I chose this as I got to know Spain quite well over the last ten years and wanted to know more about Franco.
The story centres around a plot by Hitler and his cronies to capture Gibraltar- a strategic advantage would be gained in the war. Annie Wrenne is an Anglo-French nurse who speaks Spanish so well she is often mistaken for a Spaniard. With her skills , she is an invaluable asset to the British in gaining intelligence. Franco is portrayed as a ditherer, unable to commit to what he wants for Spain. I’d still like to know how he came to be the dictator that stayed in power until 1975. ( That’s another book! )
An interesting story with just enough of the history to keep it interesting. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC.

This is a complex and richly detailed story set against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War. Anna, the central figure, is in Madrid when the war starts and signs up for front line duties as a nurse. She has an ill fated romance and then becomes involved with a strong Republican figure and is soon embroiled in espionage and a double life.

I know very little about the Spanish Civil War and this is the first book I’ve read by Graham Hurley. However, I was absolutely engrossed from start to finish. In addition to it being a carefully plotted adventure/ espionage tale, it was deftly woven into settings and events that are historically accurate. There’s a real sense of the era and the issues and it felt authentic. I’m going to look for other books in this series on the strength of this read, All the ingredients for a fast paced thriller, delivered with conviction. I loved it and my pulse raced more than once.

This book has a dual narrative, weaving together real historical characters like Admiral Canaris and fictional elements - the second thread moves from Annie Wrenne's experiences of the Spanish Civil War which lead her to be drawn later to a MI5/German Abwehr plot to prevent Franco bringing in Spain to join the WW2 as a German ally.

I'm a great fan of Graham Hurley's police procedurals, but I found the plot somewhat difficult to follow in the first half of the book. This was probably due in part to my unfamiliarity with the historical figure of Canaris and the various divisions of power under Hitlet between the Abwehr and, for example, the SS. I had some trouble keeping track of the actions and identities undercover/double agents on both sides - it was a relief to return to Annie's story in this part of the book.

I found the historical elements of the Spanish Civil war interesting, also, the potential campaign by Hitler to try and capture Gibralter. The real life fate of Canaris, as explained in the author's note, was sobering.

I would probably recommend this book to male readers interested in WW2 thrillers (though for them perhaps Annie's story might be a bit 'soft'?) I have a male writing colleague I will definitely suggest this book to as an example of complex plotting and the weaving together of historical events and fictional elements.

The ninth in this pulsating Spoils of War series written by that marvellous writer Graham Hurley. Quite how Hurley has not become far more famous and well known is a total mystery to me.

I loved his police procedurals featuring Faraday, Winter and Suttle and adored the Enora Andresson series too.

The Spoils of War series shows his talent in writing second world war thrillers mostly featuring espionage and treachery and this is well up to standard with a wonderful heroine and trickery in abundance together with a dash of romance.

It is an intoxicating brew and made for an engrossing read.

The latest Graham Hurley novel is Dead Ground set primarily in Franco’s Spain. “Dead Ground” is a thrilling addition to the Spoils of War Collection.
Dead Ground” is a historical thriller set against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War and World War II, featuring the character Annie Wrenne. The plot unfolds as Annie, an Anglo-Breton translator, finds herself in Madrid when the Spanish Civil War erupts in 1936. She becomes a nurse on the front lines and, after falling in love with a patient, ends up pregnant and abandoned by a man she believed she knew.
As the war progresses, Annie’s only solace is her relationship with Carlos Ortega, a mysterious Republican fighter. This connection leads her into a world of espionage and intrigue, culminating in her recruitment into MI5. For her first mission, Annie is tasked with posing as Ortega’s wife and traveling to Algeciras to thwart Hitler’s Operation Felix, a strategic plan aimed at controlling the Mediterranean and forcing Churchill to negotiate.
The stakes are high as the mission is critical to preventing the Nazis from taking Gibraltar. However, Annie faces a significant dilemma: Ortega has been secretly working for the Nationalists as part of Madrid’s Fifth Column. With Ortega’s loyalties in question, Annie must navigate a web of deception and determine whether she can trust a man who has repeatedly switched allegiances.
“Dead Ground” is a story of love, betrayal, and the complexities of wartime loyalties, offering readers a suspenseful journey through one of history’s most tumultuous periods
The novel is set in a richly detailed world that captivates the imagination and keeps the pages turning. Hurley’s skillful storytelling is evident as he weaves a complex narrative that is both gripping and thought-provoking.
Overall, “Dead Ground” is a must-read for fans of the genre and a testament to Graham Hurley’s talent as a writer. It’s a book that not only entertains but also leaves a lasting impression, making it a worthy addition to any thriller enthusiast’s collection