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A review by flogigyahoo
The Swiss Spy by Alex Gerlis
3.0
I liked Alex Gerlis first spy story but this 2nd one is a bit disappointing. Quite long it tells of a double agent, Henri Hesse, living in Switzerland who gets involved in a ruse to make Soviet Russia believe that an invasion by the German Army is not planned for the near future. The British believe that should the Soviets think the invasion is imminent they will be ready and Hitler will abandon Operation Barbarossa thus avoiding the trap of a war on two fronts. Hesse is sent into Germany and back to Switzerland, into Germany and back to Switzerland. There is a lot of detail involving train schedules and air flights which allow him to do his double dealing.
The book is overlong. One never really cares about any of the characters--not the Germans of course, not the Swiss who are raking in money in their banks while the war goes on (and where it comes from is very clear), not the English who are too cold and uncaring and not even the Jewish citizens who seem stereotyped trapped in a nightmare. No one is likable. A good spy story needs a hero, a love story helps and lots of 1940's atmosphere--something Alan Furst does so well. Gerlis doesn't quite get it, but I'm sure if he tries harder, he will. I would still read his books.
The book is overlong. One never really cares about any of the characters--not the Germans of course, not the Swiss who are raking in money in their banks while the war goes on (and where it comes from is very clear), not the English who are too cold and uncaring and not even the Jewish citizens who seem stereotyped trapped in a nightmare. No one is likable. A good spy story needs a hero, a love story helps and lots of 1940's atmosphere--something Alan Furst does so well. Gerlis doesn't quite get it, but I'm sure if he tries harder, he will. I would still read his books.