Books

The Nun Who Wasn’t: Unveiling a Spy Story Too Strange to Believe

During the Second World War, rumours of parachute spies dressed as nuns proliferated through the English countryside. Woe betide any nun who went out without her identity papers! She was likely to be arrested and frog-marched to the nearest police station. Of course, we now know those rumours were unfounded. But then… I overheard heard […]

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Book Review – Falling Hard for the Royal Guard – Megan Clawson – 2023

Well, this is a bit of a departure from my normal reading material. I came across this book during one of my internet searches and… it looked interesting. And light and fluffy. So, why the heck not. And who knows, it might even mention Josef Jakobs! On top of that, this gives me a bit

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Book Review – The Hagley Wood Tree Murder – Keith Swallow – 2023

This is the second book about the Hagley Wood Murder (a.k.a. Bella in the Wych Elm Murder) that I have read this year. The first book, by M.J. Trow is a sad and disappointing volume which mixes fiction with fact. It contributes nothing to the investigation of the case and actually muddies the waters even

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Book Review – Hitler’s Spy Against Churchill – Jan-Willem van den Braak – 2022

I am way behind in my book reading! And blogging… and research! But… I am happy to report that earlier this summer, I ordered and read Jan-Willem van den Braak’s book about Nazi spy Jan Willem ter Braak (no relation to the aforementioned author). Hitler’s Spy Against Churchill was first published in Dutch a few

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New Book Published – Hitler’s Spy Against Churchill (2022)

Jan Willem van den Braak’s book on Second World War spy Engelbertus Fukken (a.k.a. Jan Willem ter Braak) has been published by Pen & Sword! I’ve ordered the book and am eagerly waiting its arrival. Originally published in Dutch, Hitler’s Spy Against Churchill examines the background of Fukken in some detail. I am very interested

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Book Review – Anna’s Spuren by Sigrid Falkenstein – 2012

The Book Annas Spuren: Ein Opfer der NS-“Euthanasie” (Anna’s Traces: A Victim of Nazi “Euthanasia”). Sigrid Falkenstein. Herbig, Stuttgart. 2012. Introduction A few months ago, I faced the uncomfortable possibility that Josef’s sister, my great aunt, may have met an unnatural fate at the Hufeland Hospital in Berlin-Buch. Maria Jakobs was sent to the hospital

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Book Review - Spy - Richard Deacon

Book Review – Spy! – Six Stories of Modern Espionage – Richard Deacon & Nigel West – 1980

The Book Spy! Six Stories of Modern Espionage. Richard Deacon and Nigel West. British Broadcasting Corporation, London. 1980. Background Given how much controversy the 1980 Spy! television episode on Camp 020 aroused… I thought I would try and track down the accompanying book, written by Richard Deacon and Nigel West. I found one online and

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Book Review - They Came to Spy - Stanley Firmin 2

Book Review – They Came to Spy – Stanley Firmin – 1947

The Book They Came to Spy: An Account of Nazi Espionage in Great Britain. Stanley Firmin. London-Hutchison. 1947. Background For over a year, I’ve been meaning to review Stanley Firmin’s 1947 book, They Came to Spy, but somehow, there is always another blog that seems more pressing. But, today is the day. Mind you, I

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