Review: A very good read - hard to stop after starting.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 22, 2012
Having read the first three Desmond Cory `Johnny Fedora' novels (not in the order published though) I have become quite an ardent fan of his and would recommend anyone that enjoys spy thriller novels to work their way through the 16 book series.This is another excellent spy thriller creation by the prolific and talented author, Desmond Cory. As with his first novel, Secret Ministry, it is master British spy Johnny Fedora to save the day for the good people from evil tyrants, and once again the main protagonist was of a German Nazi background. A reasonable enough backdrop for the era as this was published in 1952. The years following the 2nd World War remained uncertain for the average man in Europe and Desmond Cory captures the atmosphere of what are believable story lines from the period. Nazi's, on the loose fleeing across Europe, many of which had become active in espionage and spying.As usual with Desmond Cory novels you are slowly taken down a journey to its conclusion in dramatic fashion with twists and turns throughout. This time, The Nightingale, a deadly but attractive woman with vast wealth from stolen war treasures is intent on the resurgence of Nazi rule proves to be an elusive adversary for Johnny. This time the action takes place on the European mainland, in Paris. This was particularly pleasing for me having visited this wonderful city a few times and I like to let my imagination loose, trying to compare post World War II Paris, that the Nazi's occupied during the war, with the modern day cosmopolitan city.The portrayal of the characters is so good that I visualize them and their actions as you are reading as though you are actually watching the action from a safe distance. Thanks to this I find it incredibly difficult to stop reading or even `switching off' after I have finished reading for the day, so vivid is the impression I form.To sum up the writing, I would have to say is it captivating, thrilling and gripping from the start right up to the ending. If you are a recent convert to this genre of novel, as I am, this novel or any other in the series should become a must buy and I promise you will not be disappointed.