Prince of Spies by Alex Gerlis – 5 Stars
Publisher: Canelo
ISBN: 9781788638722

Captivating! I was surprised by the content in this book given it was in the Spies category. I was expecting just action after action with just high intensity events and an already seasoned super-hero agent as in so many other spy books. But instead was given a well-constructed and complete story: how during WW II Richard Prince was recruited, quickly trained for am emanate mission, constant situations that highlighted the high risk and precautionary steps needed, the loneliness and despair in his and other agent’s lives, the addiction to the spy game, the intelligence and secretiveness within the spy organizations internally as well as externally, and so much more. All this with the realistic background and history of WW II, mainly focused in the Germany and Denmark arenas. Did I mention the building and actions to stop the construction of the German missiles and rockets? Or the extreme sacrifices some of the agents encountered?

Follow the main character Richard Prince from his detective days through his development into a top British Agent and his adventures to uncover the reality of German plans of destruction and menace, particularly the German actions in Denmark. This is a complete story that grips you and places you in Prince’s shoes. Extremely well done! I’m already standing in line for Book 2.

Reviewer: Rich

My thanks to NetGalley and publisher Canelo for the ARC.
I so thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story is a really good read with excellent, flowing writing and dialogue. It will make a great film.
Richard Prince is in his mid-thirties and already a Detective Superintendent with the Lincolnshire Constabulary. In September 1942 a 'reluctant' German spy 'Poacher' lands on the Lincolnshire coast and is harboured by the local schoolteacher Lillian Abbot. The Secret Services are aware of the spy's London contact but, as yet, Poacher hasn't made his rendezvous and is still at large. Prince works with the secret service to apprehend Poacher, but so impressed are they by his work, and not least that Prince could speak Danish fluently, and understand German, his Chief Constable reluctantly allows Prince to be seconded to them. The SOE and secret services are losing agents sent into occupied Denmark - there must be a traitor either in London or Denmark. Prince has to find out.
Prince's world of spies adventure takes us from London, across the North Sea by trawler, various transport and hand-overs to other agents, to Copenhagen where he becomes embroiled in another mystery concerning the production of V1 and V2 rockets in Peenemunde, Germany. Just when he thought his assignment was done, he's back in the firing line - almost literally.

The writing conveys an intensity that makes this story so real. The fear and uncertainty of only ever knowing part of the journey you're undertaking; putting your life constantly in the hands of others and desperately trying not to appear suspicious around the German occupiers.

A tense and atmospheric thriller - although I wasn't too thrilled with the ending in 1943 - perhaps another instalment to come?

This is the first of a new series of spy thrillers by an author in Alex Gerlis who has written other war books but this series featuring a former policeman turned spy in Richard Prince is going to be a success.

The plotting is excellent and the author's knowledge of time and place is detailed and forensic. Most of the action take place in occupied Denmark and the action is non-stop and breathless.

The publishers claim that it is perfect for fans of luminaries such as Alan Furst, Philip Kerr and John le Carré. I would like to wait for the next in this series before agreeing with that sentiment but I was also reminded of classics like "The Eagle Has Landed" and Daniel Silva's "The Unlikely Spy."

An excellent read and highly recommended.