Island Reich, Jack Grimwood
Island Reich, Jack Grimwood
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Island Reich
The atmospheric WWII thriller perfect for fans of Simon Scarrow and Robert Harris

Author: Jack Grimwood

Narrator: Simon Bubb

Unabridged: 12 hr 25 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Penguin

Published: 05/27/2021


Synopsis

Brought to you by Penguin.

A rich, atmospheric WWII thriller from the award-winning author of Moskva and Nightfall Berlin

An unlikely spy.
July 1940. As Britain braces itself for invasion, ex-Tommy and safecracker Bill O'Hagan is glad to have escaped the battlefield. But when a job goes wrong, he finds himself forced to serve his country once more.

A former king.
Spurned by his government and fearing for his life, the Duke of Windsor flees to Portugal with the woman for whom he abdicated the throne, Wallis Simpson. As a web of Nazi trickery threatens to ensnare him, his fate and the fate of Britain rest on one man.

The fate of a nation in their hands.
Dropped on an occupied Channel Island without backup, Bill must crack an enemy safe and get its contents to safety. Failure will devastate any hope Britain has of winning the war.

But with the layers of deception and intrigue drawing ever more tightly around them, Bill and the Duke both learn they aren't the only players in this game. And Berlin - which has the Duke in its own sights - is plotting its greatest move yet . . .

Jack Grimwood matches Robert Harris, Joseph Kanon, Ken Follett and John le Carré thrill for thrill in this breath-taking WWII story of atmospheric suspense, daring espionage and political intrigue, set in the tense depths of Britain's Darkest Hour.

Praise for Jack Grimwood

'A fine book . . . for those who enjoy vintage le Carré' Ian Rankin

'Grimwood is a damned fine writer' Independent

'The new le Carré . . . an absolutely brilliant page turner . . . if you love thrillers, Jack Grimwood is a name you need to remember' BBC Radio 2 The Sara Cox Show

'A master stylist' Michael Marshall

© Jack Grimwood 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

About Jack Grimwood

Jack Grimwood, also known as Jon Courtenay Grimwood, was born in Malta and christened in the upturned bell of a ship. He grew up in the Far East, Britain, and Scandinavia. Apart from novels, he writes for national newspapers including the Times, Telegraph, Independent, and Guardian. Jon is two-time winner of the BSFA Award for Best Novel, with Felaheen, and End of the World Blues. His literary novel The Last Banquet was shortlisted for Le Prix Montesquieu 2015. Moskva is his first thriller.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Sumit on June 30, 2022

Jack Grimwood's Island Reich is a fast paced, labyrinthine WWII thriller set after the Fall of France and Britain prepares itself for the expected German invasion. After a job goes wrong, former soldier turned safe-cracker, Bill O' Hagan is saved from the gallows in order to carry out work for Britis......more

Goodreads review by 8stitches 9lives on July 19, 2021

July 1940. The Nazis launch their invasion of Britain - starting with the Channel Islands. And soldier turned safecracker Bill O'Hagan gets an offer: hang for his crimes, or serve his country. The mission - land on occupied Alderney, impersonate a local, steal the invasion plans, escape. It sounds s......more

Goodreads review by Grant on November 19, 2021

Excellent world war two thriller set in the channel Islands. As the battle of Britain begins and Germany makes plans to invade Britain the former King Edward 8th and his wife Wallis Simpson are torn between returning to England and throwing in their lot with the Nazi's. Believing plans to the invasi......more

Goodreads review by Rowena on April 22, 2021

This is such a well-researched spy story that you won’t be able to tell where real events end and the author’s keen imagination takes over. Author Jack Grimwood adroitly focuses his narrative on a tight cluster of engaging characters: the ne’erdowell thief, given the choice between the hangman’s noo......more

Goodreads review by Rosie on December 02, 2024

Island Reich is a Second World War story set mainly in the Channel Island of Alderney. The story follows safe cracker Bill, who is cajoled, due to his disreputable activities, to break open a safe that the Germans will bring to Alderney. Bill must pretend to be The Knight of Renou, lately from Mombas......more


Quotes

Intricately plotted, rip-roaring World War Two adventure - proper heroes, proper villains, royal intrigue and grounded in real history -

Matches Robert Harris, Joseph Kanon, Ken Follett and John le Carré thrill for thrill in this breath-taking WWII story of atmospheric suspense, daring espionage and political intrigue, set in the tense depths of Britain's Darkest Hour What's On Glasgow

Triumphant... The synthesis of real and fictitious characters is handled with panache by the talented Grimwood Financial Times

Top-notch . . . the suspense never wavers Crimetime

Highly entertaining . . . The plot is splendidly complicated. Like most good adventure novels set in recognizable history, Grimwood offers readers an enticing "what if?" Scotsman

Fact and fiction merge in a rip-roaring yarn. Excellent Sun

Praise for Jack Grimwood -

A fine book . . . for those who enjoy vintage le Carré -

Grimwood is a damned fine writer Independent

The new le Carré . . . an absolutely brilliant page turner . . . if you love thrillers, Jack Grimwood is a name you need to remember BBC Radio 2 The Sara Cox Show