An Affair of Spies
In 1943, Sergeant Nathan Silverman, U.S. Army, is interviewed in New York by the physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer and a general. A German Jew and scientist’s son, Nathan escaped to the U.S. in 1938, subsequently enlisted, and has been trained for espionage work. His background has led to his recruitment for a special mission to accompany a young physicist, Dr. Allison Fisher, who doesn’t speak German, to Berlin. The pair must vet a nuclear scientist wishing to defect to America —a former colleague of Nathan’s father—and assist him in his effort. Fisher is also to determine the extent of Germany’s progress in developing the nuclear bomb.
In Europe, the mission brings Allison and Nathan closer romantically but also puts them in the Gestapo’s crosshairs.
Ronald Balson, a bestselling author and an attorney, has given this thriller the customary nonstop action scenes. The inclusion of a race against time to build the nuclear device before the
Germans adds an element of intrigue to keep the reader engrossed. Furthermore, the mention of Einstein’s letter warning Roosevelt about the risk of Germany developing nuclear weapons, and the appearance of notable nuclear scientists like Oppenheimer, brings realism to the story. Balson’s frequent travels to Europe show in the details of the narrative describing the journey undertaken by the characters. Nevertheless, at times readers will need to suspend disbelief at some of the plot twists.
The development of nuclear weapons is presented in informative detail. There are also good discussions between the characters on the pros and cons of deploying a nuclear bomb.
