Operation Lila

by Marvin H. Albert

With the Gestapo and SS at his heels, British agent Jonas Ruyter must convince a skeptical French admiralty that Hitler plans to intercept and sieze--intact--the French fleet at Toulon

Genres: Historical Fiction

316 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Also wrote under the names Mike Barone, Albert Conroy, Ian MacAlister, Nick Quarry, Anthony Rome, Al Conroy, Marvin Albert

"Marvin H. Albert, the author of more than 100 westerns, mysteries, spy novels and works of history, died on March 24 in Menton, in the south of France. He was 73 and lived in Mont Segur-sur-Lauzon.

The cause was a heart attack, said his daughter, Jan.

Mr. Albert was born in Philadelphia and served as a radio officer in the Merchant Marine during World War II. After working as the director of a children's theater troupe in Philadelphia, he moved to New York in 1950 and began writing and editing for the magazines Quick and Look. He turned to writing full time after the success of his novel "The Law and Jake Wade" (1956).

In addition to popular westerns, mysteries and novelizations of Hollywood films, he wrote "The Long White Road," a biography of the Arctic explorer Ernest Shackleton, "Broadsides and Boarders," a history of great sea captains, and "The Divorce," about Henry VIII. He wrote novels under his own name and under the pseudonyms Albert Conroy, Al Conroy, Nick Quarry, Anthony Rome, Ian MacAlister and J. D. Christilian."

By WILLIAM GRIMES

Reviews

[Jeff Crosby · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the early 1970s, Frederick Fortyth's Day of the Jackal changed fiction thrillers. Based around historical facts--with a known outcome, the novel was still able to generate suspense from the unfolding story. Other writers followed this pattern--including Jack Higgins, who finally reached best seller status with the Eagle Has Landed.

This novel falls into this same category. Albert was a journeyman writer of thrillers and westerns between the 50s and the 80s. Operation Lila is one of his better books. The historical setting--the scuttling of the French fleet in World War II--provices a unique background. Albert's attention to detail, and the pacing of the story are very strong. The resolution is perhaps a little too neat, but I genuinely enjoyed this little known espionage novel. It was well worth my time.

[Tori]

I love historical fiction. I also love spy novels. The intrigue and suspense was very well done. Jonas was a character you could root for and understand because he was a tragic character in a way. Nicole was a badass and very feisty. Definitely recommend.