“One of the best historical thriller authors in the business… [A] stellar novel.” –Associated Press #1 New York Times bestselling author of The One Man Andrew Gross once again delivers a tense, stirring thriller of a family torn apart set against the backdrop of a nation plunged into war. February, 1939. Europe teeters on the brink of war. In New York City, twenty-two thousand cheering Nazi … York City, twenty-two thousand cheering Nazi supporters pack Madison Square Garden for a raucous, hate-filled rally. In a Hell’s Kitchen bar, Charles Mossman is reeling from the loss of his job and the demise of his marriage when a group draped in Nazi flags barges in. Drunk, Charlie takes a swing at one with tragic results and a torrent of unintended consequences follows.
Two years later. America is wrestling with whether to enter the growing war. Charles’s estranged wife and six-year-old daughter, Emma, now live in a quiet brownstone in the German-speaking New York City neighborhood of Yorkville, where support for Hitler is common. Charles, just out of prison, struggles to put his life back together, while across the hall from his family, a kindly Swiss couple, Trudi and Willi Bauer, have taken a liking to Emma. But Charles begins to suspect that they might not be who they say they are.
As the threat of war grows, and fears of a “fifth column”–German spies embedded into everyday life–are everywhere, Charles puts together that the seemingly amiable Bauers may be part of a sinister conspiracy. When Pearl Harbor is attacked and America can no longer sit on the sideline, that conspiracy turns into a deadly threat with Charles the only one who can see it and Emma, an innocent pawn.
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“The Fifth Column” by Andrew Gross is a story of domestic terrorism, sleeper cells, and political complications as current as the evening news tonight, but this drama is set in WWII. The “Home Front” during WWII, is not peaceful and quiet with patriotic souls doing their best to support the war effort. The situation in Europe is deteriorating; Hitler threatens to take over everything, and a wave of “America First” proponents advocate ignoring the looming danger.
The story opens in February 1939 with a first person narrative by Charles Mossman, whose once-promising career and marriage are now in a downward spiral. He is filled with guilt over the death of twin brother, killed fighting fascists in Spain. Today is their birthday, and not a good day to get into a racially charged bar fight. With one punch, life as he knows it comes crashing to an end.
Two years later, 1941, upon being released from jail, Mossman finds the political climate has changed, and circumstances for him, an ex con, are grim. Readers get to know Mossman well as he continues as if giving a report on his life; he shares his feelings about himself, his family, and his life choices. The discourse is factual and emotional at the same time with a hint of self-depreciation as he describes the world and the trickle-down effect of international politics on New York. He recounts specific details of events, “Then there was the time the following week when I was sitting in the Old Heidelberg again on Third Avenue having a coffee.” He talks directly to readers; “I have to admit I felt a little foolish, following them.” Readers hear what he says to others; “’All these customers,’ I said to Emma when we got outside. ‘ Do you know what Uncle Willi and Aunt Trudi do for work?’” Readers listen in as others talk to him; “’You’re suggesting they’re spies . . . ?’ she said, her eyes locked on me. Then she laughed. “’Well, that’s absurd.’” He teases readers with anticipation; “But little did I know.”
The story starts slowly and builds in intensity and complexity. Readers wonder how Mossman will fare in the approaching storm and willingly follow him on the perilous journey into it. Mossman’s narrative is occasionally interrupted by other conversations, and readers learn what the narrator does not know … yet. Has Mossman wandered into a nest of German spies or are people overreacting and just seeing spies everywhere?
“The Fifth Column” reveals the cost of war on the home front, a subject that is sometimes overlooked in novels set in WW II. Gross creates believable characters, flawed characters, who struggle to balance duty to family, duty to government, and duty to society while fearing that more lives will be lost because the real war is yet to come. I received a review copy of “The Fifth Column” from Andrew Gross, St. Martin’s Press, and Minotaur Books.
What a rollercoaster of a read! I wanted to finish the page to get to the next one but at the same time didn’t want to rush it in case something I didn’t want to happen, happened. It was a heart racing story until the very end with a final twist! Andrew’s books just keep getting better!
This story revolves around the concept of a “fifth column”; foreigners deeply embedded in the fabric of our daily lives who would emerge in war to perform acts of sabotage and espionage. These words are straight from the author’s Acknowledgment! This was an enjoyable read but that’s about all it was for me! It reminded me how simpler times where back in the day. I’ve read all of Mr. Gross’s works but with each new novel that’s come out they have become more a struggle to get through! So sad….
Andrew Gross does it again!! The term fifth column refers to “a secret subversive group that works against a country or organization from the inside”. This can include foreign spies who have become embedded in the day-to-day life of a country working with domestic traitors. Such is the case in Gross’ The Fifth Column, a historical fiction novel based on true events.
The issue of whether America should become involved in WWII was a topic of heated discussions and strong feelings. Many Americans wanted to support the Allies, others favored isolationism. Some wanted America to enter the war for their own personal gain and others were Nazi sympathizers working and conspiring behind the scenes to force America to join the war. The group of Nazi sympathizers included people within the American government.
Gross brings this part of American history alive through the story of the Mossman family (Charles, Liz and Emma) and their Swiss neighbors Willi and Trudi Bauer. (I won’t repeat the publisher’s book blurb here as they did a fine job of setting the scene.) Realistic, complex characters, scenes described in a way that makes the reader feel as if they are actually involved, and a plot that compels the reader to keep turning pages are all hallmarks of books written by Andrew Gross. I have read nine of his books to date, and have thoroughly enjoyed every one of them!
Several of Gross’ books have a theme of what a huge impact/effect/difference the life and choices of an ordinary person can make. Charles Mossman is an excellent example of that.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and the author for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. The book will be available to the public on September 10, 2019. I highly recommend you add it (and all of Andrew Gross’ other books) to your TBR pile!