Rating: 
Summary: Not one of his best
Review: As a longtime fan of Christopher Hyde's, I was disappointed to find this entry tedious and plodding. I was bored by one of the main protagonists, Jane Todd, girl reporter, and only moderately interested in her Irish detective counterpart, Thomas Barry.The hunt for John Bone, super-assassin, who has been hired to kill the King and Queen of England on the cusp of the US's entry into World War II, was not enough to hold my interest. Bone was not sifficiently evil to raise suspense. The subplot concerning a ranking IRA member was tedious and Bertie and Elizabeth, the victims, were portrayed awfully enough that one wished for Bone to succeed. Especially disappointing was witnessing Hyde's giving in to the mores of popular fiction and allowing Todd and Barry to become romantically involved. I am used to Hyde following less predictable and crowd-pleasing paths. I understand the author has taken yet another step in the direction of Selling Out - he brings Jane Todd and another character from another book back, making them recurring characters. If it works for him, I'm glad, but it is not something I'm thrilled to see. This is a competently written and occasionally entertaining book, but not one of my favorites.
Rating:
Summary: Not one of his best
Review: As a longtime fan of Christopher Hyde's, I was disappointed to find this entry tedious and plodding. I was bored by one of the main protagonists, Jane Todd, girl reporter, and only moderately interested in her Irish detective counterpart, Thomas Barry. The hunt for John Bone, super-assassin, who has been hired to kill the King and Queen of England on the cusp of the US's entry into World War II, was not enough to hold my interest. Bone was not sifficiently evil to raise suspense. The subplot concerning a ranking IRA member was tedious and Bertie and Elizabeth, the victims, were portrayed awfully enough that one wished for Bone to succeed. Especially disappointing was witnessing Hyde's giving in to the mores of popular fiction and allowing Todd and Barry to become romantically involved. I am used to Hyde following less predictable and crowd-pleasing paths. I understand the author has taken yet another step in the direction of Selling Out - he brings Jane Todd and another character from another book back, making them recurring characters. If it works for him, I'm glad, but it is not something I'm thrilled to see. This is a competently written and occasionally entertaining book, but not one of my favorites.
Rating: 
Summary: A Rewarding Read
Review: As someone who loves writers like Ludlum and Jeffrey Archer, I must admit that I had some trepidation when I picked this book up before a recent trip. However, the book turned out to be well researched and detailed (two things that I value), and well written as well. My only complaint is that it wasn't quite as addictive as the best that Ludlum has to offer, but it was definitely close. This book is well worth reading-pick it up!
Rating:
Summary: A Rewarding Read
Review: As someone who loves writers like Ludlum and Jeffrey Archer, I must admit that I had some trepidation when I picked this book up before a recent trip. However, the book turned out to be well researched and detailed (two things that I value), and well written as well. My only complaint is that it wasn't quite as addictive as the best that Ludlum has to offer, but it was definitely close. This book is well worth reading-pick it up!
Rating: 
Summary: EXCITING AND INTERESTING ! DON"T MISS THIS ONE !
Review: Christopher Hyde (Hard Target, Black Dragon, etc.) is one fine writer, and this book is no exception. This is an historically based, conspiracy, chase novel. Based on a plot in 1939 (just before Hitler would invade Poland), to assassinate England's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth while on a visit to Canada and America, the purpose is to divide England and America to keep America out of the coming war. The story is well told, interestingly detailed with period charm and color, and filled to overflowing with real life people in both cameo and primary roles. These real people give the story an authenticity that reminds one of all the players in the Kennedy assassination -- from a young congressman named Lyndon Johnson to a very young unknown singer called Frank Sinatra, and others of that pre-war time.
With an Afterword by the author that brings the players up to date with their fate, and an Author's Note that tells of the amazing historical realities of the story, this "what if" novelized historical thriller is very hard to put down.
It is unfortunate that Christopher Hyde's novels are mostly out of print. After this one, you'll want to search used book stores for his backlist....
Rating:
Summary: Very good read - fast moving, interesting
Review: I picked this book up at an airport hoping it would at least be mediocre. I was pleasantly suprised. This book is excellent. A nice mix of police work and intrigue. The writing is crisp and the characters are interesting and believable. I'll definitely be looking for more books by this author.
Rating:
Summary: Very good read - fast moving, interesting
Review: I picked this book up at an airport hoping it would at least be mediocre. I was pleasantly suprised. This book is excellent. A nice mix of police work and intrigue. The writing is crisp and the characters are interesting and believable. I'll definitely be looking for more books by this author.
Rating:
Summary: Frightening Implications! Riveting Intrigue!
Review: If ever fiction depicts history in truth, this tale does it! Christopher Hyde's amazing research gives him material for an eye-opening story about the royals in the pre-War II era and politicians who have been awarded loyalties that may never have been deserved. Because of the details, he takes readers through every moment of the taunting tense-wracked plot with a camera's precision. Many Canadians will be disheartened to read the common characterization of their beloved Queen Mum who finally passed away this year, but the representation sounds like the most truthful insight into a family that is now seen as quite dysfunctional. From my own research for my Second World War novel, I was appalled to see how callously Churchill and King George VI dispatched his real cousin--a young woman--on a fool's mission to bring the nuclear scientist, Niels Bohr, out of Denmark and her subsequent betrayal, capture, torture and supposed death. Thus, I believe the picture Hyde paints of the conspiracy to assassinate the young king and queen on American soil to deter the U.S. from helping Britain and entering into the war against Hitler. What's more appalling is that men like Lyndon Johnson, Allen Dulles and old Joe Kennedy supported and were involved in that conspiracy, and had it been successful, how different everyone's lives may be today. "The Second Assassin" gives weight to the theory that there was a second shooter at Kennedy's assassination. Since Hyde's use of historical facts to bear out this earlier attempt, it makes sense that men who had the stomach to do it once were capable of such treachery again--particularly when history finds that Johnson was responsible for escalating the Viet Nam war when Kennedy had made it clear he was going to wind it down. To think that Allen Dulles actually went on to lead the CIA is absolutely chilling. It also makes you wonder about whose God and country our military lay down their lives for. After such research and disillusionment, it is difficult not to become very cynical about our political leaders at any time. An excellent story!
Rating:
Summary: 4 1/2 Stars -- Definitely Worth Reading!
Review: If you're looking for an exciting, interesting and informative thriller that will take you back in time to the years preceding the U.S.'s entering WWII, I very much recommend The Second Assassin to you. The story is based on the planned assassination of the King and Queen of England in 1939 during their trip to the U.S. The plan was to destroy any hope of an alliance between Great Britain and the U.S., thus ensuring victory for the Nazis in WWII. Hyde is meticulous in his research and is terrific in describing this period with accuracy, charm and lots of color. Further, Hyde's suspenseful thriller is loaded with real-life characters, about which he provides interesting and many little-known facts (at least to me) that enables this book to rise above the average historical thriller. Of particular interest to me (and I think will be to you, too) were the "factoids" Hyde provides about Lyndon Johnson, Allen Dulles, John Cardinal Spellman, Joseph Kennedy, Franklin Roosevelt, Vice President Garner, Postmaster Farley, Frank Sinatra -- and, of course, the King and Queen of England. Regardless of the accuracy of the historical details described , The Second Assassin is a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you want to read on and on. My only reason for giving this book 4 1/2 stars and not a 5-star rating is that a few of the clues and planned next steps of the "bad guys" just seem to fall into the "good guys/girl's" hands just a little too easily. Putting this minor detail aside, as well as the difference between a 4 1/2 and 5 star rating, The Second Assassin by Christopher Hyde is well worth reading and one that should be near the top of your to-be-read list. If you can find a copy, you might also enjoy A Gathering Of Saints, by Christopher Hyde. This book, published in 1996, like The Second Assassin, is a work of fiction based on historical fact during WWII. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Original and Taunt...
Review: In the summer of 1939 a group of high-level conspirators band together to ensure Germany's victory in the impending war. Their plan is to assassinate England's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth when they arrive for their planned tour in the US, thereby destroying any hope of an American-British alliance. John Bone is the Irish assassin hired to complete the plot. Pursuing him is are a female photographer and London detective, as well as a supporting cast of diverse and likeable characters. THE SECOND ASSASSIN is a thoroughly researched and well-written historical thriller based on actual events. It is brimming with detail, riveting suspense, and real-life figures who lend a degree of authenticity to the storyline. The author painstakingly recreates the pre war era with meticulous detail and panache. Hyde delivers a bone chilling thriller worthy of 10 stars!
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