(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

February, 1943. Both the Allies and the Nazis are closing in on attempts to construct the decisive weapon of the war.
Kurt Nordstrum, an engineer in Oslo, puts his life aside to take up arms against the Germans as part of the Norwegian resistance. After the loss of his fiancée, his outfit whittled to shreds, he commandeers a coastal steamer and escapes to England to transmit secret evidence of the Nazis’s progress towards an atomic bomb at an isolated factory in Norway. There, he joins a team of dedicated Norwegians in training in the Scottish Highlands for a mission to disrupt the Nazis’ plans before they advance any further.
Parachuted onto the most unforgiving terrain in Europe, braving the fiercest of mountain storms, Nordstrum and his team attempt the most daring raid of the war, targeting the heavily-guarded factory built on a shelf of rock thought to be impregnable, a mission even they know they likely will not survive. Months later, Nordstrum is called upon again to do the impossible, opposed by both elite Nazi soldiers and a long-standing enemy who is now a local collaborator—one man against overwhelming odds, with the fate of the war in the balance, but the choice to act means putting the one person he has a chance to love in peril.

I have to say, I was very impressed with this book. I have read a few of Gross' thriller novels and found them to be "okay" but never right up there with my favourite authors. This one changed my mind on the guy - if he keeps writing these historical novels that are based on true events, then I think his standing in my eyes will improve dramatically.

Why is this one so good? For me, it was the fact that every character had a role to play; that there were no wasted words; the historical aspect felt dead-on; and the action sequences felt so real, I had no trouble putting myself into those scenes.

The relationship between the members of the team was something that held my attention. Brought together by necessity, they worked together as a group and everyone knew their roles and did them perfectly. I felt that the friendship between Nordstrum and Jens was a telling one, but the others fit the group like a glove.

Sometimes, with historical fiction like this, it can feel like you are reading a textbook, or the author feels we need 800 pages of words to tell the story. Neither of those things are relevant here. The author keeps the story ticking along as a good thriller should, but never really gets bogged down trying to explain everything. He lets the narrative do the job. And that is highly appreciated. Also, at just on 400 pages, you get through it so quickly, you don't have the time to get disengaged from the story due to wordiness. That is fantastic.

The only thing that stopped this from being a 5-star story (and I am being picky here) is the seemingly "forced" romantic interludes. Could have done without them and just stuck to the story.

Having said that, though, this is a really good story and one that I would have no problem recommending at all!


Paul
ARH

Great historical fiction. I am really starting to become a fan of Andrew Gross.

This story was billed as a thrilling historical fiction story, but I did not feel that is was really a thriller. I loved "The One Man", but this book does not measure up to that one.

The book is a fictionalized version of the blowing up of the Vemork Hydroelectric Plant. The main character Kurt Nordstrum, joined the resistance when the Nazis took over Norway. He lost his family, his life as he knew it, and his fiancee when she was killed in retribution for a resistance attack. He was a brave and courageous man, who risked his life to lead an extremely high-risk sabotage during WWII. When he gets a piece of intelligence he needs to get to Britain to turn it over to the Norwegian Free Army. With a couple of friends, he hijacks a commuter ferry and makes a mad dash for Scotland. It's the beginning of a crucial covert mission to destroy whatever mysterious substance the Nazis are making at the Vemork Hydroelectric Plant. This heavy water plant is the base of their experiments with the atomic bomb.

Some of the problems I had with this story dealt with the characters. There were several and I found myself confused between characters more than a couple times. I also did not connect with the characters, they seemed flat and did not show much emotion. While it was an interesting story I found that it dragged at times. I found I really had to focus and pay attention to follow the story. On the whole, this is good historical fiction story that covers a topic that I was unaware of and is a nice reminder that WWII existed outside Germany, France, and the Blitz. Just don't expect it to be an action packed thriller.

"A true man is a man who goes on till he can go no farther, and then goes twice as far."

For Kurt Nordstrum, being Norwegian means having something to prove. A true northman can survive the most punishing storm, navigate the most rugged terrain, and the only feat impossible to him is hurting a countryman-- unless that person has allied themselves with the Nazis and then all bets are off.

Since the 1940 occupation of Norway, Nordstrum has lived by these principles, living as a partisan and fighting the Germans where he can. It's a decision that cost him his family and fiancee, but he sees no choice in the matter. Norwegians fight for Norway. But by 1942, things are looking bleak, and Nordstrum longs to go to Britain to join up with the Free Norwegian forces, but getting there is nearly impossible. Then he gets a piece of intelligence that makes the risk worth it. With a friend, he hijacks a commuter ferry and makes a mad dash for Scotland. It's the beginning of a crucial covert mission to destroy whatever mysterious substance the Nazis are making at the Vemork Hydroelectric Plant.

Andrew Gross's previous WW2 thriller, The One Man was one of my favorite books for 2016, and I had high expectations for this one. The author returns to a familiar subject: the allied race to stop the Nazis from developing the nuclear bomb. However, the atmosphere in Saboteur is very different, lacking the raw immediacy and terror of the former's setting in Auschwitz. By contrast, this book barely rates to the level of a thriller. For a book about blowing up a Nazi heavy water plant there's a surprising lack of action and a meandering pace that never builds to anything more substantial.

Part of the problem with this book is that the characters, including our hero, Kurt Nordstrum, are very flat. I don't know if this is a feature of having so many perspective shifts. There's a lack of emotion that seems unnatural. Kurt loses two people very close to him and basically reacts with: "huh, how 'bout that." The villain of the book never even really does anything and is mostly just pathetic. The dialogue between characters is often stilted and robotic.

On the whole, this is decent historical fiction. It covers a topic that hasn't been fictionalized to death and is a nice reminder that WW2 existed outside Germany, France, and the Blitz. The events at Vemork are based on a true story. However, where this book finally lost me for good was when Kurt Nordstrum, Mr. Norway First and Forever, is ready to throw away everything for a Nazi woman he's known all of fourteen seconds. It simply defies the story and character built up in the previous 400 pages.

I really did want to like this book,. But alas, I thought it was boring. I even hoped that I could draw enjoyment from revisiting some of the places I had been to in Norway. But the book did not lend itself to that either. I did not sense the same level of suspense that existed in the previous book. It did give a good description of the Second World War in Norway. I was not aware of what happended in Norway until I visited the country and I think there are a lot of people my age or younger who have no idea of the impact of the war on Norway.
About all I can say about the characters is that there really wasn’t much about them to make me care about each one. They were pretty blah. And I suppose there isn’t all that much you can do with Winter landscape in Norway. It is snow.
The review comments are my own

"The Saboteur" by Andrew Gross, is a follow-up to his best-seller "The One Man". This story, like his last book, is set in WWII and describes the efforts of a small team of men led by Kurt Nordstrom, a Norwegian, to eliminate Germany's progress towards making an atomic bomb, by destroying their stockpile of heavy water. Once again, Gross shows his ability to take a true story and turn it into a historical suspense novel. His powers of description are so keen Gross had me shivering as if I were on the ice mountains of Norway with the team instead of in my living room!

This is the only book I've read about Norway's participation in the war and I found it fascinating. The human character is shown in all of its complexity. How fortunate we are that in every era, men (and women) of strong courage and will, exist and have been ready to sacrifice their own dreams and even their lives to serve the greater good of mankind. This book rates 4 1/2 stars from me.

Thank-you Andrew Gross, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read and review an e-ARC of this book.

The Saboteur is an engrossing adventure story, set in Norway and Great Britain during World War Two. Although it is fictional, it is based on the reality of two astounding military operations carried out by courageous civilians who risked their lives in order to change the course of the war. The two main acts of sabotage are, according to the author, historically accurate, although other parts of the book are semi-fictional.
The courage and ingenuity of the Norwegian resistance in planning and implementing these acts are mind boggling. Germany was racing to invent an atomic weapon in order to defeat the Allies, who were also scrambling to beat the Germans. Both sides realized it was a race against time, and the first to produce an atomic weapon would likely win the war. These acts of sabotage were intended to slow the progress of the Germans, and may well have been a major factor in the Allies winning the war.
In order to create the atomic bomb, the Germans needed heavy water, which was essential, but difficult to produce. They took over a factory in the hinterlands of Norway and refitted it to produce this heavy water. It was located on a shelf in a deep gorge that was difficult to access and easy to defend. The two main acts of sabotage were intended to destroy the heavy water already produced, and slow down production in the future.
Although I have mixed feelings about intertwining historical facts with fiction, I thought the author handled this well for the most part. In the epilogue, the author explains that he that he was careful to keep facts about the two main acts of sabotage as close as possible to historic records, although some of the other events and characters were imagined, or loosely based on real people, in order to create an entertaining story. Some names were also changed for various reasons. My main problem was the addition of fanciful subplots that in my opinion were unnecessary, and detracted from the serious nature of the main story. I understand these were meant to be entertaining, but I think the extraordinary historical facts alone were entertaining enough. I also think it would have been a better book with some tightening up and editing out of unnecessary elements.
Overall, I thought this was an intriguing and memorable read. I was engrossed throughout the book. It would be a great action movie. It reminded me of a James Bond film. The setting in the icy wilds of Norway was exotic and exciting.
I recommend this book to those who are interested in WWII, the terrain and culture of Norway, or those who just want something exciting and informative to read.

THE SABOTEUR by Andrew Gross is an intense historical fiction based on the true life stories of the Norwegian Freedom Fighters assigned the seemingly impossible task of destroying the Nazis’ supply of heavy water before it could be used to produce an atomic bomb.
Kurt Nordstrum was an engineering student in Oslo in 1940 when the Nazis invaded. His whole life changes as he fights with his friends in the Norwegian resistance. The friendships, bravery and strength of these men and women is highlighted in this story.
Dieter Lund is a Captain in the Quisling, which is an arm of the Gestapo made up of Norwegian collaborators. Kurt and Dieter attended school together in their small hometown. With the murder of another Quisling onboard a ferry, the long resentment and envy that Dieter feels towards Kurt manifests itself and the chase is on. Good versus evil, protagonist versus antagonist.
In 1943, Kurt and his highly trained fellow Norwegian teammates are parachuted back into Norway from England for the specific purpose of destroying a heavily fortified hydro plant’s capability of producing heavy water and destroying any already produced. They must also stop any from leaving Norway and making it to Germany.
Between the seemingly impossible missions that this team takes on and the continual chase of the Quisling it was hard to put this book down. The tragedies and triumphs of ordinary people during a horrific world war are highlighted in this book. As the author notes in the end, this story is based on real people, which makes it all the more amazing.
*(I want to make one personal comment on this book and other reviews I have read. I agree with everyone that this author’s previous book “The One Man” was an exceptional historical thriller. I feel that any comparisons to this book though short changes this book. This book is based on true people and is a historical fiction novel. Yes, it has thrills and suspense throughout, but there is a difference between the two types of books. I did not compare the two when I rated my review.)
Thank you very much to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC.

Minotaur Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The Saboteur. I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Based on actual events in Norway during World War II, The Saboteur follows Kurt Nordstrum and a team of Norwegian patriots as the embark on a dangerous mission to save the world. Destroying the factory where they make heavy water, a necessary component for the German bomb making effort, is a critical step in turning the tide against the Nazis. When the mission expands to include Kurt in a secret task, will he be able to defy the odds and survive?

I have read many World War II historical fiction novels as of late, but The Saboteur is definitely unique in its location and its subject matter. With military history usually not all that interesting to me, I was skeptical that I would be able to engage with the characters and the story. However, The Saboteur grabbed my attention from the start and did not let go until the last word by the author. Intense, interesting, and thrilling, the plot takes readers through unrelenting country with strong and determined men and women. Readers who enjoy World War II historical fiction will especially like The Saboteur, but it will also appeal to a wider audience. I look forward to reading more by author Andrew Gross in the future and I highly recommend this book.

4 Stars.

A team of men sent on a death defying mission to destroy heavy water (the component that was produced by the Nazis’ in World War II to make an atomic bomb) in a impenetrable fortress. It seemed impossible. The first teams that were sent to Norway failed. And then a team of Norwegian men were sent, men who knew the terrain, who could survive the winters, the heavy snow and treacherous conditions. These men are successful. This team includes a man named Nordstrum. He is then sent on another mission, with the odds of success heavily favored against him. Nordstrum, the Saboteur, never gives up even during the most perilous of moments.

The Saboteur is an intensely gripping, multi-faceted and well written historical novel. There were many heart stopping, chilling, terrifying moments during which I was completely engrossed and worried for the teams survival. What struck me most about this novel, was the relationship between the characters, and especially that of Nordstrum and his childhood friend and team member Jens, in addition to Nordstrum’s relationship with other team members, Gutterson, Ox and Hella. Each relationship is deeply felt. Their friendships and their vulnerabilities. Though this novel is based on true events of one of the most difficult missions in history, the personal relationships of the men involved in this undertaking added to the story and made my appreciation of it that much better. In short, The Saboteur is a suspenseful novel with compelling characters, which I would highly recommend.

This was a Traveling Sister Group read and included Brenda, Norma, Lindsay, Jan B and Diane S. Thanks Ladies – I enjoyed our discussions very much.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Andrew Gross for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Published on NetGalley, Goodreads and Amazon on 9.8.17.

3 stars.

I liked this atmospheric WWII historical thriller, but didn’t love it. After reading Andrew Gross’ novel “The One Man” last year, I became a HUGE fan. “The One Man” is another WWII historical thriller and is one of my most favourite books! With that being said, I think I went into this novel with my expectations set a little too high and while reading I couldn’t help but compare the two books along the way (I hate when I do this to myself!). I felt that this one didn’t come close to the energy, action, suspense and addiction I felt while reading “The One Man”.

I really liked the main character Kurt Nordstrum, a brave and courageous man, who risked his life to lead an extremely high-risk sabotage during WWII. The odds were stacked against this heroic man who fearlessly lead his team to protect his country. His strength and leadership were something to admire. The fact that this story and Kurt’s character were based on real life events was one of the best things about this book for me. I love learning something new while reading!

With that being said, I felt there was a large disconnect for me throughout the book. I found myself confused between characters more than a couple times. While it was an interesting story and I highly admire these brave men, the story itself lacked the addictive quality I expected and it dragged at times. It was a very atmospheric novel but one that ended up feeling repetitive instead of engrossing. I found I really had to focus and pay attention to get through this book instead of sitting back and being able to simply enjoy it. I really had to work for this one and in the end the payoff just wasn’t fully there for me.

Overall, I felt that this book was more educational than enjoyable. I am happy that I read it, but would strongly recommend Gross’ previous novel “The One Man” over this one.

A big thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Andrew Gross for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

To find this review, please visit :

https://twogirlslostinacouleereading.wordpress.com/2017/09/07/traveling-sisters-netgalley-review-the-saboteur-by-andrew-gross/

The Saboteur was a heavy, interesting, and suspenseful historical thriller that I read and discussed along with my Traveling Sisters. I really enjoyed the discussion The Saboteur brought on for us. Some of us had read The One Man and others will be soon I am sure after reading this one.

Based on real-life events of a team of Norwegian Saboteurs on a mission to destroy the heavy water project of WWII, Andrew Gross does a fantastic job of weaving fact and fiction here with The Saboteur. The first half of the book seemed to read more like a heavy account of events and I had a hard time connecting to the story and the characters at first but soon came to see how cleverly Andrew Gross layered the story. The second half he kept me on the edge of my seat and the story at times read like purely fiction as our brave and skilled main character Nordstrum and his team of Saboteurs are up against the impossible with extraordinary danger and it all seemed unlikely to turn out okay.

Andrew Gross does a good job bringing the characters to life for me in the second half and I started to connect with them more. We start to see a personal side to them and I could see their skill, bravery, loyalty to each other and their causes along with their vulnerability and personal struggles making them more realistic characters.

The descriptions of the setting and harsh weather conditions added to the danger and tension to the story and it was easy to visualize the surroundings and danger.

I highly recommend engaging in this story of these brave and skilled Saboteurs as they take you on their very brave and important mission.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Andrew Gross for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I didn't love this as much as I did The One Man but it was still a pretty good and worthwhile read!

THE SABOTEUR by ANDREW GROSS was an interesting, engrossing, tense, and suspenseful Historical Thriller novel with an intriguing storyline that is based on true events of extraordinary bravery and survival from a team of Norwegian saboteurs on a mission to destroy the heavy water project of WWII.

This novel was filled with compelling characters and I really liked everything that each of them brought to this story throughout the novel. They each had their role to make this an extremely tense, enjoyable and thrilling read. ANDREW GROSS delivers a riveting story with a solid plot that was easy to follow along with the storyline and all the characters involved.

What makes this novel even more special and appreciative is that we learn from the Author's Note & The Epilogue that the story is based on actual events and real-life men (names were changed) but there were a few things that the author changed or added to intensify this story.

To sum it all up it was action-packed, suspenseful, and a steady-paced read with an open to your own interpretation ending which I found to be totally satisfying. Would recommend!!!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Andrew Gross for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for allowing me access to this book for review!
In 1943, a team of Norwegian saboteurs carried out a dangerous mission that destroyed the Nazis' source of heavy water, a fluid needed to produce nuclear weapons. The race to develop the world's first atomic bomb was on, and it was a race that would alter the course of the war.

The heavy water plant was in a heavily guarded, remote mountainous area of Norway. The team knew it was likely to be a suicide mission, with little chance of success or getting out alive. I was struck by not only the physical feats and survival skills this mission required, but was impressed by the emotional grit and determination of the team through the harshest of conditions.

The first half of the book was the set-up leading up to the raid, but the second half was action-packed, tense, suspenseful and riveting. I enjoyed learning about this piece of WWII history I knew nothing about. I typically don't like fictionalized account of true stories and real people. However, Mr Gross does a fine job. He stayed true to the actual events with creating tension and intrigue while highlighting just how difficult this mission was. The epilogue where he gives an accounting of the real events was appreciated and I enjoyed further reading on the internet about these men and their bravery.

One of my favorite quotes in the book: "The funny thing about bravery, sometimes it was no more than people being afraid to shrink from doing the right thing." We owe such a debt to these brave men.
Amazingly, one of the members of the team is still alive today, and they recently have been getting the recognition they deserve in Norway.

When an author can entice one to read a book outside their usual genre likes, not only read but enjoy and appreciate the story, then I think he has definitely found his writing niche. I have read very little of what I call historical/spy thrillers, but loved his last one, so knew I had to read this one. So many books written about different facets of World War Ii, but the material out there is endless. This was another set in a place I have read little of previously. Norway and the Nazi occupation there, but more importantly set in the mountains at what they thought was an impregnable fortress. A fortress that was producing heavy water in large quantities, what the Germans needed to make a bomb and what the rest of the world feared. So a daring plan was set in place, with Norwegian expert skiers, Norwegians and one Yank, who would attempt the impossible.

Ordinary men who risked all. Loved the relationship, the closeness between these men, men who looked out for each other despite risk. The perilous terrain, the snow storms, the inhospitable conditions, treacherous. Their mission, so suspenseful, was often holding my breath, hoping they would make it through. Even after that more was expected from a few of them. These men, heroes, but wanted men, living in the shadows of the Nazi regime. Some their very own countrymen, Quislings they were called, considered traitors by most Norwegians.

Based on a true story, names were changed but some of the men were actual people who actually put their lives on hold, to fight in their own way against an invasion of their country and a regime that spawned terror. Of course as fiction, the story was enhanced, elements added, but it all fit together and I felt added additional suspense to the narrative. The open to interpretation ending I also appreciated though I know some readers prefer a solid, thought out one. An authors note is included and the real story can be found on Wiki and other sources. Very well done, tightly plotted, suspenseful and an amazing story about ordinary people who risked everything for something in which they believed.

ARC from Netgalley.

Published by St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books on August 22, 2017

Kurt Nordstrum is part of the Norwegian resistance, or what remains of it in 1942. He crosses Lake Tinnsjo from Tinnoset to Mael, near the place where he grew up, because he has been asked to accompany Einar Skinnarland on a mission to smuggle microfilm to a Norwegian scientist in London. The microfilm concerns details of atomic bomb research that the Germans are conducting in Norway.

Carrying out the mission requires the men to hijack a Norwegian steamer and make their way past the German coastal command. After that, Nordstrum's mission is to sabotage the plant that is manufacturing the raw materials Germany needs to make an atomic bomb. And after that, Nordstrum’s role in the war is to recruit more spies in Norway, until he is given a final mission that will change the course of the war.

All of that is interesting, but it should be harrowing. Andrew Gross’ writing style is matter-of-fact, and at least until the novel’s ending, a bit dry. Still, if the story isn’t as riveting as it could have been, it does convey a sense of how weather plays a critical role in war in places like Norway, where people who are familiar with adverse conditions can turn them to their own advantage.

A love story appears near the end of the novel, although the characters hardly know each other long enough to feel any semblance of love. The novel’s characters have about as much development as they need. Nordstrum has a generic war hero’s personality and the other characters play equally generic roles.

The novel’s ending is melodramatic, although it will appeal to fans of the movie Titanic. I enjoyed The Saboteur more for its atmosphere and its setting in history than for the way the story is told. The novel has value precisely because it is based on actual events — and I enjoyed reading it for that reason — but the truth of history is more compelling that the predictable and melodramatic way in which the story is fictionalized.

RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS

I had high hopes for this book as I absolutely loved The One Man. There were parts of the book that had my full attention, but other parts lost me and allowed my mind to wander. There were a lot of characters introduced in the first few chapters which had me a little lost. It wasn't a bad book but I was expecting to like it more.

If you enjoy Andrew's writing, especially The One Man, then you'll enjoy this novel

Andrew does an Awesome job in the war thriller to bring what a group of people will do to save their country. Andrew makes you feel, like you are on the cliff with the Saboteur's, hoping not to get caught.

I can't wait to see what Andrew comes up with next.

The One Man, by Andrew Gross, has to be one of the best WWII books I have read. The Saboteur is a tale of extraordinary bravery and survival and is a close second.
Kurt Nordstrum (based on the real-life figure of Kurt Haukelid) was a humble yet courageous man, whose irrepressible will and sense of duty helped pull off the most important and unbelievable sabotage of WWII. The two main military events in this story are the raid on the heavy water facility at the Norsk Hydro factory in Norway and the sabotage of the Hydro ferry.
I enjoyed reading Andrew Gross's version of events in history I was unaware of.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

The Saboteur - Andrew Gross - 22 Aug

“If the Germans get there first, it will lead to some of the nastiest business that can ever be imagined. Not to mention it’ll win them the war.”

A spellbinding, historical and educational story based on true events involving brave and selfless patriots and the Norwegian heavy water sabotage project of WWII. When I first started reading, I wasn’t sure my mind was in a place to keep up with the meticulous details, yet in short order, I was riveted, reading for hours at a time, finishing the book in two days; evidence of how inspirational and fantastic it was. The author’s research on this critical mission is impressive, his merging of fact/fiction and his humanization of the characters so well done. I was in awe of their sacrifice, resilience, strength and humor amidst insurmountable odds.

It is a rare book that my husband and I can both agree on. I know without a doubt that he will enjoy this book as much as I did, so I plan on buying the audio version to listen to on an upcoming 16+ hour car ride.