"A commanding & affecting read with undeniable emotional impact"

• ASIN: ‎ B0C3J79YZF
• Publisher: ‎ The Book Guild Ltd (April 24, 2023)
• Publication date: ‎ April 24, 2023
• Language: ‎ English
• Print length: ‎ 457 pages
• Genre:  Historical WWII British Spy Thrillers

The BookViral Review:

Originality and authenticity always make for great books and Colonel Peter Haden’s epic World War 2 spy thriller ‘HEDDA’ unapologetically delivers on both counts as it sweeps the reader along in its swiftly escalating drama and suspense.

Compelling in its broad strokes ‘HEDDA’ has an intoxicating, old-fashioned feel about it. Few authors write character-focused period thrillers about the heroism of human decency but Haden has it down to perfection.

‘HEDDA’ remains aloof from the usual clichés of World War II reads and Haden doesn’t coddle his readers. He’s created an ensemble of top-notch arresting characters and the mechanics of his plot are pretty impressive with briskly staged action and twists and turns galore.

WW2 tales of the resistance movement in France and deep cover agents in the German command are undeniably suited for Historical Thrillers and thanks to Haden’s meticulous eye for detail and astute background rendering we are instantly lost in the period with “HEDDA” casting its heart on the side of raw realism.

On this level, Haden deals with the gritty side of spycraft but whilst the first half of his novel does a splendid job of establishing mood and characters it’s the second half that will have readers perching on the edge of their chairs! Not knowing who is to be trusted and wondering how Hedda and Tadzio will emerge emotionally and physically unscathed.

Whilst Hedda and Tadzio are the principal characters in Haden’s epic the sweeping story arc is too broad for them to carry it alone. With a superb cast of supporting characters, Haden has imbued his narrative with depth and integrity, crafting backstories full to the brim with inner turmoil and angst, then cleverly woven them into the explosive threads of his plot.

‘HEDDA’ is at its best when it colours outside the black and white lines of war and hones in on the real, fallible men and women who fight it, one quiet inglorious step at a time but it never loses sight of its characters no matter how epic the scope becomes.

A commanding and affecting read with an undeniable emotional impact that lingers long after the last page is turned ‘HEDDA’ is an unreservedly recommended Golden Quill read!