Orders from Berlin by Simon Tolkien, a Mysterious Review.

Review: A plot to assassinate Winston Churchill is somehow prevented — and the murder of an ex-chief of British intelligence is somehow involved — in Orders from Berlin, the third mystery in this series featuring Scotland Yard inspector William Trave by Simon Tolkien.

It is the Fall of 1940 and London is suffering from a near-constant bombardment from Germany's air force. Adolf Hitler, recognizing that he will need to focus on taking Russia if he is to dominate Europe, is looking for a shortcut to England's surrender and believes that killing Churchill is it. A mole, planted deep within MI6, is tasked with carrying out the order, which has been encoded in a note. That very note, however, is found in the pocket of Albert Morrison, who has murdered. Investigating the crime is Inspector Trave, who believes the note is an important clue to the identity of the killer. The most likely suspect: a high ranking officer within MI6, who had visited Morrison earlier that day, and who has inexplicably confessed to the crime. With the target date of the assassination now passed, a suspect in custody, and Churchill still alive, Trave's superiors believe that there is nothing further to investigate. And yet Trave disagrees. Disobeying direct orders, he continues to search for the truth.

Orders from Berlin is a stirring historical crime novel, combining known facts surrounding the events of September 1940 with a fictional murder investigation. Hitler's plans to conquer England, and Churchill's stoic approach to stopping him from doing so, is vividly integrated into the plot. Though the murder mystery at the core of this tale is a little weak, the overall story is a thrilling one.

Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of Orders from Berlin.

Acknowledgment: Minotaur Books provided a copy of Orders from Berlin for this review.

The King of Diamonds
Minotaur Books (Hardcover), March 2011
ISBN-13: 9780312539085; ISBN-10: 0312539088

Orders from Berlin

A William Trave Mystery by Simon Tolkien