The Swiss Courier

I really enjoyed this book. It is fascinating look at the history and bravery of the resistance. Love women heroines. Great plot.

Okay, so the extra-feminine cover meant I couldn't take this book out in public--a man has to draw his lines somewhere, right?--but I knew it wouldn't stop me from enjoying another Tricia Goyer novel. Goyer, in my opinion, is the successor to Bodie Thoene and her World War II sagas, delivering believable characters, against well researched backdrops, amidst fast pacing. In "The Swiss Courier," she teams up Mike Yorkey, and the pairing is seamless, leaving me unable to determine who did which portions of the research and writing. Gabi Mueller is a Swiss woman involved as a new agent with the OSS, an American secret service during the war. She finds her safe-cracking skills called into play, and this means crossing into Nazi Germany--although not for the reasons she first expects. As she lives out her life of derring-do, she finds her heart wavering between handsome Dieter and dependable Eric. Even as she carries out her role, Bill Palmer, an American pilot, is being prepared for a mission of his own. Together, Gabi, Dieter, Eric, and Bill will find their lives at risk as they are drawn into plots and counterplots regarding a brilliant scientist with Jewish connections and the secrets of a Wunderwaffe--a wonder weapon, which could be devastating if left to Hitler and his cohorts. The research is superlative, as one comes to expect from Goyer. The Publishers Weekly reviewer obviously underestimates the intelligence of Goyer's readers and those who love history. The number of plot locations is no trouble at all, only adding credibility to the action, which is credible and fast-paced, yet tame enough not to raise too many eyebrows in the Christian marketplace. The piloting sections were very well done, reminding me of scenes from another favorite Goyer novel, "Dawn of a Thousand Nights." To top it all, the themes of trust and faith are woven nicely into the plot, leaving a few surprises for the final pages.

This story takes place in Europe, 1944. The Gestapo is mercilessly rounding up suspected enemies of the Third Reich. Bruno Kassler, the fast-rising head of the Gestapo Regional Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany, discovers a secret about one of the scientists working to create the atomic bomb. Physicist Joseph Engel was born a Jew and adopted by Christian parents at birth. Kassler is convinced that Engel is a spy and that his discovery will earn Kassler a great promotion. Gabi Mueller is a young Swiss woman working for the forerunner to the CIA. She has a great talent for breaking into safes that impress her employers. She is asked to take on a special mission to escort Joseph Engel out of Germany before the Gestapo can catch him. The Americans believe that Engel is the key to Germany's development of this super weapon. If they can get Engel out of Germany, his wisdom will be of great use to the United States and the Allied forces. There is something fascinating and heroic about the stories from this historical period. Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey have added to that list. Each character hooked me into their world and agenda. I couldn't wait to see how all the threads would weave together. The Swiss Courier is a unique look at the front lines of World War II and what everyday people sacrificed to stand up against the evil surrounding them. Everyday farmers, shopkeepers, and soldiers alike risked their lives to do what was right. This was an unexpected and thrilling adventure. I highly recommend this book for readers ages 16 and up.

I love reading about history and a well written historical fiction novel is better any day than a dry history book! You get more out of it too!!! I have enjoyed true stories from this time period about the underground movement in those parts of the world and when you read this fictional account of underground workers during World War 2, you can see the effort made to stay accurate and factual as well as keep you riveted to the book. This book is filled with the type of excitement that if it was a movie, it would have you on the edge of your seat the whole time! It is also filled with surprises throughout, which of course, I cannot give away, but they surprised me and I don't always get surprised with all the books I read! The book begins with a dramatic attempt on Hitler's life, people dressed as nazi's and you start to wonder who is really a Nazi and who is not!! Nothing is as it appears to be! If you enjoy historical fiction, this is a book you will not want to miss.

I had the opportunity to read a preview copy of The Swiss Courier on a recent vacation to Coeur 'd Alene, Idaho. I could not put it down. Each chapter ends leaving the reader wanting more, wondering what comes next. This World War II thriller surprised me with unexpected twists and turns, alliances and betrayals. Historical and cultural details subtly intertwined will transport the reader. Truly, a fast paced spy adventure you can't put down easily. The perfect choice for vacation/airplane entertainment and you'll learn a little history, too.