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Book Reviews of Zoo Station (John Russell, Bk 1)

Zoo Station (John Russell, Bk 1)
Zoo Station - John Russell, Bk 1
Author: David Downing
ISBN-13: 9781569474549
ISBN-10: 1569474540
Publication Date: 5/2007
Pages: 304
Rating:
  • Currently 4.6/5 Stars.
 4

4.6 stars, based on 4 ratings
Publisher: Soho Press
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

3 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

hardtack avatar reviewed Zoo Station (John Russell, Bk 1) on + 2706 more book reviews
I previously read the 7th book in this series, which is actually the prequel to the the series. While it was interesting I didn't totally enjoy it. Perhaps it was my mood then or the disturbing subject matter. The series deals with Nazi Germany and the horror inflected on civilians in Germany and other countries. Plus, there was the interplay with intelligence agencies from various countries playing games with the principle character.

I also had the first book in the series---this one---and finally got around to reading it. My reaction was totally different. While the action was slow, the story was fascinating. Even when the author is describing the arrangement of a room. I felt like I was reading about real people. Plus the character is playing off the intelligence agencies---the Nazis, the Soviets, British and American---to his advantage.

I currently have the second book on a hold request from my county library.
dizz avatar reviewed Zoo Station (John Russell, Bk 1) on + 647 more book reviews
A really good spy thriller. John Russell, a British/American journalist living in Germany before the outbreak of WW2, sees things going from bad to worse, and gets caught up in a swirl of events when he realizes he can't just stand by. No egregious gore because we all know what the Nazis did - but their ordinary everyday nastiness is not overlooked. The suspense builds until I was racing through the last pages to see what happened. For suspense and a sense of the times, I would highly recommend this book.
reviewed Zoo Station (John Russell, Bk 1) on + 100 more book reviews
WWII is approaching. John Russell is in Berlin with a German son and a girlfriend. When the Soviets, Germans, and British try to recruit him to spy, he can't just leave. Can he stay alive and keep his integrity?