The Advocate: A Novel of World War II

I usually avoid "co-written" books like the plague. But this book intrigued me enough to give it a go. It is a sleeper of a book and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys WWII fiction. The characters are believable, the authors get the tone and feel of the times right. You pick up little nuances like calling a Rolls Royce a Rollers. I chuckled at the prospect of Harry Voss fighting the intractable gear shift of a jeep and the MP sargent finally offering to park it for him. This stuff rings true. The story itself is well crafted and has enough surprises to keep you interested. It is not a hell bent action story and may leave some readers who are used to that type of story unsatisfied. The military details are right, I kept seeing scenes of 12 O'Clock High running through my mind. It was enjoyable to see a rumpled, overweight main character in contrast to so many super heroes that are now the norm. If you are looking for a different take on WWII air combat and a military legal mystery rolled together, this is it.

This book was exciting and beautifully written. I was at the edge of my seat and I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Harry Voss is a sympathetic character but knows when it's time to get tough. Bill Mesce and Steven Szilagyi are brilliant writers and I'am looking foward to the next book. I recommend this book to everyone and for those who don't like it, well, maybe jealousy is a strong word but wannabe writers with no talent and no luck.

This book was exciting and beautifully written. I was at the edge of my seat and I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Harry Voss is a sympathetic character but knows when it's time to get tough. Bill Mesce and Steven Szilagyi are brilliant writers and I'am looking foward to the next book. I recommend this book to everyone.

This is smart, ingratiating "whydunnit" fiction that deserves to find a large audience. Mesce and Szilagyi's camera-ready dialogue is very effective, both in perfectly setting the period mood, revealing character and pushing the plot forward. It will make an excellent movie--but this compelling page-turner deserves an enormous reading audience of its own. There are lots of investigative thrillers and World War II-period pieces clotting up the literary marketplace but this is a standout by any criteria of writing skill or readerly pleasure.

On August 15, 1943 five American soldiers stationed in Chillingham, England flew over Germany on a mission. On their return home, one of the fighters shot down a single engine plane in an apparent friendly fire incident. A shepherd and his wife watched the event until the pilot notices them and tries to kill them too.Colonel Joseph Ryan assigns his friend Lieutenant Harry Voss to investigate the accident. Harry goes to the scene of the incident where he learns from the shepherd and his wife what they saw. Harry also notices that the film on the nose of the plane is missing and believes one of the two survivors destroyed it. Soon one of the men confesses to killing his peers, but Harry observes discrepancies in the story, as if he is hiding something. A superior officer tells Harry to back off, but the tenacious officer continues to make inquiries even if it costs him his career.World War II fans will get a feel for the way it was for a Yankee stationed in England during the Big One. Readers learn that there is quite a difference between allies and friends. THE ADVOCATE provides a look inside the armed forces community especially policing and passing judgment on one of their own. The story moves slowly forward because the authors want their audience to use all five senses to savor the history. The characters are fascinating, noting Harry and his antagonist as the real stars. Bill A. Mesce Jr. and Steven G. Szilagyi have quite a future ahead of them if this historical war tale is any indication of their talent.Harriet Klausner