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The Wendell Lett Novels
The Preserve
Hawaii, 1948: A wartime combat hero turned deserter seeks a cure to the PTSD that’s destroying all love in his life in the aftermath of WWII, but his handlers aim to turn him into a vile assassin for a deadly plot that runs all the way to General MacArthur.
The Preserve is the second book featuring Wendell Lett, who first appeared in the prequel Under False Flags.
The Preserve is the second book featuring Wendell Lett, who first appeared in the prequel Under False Flags.
373 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 17, 2019
16 people are currently reading
1865 people want to read
About the author
Steve Anderson
15 books266 followersSteve Anderson writes the Kaspar Brothers historical thrillers and other novels. His latest novels are Show Game and Lines of Deception. Anderson was a Fulbright Fellow and has translated bestselling German fiction. He lives in Portland, Oregon.
More about Steve Anderson:
Years ago, Steve Anderson planned to become a history professor. He even landed a Fulbright Fellowship in Munich. Then he discovered fiction writing — he could make stuff up, he realized, using actual events and characters to serve the story. Now he writes novels that often introduce a little-known aspect of history, mixing in overlooked crimes, true accounts, and gutsy underdogs.
Steve has also written narrative nonfiction, short stories, and screenplays. His day jobs have included busy waiter, Associated Press rookie, language instructor, and copywriter. As a freelancer, he translates bestselling German fiction and edits novels.
He lives in his hometown of Portland, Oregon with his wife René. He’s loved and played soccer since he was a kid and still follows Portland Timbers FC.
More about Steve Anderson:
Years ago, Steve Anderson planned to become a history professor. He even landed a Fulbright Fellowship in Munich. Then he discovered fiction writing — he could make stuff up, he realized, using actual events and characters to serve the story. Now he writes novels that often introduce a little-known aspect of history, mixing in overlooked crimes, true accounts, and gutsy underdogs.
Steve has also written narrative nonfiction, short stories, and screenplays. His day jobs have included busy waiter, Associated Press rookie, language instructor, and copywriter. As a freelancer, he translates bestselling German fiction and edits novels.
He lives in his hometown of Portland, Oregon with his wife René. He’s loved and played soccer since he was a kid and still follows Portland Timbers FC.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 17, 2019
Wow, what a great story. Steve Anderson has done a superb job with this novel. So many great characters, especially the main character Wendell Lett. He is put through hell and back, but that’s one of the things I enjoyed most about this book, is being put through an emotional roller coaster with the characters. Through Steve’s writing style, I could vividly picture the scenes he was describing, and I quite enjoyed that it’s set in more than one country.
Wendell Lett had seen and experienced far too much death during WWII, so much so that he walked away from it before it was finished. Unfortunately, going AWOL during a war was something the US Military didn’t take lightly, so when Wendell decided to hand himself in, they locked him up quick smart. Wendell was lucky that someone decided they could use his set of skills, however it was yet to be seen if he was emotionally ready to deal with anything other than a psychiatric ward. Seeing his dead friends from the battlefield was only part of his problems, he’s keen for his new superiors to deliver on their promises of healing him of his inner daemons. He’s just not sure what they want from him, as guard duty seems a little bit too easy, even if it’s sometimes doing it for the Chief of Staff himself. This is a special book and I would certainly recommend it. 5/5 Star Rating.
Wendell Lett had seen and experienced far too much death during WWII, so much so that he walked away from it before it was finished. Unfortunately, going AWOL during a war was something the US Military didn’t take lightly, so when Wendell decided to hand himself in, they locked him up quick smart. Wendell was lucky that someone decided they could use his set of skills, however it was yet to be seen if he was emotionally ready to deal with anything other than a psychiatric ward. Seeing his dead friends from the battlefield was only part of his problems, he’s keen for his new superiors to deliver on their promises of healing him of his inner daemons. He’s just not sure what they want from him, as guard duty seems a little bit too easy, even if it’s sometimes doing it for the Chief of Staff himself. This is a special book and I would certainly recommend it. 5/5 Star Rating.
November 3, 2019
Just finished another wonderful book by Steve Anderson. A riveting thriller, plus a history lesson all in one. A nail biter that kept me on the edge of my seat. Compelling.
October 5, 2019
Set in the U.S territory of Hawaii. 1948. “The Preserve” is based on some true events, includes real-life characters and offers a meaningful take on the dark side of American power in the postwar era. Reading this novel you should be willing to face some grim truths.
This is the sequel to “Under False Flags” which I haven’t read and I surely missed out not having done so. It would have been an asset to have read it in order to better understand where the main character, Wendell Lett, came from and why he ended up in Hawaii. Although the author does make mention of his past he did not elaborate. So now I am curious to read Wendell’s mission in Europe.
According to Mr. Anderson his story is entirely fictional. But it wouldn’t be surprising if a camp like the preserve did exist with its classified psychological drug programs, its clandestine rogue operations, and a place where plots against major figures are made including assassination. “The Preserve” and Wendell Lett brings us deep into the heart of what could have been…..In “The Preserve”, Wendell desperately seeks a cure for his severe combat trauma, he thinks he is in wright place for his salvation…or is he?.... he is not alone…
Seeking a new beginning is Kanani Alana who became a close friend to Wendell. This tough-minded Hawaiian who speaks Hawaiian Pidgin English added local colour to the narrative and a sense of place. Her language is smoothly incorporated and is not overly done. The author has a strong way with prose, slow, pausing at times to let us savour his tale.
Wendell and Kanani although are the main characters they do not play in this drama by themselves. There is a huge cast of characters that crosses their paths. Some names are known such as General Douglas MacArthur and the nefarious US intelligence operative Ed Lansdale and others less familiar but nonetheless important players.
It is not without suspense. When Wendell discovers the true intentions behind the camp, he and Kanani plan a dangerous escape. But can they survive the harsh wilderness of the Big Island?....Their escape is slow moving but what a nail-biting drama we follow. Well-done, it is hard not to root for their success.
Included in this captivating story, is the search for the missing Imperial Japanese fortune that had been plundered throughout Asia during the war. The author also mentioned that with the U.S. military ruling the territory the Hawaiians culture and ways of life changed for ever.
“The Preserve” is an exciting fiction written with elegance.
This is the sequel to “Under False Flags” which I haven’t read and I surely missed out not having done so. It would have been an asset to have read it in order to better understand where the main character, Wendell Lett, came from and why he ended up in Hawaii. Although the author does make mention of his past he did not elaborate. So now I am curious to read Wendell’s mission in Europe.
According to Mr. Anderson his story is entirely fictional. But it wouldn’t be surprising if a camp like the preserve did exist with its classified psychological drug programs, its clandestine rogue operations, and a place where plots against major figures are made including assassination. “The Preserve” and Wendell Lett brings us deep into the heart of what could have been…..In “The Preserve”, Wendell desperately seeks a cure for his severe combat trauma, he thinks he is in wright place for his salvation…or is he?.... he is not alone…
Seeking a new beginning is Kanani Alana who became a close friend to Wendell. This tough-minded Hawaiian who speaks Hawaiian Pidgin English added local colour to the narrative and a sense of place. Her language is smoothly incorporated and is not overly done. The author has a strong way with prose, slow, pausing at times to let us savour his tale.
Wendell and Kanani although are the main characters they do not play in this drama by themselves. There is a huge cast of characters that crosses their paths. Some names are known such as General Douglas MacArthur and the nefarious US intelligence operative Ed Lansdale and others less familiar but nonetheless important players.
It is not without suspense. When Wendell discovers the true intentions behind the camp, he and Kanani plan a dangerous escape. But can they survive the harsh wilderness of the Big Island?....Their escape is slow moving but what a nail-biting drama we follow. Well-done, it is hard not to root for their success.
Included in this captivating story, is the search for the missing Imperial Japanese fortune that had been plundered throughout Asia during the war. The author also mentioned that with the U.S. military ruling the territory the Hawaiians culture and ways of life changed for ever.
“The Preserve” is an exciting fiction written with elegance.
September 17, 2019
Soldiering on…..
Oregon author Steve Anderson is a noteworthy young author, a man with history in his veins and wars in his imagination. To date his fourteen published novels have dealt with WW II in the Germany setting and he knows that period and that country well (he as lived in Germany as a Fulbright Fellow and his knowledge of the atmosphere and landscape of that country are evident): he became a translator of German to English books whose focus is on crime and mystery. But Anderson has a richer and more entertaining background than simply a fine historical novelist: he has backpacked into Eastern Europe when the Berlin Wall fell, written narrative nonfiction, short stories and screenplays, worked in advertising, marketing, and journalism, and has been a waiter, a language instructor, a freelance copywriter. Full life? Enough to make his canvas for his books well prepared with personal gesso.
Steve wrote UNDER FALSE FLAGS the Prequel to this novel, in 2014 and now continues that exploration of history and war with THE PRESERVE. In the prequel we met American GI Wendell Lett paired with German sailor Holger Frings who were individually assigned the task of impersonating the enemy in order to undermine the tactics on a dangerous mission. The coming together of these two territorially disparate men but war-weary psychologically similar souls was a study in true camaraderie as can only occur in the morally suffocating confines of war. Now the setting is Hawaii, 1948 and as Steve’s fine summary states, ‘Troubled WWII hero turned deserter Wendell Lett desperately seeks a cure to his severe combat trauma (PTSD), and The Preserve seems to be his salvation. Run by Lansdale, a mysterious intelligence officer, and Lett’s ambitious wartime XO Charlie Selfer, the secretive training camp promises relief from the terrors in his mind. Together with Kanani Alana, a tough-minded Hawaiian also looking for a new start at The Preserve, Lett begins to feel hopeful. All illusions are shattered, though, when Lett discovers The Preserve’s true intentions—to rebuild him into a cold-blooded assassin. The deadly conspiracy runs deep, all the way to General Douglas MacArthur, and his refusal to cooperate is met with merciless punishment. His only hope is Kanani and her dangerous escape plan that would grant freedom from The Preserve—if he can hide while surviving the harsh wilderness of the Big Island.’
Steve has a stingingly strong way with prose, pausing at times for a bit of poetic reverie that enhances the bite of the tale. He has the gift as he has proven with his many published novels to date. This is an extraordinarily fine historic drama, based on true events, and enhanced by the author’s flair for exciting fiction. Very highly recommended.
Oregon author Steve Anderson is a noteworthy young author, a man with history in his veins and wars in his imagination. To date his fourteen published novels have dealt with WW II in the Germany setting and he knows that period and that country well (he as lived in Germany as a Fulbright Fellow and his knowledge of the atmosphere and landscape of that country are evident): he became a translator of German to English books whose focus is on crime and mystery. But Anderson has a richer and more entertaining background than simply a fine historical novelist: he has backpacked into Eastern Europe when the Berlin Wall fell, written narrative nonfiction, short stories and screenplays, worked in advertising, marketing, and journalism, and has been a waiter, a language instructor, a freelance copywriter. Full life? Enough to make his canvas for his books well prepared with personal gesso.
Steve wrote UNDER FALSE FLAGS the Prequel to this novel, in 2014 and now continues that exploration of history and war with THE PRESERVE. In the prequel we met American GI Wendell Lett paired with German sailor Holger Frings who were individually assigned the task of impersonating the enemy in order to undermine the tactics on a dangerous mission. The coming together of these two territorially disparate men but war-weary psychologically similar souls was a study in true camaraderie as can only occur in the morally suffocating confines of war. Now the setting is Hawaii, 1948 and as Steve’s fine summary states, ‘Troubled WWII hero turned deserter Wendell Lett desperately seeks a cure to his severe combat trauma (PTSD), and The Preserve seems to be his salvation. Run by Lansdale, a mysterious intelligence officer, and Lett’s ambitious wartime XO Charlie Selfer, the secretive training camp promises relief from the terrors in his mind. Together with Kanani Alana, a tough-minded Hawaiian also looking for a new start at The Preserve, Lett begins to feel hopeful. All illusions are shattered, though, when Lett discovers The Preserve’s true intentions—to rebuild him into a cold-blooded assassin. The deadly conspiracy runs deep, all the way to General Douglas MacArthur, and his refusal to cooperate is met with merciless punishment. His only hope is Kanani and her dangerous escape plan that would grant freedom from The Preserve—if he can hide while surviving the harsh wilderness of the Big Island.’
Steve has a stingingly strong way with prose, pausing at times for a bit of poetic reverie that enhances the bite of the tale. He has the gift as he has proven with his many published novels to date. This is an extraordinarily fine historic drama, based on true events, and enhanced by the author’s flair for exciting fiction. Very highly recommended.
November 19, 2019
Steve Anderson’s new book is a post-WWII thriller set on the Big Island of Hawaii in 1948. Wendell Lett, war hero turned deserter, seeks treatment for combat trauma at an isolated facility called The Preserve. Instead of a cure for his jangled nerves, he finds himself caught up in an assassination plot that runs all the way to General Douglas MacArthur.
The Preserve is a first-rate historical thriller. It is fast, dark, complicated enough without being ridiculous, with characters and relationships you are interested in, and enough historic facts salted through the narrative to make you ponder long after the last page.
The Preserve is Anderson's second book featuring Wendell Lett, who first appeared in Under False Flags. They can be read as stand-alones, and are even better read back to back.
The Preserve is a first-rate historical thriller. It is fast, dark, complicated enough without being ridiculous, with characters and relationships you are interested in, and enough historic facts salted through the narrative to make you ponder long after the last page.
The Preserve is Anderson's second book featuring Wendell Lett, who first appeared in Under False Flags. They can be read as stand-alones, and are even better read back to back.
August 21, 2020
Another great thriller that continues Wendell Letts journey and his “cure” for PTSD. Great characters and set in post war Hawaii. Thoroughly believable story
April 12, 2023
What a fascinating mystery. It definitely kept me guessing until the very end. The Preserve is a must-read.
Synopsis:
troubled WWII hero turned deserter Wendell Lett desperately seeks a cure to his severe combat trauma, and The Preserve seems to be his salvation. Run by Lansdale, a mysterious intelligence officer, and Lett’s ambitious wartime XO Charlie Selfer, the secretive training camp promises relief from the terrors in his mind. Together with Kanani Alana, a tough-minded Hawaiian also looking for a new start at The Preserve, Lett begins to feel hopeful.
All illusions are shattered, though, when Lett discovers The Preserve’s true intentions—to rebuild him into a cold-blooded assassin. The deadly conspiracy runs deep, all the way to General Douglas MacArthur, and his refusal to cooperate is met with merciless punishment. His only hope is Kanani and her dangerous escape plan that would grant freedom from The Preserve—if he can hide while surviving the harsh wilderness of the Big Island. Based on true events, The Preserve is a fast-paced historical thriller that will leave you breathless.
Synopsis:
troubled WWII hero turned deserter Wendell Lett desperately seeks a cure to his severe combat trauma, and The Preserve seems to be his salvation. Run by Lansdale, a mysterious intelligence officer, and Lett’s ambitious wartime XO Charlie Selfer, the secretive training camp promises relief from the terrors in his mind. Together with Kanani Alana, a tough-minded Hawaiian also looking for a new start at The Preserve, Lett begins to feel hopeful.
All illusions are shattered, though, when Lett discovers The Preserve’s true intentions—to rebuild him into a cold-blooded assassin. The deadly conspiracy runs deep, all the way to General Douglas MacArthur, and his refusal to cooperate is met with merciless punishment. His only hope is Kanani and her dangerous escape plan that would grant freedom from The Preserve—if he can hide while surviving the harsh wilderness of the Big Island. Based on true events, The Preserve is a fast-paced historical thriller that will leave you breathless.
July 17, 2021
Anderson is a truly gifted writer who peppers this novel with an undercurrent of sensitivity embedded in an oasis of drama and turmoil. Inspired from real-life events spanning the Yamashita gold conspiracy and General MacArthur’s inheritance of the “secret mother lode” of looted fortune, this novel, set in the Hawaii of 1948, raises the curtain on the American hegemony that persisted in the postwar era. Second World War veteran Wendell Lett flounders to overcome his combat fatigue. Optimistic about the possibility of being salvaged from the terrors of his mind, Lett joins the Preserve, a camp run by Edward Lansdale and Lett’s wartime Executive Officer Charlie Selfer. Alas, Lett unravels the reality festering in the façade of the Preserve: this secret camp intends to mold him into a cold-blooded assassin. The tentacles of this sinister nexus plunge deep into the heartline of all that it touches. And merciless punishments are meted out if Lett shies away from cooperating. Lett’s only savior is Kanani Alana, a headstrong Hawaiian woman who had also sought a new lease on life at the Preserve. Kanani has hatched a dangerous escape plan that will free them from the shackles of the Preserve, assuming they can survive the harsh wilderness of the Big Island while in hiding.
The Preserve is a well-researched book of high emotional voltage that seamlessly blends darkness with hope and light. I found Lett to be universally relatable in more ways than one, and I really loved Kanani Alana with all her quirks. The author has done a remarkable job marrying some of the darkest aspects of American postwar history with vivid imagination against the backdrop of a spine-tingling thriller that had me up all night. I'd highly recommend this book to all fiction-lovers. Another aspect I loved about this book is that Lett and Alana, beneath all their baggage, are fundamentally high sensation-seekers driven by optimism, resilience and a will to rise above darkness. Both of these characters truly inspire, and it was as if they were real people I truly missed continuing to experience long after I finished reading. I can't wait to read Anderson's next novel.
The Preserve is a well-researched book of high emotional voltage that seamlessly blends darkness with hope and light. I found Lett to be universally relatable in more ways than one, and I really loved Kanani Alana with all her quirks. The author has done a remarkable job marrying some of the darkest aspects of American postwar history with vivid imagination against the backdrop of a spine-tingling thriller that had me up all night. I'd highly recommend this book to all fiction-lovers. Another aspect I loved about this book is that Lett and Alana, beneath all their baggage, are fundamentally high sensation-seekers driven by optimism, resilience and a will to rise above darkness. Both of these characters truly inspire, and it was as if they were real people I truly missed continuing to experience long after I finished reading. I can't wait to read Anderson's next novel.
December 25, 2024
Rating: 3.25* of five
The Publisher Says: A WWII vet finds himself trapped inside a sinister military experiment in this historical thriller based on true events and sequel to Under False Flags.
Hawaii, 1948. In World War II, Wendell Lett was considered a hero before he became a deserter. Now he's looking for a cure for his severe combat trauma, and The Preserve seems to be his salvation. Run by military intelligence, the secretive training camp promises relief from the terrors in his mind. Together with tough-minded Hawaiian Kanani Alana, who's also looking for a new start at The Preserve, Lett begins to feel hopeful.
But soon Lett discovers the chilling, true purpose of his treatment. The Preserve intends to rebuild him into a cold-blooded assassin-whether he's willing to cooperate or not. His only hope is Alana's dangerous escape plan. But even if it succeeds, he'll still have to survive a merciless manhunt through the harsh wilderness of the Big Island.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.
My Review: Quite a lot of Goodreads reviews sang five-star epithalamiums at this book. I was not enamored in that high a degree. I was entertained, and enjoyed this sequel to a book I wrote a one-word note about: "Okay." With the best will in the world, I can't do diddly with that.
This story intrigued me because I'm deeply interested in PTSD. I thought there'd be more about it than there was, but it really wouldn't exist as a story without it, so it's actually hugely present...just not explicitly all the time. I'm not sure modern psychology agrees that it's possible to do what's done here, but honestly just didn't care. Hawaii is a great setting for this dark little entertainment.
Open Road Media charges $9.99 for a Kindlebook.
The Publisher Says: A WWII vet finds himself trapped inside a sinister military experiment in this historical thriller based on true events and sequel to Under False Flags.
Hawaii, 1948. In World War II, Wendell Lett was considered a hero before he became a deserter. Now he's looking for a cure for his severe combat trauma, and The Preserve seems to be his salvation. Run by military intelligence, the secretive training camp promises relief from the terrors in his mind. Together with tough-minded Hawaiian Kanani Alana, who's also looking for a new start at The Preserve, Lett begins to feel hopeful.
But soon Lett discovers the chilling, true purpose of his treatment. The Preserve intends to rebuild him into a cold-blooded assassin-whether he's willing to cooperate or not. His only hope is Alana's dangerous escape plan. But even if it succeeds, he'll still have to survive a merciless manhunt through the harsh wilderness of the Big Island.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.
My Review: Quite a lot of Goodreads reviews sang five-star epithalamiums at this book. I was not enamored in that high a degree. I was entertained, and enjoyed this sequel to a book I wrote a one-word note about: "Okay." With the best will in the world, I can't do diddly with that.
This story intrigued me because I'm deeply interested in PTSD. I thought there'd be more about it than there was, but it really wouldn't exist as a story without it, so it's actually hugely present...just not explicitly all the time. I'm not sure modern psychology agrees that it's possible to do what's done here, but honestly just didn't care. Hawaii is a great setting for this dark little entertainment.
Open Road Media charges $9.99 for a Kindlebook.
October 6, 2020
I won this book on Goodreads. It's a historical fiction based right after WWII. I honestly wasn't the biggest fan.
The story almost felt forced and disjointed. The two main characters are way too trusting of each other having only met a day before the go to this place called "The Preserve." One is a former war vet with severe PTSD and the other is a former "boogie" house girl. Typically people from those backgrounds are not going to trust anyone.
Now the story aspect was definitely very interesting and the characters had a lot of realness to them. I think it just could have been better laid out and the characters more developed.
Since I always mention this, there definitely was quite a bit of cussing. But it is a military based book with some messed up characters. I honestly think it would feel even more unrealistic had there not been any.
If you really like reading historical war fiction then you might like this book. Also, if you like conspiracy theories.
The story almost felt forced and disjointed. The two main characters are way too trusting of each other having only met a day before the go to this place called "The Preserve." One is a former war vet with severe PTSD and the other is a former "boogie" house girl. Typically people from those backgrounds are not going to trust anyone.
Now the story aspect was definitely very interesting and the characters had a lot of realness to them. I think it just could have been better laid out and the characters more developed.
Since I always mention this, there definitely was quite a bit of cussing. But it is a military based book with some messed up characters. I honestly think it would feel even more unrealistic had there not been any.
If you really like reading historical war fiction then you might like this book. Also, if you like conspiracy theories.
March 9, 2021
This book made no sense to me. The dialogue between the main characters is practically incoherent, and does nothing to drive the plot forward. I wonder if the readers who rated it highly were reading some kind of Cliff notes version of the book I was reading, because it really made no sense to me.
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