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sandrews100's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
The idea is good, but there are some issues I can't see past.
Jack describes Amy as being intelligent, paying attention to detail, sharp etc. But all through the book she ignores obvious signs and acts obliviously, particularly where Marita is concerned. She is generally a bad judge of character and can't put together the pieces.
Also, who was the Russian, why did that get brought up?
The ending also felt rushed compared to the amount of time put in to the first half.
Also, who was the Russian, why did that get brought up?
The ending also felt rushed compared to the amount of time put in to the first half.
shropgirl's review against another edition
3.0
This storyline was told over four different timelines 1935, 1941, 1944 and 1948.
Starting in 1941 we are introduced to Jack Hoste, the main character who is described as being a non-descript man, quiet, distant, somebody who easily blends into the crowd, which is a distinct advantage for someone employed in Intelligence.
Jack is a double agent and is employed by British Intelligence to infiltrate a group of Nazi sympathisers and potential Fifth Columnists. Jack needs to track down a female follower of Oswald Moseley named Marita who is regarded as extremely dangerous. Amy, a former friend of Marita, runs a marriage/dating agency and Jack, wanting to use Amy to locate Marita, goes to the agency on the pretence of looking for a wife. The 1941 section tells of the meeting and the so-called recruiting of Marita, Amy's disillusionment with Jack and the situation she finds herself in, feelings of betrayal and the difficult game that Jack is playing.
The story jumps back to 1935 and the reader learns how Jack was recruited to British Intelligence and the reasons why. The author also describes how the friendship between Amy and Marita came about despite them having two very different personalities.
The plot moves to 1944. Jack is now leading the group and is supposedly feeding the information provided by them to German headquarters. However, the Nazi sympathisers and especially Marita, are beginning to wonder how much of their intelligence is being relayed back to Germany. Marita tries to force Jack's hand. Marita feels that Amy is the only person that she can trust and so seeks her out. this part of the plot ends with a shooting.
The novel concludes by forwarding to 1948 where we learn the outcome of the characters and where the author ties up loose ends.
Most of the main characters are well defined. The plot is fairly simple and a certain amount of tension is achieved in the final part of the book. I thought that the 1935 section was perhaps was unnecessary. This was quite a lengthy chapter which could have easily been condensed if there was a need to explain how the characters became who they were in 1941. The style of writing was quite good and this was a easy read for those who enjoy stories of espionage. Although I would read another of Quinn's novels I would not actively seek them out.
Starting in 1941 we are introduced to Jack Hoste, the main character who is described as being a non-descript man, quiet, distant, somebody who easily blends into the crowd, which is a distinct advantage for someone employed in Intelligence.
Jack is a double agent and is employed by British Intelligence to infiltrate a group of Nazi sympathisers and potential Fifth Columnists. Jack needs to track down a female follower of Oswald Moseley named Marita who is regarded as extremely dangerous. Amy, a former friend of Marita, runs a marriage/dating agency and Jack, wanting to use Amy to locate Marita, goes to the agency on the pretence of looking for a wife. The 1941 section tells of the meeting and the so-called recruiting of Marita, Amy's disillusionment with Jack and the situation she finds herself in, feelings of betrayal and the difficult game that Jack is playing.
The story jumps back to 1935 and the reader learns how Jack was recruited to British Intelligence and the reasons why. The author also describes how the friendship between Amy and Marita came about despite them having two very different personalities.
The plot moves to 1944. Jack is now leading the group and is supposedly feeding the information provided by them to German headquarters. However, the Nazi sympathisers and especially Marita, are beginning to wonder how much of their intelligence is being relayed back to Germany. Marita tries to force Jack's hand. Marita feels that Amy is the only person that she can trust and so seeks her out. this part of the plot ends with a shooting.
The novel concludes by forwarding to 1948 where we learn the outcome of the characters and where the author ties up loose ends.
Most of the main characters are well defined. The plot is fairly simple and a certain amount of tension is achieved in the final part of the book. I thought that the 1935 section was perhaps was unnecessary. This was quite a lengthy chapter which could have easily been condensed if there was a need to explain how the characters became who they were in 1941. The style of writing was quite good and this was a easy read for those who enjoy stories of espionage. Although I would read another of Quinn's novels I would not actively seek them out.
gray5217's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
jacki_f's review against another edition
3.0
During WW2, Jack Hoste is based in London where he runs a circle of German sympathisers who provide him with intelligence that he can pass onto Berlin. He crosses paths with Amy Strallen, a wonderful character who runs a matchmaking agency. It seems that romance might blossom between them, but then she discovers his secret stash of German war medals.
There are a lot of twists in this story. No one - not even Amy, the most straightforward - is quite who you think they are and it certainly doesn't develop in the way you expect it to. It's intriguing, but there's something about it that holds you at arm's length. I liked it but I wasn't engrossed by it.
There are a lot of twists in this story. No one - not even Amy, the most straightforward - is quite who you think they are and it certainly doesn't develop in the way you expect it to. It's intriguing, but there's something about it that holds you at arm's length. I liked it but I wasn't engrossed by it.
mcfade28's review against another edition
4.0
This novel, set in the backdrop of London during WW2 was a solid read. The story centres around Jack Hoste, a spy working with people gathering Intel for the Germans, and a young lady, Amy Strallen who works in a matchmaking agency. They are connected by Amy's old friend, a treacherous Hitler enthusiast.
The plot was a bit meandering and I didn't feel like a lot happened, aside from interactions between the three main characters. Those characters were well written though, and I enjoyed how the book tied into historical events.
I felt the last chapter, a flash forward to the war was a little weak and I'd like to have seen more of a resolution there, but all in all I really enjoyed this, and would read similar books by the author again.
Ps Am I the only one who picked up on a hint of bisexuality in Amy?
The plot was a bit meandering and I didn't feel like a lot happened, aside from interactions between the three main characters. Those characters were well written though, and I enjoyed how the book tied into historical events.
I felt the last chapter, a flash forward to the war was a little weak and I'd like to have seen more of a resolution there, but all in all I really enjoyed this, and would read similar books by the author again.
Ps Am I the only one who picked up on a hint of bisexuality in Amy?
alfie_bridgen's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
thebookthiefgirl's review against another edition
3.0
3,5⭐️
Narrativa passada na altura dos bombeamentos aéreos na Grã Bretanha da Segunda Guerra Mundial , oferece plots e histórias de contra espionagem envolventes . De leitura acessível , rápida , um thriller bom mas não esplendoroso por aí além.Personagens interessantes mas não arrebatadoras. Contexto histórico incrível , como é digno de nota . Serve as medidas , entretém -se relativamente bem.
Narrativa passada na altura dos bombeamentos aéreos na Grã Bretanha da Segunda Guerra Mundial , oferece plots e histórias de contra espionagem envolventes . De leitura acessível , rápida , um thriller bom mas não esplendoroso por aí além.Personagens interessantes mas não arrebatadoras. Contexto histórico incrível , como é digno de nota . Serve as medidas , entretém -se relativamente bem.
jhains's review
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Good easy read, twist and turns, insight into world war 2 from Home,
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
5.0
When Jack Hoste comes to the marriage bureau that Amy Strallen works in, he doesn't seem that eager to find a wife. however Amy keeps 'bumping into' Jack and she grows to like this mild-mannered accountant. After getting caught in a bomb raid Amy goes back to Jack's flat and discovers a collection of iron crosses. She immediately thinks Jack is a Nazi agent and reports him. But Jack is a double agent and Amy has been targeted because of her friendship with a much bigger fish.
Anthony Quinn is a superb writer of historical fiction which tells very human stories and if one approaches this book with that in mind one cannot help but admire. This book is being purported to be a rip-roaring spy thriller, that it is not. There is some violence and some intrigue but it is more about the relationships between people in the war and how emotions can be suppressed. The writing is wonderful and I felt attached to both Amy and Jack, they are likeable characters holding secrets. The plot is carefully constructed and the two violent incidents seem to come out of the blue. I have loved every book that Quinn has written and this is no exception.
Anthony Quinn is a superb writer of historical fiction which tells very human stories and if one approaches this book with that in mind one cannot help but admire. This book is being purported to be a rip-roaring spy thriller, that it is not. There is some violence and some intrigue but it is more about the relationships between people in the war and how emotions can be suppressed. The writing is wonderful and I felt attached to both Amy and Jack, they are likeable characters holding secrets. The plot is carefully constructed and the two violent incidents seem to come out of the blue. I have loved every book that Quinn has written and this is no exception.
hazelj's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5