Operation Nightfall: The Web of Spies by Karl Wegener offers an intriguing premise set in post-WWII Cold War landscape of 1948 Poland. That's why I chose this book on Netgalley (which I received from Xpresso Book Tours).

The story follows Luba Haas, a former SOE operative, and MI6 agent Natalie Jenkins, as they navigate a high-stakes mission that quickly turns perilous. With Soviet and Polish intelligence forces closing in, the agents must deal with a mole in British intelligence. The book promises a thrilling ride through espionage, counterintelligence, and survival.

However, while the historical inspiration behind the novel—Poland's anti-communist insurgency—is compelling, the execution falls flat. The pacing is uneven, with sections of the plot feeling overly slow or bogged down by unnecessary exposition. In addition, the characters feel underdeveloped.

The tension and suspense promised in the blurb don't always materialize, as many of the twists and turns feel predictable or overly familiar. While the historical context is rich and the stakes are high, the novel struggles to balance historical detail with engaging action and character development.

2/5 ⭐️

Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you, NetGalley and publishers.

Operation Nightfall is a historical spy thriller set during the early days of the Cold War, mostly focused on the resistance in Poland. Many brave people fought for a free Poland, and a lot of them were women. Some believed in a better future and some acted for revenge.

I absolutely enjoyed every minute of this book. Karl Wegener did an amazing job with characters and the story line. It was an interesting and well written historical fiction thriller that will keep you on your toes. I couldn't put it down. I highly recommend this this to the history/historical fiction as well as the thriller readers. I can't wait for more from this author.

Thank you Net Galley ARC and FJK-KW Press

Operation Nightfall although a work of fiction was written based on real facts and people and it has certainly turned out to be an extremelly interesting reading about the Polish resistance and the horrific struggles after WWII. Luba Hass and Natalie Jenkins make an incredible duo that initially antagonizing each other become first allies when survival is flimzy. The story got my attention from the start, it's well-written, and I'll be looking to reading the first book in this series (although having not read it did not impair my understanding of Operation Nightfall).
I thank the author, his publisher, and NetGalley for the copy of this book.

Wow! What an influential book! I thoroughly enjoyed the historical aspect of the story, which educated me further on the struggle Poland faced during WWII and how the Soviet-German alliance imploded. The characters were believable, and the plot kept me glued to my chair, with endless cups of tea - at the ready. I highly recommend this book to any WWII history buff.

I want to thank Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book as a free ARC. This review is voluntary and mine alone.

intelligence-community, international-tensions, international-espionage, intrigue, Poland, betrayal, secret-police, secrets, double-agent, thriller, suspense, historical-figures, historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, history-and-culture, cold-war, violence*****

The gore and violence are no worse than action/adventure fiction books/TV/movies. The difference here is that it is based on historical facts and told by one who has Been there, Done that. Despite my own relationship with ER/CSI, it was a bit odd for me to read about characters with the last names of some of my relatives. All this to say that the plot is solid and moves well, the characters are very thoroughly done, and I am sending a print copy to #3 son who will absolutely love it.
I requested and received a free temporary uncorrected advance proof from FJK-KW Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
#OperationNightfall #TheWebOfSpies by Karl Wegener #FJK-KW Press @ibpa #NetGalley #ColdWar #Poland

I really enjoyed this as a historical fiction novel, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed about this type of book. The characters had that element that I wanted and enjoyed the time-period going on. Karl Wegener wrote this well and left me wanting to read more.