‘The Second World War may well be drawing to a close,
but there is still espionage work for Stefan to do amid the chaos…’
– The Dead City
[ About The Dead City ]
In this dead city, the vultures are circling…
Berlin 1944. The beginning of the end for Nazi Germany. And the beginning of a dark journey for Garda detective Stefan Gillespie as he makes his way through war-ravaged Europe to the German capital. He carries secret instructions for the Irish ambassador, who is clinging on in the growing chaos – even though it’s time to get out. Bombs fall and bodies fill the streets. People starve. The true horrors of Nazi terror are everywhere now… and the Russians are coming.
As Stefan searches for an Irishman trapped in Berlin who has betrayed his country and his friends, who cares if people are murdered along the way? And Stefan has to ask himself if saving one life matters in this devastation. And if it does, is it worth him risking his own?
[ My Review ]
The Dead City by Michael Russell publishes August 1st with Constable (Little, Brown Book Group) and is described as ‘a thrilling historical crime novel’. I jumped into this first-rate series with book #7 The City Underground, followed by #8 The City of God, both absolutely cracking reads. Now, Michael Russell returns with another excellent addition to this series featuring the complex and resolute Garda detective Stefan Gillespie with #9 in this series, The Dead City. Before I go into more detail it’s important that I mention that The Dead City can be read as a standalone as all the necessary background information is alluded to where relevant.
For any of you with an interest in this shocking time in history, and in particular from Ireland’s neutral perspective, Russell blends the most incredible and truly fascinating facts with fiction. In the ‘Notes and Acknowledgement’ section at the back of the book, there is an insightful explanation highlighting the people, places and reading material that Russell used for his research. He names the characters that are real, providing the reader with a real sense of history and adding to the authenticity of this novel. I am intrigued by the people that feature in this novel and cannot believe how many of them existed and have been expertly, and seamlessly woven, into the plot.
It’s 1944 now and the war still wages on but there is a feeling in many quarters that it’s reaching its final chorus. Following the failed assassination attempt on Hitler and with the oncoming march of the red army, tensions are at an all time high in Berlin, and further afield, with clean-up operations par for the course. Nobody wants any loose ends left to be discovered with the ensuing accusations to follow, including the Irish government. The Irish ambassador is doing his best to salvage what he can and that includes sorting passports and visas for as many individuals as he can. Any tenuous connection to Ireland is sufficient for the embassy to get involved but unfortunately there are others that no amount of wheeling and dealing or cajoling is enough. Some never escape.
Stefan Gillespie is sent to Berlin on a mission to assist the Irish legation but he’s also got a separate assignment. Frank Ryan is his target, a known anti-fascist, a man who has links to the IRA, The International Brigades and now with the Abwehr, the German Military Intelligence. Gillespie knows Frank Ryan, having crossed paths with him on a number of previous occasions but when he lands in Berlin, trying to find Frank Ryan is like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
Gillespie’s mother is German so his knowledge of the language and the culture makes it easier for him to negotiate his way around Berlin and beyond but even Gillespie is shocked by the destruction he witnesses around every street corner. As he searches for Ryan, he crosses paths with German officials of Hitler’s regime as well as the local police force. He soon finds himself caught up in a larger and unanticipated situation that potentially will put his own life at risk. But one defining trait of Gillespie’s is his loyalty to his job and to people who he knows. Gillespie has his own personal issues having lost his wife, but he always looks out for the underdog and when he can, he will assist.
As the bombs start to fall, and the Nazi machine starts to teeter, Gillespie witnesses some devastating scenes but he’s determined to finish the job that he was sent for, whatever the personal risk sending him on a very unexpected journey.
In parallel to Gillespie’s journey, Russell takes the reader back a few years providing an alternative story with insights into Frank Ryan’s life during the war. With liberties taken regarding some factual information, Russell highlights his fragile existence within the Abwehr, leaving the waters sufficiently muddied for us to come to some of our own conclusions about his innocence or otherwise. Combining so many actual individuals into this novel gives the reader a real sense of history with some stirring scenes of danger and intrigue.
The Dead City is an absolutely enthralling novel, with a very convincing portrayal of those closing months of the war. Stefan Gillespie is a rational individual but with many layers to his personality. His ability to manoeuvre through some very hair-raising situations is a testament to his character. He’s trustworthy and meticulous with a work ethic that is to be admired.
The Dead City is a very realistic tale and that is very much down to the research that Michael Russell must undertake before he puts pen to paper. Extraordinary stuff wonderfully executed, The Dead City, is another top-class novel, a brilliant addition to this series, an outstanding read.
Note: Thank you to Plunkett PR for an advance copy of The Dead City in exchange for my honest review.
[ Bio ]
After a successful career as a television writer and producer, working on such series as A Touch of Frost, Midsomer Murders and Between the Lines, Michael Russell decided to write what he had always wanted to: books.
The Dead City is the ninth in his Stefan Gillespie series of historical crime fiction, taking a sideways look at the Second World War through Irish eyes, and exploring some unexpected corners of the conflict, The series has been frequently shortlisted for Crime Writers’ Association Awards.
Michael lives with his family in West Wicklow, in Ireland, not a million miles from Stefan Gillespie’s home.
Website ~ michaelrussellforgottencities.com
X ~ @forgottencities
I like the sound of this book. Espionage intrigues me.
He’s a brilliant writer Rosie!