Night Flight to Paris Paperback – November 1, 2020

I was doing an Amazon search for WWII historical fiction and happened upon this particular book by Mr. Gillman.Since it was set in France, a favorite country of mine to visit, I was all the happier to order. I was absolutely not let down! Stayed up more than half the night turning the pages! It was fast paced, believable, strong characters and heroes. Exactly what I was looking for in a good story and book.Thank for you for writing a wonderful book, Mr. Gillman. This book easily could have a sequel. Please consider writing a continuing story. I'd be first in line to buy it! A million thanks!

This is much better written than many novels in this genre. Well plotted, believable, with fleshed out characters and enough surprises to keep you reading. The only real criticisms I gave are that it was a bit too long and the ending a bit too pat. That said, I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good casual read in this genre.

I have read all of Gilman's Master of War books and check back to see when the new one will arrive and saw this book. Since he is such a good teller of tales I decided to give it a try. It is a story of spies and the French resistance. He immediately captures the horrors of the psychopathic Nazi rule of France and those who opposed them. It is a fast-moving story of treason and revenge that I found totally enjoyable. Hope you write a sequel David. I will be first in line.

I was happy to find and read this book. The characters are well developed, the dialogue is credible and rings true to the period. There is both tension and suspense. Danger is never far. One is easily immersed into the plot. It does drag in a few spots and everything is neatly wrapped up in the end.

The drama is set in occupied France in WWII. It involves a British spy inserted into France to retrieve a German scientist defector with valuable information and secure the escape of his daughter being held by the Nazis. There is a lot of intrigues involving an apparent collaborator who is part of the resistance that threatens the success of his mission. A great read.

Every so often, I find myself drawn to an action-adventure yarn on the order of what I perceive as the ‘Indiana Jones’ world. Therefore, I leapt at the chance to purchase “Night Flight to Paris.” Had I sampled the first 10%, I might have questioned making a purchase of this book, but, honestly, I’m so stubborn and so certain that I was right, so I would have still bought it, even after reading the opening:‘…The darkness moved. The night sky, black and heavy with menace and constant drizzle, curled in on itself as the massive swastika rippled in slow motion. Languid authority ruling over silent cobbled streets below. The gusting wind threw curtains of light rain, rushing over the echoing sound of running footfalls. A desperate clattering of fear in the curfew hours.In the blacked-out room on the third floor of a five-storey walk-up, a curtain twitched. Through the sliver of glass, an old woman peered down at the dark street in the Eighteenth Arrondissement. Dim figures raced around the corner. Across the street others dared to ease back a curtain or a shutter, dousing their house lights, fearful of being seen, not wanting to be drawn into whatever was happening to the desperate fugitives below…’Gilman, David. Night Flight to Paris: A World War II thriller from the author of the Master of War series . Head of Zeus. Kindle Edition.Although I did feel an alertness to the style chosen by the author, I trudged ahead, Learn a bit more from the following paragraphs and then decide if this book is for you.BLUSH FACTOR: This is not a story to share with your youngsters and, normally, with your elderly grandparent. A few too many eff-words and at least one risqué romantic scene. Not overly graphic, but…POV: Third person point of view.WRITING & EDITING: The writing wasn’t bad, so I might read other books by this author. Unfortunately, though, the writing didn’t match with what I perceive to be fit for this genre. Then again, though, perhaps the trouble was my mindset when I purchased this book and when I started reading it.Excerpt:‘…Mitchell stood hunched in the cold at the firing range as Laughlin showed him the black metal pistol.‘It’s .45 calibre. Single shot, semi-automatic, which means it fires one bullet at every squeeze of the trigger. It uses the force of the fired round to chamber another and reset the hammer. That prevents the striker from re-engaging the firing pin. Pull the trigger. And so on. Child’s play, Mr Mitchell, sir. It’s the standard sidearm for Americans. Effective range is fifty yards. Seven rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber. Whatever you hit will stay hit. Now, that’s just a drum of water,’ he said, pointing to a forty-four-gallon drum twenty yards away. ‘It doesn’t talk, it doesn’t goose-step.’ He handed the loaded weapon to Mitchell. ‘So, in your own time.’Mitchell fired. The recoil kicked the weapon down and blew a hole in the ground five feet in front of him.‘Need to get used to the recoil, Mr Mitchell. Just a matter of knowing about it so you can compensate,’ said Laughlin, standing patiently behind him. Almost tenderly, he corrected Mitchell’s body position. ‘Feel the butt of the pistol, bring your arms up, point and shoot. Both eyes open – can’t shoot the buggers if you can’t see them. Now... point and shoot.’Another shot, another miss. Another slight adjustment from Laughlin. Another shot, a near miss. Laughlin positioned himself right behind Mitchell’s shoulder. ‘All right Mr Mitchell, sir, we’ve a bit of a problem now. I’m out of ammunition and I’m wounded and if you can’t stop that SS man – he’s going to kill me and you and then he’s going to rape and murder your wife and daughter.’Mitchell froze; then he turned and faced Laughlin, forcing himself not to react. He pressed back the fury he felt rise up in his throat, tossed the .45 down and walked away. This confirmed Laughlin’s doubts. He muttered to himself: ‘Christ Almighty, if he hasn’t got the imagination to see what could happen, then he’s no brain at all and as much use as a Catholic at a Rangers’ game...’BOTTOM LINEThree stars out of five.

Harry Mitchell is a very unlikely candidate to become a British spy and return to war form France. Upon closer review he is in fact an excellent choice. His wife captured by the Gestapo, imprisoned then death by a firing squad. His young daughter imprisoned in Paris. Mitchell has resistance contacts in France and knows Paris well from living there for many years. This novel overflows with acts of bravery as well betrayal. This is an excellent read!!

This was my first outing with this author and I was amazed at his command of historic detail, fast paced plotting and unrelenting suspense. The bravery of the English agent and his wireless cohort left me in awe. Many scenes had me terrified but I loved it and didn't want this novel to end. Fantastic job!