East-West nuclear-arms negotiations are taking place lead many to believe the Cold War may finally be thawing.
For British intelligence officer Major Tom Fox, however, it is business as usual.
Ordered to arrange the smooth repatriation of a defector, Fox is smuggled into East Berl
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Since an early age I have been fascinated by spies, lies and espionage and all the cloak and dagger activities of those who detect, and seek to subvert threats to national security: grey squirrel can’t fly without umbrella and all that tricksy spy-craft stuff. I was mightily impressed by Jack Grimwood’s debut Moskva that provided a fresh new take on the path previously trodden by Martin Cruz Smith’s Gorky Park, and most pleasingly Major Tom Fox is back in the fray in this follow up, Nightfall Be
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This is the second of Jack Grimwood’s historical espionage adventures and, yes, it does help if you have read the first one – Moskva – before sitting down with Berlin. There’s enough back-story to carry you along with this one, but you’ll appreciate the depth, nuance and complexity of the supporting cast if you know what happened last time out.
Grimwood’s writing is extremely engaging, deftly portraying a convincing sense of time and place without tripping you up with writerly mischief or impenet ...more
Grimwood’s writing is extremely engaging, deftly portraying a convincing sense of time and place without tripping you up with writerly mischief or impenet ...more
Dec 06, 2018
Paul
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
spy-thrillers,
crime-thrillers
Nightfall Berlin – A Proper Spy Thriller
This is one of the best thrillers I have read in a long time. This is a tale set in the grim era of the cold war, just as the war was beginning to thaw. Set in East Berlin the full greyness of being on the Eastern side of the wall comes through. The publisher’s blurb on the front is correct for once, it really is a fine book and those that love vintage Le Carre are in for a real treat.
Major Tom Fox is on a rare holiday in the Caribbean with his wife and so ...more
This is one of the best thrillers I have read in a long time. This is a tale set in the grim era of the cold war, just as the war was beginning to thaw. Set in East Berlin the full greyness of being on the Eastern side of the wall comes through. The publisher’s blurb on the front is correct for once, it really is a fine book and those that love vintage Le Carre are in for a real treat.
Major Tom Fox is on a rare holiday in the Caribbean with his wife and so ...more
At the end of the war, Berlin was a mess. Children wandered the streets, people were starving, and anything could be had for a cigarette. Add to the mix thousands of soldiers, all of them bored, and you have a recipe for depredation. "‘The ruins turned us all into rats … The self can be pretty vile if let off the leash.’ All those feral children. All that hunger and starvation. It must have been a feeding frenzy for someone like Blackburn. He wouldn’t have been alone either. Men like that recogn
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Mar 09, 2018
Kate
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
out-in-2018-and-read,
favourites-read-in-2018
There's little I enjoy more than a good Cold War thriller and Nightfall Berlin is excellent! Major Tom Fox is such an intriguing, beautifully drawn character while the plot is clever, involved and gripping. I've now bought Moksva, the first in the series, and I'm looking forward to reading that soon. Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.
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4.5 stars
Nightfall Berlin is a cold war thriller. It opens in 1972 with an assassination in the Lake District.
Next the timeline moves to 1986. Major Tom Fox, an undercover military intelligence officer, is holidaying with his family in the Caribbean. But it ends abruptly when Tom is called back to work. He’s wanted in East Berlin to bring back Sir Cecil Blackburn, a traitor who now wishes to return to the UK and face his crimes.
On the flight to Germany, Tom reads files which hint that Cecil is a ...more
Nightfall Berlin is a cold war thriller. It opens in 1972 with an assassination in the Lake District.
Next the timeline moves to 1986. Major Tom Fox, an undercover military intelligence officer, is holidaying with his family in the Caribbean. But it ends abruptly when Tom is called back to work. He’s wanted in East Berlin to bring back Sir Cecil Blackburn, a traitor who now wishes to return to the UK and face his crimes.
On the flight to Germany, Tom reads files which hint that Cecil is a ...more
This was a really good and gripping thriller set in 1986. I picked it up as it seemed like it'd be a nice wee spy story to read while relaxing on my holiday.
It absolutely was that, BUT a major part of the story was about a paedophile ring, and a good part of the tension came from Children In Danger. I would probably have picked another book for my light beach reading if I'd known that! I've never been a fan of Children In Danger in stories, and even less so since I became a father myself. I acc ...more
It absolutely was that, BUT a major part of the story was about a paedophile ring, and a good part of the tension came from Children In Danger. I would probably have picked another book for my light beach reading if I'd known that! I've never been a fan of Children In Danger in stories, and even less so since I became a father myself. I acc ...more
It was mostly an entertaining read.
Le Carre it isn't.( I read that comparisons have been made)
I have read most of John Le Carre's books and they are generally believable and always very well written.This was neither.
It was a competent thriller. no more, no less ...more
Le Carre it isn't.( I read that comparisons have been made)
I have read most of John Le Carre's books and they are generally believable and always very well written.This was neither.
It was a competent thriller. no more, no less ...more
Effective Cold War thriller, less memorable than the previous novel in the series but held my interest throughout. Interesting characters, great atmosphere.
Aug 16, 2018
Horia Ursu
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-read-in-2018
A convoluted plot, with as many twists a reader can ingest without it taking away the plausibility, really strong characters (both protagonist and supporting cast), an atmosphere that brought chills down my spine (because I have lived those times), and just enough continuity from the previous book in the series (Moskva, 2016) to make me feel happy I read (and liked) that one when it came out.
Grimwood proves equally good at writing Cold War spy thrillers as he was when he was writing science fict ...more
Grimwood proves equally good at writing Cold War spy thrillers as he was when he was writing science fict ...more
Very rarely do I not finish a novel. This was one of those rare occasions. Sadly my interest was never piqued. :-(
This is an extremely competent thriller. The author has mastered the 'tension/release/retension' bit very well and a lot of the period detail about East Berlin in the latter days of the Stasi is satisfying.
Some of the background relates to child abuse and that is difficult.
Towards the end I was becoming fatigued by the numerous twists but overall I think this is a very good read. ...more
Some of the background relates to child abuse and that is difficult.
Towards the end I was becoming fatigued by the numerous twists but overall I think this is a very good read. ...more
Thoughtful, intelligent spy fiction.
Love the character of Tom Fox; atmospheric and well written Cold War spy thriller. Great sense of time and place.
Love the character of Tom Fox; atmospheric and well written Cold War spy thriller. Great sense of time and place.
A very good, satisfying read, if sometimes a little soft on the tension, the excitement and the suspense, though full of excellent period detail and a finely worked undercurrent of long-forgotten wickedness, having the potential for devastating the story's 'today.'
The main thread is the English intelligence officer Tom Fox, being sent over to East Berlin to escort the former convenient socialist, the Englishman Sir Cecil Blackburn, back to the West, where he has finally decided he wants to die. ...more
The main thread is the English intelligence officer Tom Fox, being sent over to East Berlin to escort the former convenient socialist, the Englishman Sir Cecil Blackburn, back to the West, where he has finally decided he wants to die. ...more
A different Cold War espionage thriller. I have to say I understood very little of it. An UK major is asked to go to East Berlin and retrieve a defector who wants to return to England. This seems to be related to the fact that the old defector is writing his memoirs, and that prominent people may be named as having been involved in a pedophilia ring. So, while prominent people back in the UK are committing suicide or having accidents, Major Fox gets into a mess in Berlin when the defector and hi
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Excellent storytelling with a complicated gripping plot. If you like spies and stories of Berlin before the wall came down, glasnost and the Iron curtain, this is for you. I love John Le Carré, Len Deighton and Gorky Park so Jack Grimwood had me from hello. The characterisations are excellent and a lot of the hero’s history is alluded to without being completely explained which adds to the tension. The core of the plot includes historical child abuse, which is unpleasant but feels extremely rele
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This is a book about duplicity. The writing is taught, precise and detailed. Period, character and politics are brought to life well. I have not read the first book, so the opening to this one dragged a little for me before it really got going. An early emphasis on family and children seemed out of place until the context deepened in interesting and novel ways. Occasional scenes go on too long but overall it was a gripping and involving read. The obvious debt to Le Carre is acknowledged in a cle
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Nightfall Berlin Jack Grimwood
Tom Fox is a spy. Extremely good at his trade. The wall in Berlin is still up. Both sides of the wall is full of deceptions, lies and partial truths. Tom has been sent to escort home a British traitor. The Russians are willing to let him go. This particular traitor holds the title of an English Lord. He knows very dark secrets that the British, Russians and East Germans are willing to kill for. And they do. Tom Fox is caught in the middle of all of this. He has alli ...more
Tom Fox is a spy. Extremely good at his trade. The wall in Berlin is still up. Both sides of the wall is full of deceptions, lies and partial truths. Tom has been sent to escort home a British traitor. The Russians are willing to let him go. This particular traitor holds the title of an English Lord. He knows very dark secrets that the British, Russians and East Germans are willing to kill for. And they do. Tom Fox is caught in the middle of all of this. He has alli ...more
Fast moving, deftly plotted and tense with well drawn characters, Nightfall Berlin is a cracking little espionage novel - not quite Le Carre obviously but still a rollicking good ride to the end, though be warned the subject matter at the heart of the plot is a dark subject.
The 80s Cold War setting is well done and although apparently this is the second novel of a series, it stands alone perfectly well and fills in a lot of background detail so you're not left swimming in treacle unknowing of wh ...more
The 80s Cold War setting is well done and although apparently this is the second novel of a series, it stands alone perfectly well and fills in a lot of background detail so you're not left swimming in treacle unknowing of wh ...more
I grew up in Berlin during the timeframe the book is set in. None of the atmospherics ring true, none. If they had, I might have overlooked the ridiculously thread-bare plot and the QAnon-like pedophile conspiracy nonsense. As it is, Grimmwood gets two stars for good pacing and and a writing style that's noticably better than most wanna-be Ian Flemming successors out there.
In summary: OK, pick this book up at an airport before a long flight and suspend your critical thinking for a bit. If that' ...more
In summary: OK, pick this book up at an airport before a long flight and suspend your critical thinking for a bit. If that' ...more
Recent Reads: Nightfall Berlin. Jack Grimwood's Tom Fox is sent to bring a defector back from East Berlin. But as the Cold War fades away, old rules and alliances breakdown. Stranded behind the Wall and accused of murder Fox has to solve a mystery from the end of another war.
(And one has to love the scene where the KGB head of station in East Berlin is handed a new Le Carre and marks up what's right and wrong…) ...more
(And one has to love the scene where the KGB head of station in East Berlin is handed a new Le Carre and marks up what's right and wrong…) ...more
Nightfall Berlin is an entertaining late Cold War thriller with a number of interesting characters and some atmospheric descriptions of Berlin on the wrong side of the wall.
Right from the first page it's obvious what the plot is about and it trudges along routinely until a thunderous climax. Worth a look.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of '39, all published by Sacristy Press. ...more
Right from the first page it's obvious what the plot is about and it trudges along routinely until a thunderous climax. Worth a look.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil, Liberating Belsen, Two Families at War and The Summer of '39, all published by Sacristy Press. ...more
It's not a le Carré by any means of the imagination (it's too far towards the thriller end of the spy genre), but this was an enjoyable 1980s story set mainly in Berlin (as you may guess from the title). The underpinning theme is pretty hard, as it involves abhorrent acts in the post-War period. I can't say much more without spoilers.
I liked Jack Grimwood's SF (writing as Jon Courtney Grimwood) and I like this enough that I'll pick up Moskva at some point. If I wanted a le Carré substitute then ...more
I liked Jack Grimwood's SF (writing as Jon Courtney Grimwood) and I like this enough that I'll pick up Moskva at some point. If I wanted a le Carré substitute then ...more
Better and easier to follow than the first one. Complex story, skilfully plotted and quite good, if very unbelievable in parts. Liked the setting behind the wall and the chicanery, but a pity he isn't a clearer writer as quite often I lost track of who said what and where and I had to check back. Same in the first novel but better in this one. That said, it was enjoyable with a good backstory and definitely not Airport Lite.
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Another great book from Grimwood. This continuation of Moskva is a good book but lacks the power and emotion of the first.
As with Moskva, the book has some elaborate plot but the resolution of this is a bit hasty, just shoving all the blame to one guy at the end.
That said, Tom Fox still has potential to become a successful franchise. I've to note that the novel ends with a question mark to the state of Caro, so I hope that we readers may get more of Tom Fox in the future. ...more
As with Moskva, the book has some elaborate plot but the resolution of this is a bit hasty, just shoving all the blame to one guy at the end.
That said, Tom Fox still has potential to become a successful franchise. I've to note that the novel ends with a question mark to the state of Caro, so I hope that we readers may get more of Tom Fox in the future. ...more
While some of the marketing for this author claims he is "the next le Carre," which might be a bit of a stretch, Grimwood certainly writes a very good, very intriguing novel. I like Major Tom Fox; he's not as rough around the edges as some thriller protagonists. Grimwood conveys both Fox's flaws and strengths, and seems to really know Berlin of this period. I will read more Grimwood.
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This is a really good spy novel. It is in the style of Le Carre although not quite with the same literary expertise. This does not detract however from a great read. The characters are developing nicely following on from the first book and the plot was very good weaving between past and present. I will definitely read the next in the series. A great read.
Good, but not great. Character action a bit over the top. Plotline stretches believability. But, well written . He's certainly no LaCarre.
I think the author shows promise. Would likely try his next effort...one more shot. Would have to see improvement before continuing with him. ...more
I think the author shows promise. Would likely try his next effort...one more shot. Would have to see improvement before continuing with him. ...more
Jul 07, 2019
Pirate
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
thriller buffs
Excellent read, dark thriller with a very strong principal character whose family story is one of the book's strengths, both his childhood and that of his present. All the characters are very well drawn and the ambience of East Berlin as well as the competing between the Soviet masters and their East German counterparts is excellent. Very original if brutal ending to boot.
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Quite good but not Le Carre
I enjoyed the book, it seemed to come together a little bit quickly at the end. However, more James Bond than Similie, and I was irritated by constant references to Le Carre.
I love Ian Rankin, but maybe he needs to reread Le Carre before issuing such heady endorsements.
I enjoyed the book, it seemed to come together a little bit quickly at the end. However, more James Bond than Similie, and I was irritated by constant references to Le Carre.
I love Ian Rankin, but maybe he needs to reread Le Carre before issuing such heady endorsements.
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Jack Grimwood, a.k.a Jon Courtenay Grimwood was born in Malta and christened in the upturned bell of a ship. He grew up in the Far East, Britain and Scandinavia. Apart from novels he writes for national newspapers including the Times, Telegraph, Independent and Guardian. Jon is two-time winner of the BSFA Award for Best Novel, with Felaheen, and End of the World Blues. His literary novel, The Last
...more
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