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About the author: Edward Phillips Oppenheim (1866 – 1946) was an English novelist, a prolific writer of best-selling genre fiction, featuring glamorous characters, international intrigue and fast action. Notably easy to read, they were viewed as popular entertainments. He was featured on the cover of Time magazine in 1927. (wikipedia)
Major characters:
- Francis Norgate, the "double traitor"
- Baroness Anna Von Haase, his Austrian girlfriend
- Herr Selingman, a German spy
- John Hebblethwaite, British M.P.
- Captain Fred Baring, British Admiralty, friend of Anna
Locale: Germany and England
Synopsis: It is the volatile period in the runup to World War I. Diplomat Francis Norgate is dining in Berlin with Austrian baroness Anna Von Haase. She is known to be the liaison between the German Kaiser and Vienna. German Prince Karl enters and demands Norgate give up his seat that he may entertain the Baroness instead. Norgate refuses, and leaves with the Baroness.
Word of this incident gets back to embassy, and Norgate is sent home to England as he did not defer to the prince, a diplomatic error. On his trip home, he encounters Herr Selingman, a German crockery manufacturer with many agents around Europe and England. Norgate finds Seligman is actually a spy gathering information on military facilities; and manages to steal Seligman's list of agents.
Back in England, Norgate tries to provide the list to authorities, but is rebuffed as no one seems to think war is imminent. Norgate resents this further embarassment, and takes up Seligman's offer to work for him (Germany) instead. Norgate meets Anna in England, and tells her he is now a double agent, but his sympathies lie with England. Anna, now suspected herself of duplicity by the Germans, is enlisted by Seligman to spy on Norgate; now her fiancé.
Review: It is fascinating to realize this spy novel must have been written in real time - published in 1915, it includes the real-life 1914 assassination of the Austrian archduke which started World War I. It is historical fiction (names of prominent people have been changed) but is closely based on fact. After comparing this book with the Wikipedia account of World War I (they agree right down the line) I came away with a greater understanding of the causes of the war. If I were teaching a history course, I would suggest this book!
The characters are lively and fully developed, especially the "spy triangle" formed of Norgate, Anna, and Selingman. Spies spying on spies abound.
The only critique I have is that a lot of text is spent as the characters discuss various what-if scenarios among the various countries involved.
The only other spy/mysteries of this period I have read are those by Valentine Williams (my reviews), which are all fascinating as well - although they are set in the period between World Wars are are completely fictional.
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