review in German will be published on my sites at 10/02/2025 - Deepl-translated version see below

»Revenge of Odessa« ist der lange erwartete zweite Band des in den 1980er Jahren erschienenen Romans »Die Akte Odessa« vom Großmeister der Spionagethrille Frederick Forsyth. Allerdings hatte sich Frederick Forsyth wegen seines Alters bereits einen Co-Autoren hinzugeholt, der ihn bei der Fertigstellung unterstützt. Dieser Co-Autor ist kein geringerer als der britische Thriller-Autor Tony Kent. Es ist sehr bedauerlich, dass der Großmeister das Erscheinen dieses zweiten Teils der ODESSA-Akten nicht mehr erleben kann. Denn er verstarb im Juni 2025, kurz vor dem Erscheinungstermin. Möge er in Frieden ruhen.

Die Fäden des ersten Teils, der im Spannungsfeld des kalten Krieges in den 1960er Jahren in Deutschland spielt, wurden bestens aufgegriffen und in die heute Zeit transformiert. Protagonist des zweiten Teils Georg Miller, ist der Enkel des Protagonisten Peter Miller aus dem ersten Band. Auch Georg ist in die Fußstapfen seines Greoßvaters gestiegen und Journalist geworden. Er arbeitet für das Hamburger Magazin „Komet“. (Ein Schelm, wer dabei an den „Stern“ denkt. )

---Wer etwas über den ersten Band »Die Akte ODESSA« wissen möchte, um etwas mehr informiert zu sein, kann gerne meine Rezension dazu lesen. Es sei aber angemerkt, dass der erste Teil nicht zwingend norwendig ist, um den zweiten Teil zu verstehen. Alles zum Verständnis beitragendes Wissen wird auch in »Revenge of Odessa« erwähnt und erläutert.---

Der Roman führt die Leser zunächst in die Räume des amerikanischen Senators Jack Johnson. Johnson hat sein ganzes Leben versucht, ehrlich und offen zu sein. Doch an diesem Abend steht eine Praktikantin Spohie aus seinem Team in seiner Wohnung. Sie möchte eigentlich einen Job in der Politik, aber vielleicht auch mehr. Doch Johnson wehrt sich. Da explodiert seine Wohnung und sowohl der Senator als auch die Praktikantin kommen dabei ums Leben. Aber einen Nachfolger auf dem Posten des Senators gibt es bereits.

Dann schwingt die Handlung nach Deutschland in ein Fußballstadion. Es spielen der VfB Stuttgart gegen den TSC Hoffenheim. Das Plätze im Stadion sind ausverkauft. Während die Fußballfans jubeln oder enttäuscht sind, gibt es plötzlich Detonationen und es werden Schüsse auf die Zuschauer abgefeuert. Unter „Allauh Akbar“-Rufen werden viele Menschen getötet. Es ist ein Terroranschlag noch nie dagewesenen Ausmaßes in Deutschland.

Gregor Miller, Reporter beim Hamburger „Komet“, war wegen einer Fußballreportage anwesend und fühlt sich nun berufen, eine Reportage über den Anschlag zu machen. Doch, was er dabei aufdeckt, hätte er nie erwartet. Denn manche nInformationen betreffen ihn und seine Familie ganz persönlich.

Vielle echte Fakten aus der heutigen Zeit wurden mit der Handlung verknüpft, die im September 2025 spielt. Die AfD und ihr Erstarken bei den Wahlen und Umfragen spielt eine wesentliche Rolle, um die Existenz von ODESSA zu erklären. Aber auch der Terroranschlag zu Weihnachten 2024 in Magdeburg und die zunehmende Ausländerfeindlichkeit in Deuschland bieten Erklärungen. Das wird alles hervorragend in die Dramaturgie des Thrillers eingebunden.

Schließlich spielt im Rahmen der Dramartugie auch die Manipulation des amerikanischen Präsidenten eine Rolle. Die Organisation ODESSA hat sich nicht nur Deutschland als Ziel vorgenommen, sondern will endlich, nachdem es beim Zweiten Weltkrieg nicht geklappt hat, das Dritte Reich erschaffen und macht vor Amerika nicht halt.

Damit stellt sich Frederick Forsyth erneut ganz klar auf die Seite der Mahner, wie er es schon vor Jahrzehnten gemacht hat. Die Menschen, egal welcher Nation, sollen wachsam bleiben, wann immer es darum geht, eine Weltmacht zu erschaffen.

Auch wenn wie im ersten Teil der Protagonist zunächst etwas naiv wirkt, so lernt er schneller als damals sein Großvater. Schließlich hat er diesen jetzt auch an seiner Seite. Und da beiden klar ist, dass sie den Gegner nicht ohne Gewalt bezwingen können, holen sie sich mächtige Hilfe.

Deshalb können sich Leser dieses Romans nicht nur auf konsequente Ermittlungen freuen, sondern ihnen wird auch eine gehörige Portion Action geboten. Bei dem Terroranschlag im Fußballstadion bleibt es schließlich nicht, denn es gilt einen viel größeren Terroranschlag abzuwehren. Und dabei kommen jede Menge hart ausgebildete Söldner zum Einsatz. Der Wechsel zwischen den Handlungen in USA und denen in Deutschland macht genauso Spaß wie der Wechsel von Ermittlungen und Action.

Revenge of Odessa ist ein fantastischer und würdevoller Nachfolger und zweiter Teil von Die Akte Odessa. Und natürlich macht mich die letzte Anmeldung, dass ODESSA nie stirbt, ein wenig hoffnungsvoll, noch mehr darüber zu erfahren. Ein toller und spannender Roman!!!

© Detlef Knut, Düsseldorf 2025


=== deepl-translated version ===

"Revenge of Odessa" is the long-awaited second volume of the novel The Odessa File, published in the 1980s by the grand master of spy thrillers, Frederick Forsyth. However, due to his age, Frederick Forsyth had already brought in a co-author to help him complete the book. This co-author is none other than British thriller writer Tony Kent. It is very unfortunate that the grand master will not be able to see the publication of this second part of the ODESSA files. He passed away in June 2025, shortly before the publication date. May he rest in peace.

The threads of the first part, which is set in Germany during the Cold War in the 1960s, have been picked up and transformed into the present day. The protagonist of the second part, Georg Miller, is the grandson of the protagonist Peter Miller from the first volume. Georg has also followed in his grandfather's footsteps and become a journalist. He works for the Hamburg magazine “Komet.” (Anyone who thinks of “Stern” is a mischievous person. )

---If you would like to know more about the first volume, “Die Akte ODESSA,” to be a little better informed, you are welcome to read my review of it. However, it should be noted that the first part is not essential for understanding the second part. All the information needed to understand the story is also mentioned and explained in “Revenge of Odessa.”---

The novel first takes readers into the home of American senator Jack Johnson. Johnson has tried to be honest and open his entire life. But on this evening, Sophie, an intern from his team, is visiting his apartment. She actually wants a job in politics, but perhaps she wants more than that. Johnson resists her advances. Then his apartment explodes, killing both the senator and the intern. But there is already a successor to the senator's post.

Then the action swings to Germany, to a soccer stadium. VfB Stuttgart is playing against TSC Hoffenheim. The stadium is sold out. While the soccer fans cheer or are disappointed, there are suddenly explosions and shots are fired at the spectators. Many people are killed amid cries of “Allahu Akbar.” It is a terrorist attack of unprecedented proportions in Germany.

Gregor Miller, a reporter for Hamburg's “Komet” newspaper, was present because of a soccer report and now feels compelled to write a report about the attack. But what he uncovers is something he never expected. Because some of the information concerns him and his family personally.

Many real facts from the present day have been linked to the plot, which takes place in September 2025. The AfD and its rise in the polls and elections play an important role in explaining the existence of ODESSA. But the terrorist attack in Magdeburg on Christmas Day 2024 and the increasing xenophobia in Germany also offer explanations. All of this is excellently integrated into the thriller's dramaturgy.

Finally, the manipulation of the American president also plays a role in the drama. The ODESSA organization has not only set its sights on Germany, but also wants to finally create the Third Reich, after failing to do so in World War II, and it does not stop at America.

Frederick Forsyth thus once again clearly sides with the warning voices, as he did decades ago. People, regardless of their nationality, should remain vigilant whenever there are attempts to create a world power.

Even though the protagonist initially seems somewhat naive, as in the first part, he learns faster than his grandfather did back then. After all, he now has his grandfather at his side. And since it is clear to both of them that they cannot defeat their opponent without violence, they seek powerful help.

Readers of this novel can therefore look forward not only to a thorough investigation, but also to a good dose of action. After all, the terrorist attack in the soccer stadium is not the end of the story, as a much larger terrorist attack must be prevented. And this involves the deployment of a large number of highly trained mercenaries. The switch between the plots in the USA and those in Germany is just as enjoyable as the switch between investigation and action.

Revenge of Odessa is a fantastic and dignified sequel and second part of The Odessa File. And, of course, the final announcement that ODESSA never dies makes me a little hopeful to learn more about it. A great and exciting novel!!!

© Detlef Knut, Düsseldorf 2025

Revenge of Odessa is a solid thriller and I think fans of espionage and action books will definitely enjoy this one. I thought this was a good read, if a little predictable in parts, but it kept my attention for the most part. Recommended!

Revenge of Odessa is a sequel to The Odessa File. It is written by Frederick Forsyth with Tony Kent. It is published on 23 October. Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK/Transworld Publishers for the early copy to read and review. This is set in the present day and is independent of The Odessa Files by Frederick Forsyth. Senator Jack Johnson is dressed ready for a night out in Washington to introduce his partner to the press. And in Stuttgart, Germany, terror has arrived at a football match. Georg Miller is a journalist in Germany, and he is a fascinating character. He is driven by his role model, his grandfather. The violence is increasing in Germany, and the politicians are using this violence to rally the people to a cause. Georg is determined to stop it, this horror which he finds so hard to understand. Scott Brogan, an old family friend and ex-MI5 is there at his side. It was great writing and was able to portray the horror of what was happening so clearly. I felt I was there, right in the middle of it. I also felt it was very topical with what is happening round the world. The story races along playing out in both Washington, with Vanessa delving into the background of politics, and Germany. Tension and racing pulse – I experienced them all. A thrilling tale and quite believable.

"When you outlaw the truth, you pave the road to hell."

When I heard about the release of this book, I was over the moon for two reasons. Firstly, many moons ago, I discovered my love for spy thrillers through The Odessa Files, and secondly, Tony Kent is one of my favorite authors, so to me, this was a match made in heaven!
I can honestly say that this book did not disappoint!
It is a fast-paced, action-packed read that captured my attention from the very beginning.
In The Odessa Files, Ben served as our primary protagonist, and he returns in this book, though this time it is his grandson who inadvertently becomes involved with Odessa after being mistaken for his father.

Sixty years before Georg Miller's grandfather Ben infiltrated and exposed Odessa, an underground network of former SS officers dedicated to protecting ex-Nazis, helping them escape justice, and infiltrating postwar society; an organization everyone thought was wiped out, but it seems as though they are as close to power as they have ever been. They were dormant for a very long time, but it seems as though they are still wheeling and dealing and were responsible for the death of Georg's parents.
What are they planning, and will Georg and his godfather, who is called in to help, be able to stop them in time?

I hope we will see a follow-up to this book because you can remove the head, but remember Cerberus had more than one head....

A disturbing, frightening - but very well-written, and enjoyable- book, by the master of thriller writing. Set now, a journalist uncovers a plot to restore a new-Nazi party to power in Germany; and, meanwhile, something sinister is happening in Washington. This book is a 'must-read'. and I highly recommend it.

With thanks to Transworld Digital and NetGalley for an ARC.

Frederick Forsyth made his glowing reputation with Day of the Jackal followed by The Odessa File and he bows out with a fitting finale in conjunction with another acclaimed author in Tony Kent, with a return to the story of Odessa and how they have been biding their time before planning a resurgence that will restore the Nazi ideology to both Germany and the USA.

Their plans are eventually foiled after a lot of derring do and violence. The book excites but does not quite catch fire in the way that classic Forsyth did but it is a sophisticated and credible thriller assisted by accurate and detailed descriptions of the political systems in both countries.

A good read and recommended.

I remember reading the Odessa File and then seeing the film when they were first released and living in west Germany at the time it resonated as I saw the aftermath of what national socialism had wrought on the, sadly this book is out of time for me, ok but not memorable

Georg is the main character in the novel, but there are several others who are important such as Freya, Vanessa and Peter, and of course Brogan. They tell a tale based on the Odessa organisation not being destroyed but laying low, waiting for the opportunity to strike again.
Whether they succeed is a question that the reader needs to find out.
I was fully engaged with this book and the story, and of course I know of the author because I read his first book about the Odessa organisation. I never expected another book, but this novel was a wonderful surprise.
This book drew me in and kept me reading because it was a page turner and very well written, as you would expect from this author.
Highly recommended.