Silesian Station
A John
Russell Mystery
David
Downing
Soho Press (Hardcover)
ISBN-10: 1-56947-494-X (156947494X)
ISBN-13: 978-1-56947-494-5 (9781569474945)
Publication Date: May 2008
List Price: $24.00
Synopsis (from
the publisher): Summer, 1939. British journalist John Russell has just
been granted American citizenship in exchange for agreeing to work for
American intelligence when his girlfriend Effi is arrested by the
Gestapo. Russell hoped his new nationality would let him safely stay in
Berlin with Effi and his son, but now he's being blackmailed. To free
Effi, he must agree to work for the Nazis. They know he has Soviet
connections and want him to pass them false intelligence. Russell
consents, but secretly offers his services to the Soviets instead-not
for anything too dangerous, though, and only if they'll sneak him and
Effi out of Germany if necessary.
It's a good plan, but soon things become complicated. A Jewish girl has
vanished, and Russell feels compelled to search for her. A woman from
his past, a communist, reappears, insisting he help her reconnect with
the Soviets, who turn out to demand more than Russell hoped. Meanwhile,
Europe lurches toward war, and he must follow the latest
stories—to places where American espionage assignments await him.
Review: Foreign
correspondant John Russell takes on a more dangerous job than he
imagines in 1939 Germany in Silesian
Station, the second mystery in this series by David Downing.
Though British by birth, Russell has maintained a stance of neutrality
while living in pre-war Germany. When it becomes apparent that Germany
is preparing to declare war on England, Russell takes his son on a
vacation to America. While there he decides to obtain citizenship and,
more importantly, an American passport. The Intelligence Department
requests that in return for a passport he, as a reporter, supply them
with any firsthand knowledge, overt or covert, concerning
Germany’s plans towards the war, Upon his return to Germany, he
discovers that his girlfriend Effi has been imprisoned by the Gestapo
for insulting the Fuhrer. Russell is told he must see the Chief of
Germany’s Intelligence Agency to free her. Knowing that Russell
has many journalistic friends in most countries, the Chief tells him
that the only way they would release Effi was if he were to contact one
of his counterparts in Russia to obtain information about their
movements in the war. Russell agrees, but when he meets with the
Russian officials they offer a counter-proposal: supply false
information to the Germans and they would help him, Effi, and his son
safely escape to a neutral country should the need arise. In a matter
of days Russell goes from being a neutral observer of the war to an
active, albeit undercover, participant for three countries on a
collision course. Will he be able to do what's needed and keep his
loved ones safe?
Though the sheer number of agency relationships in Silesian Station may appear to be
daunting for the reader, Downing handles it all deftly by keeping the
action moving forward without sacrificing period detail. And that is
the real hidden gem in this novel, a peek into the lives of everyday
Germans during the early days of the war. That Russell is associated
with three governments also provides an insight as to the positions
these countries were taking prior to active involvement. This is an
intricately crafted fictional story (and a traditional mystery no less
involving a missing Jewish girl) embedded within a historical context,
and it comes together so remarkably well.
Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of Silesian Station and to Soho Press for providing a copy of the book for this review.
Review Copyright © 2008 — Hidden Staircase Mystery Books — All Rights Reserved
Have you read Silesian Station? How would you rate it?
Mysteries in this series …
Zoo Station
Soho Press (Hardcover), May 2007
ISBN-10: 1-56947-454-0 (1569474540)
ISBN-13: 978-1-56947-454-9 (9781569474549)
Silesian Station
Soho Press (Hardcover), May 2008
ISBN-10: 1-56947-494-X (156947494X)
ISBN-13: 978-1-56947-494-5 (9781569474945)
Omnimystery keywords for Silesian Station ...
Location(s) referenced: Berlin, Germany.
