Review: Another Desmond Cory triumph!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 22, 2012
Having somewhat stumbled on the name Desmond Cory not too long ago I gained an appreciation for spy thriller novels and in a desperate scramble to catch up on the works of this superb writer I decided to track down his first creation, the one that gave birth to Johnny Fedora, a very likable British spy.The Secret Ministry, Cory's first masterpiece in a long succession of a spy thriller series, published in 1951, is where I began my quest to work my way through his works. Hoping that I had read a later `Johnny Fedora' novel would not perhaps in some way spoil my enjoyment, I slowly and a little cautiously began flicking my way through. Any apprehensions I had were soon to evaporate as page after page was consumed every eagerly.As with the first of Cory's novels that I read, Dead Man Falling, Secret Ministry is set in the period following World War II and once again Johnny is faced with Nazi no-good activities. Continuing a murdering campaign in England that was not going un-noticed and needed to be stopped for good - step in Johnny Fedora.I found the pace at which the story was told, plots and sub-plots developed were consistent with my previous experience, adding to my pleasure. The early stages of the story begin quite slowly but it all comes together a little later. A little patience may be required for some people but that virtue is well rewarded. Although there was frequently an element of guessing what was coming next it did not become too taxing (I have a lively and active imagination), and what came next was surprising for me several times, serving to add to the suspense, entertainment and enjoyment of reading.Desmond Cory successfully combines intrigue, suspense and humour and has a creative flare in the descriptions of current story environments and I am really beginning to have some serious admiration for this highly talented author and perhaps it should come as no surprise he had some 16 novels in the Johnny Fedora series over a period of 20 years.I gauge my pleasure of a novel by how long I can sit down and just read. A novel that is capable of holding my attention for more than one hour without a break gets a big `thumbs up' from me.  Secret Ministry deserves two thumbs!  Is it worthy of a 5 star review? Would a shadow of doubt!