Book Blurb:
In 1933 Cuba, a deadly game of cat and mouse unfolds. An IRA sharpshooter, driven by vengeance and a relentless mission, has Winston Churchill in his crosshairs. But just as the assassin is about to strike, Churchill's tenacious bodyguard, Walter Thompson, intervenes, forcing the killer into the shadows.
Years later, amid the fiery rain of the German Blitz on London, Thompson locks eyes with a ghost from Havana—the very same assassin. But now, the stakes are higher. As Thompson dives deeper into the city's underworld, he uncovers a chilling conspiracy within the British government, threatening to topple Churchill and hand victory to Hitler.
Racing against time amidst the backdrop of a city in chaos, Thompson must decipher the twisted web of treachery to save his nation and the man he's sworn to protect. But at what cost?
Dive into a high-octane thriller where history hangs in the balance, alliances are tested, and one man stands against the darkness.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/SG5edl
Author Bio:
Alex Abella is a New York Times Notable Book novelist, screenwriter, Emmy award winning newswriter, and journalist.
Alex’s latest novel is Mission Churchill, a thriller involving assassination attempts against Winston Churchill—in 1933 Cuba and during the German Blitz on London. Churchill’s wily bodyguard, Walter Thompson, saves the Prime Minister, uncovering a wide conspiracy at the highest levels of British society to dispose of Churchill.
Alex’s first thriller, The Killing of the Saints (Crown), was a New York Times Notable Book, and was translated into twelve foreign languages. Its sequels, Dead of Night and Final Acts (Simon & Schuster) were published in quick succession. The trilogy won praise from critics and prominent writers such as Michael Connelly, T. Jefferson Parker, and Robert Ferrigno. Paramount Pictures optioned The Killing of the Saints and commissioned Alex to write the screenplay. Alex developed original series for Warner Bros. and The Disney Channel. His two-act play, Camelia, was staged Off Broadway at the Actors Ensemble Theater in New York City.
Alex also wrote The Great American (Simon & Schuster), a historical novel set in 1950s Cuba based on the life of William Morgan, a real-life, Ohio-born Marine who became one of the leaders of the Castro revolution. For years Alex has conducted dozens of interviews of prominent Cubans and Cuban Americans for an on-going project on the influence of Cuba in the U.S., A DARKER MIRROR.
Alex’s last non-fiction book, Soldiers of Reason: The Rand Corporation and the Rise of the American Empire (Harcourt), a study of the world’s most influential think tank, was long listed for the National Book Award. Alex’s other non-fiction books include Shadow Enemies (Lyons Press) a narrative account of a plot by Adolf Hitler to start a wave of terror and destruction in the United States. Alex has been a contributing writer to the Los Angeles Times, TIME Magazine, and a number of publications.
Born in Cuba, Alex’s family migrated to the United States when Alex was 10. Alex grew up in New York City, winning a Pulitzer Scholarship at Columbia University, earning a B.A. in Comparative Literature. Moving to California, Alex was a reporter for The San Francisco Chronicle. Switching over to broadcast media at KTVU-TV, Channel 2 News, Alex became producer, writer, and reporter, won a Newswriting Emmy (Group) and was nominated for an Emmy for Best Breaking News Story. Alex was a foreign correspondent in Central America and received a commendation from The San Francisco Press Club for his reporting.
Alex speaks five languages and has traveled extensively through Latin America and Europe. Alex is married and lives in the suburbs of Los Angeles.
Editorial Review:
But aware of that presence Riley did become when he accidentally cast a glance inside a jewelry shop. He stopped in his tracks and peered intently through the window, uncertain he had glimpsed the right man. After all, his physical type was not uncommon among the English—on the small side, plump, rosy cheeked, given to early baldness. But no doubt about it, that was him, Winston Churchill, with his pinstripe suit and perpetual cigar, jabbing at a jeweler who by the looks of it wasn’t understanding his meaning. Standing next to Churchill was a taller man, of solid build and erect bearing, also in a suit, hovering over the discussion with the blank look of the disinterested observer.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, thought Riley, I wish I had my gat with me. A wave of revulsion swept over him, and it took all the self-control he’d learned from the beatings at Goldenbridge Children’s Institution for him not to burst into the shop and strangle with his bare hands the man who’d been the ruin of Ireland.
In the searing tumult of London's fiery chaos during World War II, Walter Thompson, the unflinching sentinel of Winston Churchill, finds himself ensnared by a haunting figure from a bygone era—a skilled assassin from the tempestuous Cuban landscape of 1933. Their eyes meet amidst the escalating stakes of a world at war. Back in '33, a deadly dance unfurled—an IRA marksman, ablaze with vengeance, had Churchill within his crosshairs. But Thompson's intervention plunged the assassin into the shadows, veiling his identity in obscurity.
The narrative delves into the roiling events of 1933 Cuba, where a deadly pursuit unfolded its tendrils. Fueled by unyielding vendetta and an unwavering mission, an IRA sharpshooter set sights on none other than Winston Churchill. Yet, Walter Thompson, Churchill's vigilant guardian, intercepted the assassin, forcing him to retreat into the enigmatic folds of concealment.
This historical saga, steeped in evocative hues, vibrant character sketches, clandestine turns, and palpable tension, captivates from the Cuban assassination attempt to its stirring conclusion. The very essence of Winston Churchill's persona magnetizes enthusiasts of history, drawing them effortlessly into the narrative's embrace.
Lady Churchill awoke to find herself in her bed at Chequers. She groped the pillow next to her, hoping to find her pug sleeping soundly, but then remembered Winston was in London for a meeting—and that she still had not forgiven him.
Née Hozier, Lady Clementine had been born of a noble but impoverished family. Before her marriage she had suffered the indignity—for a woman of her class—of having to teach French part time to put food on the table. Her horror of penury now was heightened by her husband’s aristocratic disregard for the cost of living. As he always reminded her, he was like Oscar Wilde, easily satisfied with the very best.
Winston seemed to accumulate charges as he did extra pounds with the sheer extravagance of his daily living. Silk underwear because he had a “delicate cuticle,” custom-made shoes because he had trouble walking, bespoke shirts and suits to properly dress as a politician, an unending forest of cigars, a flood of liquor and champagne. And to make matters worse, his gambling!
Years later, amidst the ravages of London's Blitz, Thompson crosses paths once more with the enigmatic Cuban assassin. But the panorama has irrevocably changed. Thompson unravels a chilling conspiracy deeply rooted within the corridors of power in the British government—a conspiracy poised to usurp Churchill and pave the way for Hitler's ascendancy.
Racing against the relentless march of time amidst the chaos of a besieged city, Thompson navigates a treacherous labyrinth of betrayal to safeguard his nation and the leader he has vowed to protect. The unfolding tale entwines a myriad of characters—from the IRA and British aristocrats sympathetic to fascism to fervent followers of Hitler, each weaving their clandestine motives into a complex tapestry.
Yet, despite the intricacies, the maze of motivations and historical contexts feels akin to wandering in perpetual darkness. For readers more acquainted with Churchill's wartime valor than his contentious policies tied to Ireland, the narrative unravels unexpected layers of his character. Churchill's complex persona, far from inherently endearing, poses a formidable challenge in the quest to ensure his survival. Walter Thompson faces an arduous task in preserving Churchill's longevity amid a treacherous landscape fraught with peril.
Nevertheless, the narrative's ultimate revelation unveils a tapestry of remarkable ingenuity. The gratifying denouement bestowed upon Churchill's steadfast guardian, Walter Thompson, resonates deeply within the narrative's fabric, standing as a testament to masterful storytelling. Winston Churchill's ascent demands the presence of a vigilant protector—Walter Thompson—whose timely interception of an IRA assailant during World War I ensured Churchill's continued existence. However, World War II weaves graver threats, as Thompson grapples not only with external adversaries but also with treacherous elements within the British government intent on ensuring Hitler's triumph.
In truth, the allure of alternate histories remains a central focal point and happens to be this reviewer's cherished facet within historical fiction. This narrative adds yet another intricate layer to the already labyrinthine dimensions of the WWII era, painting a vivid canvas laced with suspense, historical intricacies, and the enduring spirit of those who dared to alter the course of history.
Thompson thought it was a strange end to a strange life, not even to be shot in battle or hanged, as he deserved to be, but to die from the odd capriciousness of fate. Yet the more he thought about that death, the more he felt an alarm going off in his head. The wounds, which the report attributed to battle. When had Irish republicans fought in the Great War? Very few had, if any. Well, then, he told himself, maybe during the Irish Civil War in the twenties. Yes, that was a possibility. But a small detail in the notes deeply troubled him. What about the bullet wound during the gunfight at Waterloo Station? Thompson had hit him, for sure, he’d seen the blood. Where was that?
Nowhere.
In the end, this narrative stands as a testament to the enduring power of loyalty, sacrifice, and the unyielding determination to protect against the malevolent tides seeking to reshape the destiny of nations. Walter Thompson's unwavering commitment to safeguarding Churchill becomes a poignant testament to the indomitable human spirit in the face of adversity—a tale echoing far beyond the confines of mere historical records. On a side note, the cover design is spectacular and really draws a reader into the story!
*****
“Mission Churchill” by Alex Abella receives 5 stars and the “Highly Recommended” award from The Historical Fiction Company
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