Customer Reviews

Catalyst - A World War II Thriller

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When you sit down to read Paul's book don't plan on doing anything else for quite a while. Catalyst is an overwhelmingly powerful book with suspense, plot twists, action and romance that will keep you engrossed for hours on end. The characters are well thought out and incredibly human. Paul's knack for description, the wealth of information and attention to the exact history of the time will put you into this book like no other.

International author Paul Byers, comes out of the hangar with all guns blazing in his first suspense novel, "Catalyst". Mr. Byers grips his audience from the first page on, setting the scene for a fast paced spy thriller.

The aerial fights evoke what it must have been like back then, alone in hostile skies, sitting in a tin coffin with a view. You can almost hear the Merlin engines scream and the roar of machine guns and smell of cordite in the cockpit during the dogfights. The terror of the loser, and the relief of the victor...

Set in a what-if era of World War 2, he takes the reader on a whirlwind chase from war torn Europe to the very heart of the USA, to ferret out one of history's greatest traitors, while trying to stop a devastating attack on America that could well turn the tide of the war to Hitler's favor.

I give Catalyst two thumbs up!

Catalyst was a great read - can't wait for this author's next book. His attention to the fighter combat scenes puts you in the cockpit with the characters.

I enjoyed this book a lot. I am a novice to WWII air warfare. I found the book interesting, face paced, thrilling, and educational. It is language respectable and appropriate for most age levels. I Highly recommend the book to anyone old or new, who wants a great introduction to WWII air warfare.

Having finished reading this great book, I can honestly say I was amazed that Paul Beyers was a first time auther.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story line and the detail with which he was able to describe the scenes.
It was particularly absorbing to me, an ex USAF fighter pilot; especially the air battles.
Well done Paul; I await your next effort.

CR Bassano

Catalyst is a real page turner! Paul successfully combines the realism of flight combat in WWII with a scientific spy thriller and alternative history. Can't wait for another! Col. J. Frisby USAF Ret.

Paul Byers "Catalyst" is a thriller of a novel. It is air combat mixed with OSS,German spys,plot twists,heroes and villains. All set at the end of WW II. Paul has the ability to move back and forth in his narrative from one scenario to another,and still keep the readers interest up high. I read the book nonstop cover to cover,excellent action and suspense. His characters are very real and believable,faults and all. A darn good war story. I highly recommend it!!
Jacamo Peterson Author
A Hard Place and Blademaster of Norda

I'm not typically into war stories. This book, however, held my attention from beginning to end. It has developed characters that I really cared about. It has a compelling and complex plot that supersedes its war time setting. I'm looking forward to Paul Byers' next book.

I was given a copy of this book by a relative that knew I liked Clancy etc... I wasn't disappointed.

I particularly liked the fact that the author avoided the usual, while tying up all the loose ends at the conclusion.

Nicely Done.

Catalyst puts you on the edge of your seat with action and suspense. You find yourself wanting to turn the page to see what will happen and what will be revealed next. The plot was great. The characters where believable. And the detail of the dogfights will make you feel like you are in the cockpit.

I especially enjoyed the way Paul Byers can weave words together to describe a scene (a sunset or a battlefield) that is colorful and creative without being obtrusive.

For all WW2 historians, you will love this book. Catalyst is a treasure trove of WW2 interesting facts that inevitably will, at some point in the book cause you to pause and go, "huh, I didn't know that".

A great read, can't wait for the movie!