Jack Higgins is a name that is often associated with fast paced and highly engrossing political and espionage thrillers featuring some of the noblest of heroes ever to adorn the thriller genre. Jack Higgins is the pseudonym of ‘Harry Patterson’, a prolific British writer with more than 80 novels, who published his works under his own name as well as under his many other pseudonyms. ‘The Valhalla Exchange’, a World War II thriller, published under his real name ‘Harry Patterson’, is an electrifying tale of intrigue, which can keep the fans of political conspiracy fiction on the edge of their seats.‘The Valhalla Exchange’ is an alternative take on the history by the author based on the doubts and speculations surrounding the death of Martin Bormann, the personal secretary of Hitler and one of the most powerful Nazi officials in the Third Reich. It is believed that he committed suicide on May 2nd to escape capture by Soviet troops and his body was buried on 8th May 1945. But this was not confirmed until 1972, and what became of him was a mystery and it was believed that he actually escaped alive from Europe when the Nazi Germany collapsed. Since his death was not confirmed, Martin Bormann was tried ‘in absentia’ in the Nuremberg trials. Taking this mystery as the seed of his thriller, with great imagination and skill Harry Patterson generates a first-class suspense novel, with enough twists and turns and a feel of authenticity, which makes it a delight to read.The Valhalla Exchange was a fast read, with great moments of excitement, suspense, remarkable characters, exotic locations and thrilling action and is highly recommended for both World War II buffs and lovers of good action adventure tales.An interesting fact: Harry Patterson’s thriller and adventure novels often topped the best-seller charts and in 1976 ‘Storm Warning’ written using the pseudonym ‘Jack Higgins’ and ‘The Valhalla Exchange’ written under his real name both appeared on the New York Times bestseller list simultaneously.Actual rating: 3.5/ 5
The electrifying WWii bestseller from the master of the game. On the 30th April 1945, Russian radar reported a light aircraft leaving the vicinity of the Tiergarten in Berlin. But who was on board, and where was the plane going? Berlin was in ruins as the Russians moved relentlessly towards the concrete bunker where the Nazi adminstration had been destroyed. But one man, Reichsleiter Martin Bormann, Adolf Hitler's secretary and eminence grise had a daring plan to escape. Far away to the south-west , at Schloss Arlberg above the River inn, five prisoners of war were contemplating their fate. Would they be murdered by their captors or liberated by the Russians? Unbeknown to them Bormann has his own plans. They are about to become part of a mystery that has fascinated the world for over sixty years. What exactly did happen to Bormann and his prisoners?
What do You think about The Valhalla Exchange (2007)?
This was the first Jack Higgins book I read. I own a copy under the "Harry Patterson" name which is his real name.This book has a decent plot, great action sequences and great drama. You'll really like Ritter almost instantly.The location is terrific, the Bavarian alps. Makes for a great scenic situation and the narrative is fast paced and fun.The role of the "Winter Rose" is special and its something that will haunt you even after you put the book down.I liked this so much I wrote an instrumental called "Winter Rose"
—Arjün Kaül
