I loved reading When the Germans Come by David Hewson.

It is an outstanding mix of historical fiction and compelling murder mystery/suspense. Set in 1940 with the threat of Nazi invasion in the air, the story paints an authentic-feeling picture of wartime Britain. The characters are cleverly crafted—Louis Renard, a wounded ex-detective, is both compelling and flawed as all book-heroes should be, while Jessica Marshall, the determined, naive Canadian journalist, adds an engaging and fem-fatale perspective as she chases down a story with life-threatening stakes that the Army simply does not want told

The setting and atmosphere feel completely authentic, capturing the fear, uncertainty, and resilience of a small town on the brink of invasion. The murder mystery at the heart of the story is both sensible and believable, weaving seamlessly into the larger context of war and espionage. Hewson’s ability to balance historical detail with a tight, suspenseful plot is evident, keeping the reader engaged until the big reveal. The story’s atmosphere of danger and intrigue is palpable, and the exploration of moral dilemmas in wartime adds another thoughtful layer. This is a book where everything works well—the characters, the plot, and the richly created setting combine to make it a thoroughly enjoyable and thought-provoking read.

A well researched story about living in 1940 Dover just after Dunkirk and waiting for the expected arrival of the Germans. Welcomed by a few but not many. Took a while to settle in and give some indication as to what might happen. Our rather confused police detective coming to terms with being wounded then moved from London to a barely functioning police station in Dover for recuperation. Our rather assertive Canadian journalist who desperately wants to make a name for herself beyond the women and party pages; someone in "the Ministry" who has fingers in all pies and possibly not only British ones; a police sergeant who is confused and then there's Aunt (of the detective) Veronica. She's a character and makes the story in many respects. Murder happens and the story livens up a bit - there is an awful lot of good description but can lose the reader at times. Cleverly plotted. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

An insight into the only examples of German occupation in WW2 using the experience of the Channel Islands inhabitants. A fascinating often alarming and occasionally funny eye opening storyline of German methods to rule small islands in preparation for the German rule of Britain. . A sense of awareness particularly reading over the period of celebrating and remembering the bravery of many and losses of even more heroes on armistice day.. Many thanks to author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC .

I have been an admirer of David Hewson’s crime novels for many years, particularly his Nic Costa series and the Spanish based Semana Santa from the mid-1990s.

His latest book, When The Germans Come, takes another new direction and is set in Dover in 1940.

The war is not going well for the British. The disaster of Dunkirk is only months behind them and most of the population are readying themselves for the Germans. This is particularly the case in Dover, the possible starting point for any invasion. Bombs and aerial fights are frequent occurrences and there are persistent rumours about German spies and sympathisers. Thrust into this uncertain situation is Louis Renard, a onetime Scotland Yard murder detective who is recuperating from wounds received at Dunkirk. His new job finds him working in Dover’s barely functioning police station. It should be a quiet job until the murdered body of a dancer is found in a secret underground bunker. As the body count rises, Renard has to tangle with a web of lies, spies and secrecy, but is determined to uncover the killer. Meanwhile, Canadian journalist Jessica Marshall is keenly reporting from Dover as the ‘town is on the brink of a German invasion’. For her it is the opportunity to break into the big time, but it comes with a lot of risk.

When The Germans Come is a bit of a slow burn thriller. The plot takes a little while to come together, and the opening sections with their myriad of characters and relationships require some patience. Once the story is underway, however, the pace picks up and the final sections are very exciting.

The historical depiction of Dover is very convincing and the reactions of the various inhabitants to the pending invasion ring true. Hewson is very good at picking out the small telling detail, and the atmosphere of a town under threat is well conveyed.

Once it kicks in, the murder plot is well handled and there are some decent surprises and jolts. In all, When The Germans Come is a very enjoyable mystery-cum-thriller, and will appeal to fans of historical crime stories.

An exciting historical thriller set in 1940 in Kent. Traumatised detective Inspector Renard investigates the brutal murder of a Dover showgirl whilst a Canadian journalist searches for stories. The author paints a vivid picture of a seaport at risk of German invasion. I liked the well written characters and hope there is a sequel as the denouement came as a shick.

I live in Kent and have often wondered what it was like living here during the war. We have Spitfires flying overhead a lot in commemorative flights. This story is set in Dover but does move around a bit. The characters are a bit cliched - the fading actress, the country squire, the dozy policeman and the worthy townsfolk. A Canadian female reporter arrives to capture the story of the war in the front line. Murder still happens during wartime so there is plenty to report. A Scotland Yard detective is called on to take charge and he brings his own baggage. The book was interesting but not thrilling enough for me - maybe I expected too much.

Hewson delivers a solid historical fiction set in England, a murder mystery unfolds as the fear of a German attack looms over the people of Dover. Hewson pulled me back into history, an atmospheric story with realistic characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley #WhenTheGermansCome

An intriguing and original work of historical fiction set with a backdrop of an impending ww2. Whilst the War kicks off as the novel progresses this book is more a study of interpersonal relationships, familial and societal- ones which are typical and those created artificially by the coming together of unlikely compatriots as a result of the war. Both the plot and the characters are very well drawn.

Was a bit slow to begin with as was very in depth. However stick with it as it was a fab read with great likeable characters.

Historical fiction murder mystery?! SIGN ME UP

My personal rating is a 3.5 BUT I absolutely understand why some fans of WWII historical fiction that enjoy a lot of details that add depth and atmosphere to a story would rate this higher and that’s why I rounded up to 4 stars.

The characters are complex and the story is too. The first 1/3 of the book felt like I was watching and waiting for the kettle to boil. But then you start sensing the molecules moving. And then the next thing you know you need answers and it’s past your bedtime.

Set in 1940 in Dover, England just after Dunkirk where everyone is expecting the Germans to come next. A coastal town that is gearing up the military and prioritizing the thoughts of war while doing their best to maintain some semblance of normalcy.

A journalist that is trying to catch her big break.
A former Scotland Yard detective with a bit of a mysterious past.
A police sergeant that doesn’t quite fit in.
A man that seems to have his hands in all the pots playing puppet master.
A host of other characters with paths that cross and support the complexity of the story well.

A woman is murdered in a bunker and the former SY detective is assigned to it. He refuses to let it be swept under a rug and this leads from twists and turns to lies and spies and corruption.

And then the ending leaves you with a sudden intake of air and a “how dare he end it like that” on the tip of your tongue.

ARC thanks to NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Wow. What a wonderful read, so interesting and such a differently and unique way of writing a story about the war. '1940: Dover waits for the Nazi invasion… but what if Hitler’s agents are already here, among them?' That says it all!

This is such a wonderful book to read, starting slowly and building throughout the book. The characters are so real and well developed making it easy to like them (for the most part!). This has great bones, is thrilling and you can feel the atmosphere lift off the pages. Well written and a book I thoroughly enjoyed.

Thank you NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I love WW2 historical fiction books so this was right up my alley! This book is a fun read. Although it starts off slow, you quickly get to like the characters and the differente stories going on! Well written and I Highly recommend.

I received a free advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Detectives, Dover and murder!

The world’s gone mad! It’s 1940 and just after the Dunkirk retreat in Dover. The place where a German invasion would surely land.
The Castle, an imposing fortress like building overlooks Dover and its harbour. The Castle houses a myriad of Ministry departments including one devoted to dirty tricks, of far fetched ideas. Dover and the Castle is a place on the defensive footing.
Into this madness comes Louis Reynard, a former Scotland Yard detective, who was wounded during the Dunkirk evacuation. He’s maybe just a little mad or lost, maybe both. His Aunt Veronica, a renowned actress of the West End, and doyen of the Dover area, has a word in the right ears. When he’d recovered Louis found himself posted to the quietness of Dover. Not that that lasted!
Now he’s dealing with murder, treason and German agents.
He’s also being haunted by a serial killer whom Renaud believes killed his fiancé. The killer is obsessed with Renaud.
Then there’s the Canadian reporter Jessica.
The pressure did not stop. The last section is a shocker.
Super read!

A Boldhound ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

1940: Canadian journalist Jessica Marshall is reporting from Dover, a town on the brink of a German attack. But her stories never make it into print. Meanwhile, Louis Renard, an intelligent, damaged man and onetime Scotland Yard detective, is recuperating from wounds received at Dunkirk and is working in Dover’s barely functioning police station. When a dancer is found murdered in a secret underground bunker, Renard refuses to turn a blind eye, and Marshall smells a scoop.
A very well written book which I thoroughly enjoyed. The characters have depth & are well portrayed. I really liked Louis & could see a series with him as the main character (hint, hint) I found the story was slow to begin with but the more I read the more invested I became & soon found it hard to put down. Not a short book but I found the pages started to fly by. A lovely mix of murder, spies & Louis trying to cope
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

1940, Dover, local-law-enforcement, murder, spies, journalist, historical-thriller, historic-site, historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, history-and-culture, relationships*****

In this rather long offering set in the time of the Battle of Britain, Canadian journalist Jessica Marshall is looking for a story and finds herself getting a far clearer understanding of the realities of war and espionage than she was prepared for.
Louis Renard, wounded Dunkirk veteran and police Inspector seconded from The Yard, is given a murder to investigate and a position of value to British espionage.
The story is gripping and the characters are totally believable.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected ebook file from Bloodhound Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
#WhenTheGermansCome by @david_hewson #NetGalley @Bloodhoundbook

Beautifully atmospheric tale of early 1940’s Dover with violent murders galore as the story twists hither and thither amongst bombing raids with lots of interesting characters. A former Scotland Yard detective now working from Dover police station but untrusted by colleagues and superior officer is handed a murder investigation when a body is discovered in a seemingly secret bunker. A Canadian journalist and a powerful security service officer feature alongside various other players in this super yarn. Hopefully the ending gives a hint of more to come from these players!

This was a well plotted historically accurate, atmospheric thriller that really thrilled.

The author brilliantly captures the mood of a nation awaiting the German invasion that is expected imminently after the retreat from Dunkirk.

The plot is clever and original and the characters well rounded and credible. I enjoyed this very much.

Canadian journalist Jessica Marshall is reporting from Dover as the town is on the brink of a German invasion. But her story never makes it into the paper…
Meanwhile, Louis Renard, an intelligent, damaged man and onetime Scotland Yard murder detective, is recuperating from wounds received in the Dunkirk invasion, working in Dover’s barely functioning police station.

This is so well written. It’s wonderfully atmospheric and draws you in to the period. England on the brink of war; of invasion. It has dour but believable characters who fit perfectly into the time. It has all the elements. A police inspector out of his comfort zone, murder, spies and a story told well. It’s a great read and hard to put down. I’d like to see more of Inspector Louis Renard.

This was a strong historical fiction novel, it had that element that I was looking for from the description. The characters had that feel for the time-period and I was invested in what was happening with them. David Hewson wrote this perfectly and kept me reading until the end. I’m excited to read more from David Hewson as this was really well done.