Flowers From Berlin by Noel Hynd, takes place in one of the most turbulent times in the history of the United States, the period encompassing the last years of the Great Depression and the lead-in to World War II.
We know about one attempt on then President-elect FDR’s life, on 15 February 1933, in Miami, Florida. (In those days, before the 20th Amendment, the President took office on 4 March.)
This riveting spy thriller, hinges around another attempt on the president’s life.
The last election had given FDR an unprecedented third term, but even so, unemployment was high, and so was opposition to U.S. involvement in Europe.
The European dictators sat stronger than ever. War clouds bloomed and prominent Americans loudly voiced their opposition to American involvement. They were in the majority. FDRs hands were bound, but it was no secret he sided heavily with the western democracies.
By the time the Lend Lease Act, was signed in 1941, the tide had shifted somewhat, although most Americans wanted to help our friends without being directly drawn into the conflict. Japan viciously invaded China. Nazi Germany’s army spread across Europe like a virus. China needed help. England needed help. Free France needed help.
What if? is the one question that pushes a thriller over the cliff and into the abyss. What if Hitler decided killing Roosevelt would stop the Administration in its tracks and prevent the United States from entering the war that raged in Europe?
In this novel, the war had already come to America. A sleeper spy, or perhaps more than one ravaged the east coast.
American counterintelligence was in its infancy. The Black Chamber cryptology effort was closed in 1929. New attempts to organize CI devolved into clashes between agencies and also clashed with American ethics, most clearly stated by former Secretary of State Henry L. Stimson that “Gentlemen do not read each other’s mail.”
Then there was the distrust, not to mention personal animosity between FDR and J. Edgar Hoover.
Through FDR’s persuasiveness and in direct opposition to Director Hoover’s desires, William Thomas Cochrane, a semi-disgraced and mistrusted FBI agent is thrust into the maelstrom and handed the job of finding the man or men responsible for east coast sabotage. Cochrane must feel his way, with little help from his own agency, as he tries desperately to prevent a catastrophe that could indeed alter the course of the war.
But, it’s not all war. Toss in a British agent. And she’s gorgeous. And Cochrane is single. In this thriller, you get wartime spies, political intrigue, breath-taking suspense, all wrapped neatly with a romantic bow.
Do not start this book on a whim. Once you begin, you will forget about eating, sleeping, and sex with your favorite wife until you turn the last page.
Flowers From Berlin is a well-written account of what could have happened. It may even be what did happen. The page on wartime sabotage in the United States is blank.
The book rates 4.5/5 Stars on Amazon and the Kindle edition costs $3.25. You paid more than that for Girl Scout Cookies.
