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December '41: A World War II Thriller
From New York Times bestselling author William Martin comes a WWII thriller as intense as The Day of the Jackal and as gripping as The Eye of the Needle . In December '41 , Martin takes us on the ultimate manhunt, a desperate chase from Los Angeles to Washington, D. C., in the first weeks of the Second World War.
On the day after Pearl Harbor, shocked Americans gather around their radios to hear Franklin Roosevelt declare war. In Los Angeles, a German agent named Martin Browning is planning to kill FDR on the night he lights the National Christmas Tree. Who will stop him? Relentless FBI Agent Frank Carter? Kevin Cusack, a Hollywood script reader who also spies on the German Bund of Los Angeles, and becomes a suspect himself? Or Vivian Hopewell, the aspiring actress who signs on to play Martin Browning's wife and cannot help but fall in love with him?
The clock is ticking. The tracks are laid. The train of narrow escapes, mistaken identities, and shocking deaths is right on schedule. It's a thrilling ride that will sweep you from the back lots of Hollywood to the speeding Super Chief to that solemn Christmas Eve, when twenty thousand people gather on the South Lawn of the White House and the lives of Franklin Roosevelt and his surprise guest, Winston Churchill, hang in the balance.
“A remarkable story that will keep you reading late into the night.”
―Catherine Coulter, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Vortex
“Instantly cinematic and endlessly entertaining, December '41 is an absolute page turner.”
―Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author of Her Perfect Life
On the day after Pearl Harbor, shocked Americans gather around their radios to hear Franklin Roosevelt declare war. In Los Angeles, a German agent named Martin Browning is planning to kill FDR on the night he lights the National Christmas Tree. Who will stop him? Relentless FBI Agent Frank Carter? Kevin Cusack, a Hollywood script reader who also spies on the German Bund of Los Angeles, and becomes a suspect himself? Or Vivian Hopewell, the aspiring actress who signs on to play Martin Browning's wife and cannot help but fall in love with him?
The clock is ticking. The tracks are laid. The train of narrow escapes, mistaken identities, and shocking deaths is right on schedule. It's a thrilling ride that will sweep you from the back lots of Hollywood to the speeding Super Chief to that solemn Christmas Eve, when twenty thousand people gather on the South Lawn of the White House and the lives of Franklin Roosevelt and his surprise guest, Winston Churchill, hang in the balance.
“A remarkable story that will keep you reading late into the night.”
―Catherine Coulter, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Vortex
“Instantly cinematic and endlessly entertaining, December '41 is an absolute page turner.”
―Hank Phillippi Ryan, USA Today bestselling author of Her Perfect Life
304 pages, Hardcover
First published June 7, 2022
141 people are currently reading
4635 people want to read
About the author
William Martin
371 books393 followersMeet 'the king of the historical thriller' (Providence Journal). William Martin is a New York Times bestselling author of twelve novels, an award-winning PBS documentary, book reviews, magazine articles, and a cult classic horror movie, too. He is best known for his historical fiction, which has chronicled the lives of the great and the anonymous in American history while bringing to life legendary American locations, from Cape Cod to the Sierra foothills during the California Gold Rush. His latest, December '41, sweeps us across America in the weeks after Pearl Harbor and has been hailed as "propulsive," "cinematic,' and "riveting" by critics. He was the recipient of the prestigious 2005 New England Book Award, given to "an author whose body of work stands as a significant contribution to the culture of the region." And in 2015, the USS CONSTITUTION Museum gave him the Samuel Eliot Morison Award. He has three grown children and lives near Boston with his wife.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
October 16, 2022
Fictional account of from December 6, 1941 around Nazi spies. 80 years later, violence and not too far off from some people and groups in the U.S. today. 7 of 10 stars
November 27, 2022
I received this from a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
It initially took me a while to sort through the characters but once I did the story was an exciting cat and mouse chase across America. A sinister, charming villain, a beautiful damsel in distress, a clever FBI agent and a myriad of ordinary citizens stepping up in extraordinary ways lead to a fast paced thriller that kept me engrossed to the very end.
It initially took me a while to sort through the characters but once I did the story was an exciting cat and mouse chase across America. A sinister, charming villain, a beautiful damsel in distress, a clever FBI agent and a myriad of ordinary citizens stepping up in extraordinary ways lead to a fast paced thriller that kept me engrossed to the very end.
March 23, 2022
Excellent thriller. All the players converge in Washington on Christmas Eve with opposing goals in mind. Some to kill the President and some to prevent it.
June 15, 2022
“At no moment in history was it ever more certain that war was the original human fact. But for every death there was a story.” Author William Martin is here to tell those stories.
December ‘41 is Martin’s 2022 telling of wartime 1941. While Martin is known for his Peter Fallon series of novels, this is not one of them. As such, you do not require a familiarity with past books (though I do recommend them as well).
If World War II isn’t your thing (it’s not mine), fear not. The setting of this book is indeed wartime USA, and it encompasses the larger “grand scheme” plot. However, do not balk at the idea. December ‘41 tells deep, personal tales of people on a micro scale. Adventure, murder, criminals on the run, romance, intrigue and raw human emotion are only a few reasons to pick this one up despite the title. It is entertaining from cover to cover.
True to form, Martin offers the uncanny ability to pluck your mind and place it into his fictional story, crafted around real events. One could get lost in his detail and description, oftentimes placing themselves alongside the character or situation. December ‘41 is a great way to spend time decompressing from the stress and pressure of a long day or week. The change of characters and pace throughout December ‘41 is refreshing, but pay close attention because the main character changes his name five times as he goes about his nefarious business. As mentioned prior, Martin’s attention to detail and description helps to place the reader in the book. When you buy this book, you do not get shortchanged on quality writing.
If you are looking to get lost for awhile in a well written and detailed historically fictional mystery, this is exactly what you need. Those who enjoy studying WWII will appreciate December ‘41 as much as those who don’t. I would certainly recommend this book to both. Martin has a very unique writing style that pulls you in with detail, suspense, and high quality writing. Set aside a little bit of your 2022 for some December ‘41.
December ‘41 is Martin’s 2022 telling of wartime 1941. While Martin is known for his Peter Fallon series of novels, this is not one of them. As such, you do not require a familiarity with past books (though I do recommend them as well).
If World War II isn’t your thing (it’s not mine), fear not. The setting of this book is indeed wartime USA, and it encompasses the larger “grand scheme” plot. However, do not balk at the idea. December ‘41 tells deep, personal tales of people on a micro scale. Adventure, murder, criminals on the run, romance, intrigue and raw human emotion are only a few reasons to pick this one up despite the title. It is entertaining from cover to cover.
True to form, Martin offers the uncanny ability to pluck your mind and place it into his fictional story, crafted around real events. One could get lost in his detail and description, oftentimes placing themselves alongside the character or situation. December ‘41 is a great way to spend time decompressing from the stress and pressure of a long day or week. The change of characters and pace throughout December ‘41 is refreshing, but pay close attention because the main character changes his name five times as he goes about his nefarious business. As mentioned prior, Martin’s attention to detail and description helps to place the reader in the book. When you buy this book, you do not get shortchanged on quality writing.
If you are looking to get lost for awhile in a well written and detailed historically fictional mystery, this is exactly what you need. Those who enjoy studying WWII will appreciate December ‘41 as much as those who don’t. I would certainly recommend this book to both. Martin has a very unique writing style that pulls you in with detail, suspense, and high quality writing. Set aside a little bit of your 2022 for some December ‘41.
August 7, 2023
Talk about gaps in time between books. The last book I read by WILLIAM MARTIN was back in the 1980s. It was his first book entitled BACK BAY, a historical mystery set around Boston covering history from the time of Paul Revere to the present day. Why is there such a long gap? Too many good books by too many good writers is my best explanation.
While looking for a book to read recently, I discovered DECEMBER ’41, which was published in 2022. Reviewers have called Mr. Martin the “master of historical mysteries” which is a favorite genre of mine. The story begins in Los Angeles, California the day after the Japanese sneak attack (December 7, 1941) on the United States at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Kevin Cusack is a script “reader” at Warner Brothers Movie Company in Hollywood. His world and everybody else’s has been turned upside by the attack. He had just finished reading a script called Everybody Comes to Rick’s, set in Casablanca, Morocco. He wants to let the powers at Warner Brothers know they should produce the movie. Kevin was originally from Boston, Massachusetts on the east coast with one Irish grandfather and one Jewish grandfather. Kevin has infiltrated the pro German Bund in Los Angeles as an agent for the Los Angeles Jewish Community Committee (LAJCC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.).
Sally Drake is his on again off again girlfriend who also works at Warner Brothers. Sally was originally from the East Coast as well. Several chapters into the story, they agree to share a compartment on the Super Chief (luxury train from Los Angeles to Chicago) as brother and sister in order to be in the nation’s capital for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree on the grounds of the White House, residence of American Presidents for 150 years (in 1941).
Martin Browning is the villain of the story. He is a German-American Nazi assassin. Browning is a sleeper agent, activated when the U.S. and Germany go to war. His task is to eliminate (with extreme prejudice) Franklin Roosevelt the U.S. President. The target date is Christmas Eve at the activation of the National Christmas Tree by President Roosevelt. At the start of the story, he is working as a salesman at an upscale men’s clothing store in Burbank, California. He is also collecting intelligence from his customers, some of whom are employees of companies producing military equipment. He meets and recruits would be actress Vivian Hopewell to act as his wife. He tells her that he is a seed sales rep and has to go to Washington D.C. to meet with the Department of Agriculture. They also board the same Super Chief.
Frank Clark is an F.B.I. agent and Kevin’s contact there. He has been protecting Cusack from an overeager Los Angeles police officer who keeps trying to arrest Cusack as a Nazi sympathizer. After a series of murders, and a raid on the Deutsches Haus, headquarters for Nazis in Los Angeles, Kevin becomes the prime suspect for the L.A. police. Agent Clark wants to keep Cusack loose as the F.B.I. tracks down the real culprit(s). That is why Kevin has to leave town on the Super Chief. Murder follows Cusack on the train. He is being called “the Nazi Killer” in the press.
There are many moving parts to this story. Action scenes, romantic scenes, chase scenes galore. The author puts the reader into the U.S. in December 1941. If you like history with your mystery, read this book. If you like character driven stories, read this book. If you like a good story well told, read this book. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
GO! BUY! READ! NOW!
While looking for a book to read recently, I discovered DECEMBER ’41, which was published in 2022. Reviewers have called Mr. Martin the “master of historical mysteries” which is a favorite genre of mine. The story begins in Los Angeles, California the day after the Japanese sneak attack (December 7, 1941) on the United States at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Kevin Cusack is a script “reader” at Warner Brothers Movie Company in Hollywood. His world and everybody else’s has been turned upside by the attack. He had just finished reading a script called Everybody Comes to Rick’s, set in Casablanca, Morocco. He wants to let the powers at Warner Brothers know they should produce the movie. Kevin was originally from Boston, Massachusetts on the east coast with one Irish grandfather and one Jewish grandfather. Kevin has infiltrated the pro German Bund in Los Angeles as an agent for the Los Angeles Jewish Community Committee (LAJCC) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.).
Sally Drake is his on again off again girlfriend who also works at Warner Brothers. Sally was originally from the East Coast as well. Several chapters into the story, they agree to share a compartment on the Super Chief (luxury train from Los Angeles to Chicago) as brother and sister in order to be in the nation’s capital for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree on the grounds of the White House, residence of American Presidents for 150 years (in 1941).
Martin Browning is the villain of the story. He is a German-American Nazi assassin. Browning is a sleeper agent, activated when the U.S. and Germany go to war. His task is to eliminate (with extreme prejudice) Franklin Roosevelt the U.S. President. The target date is Christmas Eve at the activation of the National Christmas Tree by President Roosevelt. At the start of the story, he is working as a salesman at an upscale men’s clothing store in Burbank, California. He is also collecting intelligence from his customers, some of whom are employees of companies producing military equipment. He meets and recruits would be actress Vivian Hopewell to act as his wife. He tells her that he is a seed sales rep and has to go to Washington D.C. to meet with the Department of Agriculture. They also board the same Super Chief.
Frank Clark is an F.B.I. agent and Kevin’s contact there. He has been protecting Cusack from an overeager Los Angeles police officer who keeps trying to arrest Cusack as a Nazi sympathizer. After a series of murders, and a raid on the Deutsches Haus, headquarters for Nazis in Los Angeles, Kevin becomes the prime suspect for the L.A. police. Agent Clark wants to keep Cusack loose as the F.B.I. tracks down the real culprit(s). That is why Kevin has to leave town on the Super Chief. Murder follows Cusack on the train. He is being called “the Nazi Killer” in the press.
There are many moving parts to this story. Action scenes, romantic scenes, chase scenes galore. The author puts the reader into the U.S. in December 1941. If you like history with your mystery, read this book. If you like character driven stories, read this book. If you like a good story well told, read this book. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
GO! BUY! READ! NOW!
July 22, 2022
This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I thought that this book was very well done. This is the first time that I have read any of this author’s work and I was quite impressed. I will admit that it took me a very long time to read this book but that is a me issue, not a book issue. I found this tightly plotted book to be an entertaining look at a pivotal time in our nation’s history.
It did take some time for this book to completely grab me. The story is told from quite a few different points of view and I needed to read enough of the story to really get a feel for all of the key characters before I was completely invested. Once I got to know all of the key players, this book became quite the page-turner for me. The book opens on the day that Pearl Harbor was attacked and ends during Christmas of that same year. The story is far-reaching taking the reader from Hollywood to Washington, D.C. with a lot of excitement along the way.
I really liked the fact that the book was able to let the reader see things from the points of view of those trying to stop the crime, those hoping to commit the crime, and those trying to clear their name. Having all of these events happen against a backdrop of real historical events added a lot to the story. The story was violent at times and there were quite a few surprises in the story. I would recommend this book to fans of historical thrillers and hope to read more of this author’s work in the future.
I received a review copy of this book from Forge Books.
I thought that this book was very well done. This is the first time that I have read any of this author’s work and I was quite impressed. I will admit that it took me a very long time to read this book but that is a me issue, not a book issue. I found this tightly plotted book to be an entertaining look at a pivotal time in our nation’s history.
It did take some time for this book to completely grab me. The story is told from quite a few different points of view and I needed to read enough of the story to really get a feel for all of the key characters before I was completely invested. Once I got to know all of the key players, this book became quite the page-turner for me. The book opens on the day that Pearl Harbor was attacked and ends during Christmas of that same year. The story is far-reaching taking the reader from Hollywood to Washington, D.C. with a lot of excitement along the way.
I really liked the fact that the book was able to let the reader see things from the points of view of those trying to stop the crime, those hoping to commit the crime, and those trying to clear their name. Having all of these events happen against a backdrop of real historical events added a lot to the story. The story was violent at times and there were quite a few surprises in the story. I would recommend this book to fans of historical thrillers and hope to read more of this author’s work in the future.
I received a review copy of this book from Forge Books.
July 3, 2022
“Yesterday, December 7, 1941 --- a date which will live in infamy --- the Unites States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”
The morning of December 8th, Americans are glued to their radios as President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers the shocking news. In the confusion that ensues, plans are made. Some are thrown together, but for one man, a well-laid plan is set in motion after a long wait. German agent Martin Browning has been training for this day, much of it taking place up on one of the canyons in the hills around Los Angeles. Now he prepares to leave for the last time. He has until Christmas Eve to fulfill his mission.
Meanwhile, a young story reader named Kevin Cusack puts down Everybody Comes to Rick’s, a play he believes might become a mega hit, and listens to the news. He decides that this will be the last recommendation he makes. His Hollywood dreams aren’t working out. He wants to go home for Christmas, so when his friend Sally offers to hitch him a ride with her on the Super Chief, he jumps at the chance. He doesn’t just want to go home; he also wants Sally.
Aspiring starlet Vivian Hopewell has come to a similar conclusion about Hollywood. The movie business can chew you up and spit you out like a mouth full of tobacco. She’s tired and disillusioned. But before she can formulate an escape, she finds herself in over her head with a distasteful associate who decides that under no circumstances is she backing out of a gig he had set up for her. In a stroke of luck --- good or bad is yet to be determined --- Martin sweeps in and saves Vivian. Of course, she’s relieved and thankful, but she’s no stranger to the quid pro quo workings of Hollywood. So what’s his angle?
Martin suggests that Vivian pose as his wife --- in name only --- on the Super Chief as it carries them across the nation, in fine style, to Washington, D.C. After a little thought, she says yes. It seems like an easy way to ditch Hollywood and get home for Christmas. But Martin may not be the best bet for her. The man has more names --- not to mention IDs and stories --- than a guy who claims to be a seed rep should be carrying. And what she doesn’t know is that he’s leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. With all of that behind him, what’s in front of him?
Naturally, with war freshly broken out, everyone is on high alert, including a porter on the train named Stanley, who pays attention to detail. So who will play the biggest part in the Christmas Eve endgame? FDR stubbornly refuses to forgo lighting the Christmas tree, and he has a surprise visitor: Winston Churchill. For enemies of the US --- and Great Britain --- that’s a bonus. Who can stop this catastrophic train wreck from happening?
Author William Martin simply knows how to write. And he knows how to write a smash-up story with atmospheric touches so authentic you’ll forget you’re in the 21st century. The subject matter here is deadly serious, but the characters who make cameo appearances --- big names from show biz in the 1940s --- liven up the novel and make you feel like a Hollywood insider. DECEMBER ’41 is packed with history, thrills, chills and clever plot twists. So sit down, stretch out, open the book and fall inside this wonderful adventure.
Reviewed by Kate Ayers
The morning of December 8th, Americans are glued to their radios as President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers the shocking news. In the confusion that ensues, plans are made. Some are thrown together, but for one man, a well-laid plan is set in motion after a long wait. German agent Martin Browning has been training for this day, much of it taking place up on one of the canyons in the hills around Los Angeles. Now he prepares to leave for the last time. He has until Christmas Eve to fulfill his mission.
Meanwhile, a young story reader named Kevin Cusack puts down Everybody Comes to Rick’s, a play he believes might become a mega hit, and listens to the news. He decides that this will be the last recommendation he makes. His Hollywood dreams aren’t working out. He wants to go home for Christmas, so when his friend Sally offers to hitch him a ride with her on the Super Chief, he jumps at the chance. He doesn’t just want to go home; he also wants Sally.
Aspiring starlet Vivian Hopewell has come to a similar conclusion about Hollywood. The movie business can chew you up and spit you out like a mouth full of tobacco. She’s tired and disillusioned. But before she can formulate an escape, she finds herself in over her head with a distasteful associate who decides that under no circumstances is she backing out of a gig he had set up for her. In a stroke of luck --- good or bad is yet to be determined --- Martin sweeps in and saves Vivian. Of course, she’s relieved and thankful, but she’s no stranger to the quid pro quo workings of Hollywood. So what’s his angle?
Martin suggests that Vivian pose as his wife --- in name only --- on the Super Chief as it carries them across the nation, in fine style, to Washington, D.C. After a little thought, she says yes. It seems like an easy way to ditch Hollywood and get home for Christmas. But Martin may not be the best bet for her. The man has more names --- not to mention IDs and stories --- than a guy who claims to be a seed rep should be carrying. And what she doesn’t know is that he’s leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. With all of that behind him, what’s in front of him?
Naturally, with war freshly broken out, everyone is on high alert, including a porter on the train named Stanley, who pays attention to detail. So who will play the biggest part in the Christmas Eve endgame? FDR stubbornly refuses to forgo lighting the Christmas tree, and he has a surprise visitor: Winston Churchill. For enemies of the US --- and Great Britain --- that’s a bonus. Who can stop this catastrophic train wreck from happening?
Author William Martin simply knows how to write. And he knows how to write a smash-up story with atmospheric touches so authentic you’ll forget you’re in the 21st century. The subject matter here is deadly serious, but the characters who make cameo appearances --- big names from show biz in the 1940s --- liven up the novel and make you feel like a Hollywood insider. DECEMBER ’41 is packed with history, thrills, chills and clever plot twists. So sit down, stretch out, open the book and fall inside this wonderful adventure.
Reviewed by Kate Ayers
Read
July 12, 2022An excellent, fast-paced WWII thriller. Great attention to period detail and a complicated plot. Harkens back to the days of classic spy novels I grew up reading. Highly recommended!
June 11, 2022
Today, I have a guest reviewer for you. My husband Paul read the book, and then he and I discussed it. Here are some of his thoughts.
𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕚𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕒𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥:
This story occurs right after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, as the U.S. goes to war. Spanning from December 8th to December 26th, it follows Martin Browning, a German agent living in America who plans to assassinate President FDR when he lights the Holiday tree. Martin must travel from L.A. to Washington D.C., and as he travels on the Super Chief train, some hope to thwart his plan.
ℍ𝕠𝕨 𝕕𝕚𝕕 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕣��𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤:
Martin was an interesting character and well-developed. His big problem was he fell for the girl (my husband, ever the romantic).
But with some other characters, you didn’t get much background or depth.
𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥’𝕤 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓���𝕠𝕜:
The pacing is steady and even. I’d say this is more plot-driven because it is rooted in some historical facts with a mix of “what ifs.” Also, there is the main objective, with the days counting down to the assassination. There is suspense throughout and even one twist I didn’t expect. Overall, a fascinating read and great for fellow history fans.
👍 There you have it, friends; 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 ‘𝟒𝟏 got the thumbs up from the hubby, and it’s getting great ratings on Goodreads too. If you love historical thrillers and suspense, grab this one today!
Thank you @forgereads for this gifted copy.
𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕚𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕒𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥:
This story occurs right after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, as the U.S. goes to war. Spanning from December 8th to December 26th, it follows Martin Browning, a German agent living in America who plans to assassinate President FDR when he lights the Holiday tree. Martin must travel from L.A. to Washington D.C., and as he travels on the Super Chief train, some hope to thwart his plan.
ℍ𝕠𝕨 𝕕𝕚𝕕 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕝𝕚𝕜𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕙𝕒𝕣��𝕔𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕤:
Martin was an interesting character and well-developed. His big problem was he fell for the girl (my husband, ever the romantic).
But with some other characters, you didn’t get much background or depth.
𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥’𝕤 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕥𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕠𝕟 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕓���𝕠𝕜:
The pacing is steady and even. I’d say this is more plot-driven because it is rooted in some historical facts with a mix of “what ifs.” Also, there is the main objective, with the days counting down to the assassination. There is suspense throughout and even one twist I didn’t expect. Overall, a fascinating read and great for fellow history fans.
👍 There you have it, friends; 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 ‘𝟒𝟏 got the thumbs up from the hubby, and it’s getting great ratings on Goodreads too. If you love historical thrillers and suspense, grab this one today!
Thank you @forgereads for this gifted copy.
June 29, 2022
I love Bill's books, I've read all his novels. This was a departure of sorts.....I'm used to going back and forth in time in his historical fiction. I did love it, and as he promised, it is a page turner!
Interesting that it started in L.A., I was born in Pasadena 10 years later! I enjoyed all the film references. I'm wondering who Bill likened Stanley to, he was my favorite character. I didn't care for Vivian at all, didn't care what happened to her.
Should you have an opportunity to do so, go hear Bill speak when he does a book tour. He does a tremendous amount of research and you go into the book knowing more about the back story, and the characters taken from real life.
Interesting that it started in L.A., I was born in Pasadena 10 years later! I enjoyed all the film references. I'm wondering who Bill likened Stanley to, he was my favorite character. I didn't care for Vivian at all, didn't care what happened to her.
Should you have an opportunity to do so, go hear Bill speak when he does a book tour. He does a tremendous amount of research and you go into the book knowing more about the back story, and the characters taken from real life.
April 13, 2022
William Martin writes with a clear eye for true historical background and a genius for storytelling. "December '41" gets its grip on you and you cannot put it down. It reads like a 1940's black and white suspense movie. Every scene, every bit of tension plays out in your mind's eye as you get deeper and deeper into the story. Nazis, spies, blonde bombshells, Hollywood, this book is a must read for anyone who loves the perfect combination of truth and fiction.
Read
July 12, 2022Ok, clear your calendar and start reading early in the morning because you won’t want to put this book down. Full of suspense, heroism, love, hate, and non stop adventure. Highly recommend.
February 25, 2023
A textbook perfect espionage thriller...in December 1941 a German assassin is on his way to Washington DC to kill President Roosevelt and only one man has seen him, a man who gets framed for the assassin's dirty deeds. One of the best books I've read in a long time!
June 5, 2022
“December ‘41” by William Martin. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: Historical Thriller. Location: Los Angeles, California to Washington DC, USA. Time: December 8-26, 1941.
A fast-paced thriller set during World War II, this book centers on a plot by German agent Martin Browning to shoot President Franklin Roosevelt at the White House Christmas tree lighting. Working undercover in Los Angeles, Browning has a mild manner, many identities, and expert marksmanship skills. In other words, the perfect professional assassin-except people notice him because he resembles movie star Leslie Howard.
After murdering some who learned too much, Browning heads East on the Super Chief train, accompanied by failed starlet Vivian Hopewell posing as his wife. As the trip continues, Browning finds himself torn between his mission and his growing feelings for Hopewell. But that doesn’t stop him doing what is needed to support the Reich.
Told in the present with flashbacks and several points of view, this book can be appreciated by WWII history buffs, and by those who are fans of fast-paced fiction. There are references to 1940s movies, screenplays, and songs, and run-ins with Hollywood stars like Humphrey Bogart and John Wayne. There are Nazis safe houses, FBI agents stymied by local cops, and innocent people caught up in the plot. It’s full of tension as the days count down and Browning’s pursuers close in, and it’s 5 stars from me🌵📚💁🏼♀️.”
Thank you to Forge Books at MacMillian USA and Jennifer.mcclelland-smith for this early copy.
Publishes June 7, 2022
A fast-paced thriller set during World War II, this book centers on a plot by German agent Martin Browning to shoot President Franklin Roosevelt at the White House Christmas tree lighting. Working undercover in Los Angeles, Browning has a mild manner, many identities, and expert marksmanship skills. In other words, the perfect professional assassin-except people notice him because he resembles movie star Leslie Howard.
After murdering some who learned too much, Browning heads East on the Super Chief train, accompanied by failed starlet Vivian Hopewell posing as his wife. As the trip continues, Browning finds himself torn between his mission and his growing feelings for Hopewell. But that doesn’t stop him doing what is needed to support the Reich.
Told in the present with flashbacks and several points of view, this book can be appreciated by WWII history buffs, and by those who are fans of fast-paced fiction. There are references to 1940s movies, screenplays, and songs, and run-ins with Hollywood stars like Humphrey Bogart and John Wayne. There are Nazis safe houses, FBI agents stymied by local cops, and innocent people caught up in the plot. It’s full of tension as the days count down and Browning’s pursuers close in, and it’s 5 stars from me🌵📚💁🏼♀️.”
Thank you to Forge Books at MacMillian USA and Jennifer.mcclelland-smith for this early copy.
Publishes June 7, 2022
July 22, 2022
With an absence of thrills and an overabundance of characters (or many of the same characters constantly changing names) the book falls short of its promise. The stereotyped descriptions and characters and errors (e.g. (...with American precision" describing a British Bentley) reflects poor editing.
October 7, 2022
What a fantastic book! I have read many of Mr. Martin's books over the years and count him among my favorite authors. This book however stands out, mainly due to its unusual approach. It is not your typical WWII story!
October 24, 2022
Amazingly, I had never previously read anything by William Martin, despite his stellar reputation and two novels whose titles reference places near where I live — Cape Cod and Back Bay. This is a work of speculative historical fiction (is that a thing? I dunno, but it’s about a plot to assassinate FDR on the heels of the attack on Pearl Harbor, so it’s historical and speculative, so if the foo shits …) that, even though we know that the attack fails, still had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. The character of the assassin is particular fascinating, as he is a Nazi true believer who nonetheless kinda falls in love with a woman he recruits to accompany him under false pretenses. He’s ruthless and cunning, but his humanity also seems genuine at times. The other characters (an FBI guy in LA who smells a rat but is busy tracking down ethnic Germans and Japanese to arrest, a female PI, a Hollywood reader who’s decided to give up his dream and return home, a second female traveling companion) are all fully dimensional and compelling, despite the mechanics required to pull off a thriller with a complex plot. This is a different sort of thriller than one with many surprising twists — there are no big reveals, no plot devices that undercut what the author seemed to have been setting up, etc., as you’d find in a post Gone Girl thriller. It’s just a great story, populated by engaging and entertaining characters, told with precision and professionalism by someone who clearly knows what he’s doing. I’m compelled to go back into Martin’s catalog and read more — this novel was good enough to warrant further exploration!
Grade: A
Grade: A
May 22, 2022
Held my interest throughout
July 26, 2022
Great WW II mystery-spy-thriller, that takes you across the United States from Hollywood to Chicago to New York to Washington DC chasing Nazi spy’s. So well written you’ll forget you’re reading a work of fiction. Very well researched, rich characters, dialogue and setting. Lots of action, blood and murder - if this sounds like your type of novel you’ll love this one.
October 12, 2022
Martin’s twist with the plot, along with character development, kept my attention through the entire book. This book was read on my Kindle that I only read at the gym, while on the treadmill. Saying that to say I probably got more steps in while I had this book checked out.
May 6, 2022
Thank you for selecting me. I have enjoyed your book immensely. Recommend this book for anyone loving a good read! Karen
September 22, 2022
For a book that clocks in at just a smidge over 300 pages, “December ‘41” manages to pack a whole lot of story in. Believe me, I kind of can’t believe William Martin managed to pack that much story into that page count. I feel like I just ingested a whole lot more pages than I actually did. Maybe I should save intense WWII historical thrillers for earlier in the day?
I’m not complaining, not really. I’m actually thrilled that Martin packed all that story into 304 pages, because that means “December ‘41” is all substance and no air. There’s not an ounce of fat to trim off of this book. Once that 10% mark hits and all the chess pieces are on the board, the light turns green and it’s go go go go all the way until the checkered flag comes down (forgive my mixed metaphors). When our players aren’t moving they’re busy either playing a fretful game of spy vs spy or they’re stuck in a state of suspended animation, waiting for the next shoe to drop. It seems there are no good decisions to be had, only necessary ones, and the only thing anyone can truly trust is instinct.
I won’t lie: One of the reasons I like historical fiction of any sort is because I like to see what kind of research the author had to do to be as accurate as possible in their characterizations and worldbuilding. Martin has done a spectacular job of building fictional characters and possible scenarios based on existing knowledge and a little-known memoir of a former secret service agent that gave him the plot bunny for this book.
It was interesting and terrifying on its face for how possible it could have been in 1941. That’s truly what makes it work. That’s what makes it a thriller.
Thanks to NetGalley, MacMillan/Tor-Forge, and Forge Books for granting me early access to this title in exchange for a fair and honest review.
[NOTE: Edited on 09/22/2022 because the author pointed out I had called him "William Harris" instead of "William Martin" in the review, and while William Harris is a brilliant author, he definitely didn't write this book.]
I’m not complaining, not really. I’m actually thrilled that Martin packed all that story into 304 pages, because that means “December ‘41” is all substance and no air. There’s not an ounce of fat to trim off of this book. Once that 10% mark hits and all the chess pieces are on the board, the light turns green and it’s go go go go all the way until the checkered flag comes down (forgive my mixed metaphors). When our players aren’t moving they’re busy either playing a fretful game of spy vs spy or they’re stuck in a state of suspended animation, waiting for the next shoe to drop. It seems there are no good decisions to be had, only necessary ones, and the only thing anyone can truly trust is instinct.
I won’t lie: One of the reasons I like historical fiction of any sort is because I like to see what kind of research the author had to do to be as accurate as possible in their characterizations and worldbuilding. Martin has done a spectacular job of building fictional characters and possible scenarios based on existing knowledge and a little-known memoir of a former secret service agent that gave him the plot bunny for this book.
It was interesting and terrifying on its face for how possible it could have been in 1941. That’s truly what makes it work. That’s what makes it a thriller.
Thanks to NetGalley, MacMillan/Tor-Forge, and Forge Books for granting me early access to this title in exchange for a fair and honest review.
[NOTE: Edited on 09/22/2022 because the author pointed out I had called him "William Harris" instead of "William Martin" in the review, and while William Harris is a brilliant author, he definitely didn't write this book.]
May 5, 2022
I love a great thriller and this is one of them!!!! When it's a WWII thriller YES great combination!!! LOVED IT!!!!!!!
April 28, 2022
William Martin’s book, December '41, doesn’t disappoint at all. It is an interesting thriller that keeps you reading, never wanting to put the book down at any point in the book. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and now this book is at the top of my list of recommendations.
May 7, 2022
As the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, a group of Nazi sympathizers in Los Angeles begin mobilizing as Germany declares war on the United States. Amongst those sympathizers is a German assassin who plans to kill President Roosevelt at the tree lighting ceremony in Washington. December ‘41 reads like a 40’s black and white movie, as seemingly unrelated characters are introduced and richly developed, and the plot is interspersed with familiar movie stars sprinkled throughout the story, which all adds to the noir feel of the book. The tension builds and builds as the plot develops, as the assassin stays one step ahead of his pursuers. Thoroughly enjoyed this one, with great characters and an intriguing plot that keeps your interest. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 19, 2022
With the same deft pen used in some of my favorites “Annapolis,” “Rush for the Gold,” and “Back Bay,” NY Times bestselling author William Martin delivers incomparable research, adding to the richness of real-life figures of our past and imagined complex characters in another scintillating historical thriller, “December ’41.” Even the most astute readers will be caught off guard by the provocative plot twists, fast-paced prose, and intriguing insights of this powerful novel of a time when key leaders held the fate of the world in their hands.
Blurring the lines between fact and fiction, William Martin’s new release does not disappoint—and would easily translate well to the big screen! “December ’41” is not to be missed.
Blurring the lines between fact and fiction, William Martin’s new release does not disappoint—and would easily translate well to the big screen! “December ’41” is not to be missed.
August 19, 2022
This is the best book I've experienced thus far in 2022. Fast paced and and a captivating storyline. A nice switch from the police procedural/legal I usually read. I enjoyed the 1941 timeline. The book transported me to an era long before I was born.
I have always been interested in premium train travel and enjoyed the references to the Super Chief. Attending college in Washington D.C., I also enjoyed references to that metropolitan area.
This was the type of book I didn't want to end.
I have always been interested in premium train travel and enjoyed the references to the Super Chief. Attending college in Washington D.C., I also enjoyed references to that metropolitan area.
This was the type of book I didn't want to end.
August 15, 2022
I have never read a book by this author and I don’t usually read books with assassins, but I tried this one and found it amazing. Yes, there was a plot to kill Roosevelt, but the book was about the characters and what happened with them between December 8, 1941 and December 24, 1941. The book was written from different points of view, and especially from the killer who kept changing his identity but never his goal. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and even though I knew he failed, it was still riveting.
February 26, 2022
Using flashbacks, the present time, and multiple points of view, the author weaves a story of intrigue, murder, passion, betrayal, love and hatred entwined with good versus evil. His attention to historic details was so good that he enticed me to do my own research to see if such an attempt had actually been made on Roosevelt’s life. Read more about this exciting book on my blog: https://shouldireaditornot.wordpress....
September 2, 2022
December’41
It’s December 1941, right after the attack on Pearl Harbor. And there’s a very determined Nazi assassin headed toward Washington DC.
Really exciting and entertaining thriller.
It’s December 1941, right after the attack on Pearl Harbor. And there’s a very determined Nazi assassin headed toward Washington DC.
Really exciting and entertaining thriller.
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