Customer Reviews

27

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

William Diehl was a gunner on a B-17 (or B-24?) during WWII, flying over France and Germany. He was shot down and rescued by the French underground so he definitely writes from both experience and imagination in this book.

This, my favorite Diehl novel, is set in the churning years of World War II. Originally published with the title "27," it's out now under "The Hunt."

Master disguise artist/actor Johann Ingersoll is commissioned by Hitler to destroy the defenses of the United States. The plot is lethal, relentless, ruthless and already in motion -- the scope and details of the mission known only to someone known as "27"...
Diehl is a master at creating villains that can hold their own among the most heinous in literature. Johann Ingersoll is the cruelest, most insidious and most romantic of them all... If you liked Aaron Stampler (in PRIMAL FEAR, etc.), you'll shudder at Johann Ingersoll...
Read a book by William Diehl and come away stunned by his power and energy. It's like riding a twister--you'll sail high, fast, wide and land hard. But if you treasure the best in writing and in story telling, and love to watch a skillful wordsmith at work weaving unforgettable characters into storylines swift and deep, you'll love every moment. Seldom will you find more powerful writing.

As a person who has read everything by Ludlum, LeCarre, Cussler, et al. there is no doubt in my mind that espionage novels reached an all time peak with this novel. Diehl has made himslef the king of the genre with this novel.

"The Hunt", or "27" as it is on my bookshelf, is a story of a fanatical Nazi, sent on an extraordinary quest to commit mass assassination in the U.S.A., and is chased by another fanatic (this one on our side), who is determined to stop him.

It's a chase story - and, like all Diehl books (with the exception of "Reign In Hell") it's well plotted, well written, and populated with over-the-top characters who conduct themselves with, well, fanaticism.

Yep, these two guys are way over the top, and they're fun. Dastardly Dan being chased by Dudley Do-Good. The blood flows faster than the Colorado River, and in quantities which make even that roaring river seem like a dry creek bed. The body count's right up there with the national road toll, and the detective work's compelling.

There are a number of books Robert Ludlum will have read and thought to himself "I would love to write a book like this one day". However, Ludlum and James Patterson both write as though they attended the same School of Shonky Writing, so he never will.

"The Hunt" or "27" is fun. You'll like it.

I would like to personally thank my friend for recommending to me this book. "The Hunt" was an awsome book worthy of Ian Fleming. I can't wait to one day re-read this compelling story again. As for the author, I will read any books that he writes. Do yourself a favor and give "The Hunt" a try. You won't regret it.

This was my first (and last) Wm. Diehl. I liked the premise, and the first 50 pages were good-- then the long exposition of our protagonist's life and past, clumsy foreshadowings of plot twists, and embarassingly lame coincidences slowly deflated the whole thing. I read the last 200 pages without interest. As a thriller-writer, I'd place dozens of other practitioners ahead of Diehl, including Turow, Perry, early Ludlum, LeCarre, Iles... the list goes on and on.

This book would keep you up night and day reading. It is a
gripping story that takes you close to the brutality of the
Nazi regime.The central character is named Francis Keegan,an American millionaire. The villain is a German actor. The actor is a ruthless killer trained by the Nazis as a superspy. He is sent to America to pull off a daring plot.Keegan is noncomittal
toward the Nazis.He has fallen in love with a German singer named Jenny Gould.She is ordered to death by Hitler's intelligence officer Willie Vierhaus. After the death Keegan makes his goal in life to stop the German actor.This book will provide you with excitement. The final confrontation is a show
stopper. Keegan's revenge is also good. Read this book. You will find it thrilling.

If you read 'A Matter of Honor' by Jeffrey Archer and 'Eye of the Needle' by Ken Follett than you've practically read this book. Although interesting it seems like a copy of the aforementioned books. Good story..because I liked the other two and this WAS similar but it didn't seem original or gripping.

I read this book under its old name "27". I loved it. I found myself asking my grandfather questions about history from that era that I hadn't known. You will not be wasting your time with this book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although it takes place in a time well before I was born, Diehl is very detailed in his character development and historical background.

I love a good spy novel and Diehl would definitely be near the top of my list of favorite spy authors. If you enjoy Ludlum, you will love this book.

This was my first William Diehl book but it certainly won't be my last.

I love books about spys, Nazi Germany, Hitler, etc. This book was a real find. I thought I had read them all. If there were a higher rating than Excellent, this book would deserve it. Recommend it extremely highly for great entertainment.