A very effective, well paced thriller, especially if you like a lot of action. Personally, I was more interested in the alternative history aspect and came away slightly disappointed that we didn't get more background and texture on that - which is why I'm only giving it 3 stars, not 4. But this may not be a fair criticism because it looks to me as if the author took a conscious decision to go for the action-thriller market, so my reaction may be more a product of my own tastes and expectations. For a longer review including comparisons with "Fatherland" and "The Man in the High Castle", see http://www.paulsamael.com/blog/afrika-reich ( )

A bit too actiony but very exciting. Seemingly well researched with main characters that have some bite to them. Overall, it's formulaic and struggles to provide the historical depth it needs. ( )

Gave up on page 37 Enough said! ( )

This will contain spoilers. Not that I care; you'll not want to read it after you've read this anyway.
Oh dear. I'm not sure why I finished this, it certainly wasn't because I cared about Burton Cole. I was mildly intrigued to know what the next improbable hurdle between Burton and his Quince farm was going to be, because just as you think he'll manage to get away something else manages to intervene.
Set in a fictional Africa that is under the heel of the Nazis after a peace made after Dunkirk this seems to be an excuse to come up with some of the most distasteful racism, fanatical views and unnecessary violence that can be imagined. Then there are the stereotypical characters, all red blooded, honourable and battle scarred on the Allied side and despicable zealots on the German side. Mostly men, apart from the odd woman waiting at home. I was left with the feeling that Burton was going to get back, regardless of what happened, because the number of times he was missed by a hail of bullets, or they sang past his ear; he had an air of inviolability about him. I mean I haven't fired a rifle since I was in my teens, but I reckon even I could have hit him, the number of times he seemed to be stood still while a whole troop faced him down. As did Patrick until his lucky pipe broke. Then predictably, it all went a bit pear shaped.
It had a fair number of thing that were left unexplained. How come Burton immediately assumes the man he's asked to kill is the same man he remembers from his childhood, but had assumed was dead. Where was the logic in that. And to leave the same man in the ocean, on a sinking boat, but known to be a strong swimmer?
It wasn't written in great prose either. A lot of short sharp sentences that bring an action sequence to an abrupt halt. And some strange use of adjectives. Not sure that smoke grumbles...
It was so bad that it seemed to pass through awful to some sort of bizzare place when I was going to get to the end, just to find out how bad it actually was. And it's left in some sort of unresolved place that leaves you no resolution. He doesn't get home, he doesn't have a showdown with his mistress' husband (yes, i saw that coming from fairly early on) he doesn't find the truth he seeks, nor kill the man he meant to. And the whole plan of which the assassination was part doesn't really come off either. If this is setting up a sequel, I won't be reading it. And I suggest you don't bother either. ( )

Another book that surprised me. I did not actually expect to like this book. In fact, all I had to go off of was the back cover. I do not like to really read reviews of others before I have read a book as I don't like to be have preconceived thoughts about a book until I have made up my own. So thus the reason that I picked up this book many times and put it back down. I kind of wondered what I was thinking back than that made me want to read this book. I finally gave in to picking up this book to read. I really enjoyed Mr. Saville's take on the Nazi's and the "what if" regarding the continent of Africa.

Plus Burton turned out to be a really likable guy. He was someone that you could stand behind and see as the hero. The battle scenes between Burton and Hochburg were thrilling, especially the last one. There was so much action to keep me intrigued and happy. Yes, I agree with other readers that the scenes at times seemed way over the top in regards to Burton seemed like he had nine lives and had lots of luck on his side to escape every time but still sometimes over the top is a good thing. ( )