Amazon.com
Historians don't often make good fiction writers, but Michael Gannon's spy novel, Secret Missions, is an entertaining and erudite story set in Florida during the Second World War. An expert on U-boat warfare and the author of Operation Drumbeat and Black May, Gannon makes good use of his knowledge in this tale of a German agent attempting to gather information on the capabilities of American warplanes. The characters are all well drawn, especially the Catholic priest, Father D'Angelo, who learns a vital secret in his confessional but, per the rules of his church, can't reveal the details to anybody. --John J. Miller
From Publishers Weekly
Like his nonfiction debut, Operation Drumbeat, Gannon's routine first novel deals with the threat posed by German U-boats along the American coast during WWII. In 1942, a Nazi sub lands crack secret agent Peter Krug in Florida to secure information on the performance data of U.S. warplanes. Picking up spunky dancer, escort and thief Sally Parkins as a cover, Krug sneaks around the state pursuing his mission. Meanwhile, Catholic priest Tony D'Angelo learns of Krug's presence while hearing the confession of a guilt-ridden accomplice of the German spy. Bound by sacramental seal to reveal nothing to the authorities, D'Angelo, aided by an attractive female pilot, goes after the Nazi in a chase that concludes in a dramatic confrontation between a U-boat and a U.S. flying boat. Gannon is at his best describing the details of U-boat life and of the theological challenges that confront D'Angelo as he tracks Krug without betraying his priesthood.
Historians don't often make good fiction writers, but Michael Gannon's spy novel, Secret Missions, is an entertaining and erudite story set in Florida during the Second World War. An expert on U-boat warfare and the author of Operation Drumbeat and Black May, Gannon makes good use of his knowledge in this tale of a German agent attempting to gather information on the capabilities of American warplanes. The characters are all well drawn, especially the Catholic priest, Father D'Angelo, who learns a vital secret in his confessional but, per the rules of his church, can't reveal the details to anybody. --John J. Miller
From Publishers Weekly
Like his nonfiction debut, Operation Drumbeat, Gannon's routine first novel deals with the threat posed by German U-boats along the American coast during WWII. In 1942, a Nazi sub lands crack secret agent Peter Krug in Florida to secure information on the performance data of U.S. warplanes. Picking up spunky dancer, escort and thief Sally Parkins as a cover, Krug sneaks around the state pursuing his mission. Meanwhile, Catholic priest Tony D'Angelo learns of Krug's presence while hearing the confession of a guilt-ridden accomplice of the German spy. Bound by sacramental seal to reveal nothing to the authorities, D'Angelo, aided by an attractive female pilot, goes after the Nazi in a chase that concludes in a dramatic confrontation between a U-boat and a U.S. flying boat. Gannon is at his best describing the details of U-boat life and of the theological challenges that confront D'Angelo as he tracks Krug without betraying his priesthood.
Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
