What do you think?
Rate this book
Inspector Troy #4
Riptide
Spring 1941. In Germany, after ten years spying for the Americans, Wolfgang Stahl disappears during a Berlin air raid. The Germans think he's dead. The British know he's not. But where is he? MI6 convince US Intelligence that Stahl will head for London, and so Captain Cal Cormack, a shy American 'aristocrat', is teamed with Chief Inspector Stilton of Stepney, fat, fifty, and convivial, and between them they scour London, a city awash with spivs and refugees. But then things start to go terribly wrong and, ditched by MI6 and disowned by his embassy, Cal is introduced to his one last hope - Sgt Troy of Scotland Yard...
Paperback
First published March 8, 2001
221 people are currently reading
554 people want to read
About the author
John Lawton
39 books325 followersJohn Lawton is a producer/director in television who has spent much of his time interpreting the USA to the English, and occasionally vice versa. He has worked with Gore Vidal, Neil Simon, Scott Turow, Noam Chomsky, Fay Weldon, Harold Pinter and Kathy Acker. He thinks he may well be the only TV director ever to be named in a Parliamentary Bill in the British House of Lords as an offender against taste and balance. He has also been denounced from the pulpit in Mississippi as a `Communist,’ but thinks that less remarkable.
He spent most of the 90s in New York – among other things attending the writers’ sessions at The Actors’ Studio under Norman Mailer – and has visited or worked in more than half the 50 states. Since 2000 he has lived in the high, wet hills ofDerbyshire England, with frequent excursions into the high, dry hills of Arizona and Italy.
He is the author of 1963, a social and political history of the Kennedy-Macmillan years, six thrillers in the Troy series and a stand-alone novel, Sweet Sunday.
In 1995 the first Troy novel, Black Out, won the WH Smith Fresh Talent Award. In 2006 Columbia Pictures bought the fourth Troy novel Riptide. In 2007 A Little White Death was a New York Times notable.
In 2008 he was one of only half a dozen living English writers to be named in the London Daily Telegraph‘s `50 Crime Writers to Read before You Die.’ He has also edited the poetry of DH Lawrence and the stories of Joseph Conrad. He is devoted to the work of Franz Schubert, Cormac McCarthy, Art Tatum and Barbara Gowdy. (source: http://www.johnlawtonbooks.com)
He was born in 1949 in England.
He spent most of the 90s in New York – among other things attending the writers’ sessions at The Actors’ Studio under Norman Mailer – and has visited or worked in more than half the 50 states. Since 2000 he has lived in the high, wet hills ofDerbyshire England, with frequent excursions into the high, dry hills of Arizona and Italy.
He is the author of 1963, a social and political history of the Kennedy-Macmillan years, six thrillers in the Troy series and a stand-alone novel, Sweet Sunday.
In 1995 the first Troy novel, Black Out, won the WH Smith Fresh Talent Award. In 2006 Columbia Pictures bought the fourth Troy novel Riptide. In 2007 A Little White Death was a New York Times notable.
In 2008 he was one of only half a dozen living English writers to be named in the London Daily Telegraph‘s `50 Crime Writers to Read before You Die.’ He has also edited the poetry of DH Lawrence and the stories of Joseph Conrad. He is devoted to the work of Franz Schubert, Cormac McCarthy, Art Tatum and Barbara Gowdy. (source: http://www.johnlawtonbooks.com)
He was born in 1949 in England.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
November 30, 2019
John Lawton writes one heck of a story, this one to include espionage in addition to police prodecures. Excellent.
June 28, 2020
John Lawton’s BLUFFING MR. CHURCHILL (published in England as RIPTIDE) is the fourth installment of his Inspector Frederick Troy series and opens with a British retaliatory strike against Berlin as payback for the continued German blitz that was pounding London a year after Dunkirk. At this point, Brigadefuhrer Wolfgang Stahl, a British spy realizes it is time for him to leave Germany as quickly as possible.
Stahl had joined the Nazi Party in 1929 and by 1934 he had wormed his way into the confidence of Reinhard Heydrich, a high-ranking SS police official and the architect of the Holocaust. Stahl was in part able to get into his good graces because of his shared love of Mozart. They would play together and discuss music for hours on end. Once the bombing ended Stahl returned to his apartment house and found a body that was a similar to himself with its face blown off. Stahl took the dead man’s identity and began to make his way out of Germany. The problem for Stahl was that the suspicious Heydrich had the corpses hand shown to him and he realized that Stahl was not dead. At this point Lawton has lured the reader into the story line and in true Lawton form provides historical fiction dealing with spy craft at its best.
Lawton will develop a number of plot lines. The dominant story revolves around the search for Wolfgang Stahl who carries with him plans for the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union. Obviously, the Nazis want him dead because he knew too much, and the British want him to learn what he knows. A number of important characters emerge in the chase. The most important are Lt. Colonel Alistair Ruthuen-Greene of the British Consulate, someone who had Churchill’s ear. He convinces Captain Calvin M. Cormack III, an American stationed in Zurich who had been Stahl’s handler to accompany him to London to identify him. Cormack was assigned to work with Walter Stilton, Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard to locate Stahl. When they arrive in London, another thread that Lawton develops emerges, Hitler’s deputy, Rudolf Hess had flown from Berlin to Scotland and all wonder why he has done so.
Lawton has created a taught spy novel integrating fiction with historical fact. Examples include the Bismarck sinking the HMS Hood, disagreements between American intelligence and British MI5 over sharing German code information as well as the British hope that the United States would soon enter the war. Further, the debate over whether to warn the Soviets that a German invasion was imminent is presented – but in reality, as early as April 1941 Stalin ignored British warnings as he did later the day before the actual invasion.
Lawton does an excellent job showing the reader the horrors of the blitz. Descriptions of bombed out streets with only one building remaining abound as people shelter in the underground, and the Home Guard searches for bodies and civilians clear damage. Lawton zeroes in on the English vernacular focusing on accents verbiage, and dialects. It is easy for English characters to communicate with each other, but for men like Capt. Cormack he has difficulty understanding the British at times.
Real figures and events are inserted into the plot reflecting Lawton’s command of the historical information. He accurately describes the British rationing system along with the death and destruction that Goering’s bombers reigned on England. Winston Churchill, Lord Beaverbrook, H.G. Wells, and Robert Churchill, a distant cousin of the Prime Minister make appearances.
Many have argued that the war created an aura of commonality for the British people as all classes faced the Nazi terror. Lawton examines this theme pointing out repeatedly it is more veneer than fact. The core of the story revolves around Stilton and Cormack then joined by Sergeant Frederick Troy of Scotland Yard who refuse to share their own intelligence in the hunt for Stahl. Once Stilton passes from the scene the Troy-Cormack relationship becomes very tricky when Cormack falls in love with Kitty Stilton, a police officer and daughter of Walter Stilton who also possesses a ravenous sexual appetite and is Troy’s former lover. Further linking the two men is that both men have strong willed fathers, Cormack’s is a decorated general turned politician, and Troy’s a renown intellectual and diplomat who emigrated from Russia in 1910, as both men operate in the shadows of their fathers. Despite these issues the two men come together and foster a working relationship that is a key to solving the crimes at hand.
The novel slowly evolves into a tightly spun murder mystery with a number of victims. It is an espionage thriller, but also a well thought out detective story. The next book in the Troy series is FLESH WOUNDS where Kitty Stilton plays an interesting role and I have added it to the pile of books on my night table.
Stahl had joined the Nazi Party in 1929 and by 1934 he had wormed his way into the confidence of Reinhard Heydrich, a high-ranking SS police official and the architect of the Holocaust. Stahl was in part able to get into his good graces because of his shared love of Mozart. They would play together and discuss music for hours on end. Once the bombing ended Stahl returned to his apartment house and found a body that was a similar to himself with its face blown off. Stahl took the dead man’s identity and began to make his way out of Germany. The problem for Stahl was that the suspicious Heydrich had the corpses hand shown to him and he realized that Stahl was not dead. At this point Lawton has lured the reader into the story line and in true Lawton form provides historical fiction dealing with spy craft at its best.
Lawton will develop a number of plot lines. The dominant story revolves around the search for Wolfgang Stahl who carries with him plans for the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union. Obviously, the Nazis want him dead because he knew too much, and the British want him to learn what he knows. A number of important characters emerge in the chase. The most important are Lt. Colonel Alistair Ruthuen-Greene of the British Consulate, someone who had Churchill’s ear. He convinces Captain Calvin M. Cormack III, an American stationed in Zurich who had been Stahl’s handler to accompany him to London to identify him. Cormack was assigned to work with Walter Stilton, Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard to locate Stahl. When they arrive in London, another thread that Lawton develops emerges, Hitler’s deputy, Rudolf Hess had flown from Berlin to Scotland and all wonder why he has done so.
Lawton has created a taught spy novel integrating fiction with historical fact. Examples include the Bismarck sinking the HMS Hood, disagreements between American intelligence and British MI5 over sharing German code information as well as the British hope that the United States would soon enter the war. Further, the debate over whether to warn the Soviets that a German invasion was imminent is presented – but in reality, as early as April 1941 Stalin ignored British warnings as he did later the day before the actual invasion.
Lawton does an excellent job showing the reader the horrors of the blitz. Descriptions of bombed out streets with only one building remaining abound as people shelter in the underground, and the Home Guard searches for bodies and civilians clear damage. Lawton zeroes in on the English vernacular focusing on accents verbiage, and dialects. It is easy for English characters to communicate with each other, but for men like Capt. Cormack he has difficulty understanding the British at times.
Real figures and events are inserted into the plot reflecting Lawton’s command of the historical information. He accurately describes the British rationing system along with the death and destruction that Goering’s bombers reigned on England. Winston Churchill, Lord Beaverbrook, H.G. Wells, and Robert Churchill, a distant cousin of the Prime Minister make appearances.
Many have argued that the war created an aura of commonality for the British people as all classes faced the Nazi terror. Lawton examines this theme pointing out repeatedly it is more veneer than fact. The core of the story revolves around Stilton and Cormack then joined by Sergeant Frederick Troy of Scotland Yard who refuse to share their own intelligence in the hunt for Stahl. Once Stilton passes from the scene the Troy-Cormack relationship becomes very tricky when Cormack falls in love with Kitty Stilton, a police officer and daughter of Walter Stilton who also possesses a ravenous sexual appetite and is Troy’s former lover. Further linking the two men is that both men have strong willed fathers, Cormack’s is a decorated general turned politician, and Troy’s a renown intellectual and diplomat who emigrated from Russia in 1910, as both men operate in the shadows of their fathers. Despite these issues the two men come together and foster a working relationship that is a key to solving the crimes at hand.
The novel slowly evolves into a tightly spun murder mystery with a number of victims. It is an espionage thriller, but also a well thought out detective story. The next book in the Troy series is FLESH WOUNDS where Kitty Stilton plays an interesting role and I have added it to the pile of books on my night table.
November 18, 2019
I think John Lawton could write the content for the back of a cereal box and it would make for good reading. I might exaggerate a bit, but Lawton is a darn good writer and storyteller.
Bluffing Mr. Churchill takes place in 1941 England. World War II has been underway for a while, but neither the Americans nor the Russians have become involved, at least as far as committing troops to the fight. Frederick Troy is involved in the early story only peripherally but later becomes more involved. The early protagonist is Calvin Cormack III, an American attached to the embassy in Zurich and one of the many figures involved in espionage.
Thi character-driven story is one of intrigue, mystery, and deception -- as well as friendship, naivete and a budding pseudo-romance.
While Lawton weaves historical facts into the story, he also uses literary licenses effectively. Unless the reader is a history scholar, you'll likely not spot the fiction among the facts.
Bluffing Mr. Churchill takes place in 1941 England. World War II has been underway for a while, but neither the Americans nor the Russians have become involved, at least as far as committing troops to the fight. Frederick Troy is involved in the early story only peripherally but later becomes more involved. The early protagonist is Calvin Cormack III, an American attached to the embassy in Zurich and one of the many figures involved in espionage.
Thi character-driven story is one of intrigue, mystery, and deception -- as well as friendship, naivete and a budding pseudo-romance.
While Lawton weaves historical facts into the story, he also uses literary licenses effectively. Unless the reader is a history scholar, you'll likely not spot the fiction among the facts.
August 16, 2012
Mr Lawton has written a wonderful series of Inspector Troy mystery novels. This is a "prequel" to the 5 star Blackout. There are 7 in the series and they were published out of order. They are: "Second Violin," "Bluffing Mr. Churchill," "Black Out," "A Lily of the Field," "Old Flames," "Flesh Wounds," "A Little White Death." I am currently reading The last and still have Second Violin to read. I have tried to read in somewhat order but one thing after another I did not. Let me tell you -- It Really Doesn't Matter!
Lawton does a great job of recalling pre/during/post WWII London and environs. Now I say great -- but since I have never been - He convinces me of it's reality. I am a huge fan of murder mysteries (duh -- I write em!) but also World War II. So a combo seemed perfect. Inspector Troy does not disappoint.
The Murder Mystery seems always to take a backseat to the enthralling story happening in each story. I read Blackout first and was smitten immediately. In This story, Bluffing Mr Churchill, the story of any murder or murders takes a back seat to the advancement of an intriguing spy story. While that unfolds the dead bodies bring in Scotland Yard and Inspector Troy. Soon murder, espionage and Troy's personal life all intertwine (this is when Mr Lawton is at his best). All the plots, victims and suspects seems so disconnected but by books end -- believe me Try get's it. Often to teh detriment of his health
Lawton does a great job of recalling pre/during/post WWII London and environs. Now I say great -- but since I have never been - He convinces me of it's reality. I am a huge fan of murder mysteries (duh -- I write em!) but also World War II. So a combo seemed perfect. Inspector Troy does not disappoint.
The Murder Mystery seems always to take a backseat to the enthralling story happening in each story. I read Blackout first and was smitten immediately. In This story, Bluffing Mr Churchill, the story of any murder or murders takes a back seat to the advancement of an intriguing spy story. While that unfolds the dead bodies bring in Scotland Yard and Inspector Troy. Soon murder, espionage and Troy's personal life all intertwine (this is when Mr Lawton is at his best). All the plots, victims and suspects seems so disconnected but by books end -- believe me Try get's it. Often to teh detriment of his health
August 5, 2008
I'm loving this series of Inspector Troy books by John Lawton, recommended to me by Pam Morrison. I can't put them down. They're police/spy thrillers set in London (and elsewhere) before, during, and after WWII.
July 20, 2020
Set mostly in London in the spring of 1941, this novel focuses on the urgent efforts of British and American officials to find a German double agent who has disappeared from Berlin and is believed to have fled to England.
The author's strengths are character, dialogue, and setting. The book is peopled with an almost Dickensian array of vivid characters (and peppered with some actual references to Dickens), and the dialogue is frothy and fun. Although the book's cover declares it to be "An Inspector Troy novel", Troy plays only a supporting role, barely appearing until two-thirds of the way through the story. The main characters are US Army Captain Cal Cormack, who "ran" Stahl, the German spy, from Zurich, and Walter Stilton, chief inspector with Special Branch of the Metropolitan Police. The heart of the story involves the pair's efforts to track Stahl through central London.
The author vividly evokes wartime London and its denizens in the waning weeks of the Blitz. Geographical references are detailed and precise; most readers will want to have a good map of London close at hand.
The story is a good one, but it felt at times too top-heavy with characters; during the first third of the book, I had to take notes to keep them all straight. The large cast of characters, and the author's propensity to frequently change point of view, sometimes get in the way of the flow of the story. Pacing and plotting are sacrificed to character, resulting in a story that never felt as tense or gripping as it might have been. But in the end I found this to be a memorable story with many well-fleshed-out characters that immerses the reader in wartime London very effectively.
The author's strengths are character, dialogue, and setting. The book is peopled with an almost Dickensian array of vivid characters (and peppered with some actual references to Dickens), and the dialogue is frothy and fun. Although the book's cover declares it to be "An Inspector Troy novel", Troy plays only a supporting role, barely appearing until two-thirds of the way through the story. The main characters are US Army Captain Cal Cormack, who "ran" Stahl, the German spy, from Zurich, and Walter Stilton, chief inspector with Special Branch of the Metropolitan Police. The heart of the story involves the pair's efforts to track Stahl through central London.
The author vividly evokes wartime London and its denizens in the waning weeks of the Blitz. Geographical references are detailed and precise; most readers will want to have a good map of London close at hand.
The story is a good one, but it felt at times too top-heavy with characters; during the first third of the book, I had to take notes to keep them all straight. The large cast of characters, and the author's propensity to frequently change point of view, sometimes get in the way of the flow of the story. Pacing and plotting are sacrificed to character, resulting in a story that never felt as tense or gripping as it might have been. But in the end I found this to be a memorable story with many well-fleshed-out characters that immerses the reader in wartime London very effectively.
April 10, 2013
This book takes us back to Troy's days as a sergeant, which is all good as far as I'm concerned. I much prefer Second World War era Troy to the older Troy. In this book, Troy is still Troy, but he's less jaded. I like the fact that even as a sergeant he's willing to go toe to toe with a superior officer and call him out on the shameful way he conducts a murder investigation.
Having said all that, Troy doesn't actually appear in this book over much until the last third or so. Most of it centres on US Army captain Cal Cormack and Chief Inspector Walter Stilton of Special Branch and their hunt for a German officer on the run in London.
Lawton has a gift for dialogue, although writing the London accent does become a mite tiresome. American Cal often finds himself bamboozled by both British turns of phrases and the food. This really highlights what George Bernard Shaw referred to as two nations divided by a common language.
Lawton also manages to paint a vivid picture of war-time London, which, in all his books, becomes a character in its own right. I also like the larger-than-life characters that surround Troy: the cantankerous Polish pathologist, the rotund ballistics expert and so on. It was nice to glimpse some old friends too, with Tosca and Wildeve both putting in brief appearances. Although, be warned, if you're reading the books in chronological order rather than published order, there are some spoilers at the end of this book for a couple of characters.
The tale was solid enough, but went on a tad too long. I was reading it on my Kindle and thought it should have ended around the 85% mark. After that, it seemed a little bit like the author was indulging himself rather than adding to the story.
Still, it's nice to pay a visit to young Troy again. So nice that I'm about to pick up The Blue Rondo.
Having said all that, Troy doesn't actually appear in this book over much until the last third or so. Most of it centres on US Army captain Cal Cormack and Chief Inspector Walter Stilton of Special Branch and their hunt for a German officer on the run in London.
Lawton has a gift for dialogue, although writing the London accent does become a mite tiresome. American Cal often finds himself bamboozled by both British turns of phrases and the food. This really highlights what George Bernard Shaw referred to as two nations divided by a common language.
Lawton also manages to paint a vivid picture of war-time London, which, in all his books, becomes a character in its own right. I also like the larger-than-life characters that surround Troy: the cantankerous Polish pathologist, the rotund ballistics expert and so on. It was nice to glimpse some old friends too, with Tosca and Wildeve both putting in brief appearances. Although, be warned, if you're reading the books in chronological order rather than published order, there are some spoilers at the end of this book for a couple of characters.
The tale was solid enough, but went on a tad too long. I was reading it on my Kindle and thought it should have ended around the 85% mark. After that, it seemed a little bit like the author was indulging himself rather than adding to the story.
Still, it's nice to pay a visit to young Troy again. So nice that I'm about to pick up The Blue Rondo.
March 3, 2019
Riptide (released as 'Bluffing Mr Churchill' in the US) is the fourth book in the Inspector Troy series, though it is a prequel to the other books in the series, set in 1941 when Troy is a young, up-and-coming sergeant. The plot centres on the hunt for a senior Nazi and American agent who has fled to London and is hiding in the city, unsure who to trust. Trying to track him down are an American Army officer and special branch detective, with Troy on sidelines waiting to enter to save the day. This is typical Lawton fare, blending strong historicisation and sense of place with a ripping yarn peopled with interesting and engaging characters, ranging from everyday folk to senior diplomats and politicians to real-life players at the time. Cormack and Troy are at the core of the tale, but it is the Stilton family who steal the show. The result is a wonderfully evocative sense of London at war and a gripping tale of espionage, politics, murder and pathos (Lawton is not afraid to bump off some of his most endearing characters) that has a nice side line in dark humour and a lovely slapstick scene in a tailor’s shop. I was gripped from the start and picked up the book every time I had a spare moment, thoroughly enjoying the read.
August 8, 2012
This book combines two of my favorite topics (especially in mystery novels): World War II and espionage. I like books about the Cold War and this series covers that time period too. The British class system and the resentments it engenders are addressed, and we see the impact from both sides. That continues in Second Violin (6th book in the series). The discrepancies in attitudes of the British and Americans in the early 1940's are also a focus.The fact that John Lawton writes so well makes it all the more enjoyable.
March 16, 2021
Lawton’s books are a bit of a slog for me, but this was better than others. It moved along quicker, and the characters were more interesting. Don’t run to read this, but if you are really desperate ....
April 28, 2021
Just enjoying the Inspector Troy series for the 2nd time.
August 10, 2023
Not usual for the author, but this one takes place in a narrow time frame from April 1941 to June 1941 with all kinds of bizarre events for us to follow. There are two improbable characters: Wolfgang Stahl, a spy for the Americans, who we briefly met in Nazi uniform in Second Violin; and Calvin Cormack, a naive American Army Captain, working for US Intelligence in Zurich. Stahl is the more intriguing character and linchpin for the action, but regrettably his appearances are few and far between. He is a valuable asset for American and British intelligence due to his eidetic memory enabling him to visualize complex military strategies which include Hitler’s planned takeover of Russia and the enslavement of its people.
Cormack, who is Stahl’s handler was sent to London to work with a British agent to search for the now missing spy. The agent, however, was reassigned to interrogate Rudolph Hesse who had mysteriously landed in Scotland with peace overtures. As a result Cormack finds himself working with Special Branch officer, Walter Stilton to find Stahl before he falls victim to a Nazi assassin. They are a comedic pair in their struggle to understand each other with their language and cultural differences. Stilton’s constant use of “wot larx” confuses Cormack as it did me. It seems to be The only clue for Troy after several murders have been committed while searching for the spy. Troy knows that it is a comment used by a character in Dickens’ Great Expectations- an English metaphor that I fail to understand or how Troy was able to use this information to further the investigation.
There is a secondary thread here with Stilton’s daughter, Kitty and her simultaneous affairs with Cormack and Troy. Cormack is convinced that he is in love with her, while Troy shows his usual reticence to commit to a relationship. Kitty feels she is caught in a Riptide (British title for the book) with her two lovers.
It is significant that Troy’s father, Alex, wrote a prophetic editorial in his newspaper which warned that Germany would attack Russia in spite of a non-aggression treaty. He suggested that Russia should be a new ally for England which was most likely on Churchill’s as well as Roosevelt’s wish list.
Cormack, who is Stahl’s handler was sent to London to work with a British agent to search for the now missing spy. The agent, however, was reassigned to interrogate Rudolph Hesse who had mysteriously landed in Scotland with peace overtures. As a result Cormack finds himself working with Special Branch officer, Walter Stilton to find Stahl before he falls victim to a Nazi assassin. They are a comedic pair in their struggle to understand each other with their language and cultural differences. Stilton’s constant use of “wot larx” confuses Cormack as it did me. It seems to be The only clue for Troy after several murders have been committed while searching for the spy. Troy knows that it is a comment used by a character in Dickens’ Great Expectations- an English metaphor that I fail to understand or how Troy was able to use this information to further the investigation.
There is a secondary thread here with Stilton’s daughter, Kitty and her simultaneous affairs with Cormack and Troy. Cormack is convinced that he is in love with her, while Troy shows his usual reticence to commit to a relationship. Kitty feels she is caught in a Riptide (British title for the book) with her two lovers.
It is significant that Troy’s father, Alex, wrote a prophetic editorial in his newspaper which warned that Germany would attack Russia in spite of a non-aggression treaty. He suggested that Russia should be a new ally for England which was most likely on Churchill’s as well as Roosevelt’s wish list.
November 2, 2020
This commenced as a two star and holding. I found complexity in introductions and early character development. The author chose a large assortment of writing tools to use and he didn’t refuse many. He used vernacular extensively and dropped either foreign names, artists, phrases or sayings that all added up, by the conclusion, to a rewarding whole.
Talking of the end, as much I criticized the cornucopia and totality of data, I admit now that the conclusion would have been less rewarding and enjoyable for me without it.
For readers not used to John Layton, don’t ‘persevere’; instead, let yourself go with his flow and trust that this is one very talented writer who knows exactly where he is taking us. Layton is meticulous. One of the protagonists if not two reflect that same attention to the details of observation, deducing, testing and proving before concluding their tiles in the story. That is why the conclusion always seems ready to reach out and snag- but it remains just around another corner of observation, plus providing a dash of curiosity for measure!
It was an enjoyable book reading, excellent plot; however, for me most rewarding, was the amazing research and detail relative to life during the bombing of the UK, (BTW, when and where I was born, delivered by my dad in a bomb sheltered room.)
Now, I have a greater understanding of not only what my parents were living thru and coping with, but also Layton provided us details of such items as ration books by interlacing them thru the lens of the Proletariat versus the Plutocrat; and oh, how well he did that near the middle of the novel. The class struggle or entitlement of UK citizens are served up in a. On conventional manner where it is the effect rather than the cause which gets the emphasis. We get an exceptional literary treat in both his ‘Class’ comparatives, and also his description of immigrants, refugees and even the world of the spy versus that of the Scotland Yard and then juxtaposed with a USA Forces Officer. ‘Nuff said, I want no spoilers in here. Read the novel for enjoyment and you will be satisfied and satiated.
Talking of the end, as much I criticized the cornucopia and totality of data, I admit now that the conclusion would have been less rewarding and enjoyable for me without it.
For readers not used to John Layton, don’t ‘persevere’; instead, let yourself go with his flow and trust that this is one very talented writer who knows exactly where he is taking us. Layton is meticulous. One of the protagonists if not two reflect that same attention to the details of observation, deducing, testing and proving before concluding their tiles in the story. That is why the conclusion always seems ready to reach out and snag- but it remains just around another corner of observation, plus providing a dash of curiosity for measure!
It was an enjoyable book reading, excellent plot; however, for me most rewarding, was the amazing research and detail relative to life during the bombing of the UK, (BTW, when and where I was born, delivered by my dad in a bomb sheltered room.)
Now, I have a greater understanding of not only what my parents were living thru and coping with, but also Layton provided us details of such items as ration books by interlacing them thru the lens of the Proletariat versus the Plutocrat; and oh, how well he did that near the middle of the novel. The class struggle or entitlement of UK citizens are served up in a. On conventional manner where it is the effect rather than the cause which gets the emphasis. We get an exceptional literary treat in both his ‘Class’ comparatives, and also his description of immigrants, refugees and even the world of the spy versus that of the Scotland Yard and then juxtaposed with a USA Forces Officer. ‘Nuff said, I want no spoilers in here. Read the novel for enjoyment and you will be satisfied and satiated.
October 18, 2022
So, I did it again...yes I did and it's my bad as I knew what was likely to come.
John Lawton is, among the authors I know, the one with the widest spectrum between good and bad books; I found Old Flames, Friends and Traitors, Hammer To Fall pretty good and then you stumble in stuff like A White Little Death which is just dreadful. The range is so wide it makes you doubt that the books were written by the same author; and so, reading Lawton is a little like playing russian roulette.
This time I bit the bullet (again)....Bluffing Mr Churchill is worse than bad, it's ordinary. Sloppy writing, weak plot plus the key characters are so charged with clichés to look like caricatures: The dumb yank who keeps scratching his head like an idiot at the mix of English dialect and street slang spoken by the smart Londoners is not amusing the first time, even the less the second, imagine the third, the fourth and so on. Same for the snug English who seem to be able to address strangers only with "lad" or "old chap".
The fact that I was coming from reading a few of the best books by Alan Furst made this even more painful,
DNF @33%...
John Lawton is, among the authors I know, the one with the widest spectrum between good and bad books; I found Old Flames, Friends and Traitors, Hammer To Fall pretty good and then you stumble in stuff like A White Little Death which is just dreadful. The range is so wide it makes you doubt that the books were written by the same author; and so, reading Lawton is a little like playing russian roulette.
This time I bit the bullet (again)....Bluffing Mr Churchill is worse than bad, it's ordinary. Sloppy writing, weak plot plus the key characters are so charged with clichés to look like caricatures: The dumb yank who keeps scratching his head like an idiot at the mix of English dialect and street slang spoken by the smart Londoners is not amusing the first time, even the less the second, imagine the third, the fourth and so on. Same for the snug English who seem to be able to address strangers only with "lad" or "old chap".
The fact that I was coming from reading a few of the best books by Alan Furst made this even more painful,
DNF @33%...
July 4, 2023
Bluffing Mr. Churchill by John Lawton is the 4th book of the Frederick Troy mystery series, set in 1941 Germany and England. Wolfgang Stahl is an American spy, very deep cover, high (Brigadefuhrer) in the Nazi party, terrifying in full black/silver/lightning uniform. Just after he receives a covert warning "You're in the greatest danger. Go now. Go tonight.", an air raid destroys his home, making it convenient to fake his death and escape. But SS officer Reinhard Heydrich knows from the hands of the corpse wearing Stahl's clothes, he is not Stahl. Not the piano player who entertained Heydrich many times. So the search is on for Stahl, by the Nazis.
In England, "their finest hour was stretched out to the breaking point." Calvin Cormack III, Stahl's handler in Zurich, is recalled to London, tasked with dire urgency to find Stahl. So now the search is on for Stahl by the British spooks, as well.
Cal teams up with Special Branch detective Walter Stilton. Wary at first, not pooling their knowledge, they eventually become friends, mutually respecting and admiring each other's character. Cal visits Stilton's home, welcomed by his warm and caring family. Stilton's daughter Kitty is a major distraction for Cal, which he of course does not discuss with Stilton.
When the worst happens, Cal is left 'hanging out to dry' by colleagues (deniability). Troy takes over the case. This is early in Troy's career, while he's still building his reputation as a detective. Together they continue to hunt for Stahl, and soon realize they must unravel treachery extending to high office.
Pace, plot twists, phenomenal writing makes this hands-down my favorite in the series so far. I started the book taking notes of amazing quotes, soon realized almost every page has a sentence to savor.
In England, "their finest hour was stretched out to the breaking point." Calvin Cormack III, Stahl's handler in Zurich, is recalled to London, tasked with dire urgency to find Stahl. So now the search is on for Stahl by the British spooks, as well.
Cal teams up with Special Branch detective Walter Stilton. Wary at first, not pooling their knowledge, they eventually become friends, mutually respecting and admiring each other's character. Cal visits Stilton's home, welcomed by his warm and caring family. Stilton's daughter Kitty is a major distraction for Cal, which he of course does not discuss with Stilton.
When the worst happens, Cal is left 'hanging out to dry' by colleagues (deniability). Troy takes over the case. This is early in Troy's career, while he's still building his reputation as a detective. Together they continue to hunt for Stahl, and soon realize they must unravel treachery extending to high office.
Pace, plot twists, phenomenal writing makes this hands-down my favorite in the series so far. I started the book taking notes of amazing quotes, soon realized almost every page has a sentence to savor.
April 1, 2020
The first John Lawton book I’ve read and I was impressed with so much of this book that I will look for more.
Each character in this war time spy thriller is portrayed with clever individuality. London during the blitz and all the raw emotions and deprivations are there in black and white.
The search to find one of Hitlers most trusted entourage who is actually a spy for the USA DOMINATES the plot.
I like the mix of anger and humour that threads it’s way through the story. It is the humour of the Londoners trying to make sense of their world and anger at the losses.
What was historically factual and what was not didn’t bother me. The suffering and struggles of the ordinary people was very convincing.
Each character in this war time spy thriller is portrayed with clever individuality. London during the blitz and all the raw emotions and deprivations are there in black and white.
The search to find one of Hitlers most trusted entourage who is actually a spy for the USA DOMINATES the plot.
I like the mix of anger and humour that threads it’s way through the story. It is the humour of the Londoners trying to make sense of their world and anger at the losses.
What was historically factual and what was not didn’t bother me. The suffering and struggles of the ordinary people was very convincing.
June 29, 2023
A plot that relies on some number of unlikely contrivances and a degree of just ignore what is the likely choice or action to prolong, or, change direction.
Just as an example, the main character is held by the Metropolitan Police and has no way to prove that he is a US Army serving officer. We are asked to believe that he does not carry his AGO card as an officer attached to the Embassy?
He travels from neutral Switzerland to an England where everything is rationed, and has no civilan clothes - either from home, or made in Switzerland? In an America not at war, there is no obligation to be constantly in uniform.
Two examples of a thin, convoluted plot.
Three-quarters finished, and not sure I care whodunnit.
Just as an example, the main character is held by the Metropolitan Police and has no way to prove that he is a US Army serving officer. We are asked to believe that he does not carry his AGO card as an officer attached to the Embassy?
He travels from neutral Switzerland to an England where everything is rationed, and has no civilan clothes - either from home, or made in Switzerland? In an America not at war, there is no obligation to be constantly in uniform.
Two examples of a thin, convoluted plot.
Three-quarters finished, and not sure I care whodunnit.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2025
It's the Summer of 1941. Detective Sergeant Frederick Troy and the regular supporting cast are all coping with the war, but not happy. Add an escaped German agent fleeing Berlin, a guilless American intelligence officer whose father is an American Firster, a veteran Special Branch detective, Nazi assassins, double agents, and various upper class British spys and spy masters....some of whom work for British intelligence. Plenty of action and cerebral detection. Secrets are revealed, concealed, and not always believed .....even if they're true.
This is in the same class as Furst and le Carre, at least IMO.
This is in the same class as Furst and le Carre, at least IMO.
November 2, 2018
This entry in the Inspector Troy series is different from the others I've read. For one thing, it doesn't spend all that much time with Troy. Rather, other characters are introduced, including an American army officer posted to London. These are the months before America enters the war, so the interplay between the British and Americans isn't as clear-cut as it would become in later years.
Enter German spies and a murder that then involves Troy, and off we go. This was an excellent book. Well written--as usual with Mr. Lawton--and well thought out. I enjoyed it!
Enter German spies and a murder that then involves Troy, and off we go. This was an excellent book. Well written--as usual with Mr. Lawton--and well thought out. I enjoyed it!
January 15, 2021
This ended up being more of a film-noir-esque whodunnit than the war novel I was expecting. WWII actually just sort of takes a happenstance backseat. It was not always easy for me to get into, or stay into, the plot as it was fast-paced and character-jumped a lot; and I was a little bothered by the inclusion of a strong female character who essentially doesn’t get any screen time other than to show up to bang whichever one of the two main characters she’s in the mood for in between their detective work. An okay read if you like true crime. I would’ve picked a different title though.
August 6, 2020
Enjoyable spy vs spy story of WWII era. Set shortly before the US entered the war, it involves an American military guy sent from his embassy post in Zurich to Britain to "bring in his man", a highly-placed Austrian Nazi who has faked his death in a Berlin air raid. Between the American military and the various British departments that get involved, it's tough to keep track of who is working for whom. But things move along and the characters are interesting once you get to know them.
November 28, 2018
Another excellent Inspector Troy, or in this case Sergeant Troy from the pen of John Lawton. A fast paced plot that twists and turns, a cast of characters that shines, and a conclusion that leaves the reader scratching their head wondering what just happened?
Marred for me by the numerous typographical errors, which it this casewerealotof run togetherwords. I mean really!
Marred for me by the numerous typographical errors, which it this casewerealotof run togetherwords. I mean really!
December 3, 2020
I had a hard time following the story thread towards the end, but listened to it on audible so maybe that was the issue. It started with one characters as the main POV and then switched to another as the story ended. I'd like to see it in hard copy to determine if there were author indications of the switch. However, a pleasant read.
April 11, 2023
Terrific read. John Lawton jumps back in time to write an excellant mystery/thriller set in 1941. He makes a clever use of real characters as well as characters who appear later books. Barely misses a beat but if I'm being picky he does to give his female very modern attitudes without any consquence for the era they live in. But apart from that it's a damn fine book.
February 21, 2024
A well paced spy novel. Strong characters, plot twists, and enemy spies amongst us. Why do all the good bits happen at night? Punctuated with true events, but believable enough. What a difference a few minutes make.
I now have to read about Hess and The Bismarck.
I read it in paperback. Quick read.
I now have to read about Hess and The Bismarck.
I read it in paperback. Quick read.
May 21, 2019
I have to admit, I’m a fan of this series. So far, the ones I’ve read have been set during WWII, and they have been well-written and engrossing. This one also had some rather funny “young American in England” clash of cultures moments.
May 12, 2020
An enjoyable and outstanding World War II thriller set amid the Blitz and the Battle of Britain that will engross the reader and provide some startling education about a major turning point in world history.
July 29, 2020
My favorite historical novel period is WWII and John Lawton's series set in London with is terrific. this is re-read as I've read all his stuff previously, but I find myself re-reading, perhaps due to Covid.
August 17, 2020
A series of books that has everything. Great characters, wonderful plotting, spot on pace and above all quality writing. London and WW2 setting beautifully created. Takes you there.
My second time around for the 'Inspector Troy' books but so good!!
My second time around for the 'Inspector Troy' books but so good!!
November 16, 2020
Not a new book by any means but part of a series I'm working through and enjoying. This one however is outstandingly good. Brilliant detail, cracking story and just a damn good read! Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews