The Berlin Assignment

by Adrian de Hoog

This story of discovery, romance, and intrigue is set in Berlin shortly after the fall of the Wall. Anthony Hanbury, a Canadian diplomat pursuing a desultory career, is assigned as consul to Berlin. Having lived in Berlin as a student during the sixties, he asks for this assignment twenty-five years later to renew contact both with the city ­ gripped by the tumultuous changes of German reunification ­ and with people he once knew. On the surface Hanbury's assignment unfolds routinely. Behind the scenes, however, his activities generate forces of suspicion. Only in the new Berlin ­ where the Wall is gone but East-West divisions continue, where the Cold War's remnants linger and a totalitarian regime's entrails are available for scavenging ­ could Hanbury's fate take the calamitous tu it does. Bracketing the story is Hanbury's previous boss, Irving Heywood, a man with a zest for Service gossip. In a position of influence at headquarters in Ottawa and piqued by the Berlin events, he unwillingly becomes an agent in the consul's mysterious downfall.

512 pages, trade paper

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Digitally Lit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devangana:
The novel takes place in post-Wall Berlin, where Canadian diplomat Anthony Hanbury assumes the position of consul. His efforts to reestablish contact with the city and those from his past are met with distrust due to his actions. Hanbury experiences an unexpected failure due to the divided nature of Berlin, the lasting effects of the Cold War, and opportunities for exploitation. Irving Heywood, his old employer, unintentionally gets embroiled in the consul's unexplained demise.

Hog’s writing style is captivating and traps you into the excitement and intensity of the story. The writing is descriptive yet fast paced, so the additional information doesn’t overpower the tension. Each chapter leaves you with more questions which somehow makes the story more interactive with the reader. As the narrative folds through it’s almost impossible to put the book down because of the additional layers of suspense.

The characters in "The Berlin Assignment" are nicely drawn, which is one of its merits. Hanbury is a likeable protagonist because of his need for connection and his pursuit of both personal and professional fulfilment. The supporting cast, which includes Irving Heywood, Hanbury's old boss, gives the story dimension and complexity. Heywood's reluctance to get Hanbury out of his jam gives the narrative an additional dimension of intrigue.

Historical fiction, mystery, and political intrigue all come together in "The Berlin Assignment" to create an exciting story. Readers are captivated by Adrian de Hoog's captivating narrative because of his rigorous study and attention to detail. This book will be an exciting and satisfying read for fans of suspenseful fiction set against the backdrop of key historical events.

Overall, this book was very interesting to read and I got more knowledge from reading this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and every sector of this book was very well written. This was a solid 4/5 and a very entertaining book to read.

[T.H.E. Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Canadian book, so it's hard to come by in the States, but worth the effort.