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.
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.