Member Review

Part historical spy novel, part murder mystery, this is the second book featuring ex detective Gunner, invalided out of the army during WW2, Gunner is now working for the mysterious Nickerson in New York, trying to persuade a reluctant USA to enter the war.
When a young woman who has been helping them in this task is found drowned in the Hudson River, Gunner starts to investigate which leads to several suspects and a dangerous German plot. Far from his Glasgow home where book 1 was set, Gunner is a fish out of water in New York, but he is able to use his detective’s skills to find out what is going on and even gets some help from his new friend Patrick who works for the NYPD.
This was a very interesting novel, combining real and fictional characters- we even get to meet Joe Kennedy, older brother of JFK. The author has done a lot of historical research and combining fiction and history works very well, particularly as the book rushes towards its conclusion.
I really liked Gunner, a flawed character, hooked on morphine to dull the pin of his war injuries but determined to investigate and get to the truth, peeling back the layers of deception. At one point it was not clear whom he could trust- even his boss seems rather grey- a British service agent but what else?
The ending when it came , was definitely setting up Gunner to return in a 3rd book and I can’t wait to see where he ends up next.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance copy.