A page turner. Some well written characters and a sense of doom. The idea behind the plot was a new one on me, although I did know there was speculation about Hitler’s relationship with his niece. I always enjoy Rory Clements books.

Good historical fiction however the what if was not very well executed it somewhat failed to catch my attention.

Hitler’s Secret by Rory Clements
Rating 4.4/5 ****.4 
Hitler’s Secret is the 4th in the Tom Wilde series. However, it’s the first I have read and I can assure you it works as a stand-alone but I will be looking to read the previous books in the series.
A grippingly, strong and believable plot which also emphasises that even Nazi Germany wasn’t a safe place for many Germans. 
Well developed characters, good and evil brings give depth to the plot. The cleverly wording gives the reader the sense of fear and struggle, betrayal, power and greed. 
A good and satisfying read, definitely recommended. 
Thanks to Rory Clements, Zaffre and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this gripping novel. In return I have written an honest and unbiased review.

Prior to being offered this book as an ARC, I had yet to read anything by Rory Clements. Big mistake! Being a chronological series reader, I usually don't jump into a new book series in book 4, but I thought the book sounded really promising and decided to make an exception this time. Great decision! I am a huge fan of the late Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther series about the Nazi era in Germany, and this book played well into that as both Clements and Kerr mix historic figures and events with fictional ones in a brilliant manner.
Clement knows how to write and develop and exciting plot with credible twists and turns along the way to a nailbiting finale. I was very much entertained and will definitely seek out Clement's past and future books.
Let me end this review by recommending Andrew Gross's fantastic WWII thriller The One Man to fans of Rory Clements and the Tom Wilde series - you will not be disappointed!

A riveting and suspenseful historical novel come spy thriller from Rory Clements. This is the first of his books I have read and will be looking out for his other titles. Historically accurate and well written. Well worth a read.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bonnier Zaffre for the arc.

I'll start by saying this isn't my usual type of book, but the description sounded intriguing so I thought I'd give it a go. 

There was enough of a story to encourage me to read to the end, but if I'm honest the characters weren't that rounded - they came across as caricatures from a slightly painfully acted war film. Some of the things they did (I won't give too much away) was simply unbelievable or implausible, so while I wanted to "believe" in their exploits, I found myself rolling my eyes and muttering "really?". 

There were some nice descriptions, and it's clear the author knows their history. But that aside, it wasn't quite believable enough for me to buy into.

As usual in my reviews I will not rehash the plot (plenty of other reviews like that out there!)

This is an exciting, atmospheric and suspenseful read, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. The action moves between several locations and countries, all of which are obviously well researched. The characters - some fictional, some real - are brought vividly to life. Can we trust them all? The answer is no - but it's up to you to solve the red herrings.

I liked Wilde's character - the fact that he's not a full-time spy works well and adds to the storyline. I haven't read any of the previous books in the Tom Wilde series (will remedy that soon I hope!) but this works well enough as a standalone read.

Have now joined Rory Clements' "Readers' Club" online, and look forward to reading more by this author.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

‘Hitler’s Secret’ is the fourth of Rory Clements’ Tom Wilde novels, but the first that I’ve read. It’s a gripping and enjoyable World War 2 thriller with a good blend of espionage and historical detail. On the strength of this entry in the series I can see myself picking up the first three books.
The story is set in 1942 and sees Wilde, an Irish-American teaching at Cambridge University, going to Nazi Germany masquerading as a businessman wanting to do a deal with the German government. In fact he is there to rescue a young girl and bring her back to Britain. The first third or so of the book switches between Wilde’s attempts to find that girl and that of two of Martin Boorman’s thugs who are also on her trail. 
The basic premise is somewhat far-fetched and the plot relies on coincidence and deluxe ex machina events a little too often, but that doesn’t stop it being a very entertaining read. Wilde is a likeable hero, resourceful and determined rather than blessed with the near superhuman abilities of some thriller protagonists. The supporting cast are solid too. There are vicious Nazis, sympathetic Germans who oppose the regime, wily American spies and stiff-upper lip British operatives. None of them will win awards for originality, but they’re all fun to read and convincing within the universe of the book. 
It’s an easy read, packed with intrigue, twists and action. The plot contains gun fights, car chases, torture, and other thriller staples, all used to good effect. The writing is good and Rory Clements throws in loads of well researched detail, which makes the book overall feel believable, even if the events of the plot stretch credibility at times. 
That attention to detail lifts this above some other thrillers I’ve read and makes for a read that’s informative as well as thrilling. Despite not being the first in the series I didn’t feel like I was missing out on anything, but it did wet my appetite for the other books.

Autumn 1941. The war is going badly for Britain and its allies. If Hitler is to be stopped, a new weapon is desperately needed.

In Cambridge, professor Tom Wilde is approached by an American intelligence officer who claims to know of such a weapon - one so secret even Hitler himself isn't aware of its existence. If Wilde can smuggle the package out of Germany, the Third Reich will surely fall.

But it is only when he is deep behind enemy lines that Wilde discovers why the Nazis are so desperate to prevent the 'package' falling into Allied hands. And as ruthless killers hunt him through Europe, a treacherous question hangs over the mission: if Hitler's secret will win them the war, why is Wilde convinced it must remain hidden?

Hitler's Secret is the fourth in Clements' Tom Wilde series; I hadn't heard of the series before but was intrigued by the book blurb so chose it as a NetGalley read. I am going to struggle to say anything more about the plot without giving away spolers; suffice to say that this is a fast-paced, well-plotted, twisty action-packed thriller.  All the characters are well-drawn, whether they are historical or fictional and my heart was pounding through the particularly hair-raising predicaments Tom finds himself in. 

I am now going off to track down copies of the first three Tom Wilde books!

This one wasn't for me at all....I shouldn't have requested it! I tried but just couldn't find the enthusiasm for it. If you're into this topic then it might be for you!

Fourth in the Tom Wilde World War Two spy mysteries, ‘Hitler’s Secret’ by Rory Clements hits the ground running and keeps the pages turning. The secret in question is a ten-year old girl who may or may not be the love child of Hitler. Klara has a false identity and is hidden but is now in imminent danger of exposure and murder.
Wilde travels to Berlin disguised as a German-American motorcycle manufacturer in search of a business deal. His cover enables him to meet allies and search for Klara. Unsure of his mission from the beginning, Wilde imagines that everyone can see through his false identity, everyone is planning to kill him. Clements tells the story at breakneck speed, flicking from viewpoint to viewpoint. Martin Bormann, Hitler’s gatekeeper wants Klara dead and despatches a henchman, Otto Kalt. But it seems everyone touched by Klara’s story is at risk of death. As Wilde closes in on Klara’s hiding place, so do her killers. What ensues is a tense chase north across Germany towards the promised sanctuary of Sweden. And at all times it is assumed Hitler is unaware of the girl’s existence. But who else knows the secret?
At the heart of this story is trust. Believing loyalty expressed at time of war can be a treacherous decision and at times Tom feels everyone has an agenda except him. Even his allies have their own motivations, their own friends and loyalties. Expecting to collect a ‘package’ in Berlin, he is horrified to find he is collecting a girl; he feels duped and used by his spy chiefs. And as Tom runs, it is impossible for him to identify his pursuers. His judgement is seriously challenged and he trusts no-one. What is on the surface a matter of shaming the perfect Adolf Hitler, so popular with his German female citizens, is at the same time a fight between the most elite of German officials.
Familiar characters from earlier books in the series recur: Tom’s partner Lydia, American diplomat Jim Vandenberg and Wilde’s contact at British intelligence, Philip Eaton. History professor Wilde is an affecting amateur spy, diligently learning the role he is assigned but relying on his instincts to get him out of trouble. Of course, the best laid plan can go wrong but this time the plan is not organised in advance and Tom is on his own. He will sink or swim and the few he trusts do not know if he is alive or dead. 
Read more of my book reviews at http://www.sandradanby.com/book-reviews-a-z/

I enjoy a good historical fiction book and thought I'd give 'Hitler's Secret' a go.  I'll be honest saying that the story wasn't what I expected - it was better!  Coming on here to leave my review I've just noticed that this is part of a series.  Do not let this put you off if you haven't read the other books.  Yes, perhaps there is background information but having not read any of the books in the series beforehand I do not feel like I've missed out anything that would be vital to the story.

Tom Wilde finds himself undercover in Nazi Germany to pick up a mysterious 'package' but only when he finds out the true scope of his mission does he realise the importance of the task he is about to undertake.  However, Tom is not the only one searching for this trophy.  Hitler's right hand man, Martin Bormann is also on a mission to get there before anyone else and he will not take no for an answer meaning that a number of dispicable characters like Charlie Jung and Otto Kalt are making life very difficult for Wilde.  Wilde finds that he is not on his own though and alongside the tough Sunny Somerfield he navigates his way through the country to try to find and return the 'package' to the appropriate hands.

I found Tom and Sunny very relatable and enjoyed watching their relationship grow throughout the story.  Lots of twists and turns and a very enjoyable read overall.

A fast paced story set in Germany and England in WW2. Hitler has a daughter that no one knows about, not even Hitler. Some want her dead so their secrets are safe and others want her safe so the secrets can be used. Our history professor is thrown in the middle of this and does not know who to trust, just knows he wants a 10 year girl to be safe. An enjoyable read

I love most books set in the Second World War so this instantly appealed. I was not let down.

Rory Clements has created an intriguing character in the form of Tom Wilde. At first appearance he is a professor at Cambridge and not someone you would think capable of a secret spy mission right into the heart of Germany during the Second World War. However, Clements slowly unveils layer after layer of Tom.

Tom is joined, on his mission to remove Hitler's secret love child from Germany, by Sunny Somerfeld, an American/German woman who has friends in high places within the Third Reich. 
Klara, Hitler's suspected child, is what I would think of if I had to think of a child in Germany during that era. She blindly believes in what she is taught at school and through her involvement in the female version of the Hitler Youth. Her adoptive parents disagree but in Third Reich Germany they cannot risk Klara saying anything against the regime, particularly given who she is and their aim to hide her. 

Klara does not know who her father may be so Tom and Sunny have to get her cooperation to leave the country while dealing with her complete faith in that country. It is a very precarious position and it comes across very well in the novel.

Some well known characters feature in the novel and they felt authentic in their actions and attitudes so it is clearly well researched.

The other characters range from American spies, British diplomats, a wealthy British man who has interests in the Third Reich, local friends of Tom and his partner Lydia and so on. There is a real range of characters here and they all fit their roles perfectly.

The plot, although initially could be seen as far fetched, actually felt so realistic that it made me wonder 'did Hitler have a child that no one in the general public ever found out about'? It also made me question the power dynamics at the top of the regime and peaked my curiosity about this period of History even more than it was already.

Great for fans of Robert Harris' Fatherland or Philip Kerr's Bernie Gunther series.

Thanks to Zaffre, Netgalley and the author for the chance to read this ARC. I will definitely be recommending Tom Wilde's escapades to others and will keep up with him in future titles from Rory Clements.

This is the first book by this author that I have read and I found it fascinating. Historical fiction can bring real situations to life by weaving a fictional story through the historical period. This one was up with the best. Believable characters and an tense, action packed, storyline.

What a tour de force this book is. Thrilling, suspenseful and fascinating, this is a spy thriller on steroids. A Cambridge scholar, Tom Wilde,  is recruited by the secret services to smuggle a package out of Germany. But the package turns out to be a ten year old girl, Klara. Klara is thought to be Hitler's secret love child, one that he is not even aware exists. But the cruel and ambitious Boorman knows about her and will go to any lengths to find and destroy her. Now begins a race against time to rescue this young girl. Murder, intrigue, betrayal - this book has it all. I read this in one sitting as I just couldn't put it down!

This was the first novel of Rory Clements that I had read, a suspense thriller set in the dark days of World War Two. However, it was not too my taste although very atmospheric and could not finish it.

8/10

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this. I was expecting similar to the previous Tom Wilde novels I read where they were decent enough and the setting was great but the story was just ok. In this outing things are shaken up a bit and we’re removed from war time Cambridge and sent behind enemy lines into Germany on a secret mission. 

Admittedly, it seemed a bit forced to be sending Wilde on this mission and in afterthought it could have been any new character set away from this series but if you get past that then there was plenty of excitement and suspense whilst trying to stay hidden in sight with those pesky Nazi’s snooping around every corner. 

This is where I thought the novel excelled; the atmosphere was terrifying and the fear that at any moment you could be sent off and never seen again depending on who you knew or what your beliefs were. I guess the period has to be one of the darkest in modern history and the author portrays it well and weaves a decent story through it. 

I’d say this was a cut above from your normal thriller and I would recommend to anyone who wanted a taste of the era and a suspense ride.

Wow, my first book by Rory Clements but definitely won't be my last.  Despite this being the fourth in the Tom Wilde series, you don't have to have read the first three to understand the plot of this book (I think I'm now going to read the first three).  I was gripped from the very first chapter, and was hooked with the plot throughout the whole book, each chapter leaving you wanting to know what was to happen next.  We are initially introduced to our main character Tom Wilde as a professor during the war at Cambridge.  However, he is also an agent linked with the British government, and so is given the task of travelling to Germany to bring back a 'package'.  At this point he - and neither do we as readers - know what this package consists of.  It is not until he arrives in Berlin and the plot begins to unfold as he learns that there is a child living in a German village, Klara, who is believed to be the unknown and secret daughter of Adolf Hitler.  Her life at this point in the war is in grave danger, and so it is the job of Wilde and various accomplices along the way, to get young Klara safely back to England,  Along the way Wilde is faced with many obstacles, many of them life threatening, and as he travels with the child he begins to learn more of the political story behind all of this.  I found that this was a very well written book, which depicted a good image of life in Germany and surrounding countries during the war, where you can imagine such operations of this kind were frequently carried out under cover.  Written as a piece of historical fiction, the book makes particular references to factual characters and events during the war, whilst being embellished by the plot.  The plot had me engrossed throughout, with believable characters created.  If you are interested in fictional stories set during WWII I can't recommend this book highly enough.  My thanks go out to netgalley and Bonnier Zaffre books for giving me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this.

Hitler's Secret is a fast-paced, twisty thriller set during the Second World War. At its heart is a bold premise, a what-if which the author keeps hidden until the last moment - while dropping enough hints to let the reader work it out before the reveal, which is always satisfying.

It's Rory Clements's latest in his series about Tom Wilde, the Cambridge history professor turned spy. I've read the previous book, Nemesis, and it does help to know a bit about Wilde and his previous story, but this book can be read as a stand-alone without missing much; Clements has a knack for slipping in background information without the reader noticing.

A quick plot summary: it's 1941, and the US is teetering on the brink of joining the war against the Axis. An American agent recruits Tom, via UK security, to go to Germany to collect and bring back a package - one which could change the course of the war. Posing as a Nazi sympathiser, Wilde makes his contact and discovers the nature of the 'secret he has to smuggle out of Germany.

Warning: spoilers. The secret is a girl, believed to be the daughter of Hitler and his niece, Geli Ruebal. Hitler doesn't know she exists, her mother died mysteriously, and top Nazi official Martin Bormann wants her for his own reasons. Wilde and his implausible sidekick, Sunny Summerfeld, have to get little Klara north and onto a boat - but Bormann's murderous hitmen are on their trail..

The plot drives relentlessly on, with plenty of surprises, and mostly it's a fun ride. But the last few chapters are so rapid, with so many twists, that you're left behind, running to catch up. And that - plus the feeling that the author crammed as much as he could into the denouement for lack of time, or space - brought my suspension of disbelief crashing down to the ground.

Still, it's an enjoyable read, if you don't mind what for me were the moments of implausibility and the hurried ending.