Collision Of Evil

Product Description

As evening falls against the majestic backdrop of the Bavarian Alps, Charles Hirter, an American tourist, is savagely murdered. In the peace, quiet and pastoral splendor of this magnificent setting, Charles Hirter draws his last breath. Was Charles simply in the wrong place at the wrong time? Kommissar Franz Waldbaer, the German detective in charge of the case, faces an investigation that yields neither clues nor suspects nor motives. A gruff, go-it alone detective, Waldbaer is dismayed by the arrival of Robert Hirter, the victim's brother, who insists on joining the investigation. But there is more to Robert than meets the eye. As Robert and the Kommissar uncover a nefarious nexus of evil past and evil present, they find themselves probing dark, long-forgotten episodes from the Third Reich in order to identify the present threat. Thrust into a violent world of fanatic passions, malevolent intentions and excruciating urgency, Robert Hirter and Kommissar Waldbaer must race against the clock to stop a sophisticated, covert, and deadly plot.

Product Details

Recensions

The Star Tribune (March 08, 2010)

At first glance, this seems to be a tale that has been worked to death: Nazis at the end of World War II secreting away a diabolival weapon, and modern-day Islamic fanatics hell-bent on striking a deadly blow in Europe. But first glances are deceiving, and in John J. LeBeau's telling the story sizzles with tension and subterfuge. When Charls Hirter, a present-day American Alpine climber, is murdered, Franz Waldbaer, the Bavarian detective in charge of the case, is faced with a crime that yields no motive, no suspects, and no clues. Charles' brother, Robert, comes to Germany to retrieve the body and hangs around to see if he can be of some help to Waldbaer. The two strike up an uneasy friendship, especially since there is considerably more to Robert than meets the eye. Moreover, a mysterious letter left for Robert at his hotel by an aged German suddently sets this story on white-hot afterburners. And what a ride it is! Skillfully melding Germany's tourtured past wirh the design of current lunatics, the author presents a scenario that is not only fresh and believable, but makes the book well nigh impossible to put down. The added divident here is that the characters - particulary the members of an Islamic cell bent on destruction, and the aged Germans struggling with their pasts - are so meticulously rendered that the book comes gratifyingly close to literary fiction. The author, a professor at George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Garmisch, Germany, was for 25 years a CIA clandestine officer. He knows what he's writing about, and his insider knowledge has paid off handsomely.

- Michael Bonafield, Star Tribune

"Gripping 'fact-ion' recounted breathtakingly by an author who has been there and done that. Collision of Evil could happen any day un our long war against terrorism. This novel has the grit of reality."

- Colonel Nick Patt, USMC, Ret., Founding Director, Program on Terrorism and Security Studies, George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies

"John J. Le Beau knows his subjject; many authors write about the world of intelligence and spionage but it is rare, and refreshing to have a book in this genre by someone with firsthand knowledge, With so mich disinformation out in print, this book provides insights which will help readers understand this arcane but important subject."

- Tyler Drumheller, former Chief, CIA - Clandestine Operations Europe and author of 'On the Brink'.

"Gripping, intricate, fast-paced; it keeps your attention. A fascinating Tale of how past and present come together to create global consequences."

- Sajjan Gohel, Director of International Security, Asia-Pacific Foundation (United Kingdom)

"John J. Le Beau immerses us into a world he knows first hand. His writing Is based on fact, not fancy, and is as realistic as it gets. This thriller is perfectly paced, taking the reader from one exotic action-packed scene to another. I recommend it to anyone who wants to know what it's really like in the shadow world."

- H. Michael Mears, retired Chief, Human Capital, CIA, and author of 'Leadership Elements'.

"Collision of Evil is the real thing, the most gripping and authentic novel about real-world counterterrorism I've ever read."

- Dr. John R. Schindler, Professor of Strategy, U.S. Naval War College and author of 'Unholy Terror'.

In the Bavarian Alps, American backpacker Charles Hirter is hiking when he is brutally murdered. His is CIA operative brother Robert goes to Bavaria to bring his body home, but also to find his sibling's killer and why.

German police detective Kommissar Franz Waldbaer leads the investigation, but no clues surface. Meanwhile Robert employs CIA methods and soon obtains some information on the motive behind his brother's death. A Nazi insists that a dark secret from WWII was hidden in a cave near where Charles' battered corpse was found. Robert makes further inquiries and soon concludes Islamist terrorists have found a weapon of mass destruction they plan to use. Teaming up with the Kommissar, Robert hopes to prevent a tragedy of epic proportions.

Although the plot has been overused since 9/11 and thin, COLLISION OF EVIL is an engaging suspense thriller that constructs the plot from the realism of finding unexploded WWII bombs six decades after the hostilities ended. The story line is action-packed but very straightforward especially in light of the American being a CIA operative (should have been an accountant). Still fans will enjoy this solid suspense German police procedural CIA anti-terrorist thriller.

Harriet Klausner, Review in " www.amazon.com"