WW II Spy Novels discussion
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Good evening from Durham in the UK. I'm very happy to join your group and will do my best to follow posts and, where appropriate, respond. The 'big four' WW2 spy fiction writers for me are Alan Furst, Allan Massie, Philip Kerr and David Downing. I have actually written a 1930s based spy story The Blue Pencil which features, amongst others Claud Cockburn and Klop Ustinov. It is available in paperback and as a 99p ebook. I don't intend to use this group as a forum to publicise my books but rather to find new authors and listen to other people's views on my favourite writers. The best WW2 spy story I've ever read is The Spies of the Balkans by Alan Furst. I look forward to hear what others think. Thank you for setting up this group.
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Hmmm...'Big Four' WWII spy fiction authors? I hadn't considered this kind of grouping in just that way. Maybe I should create a few threads of this sort... yes, I think I will! Thx
Thank you. One in four of the books I read (average 3 in every 2 weeks) is World War 2 fiction. I tend to follow this with any other fiction, then WW2 non-fiction then something else non-fiction.
HiThanks for the welcome, it’s good to be part of the group, my favourite World War 2 espionage writers are probably:
1. Ken Follett
2. Jack Higgins
3. Alan Furst
4. Robert Harris
But the list is endless. I’m also extremely interested in World War 1 fiction and currently finishing a novel set in that period. Is this group only specially about World War 2, or can you mention books set earlier?
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Cheers Felix that's good to know. I've just finished A Secret Battle by AP Herbert. It we'll worse a look, it's about a British Officer who gradually succumbs to shell shock during the First World War, after going through the Gallipoli Campaign and the horror of the Western Front.
My name is Cosmic. My interest is Breaking The Code To The Catcher In The Rye through movies and books written before 1951. I am especially interested in books/novels that were made into a movie. Example: movie: Man Hunt based on the book Male Rogue. If you know some of these I would appreciate being your friend so that you can recommend them to me as it is convenient. This is my discussion board
https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...
Hi Cosmic. I'm a big movie buff as well as an avid reader. I've never seen Man Hunt but have recently re read Rogue Male which I consider a classic. One of my all-time favourite writers is Alan Furst. His novel The Spies of Warsaw was made into a TV movie of the same name starring David Tennant. I's probably available on Amazon and is worth a look.
As a fan of Alistair MacLean since my first short story long before I began writing spy thriller novels, I was well aware of the virtues of World War II as a theatre in which to set a fiction spy thriller plot. 'The Guns of Navarone' is my second-favourite book ever. I also liked MacLean's other war novels, namely 'Where Eagles Dare'--my favourite book ever--'HMS Ulysses' and 'South by Java Head', not to admit that I only read MacLean novels. My very first novel manuscript was of a novel I last year self-published on Amazon, titled 'World by Storm', a tribute to the victims of the European Holocaust that is a wartime spy thriller. Arguably, this novel is the best emotive prose I have ever attained. Anyway, it's good to be a member of this lately uncurtained group of espionage and wartime fans.
Thanks. Just bought World by Storm. Not sure when I'll read it but I will and review it. I've never read Where Eagles Dare but I've seen the film many times. The novel is the book of the film I believe and, although I'm a great fan of the written word I don't believe that this tale could have been better told than on the big screen. "Broadsword calling Danny Boy."
That was very kind of you, David. After my positive/recommended Kirkus review for another of my books, 'In the State I'm in', I have been this week spreading the word about myself and my preference for Alistair MacLean-style writing. It's kind too that you will review my book. I am happy for any honest reviews of my work. 'Turnberry to Cherrybrook'--a quote from 'World by Storm' as the protagonist is trying to radio mission home base during an Allied air raid on a Nazi ship whose German sailors would shoot him on sight if once they found him radioing like that, even worse so insolently under an upturned paper-thin hulled lifeboat blatantly near the Kriegsmarine's symbolic might of the ship deck torpedo tubes...
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Feliks wrote: "Welcome!"Keep up the good work, Feliks. It's a great forum here.
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I admit I've been at a loss for new ideas lately, though. Feel like I should try to come up with some activity or something. Not sure how to proceed. Other groups where I'm a member, drive me effin crazy the way they dump stuff in my inbox every morning. I don't want to be that kind of cruise-director nag.
The main thing is I just think this group looks tidy and organized and 'self-respecting'. I can't stand some groups which don't even have a banner or a bookshelf!
Starting World by Storm today. Looking forward to it.
Greetings. I am new to Goodreads, but I certainly am liking what I see so far. I have devoured every John LeCarre and perhaps my favorite is A Perfect Spy. Have recently read many Alan Furst novels, and like that he too does not shy from the moral incongruities of war....whether Cold or hot. Anyway....I look forward to being a participant.
I really enjoyed A Perfect Spy as well although my favourite Le Carre is Absolute Friends. I didn't much to the film version of A Most Wanted Man. Alan Furst is brilliant but I should try David Downing's station novels starting with Zoo Station
David wrote: "Starting World by Storm today. Looking forward to it."Thank you, David. I hope you enjoy it. Any honest feedback on the book would be greatly appreciated, even if it sends the reader to sleep. I've discovered in writing books that one of the most important things from readers is their feedback, which, while many authors purport to be of service to readers, is doubtless a highly valued service to authors.
Hi - just joined your group.I'm a big fan of espionage especially the old-fashioned stuff 1930's - 1950's. Not so much the cold war. I have visions of it being a honourable and chivalrous period between spies (but I'm sure it was just as ruthless) back then. WW2 gives authors a great period from which to create noir plots, and of course the dastardly Nazi's are always on-hand to take the blame.
I've just recently completed writing my own book (a debut novel) in this genre.
Keep reading!
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I'm a bit slow with keeping up with boards like these - sorry - but I do find them interesting. Just noticed Graeme's book A Kill in the Morning so I'll buy that later in the day. Putlitz and Klop Ustinov appear in the my first novel The Blue Pencil, Klop in the second Two Families at War (about to be published) and Klop will play a major role in my still to be written third - Summer of Thirty Nine.
Whilst I agree with most that the golden age of spy fiction was either written in the 30s and 40s or set in that period, let's not forget John Le Carre's brilliant espionage thrillers. Perhaps he should tackle our era. Now wouldn't that be something!
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Good on ye mate
Hey, this is Mike from Philadelphia, PA. I'm retired from a business career and now spend most of my time doing volunteer work.I'm delighted to find this group. Some of my favorite authors are Alistair MacLean, Helen MacInnes and Jack Higgins. I'm hoping to be introduced to a number of new (for me) authors and stories.
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Ever visit the USS New Jersey stationed down there on the Delaware River?
Feliks wrote: "Howdy Mike. Pleased to have you aboard.Ever visit the USS New Jersey stationed down there on the Delaware River?"
I have not made it over to the USS New Jersey. (It's docked in Camden, NJ.) I have toured the USS Olympia (Admiral Dewey's flagship) and I've eaten several dinners on the Moshulu. (Both are docked at Penn's landing.)
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I started reading WWII fiction back in high school when I discovered Helen Macinnes and Herman Wouk. I've branched out since then, but I still read an amazing number of stories from this period. My father served in WWII, and I was born in 1944. Maybe that has something to do with it.
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'Krystal' just joined. A WWII spy fiction authoress with a new release
OP-DEC: Operation Deceit
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I've turned several Goodreaders on to him. Recommend him every opportunity which comes my way.
Beat back that scurvy Hun!
Good man, Don. Welcome--you too Cphe. Hullo to our neighbors down under.
Good evening. Not fiction I know but Peter Day's biography of Klop Ustinov is pretty good and provides some very useful material for aspiring WW2 espionage writers.COMING IN MAY The Lady from Zagreb by Philip Kerr
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Hi, all! I am the author of OP-DEC: Operation Deceit a WWII spy thriller (fiction obviously), a screenwriter, photographer and history lover. Great to be here and meet you all. :)
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K. wrote: "Hi, all! I am the author of OP-DEC: Operation Deceit a WWII spy thriller (fiction obviously), a screenwriter, photographer and history lover. Great to be here and meet you all. :)"
I recently put your book on my Amazon Wish List. Looks great! So glad to see an author here! :)
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Got to offer folks more choices than this paranormal romance obsession going on!
Feliks wrote: "We're going to start featuring authors more in this group, I assure you. Its good for the genre, good for readers, authors, for everybody. Got to offer folks more choices than this paranormal rom..."
Boy, that's the truth! I can't believe the vampire/undead phenomenon!
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Hello, I recently joined Goodreads and this group. I'm interested in WW2 fiction and non-fiction books, movies, and documentaries. I'm especially interested in WW2 France, espionage/spies/covert ops. generally, women's roles in the war, and related science/technology innovations/applications. I look forward to being part of this group.
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You would want to add this novel to your TBR list then, based on your above-mentioned interests:
Fall from Grace
Collins was part of the team that wrote the memorable
Is Paris Burning?
..as for films, you would want to look into (at least) this title by Jean-Pierre Melville:
'Army of Shadows'
Probably the best and most authentic tale with these themes.
Rosselini did the (cinema verite) 'Rome: Open City' which may be the more notable work, but it is not set in France.
a few US-made films of interest which deal either with the OSS or the French underground:
'13 Rue Madeleine' - with Jimmy Cagney (1947)
'Cloak and Dagger' - with Gary Cooper (1946)
'The House on 92nd Street' - with LLoyd Nolan (1945)
Feliks wrote: "Well, hello to you! Welcome aboard.You would want to add this novel to your TBR list then, based on your above-mentioned interests:
Fall from Grace
[bookcover:Fall from Grace|1402..."
Thanks for the welcome and the recommendations; those all look like ones I'd be interested in.
Hello, am axel ainglish, just wrote a review about Le Carré commenting what think about this author. Hope You will like it.
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:p
If you haven't already spotted it the new Bernie Gunther novel, The Lady from Zagreb, is already in UK bookshops. Just read The Red Eagles, an early David Downing before he hit the jackpot with his masterly 'station' series. This one's pretty good being based around a Soviet/Nazi plot to steal radio active material from the Americans. Good action sequences and lots of twists.
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She has written: The Spy Who Loved: The Secrets and Lives of Christine Granville
Now this is some respectable 'street cred' for us. Her book is widely admired, so I understand. A front-runner in WWII-nonfiction circles these days.
I became a WWII buff at the age of 15. It was reading about the 101st at Bastogne that convinced me I wanted to be a paratrooper. Of course by my lifetime the 101st was Airborne in name only, so I went 82nd when I came of age. Favorite war movie is still probably The Longest Day.I'm also an author. Haven't written any WWII fiction yet, though I have an idea for a few stories/novels I may pursue some day.
WW II Spy Novels
Books mentioned in this topic
Dezinformatsia: Active Measures in Soviet Strategy (other topics)The Ninth Man (other topics)
Operation Pastorius: Eight Nazi Spies Against America (other topics)
The Spy Who Loved: The Secrets and Lives of Christine Granville (other topics)
Fall from Grace (other topics)
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