Horizon by Helen MacInnes

Helen MacInnes has been named the Queen of Spy Writers, and her WWII novels feel credible and immediate, being written at the time.

Peter Lennox fought in North Africa and Greece before ending up in an Italian P.O.W camp in the Dolomites. His seven-month plan to escape the domination of his captors was about to succeed (unlike his previous three attempts), when suddenly they find the Italian sentries and commanding officers have abandoned the camp, slipping away unnoticed. Italy has unconditionally surrendered the Tyrol to the invading Germans. In the next hours of confusion, underground American and British allies arrive and propose a job for Peter at a plateau village on the Schlern, the highest peak of the Tyrol mountains, to monitor German activity ahead of the planned Allied forces' arrival. Germany expects no trouble from the placid Schlernland people, as the Tyrolese are Austrian, now a part of Germany. The Tyrolese hated the Italian invasion and fear the Germans will be worse. Some see the Germans as an improvement, but many hate them both. Peter endures months of secretly hiding in the cottage of Frau Schichtl outside the small village, with no sign or action, until German officers arrive to post a notice that all men must register. None do.

Lorries are seen in the nearby woods, and Peter discovers they plan to capture the men as 'volunteers' for the German army at the celebratory Feast Day dance everyone attends. That night the town is absent of men. The Tyrolese, hard as their mountains and familiar with all the unmarked paths, enact anti-German subterfuge.

Helen MacInnes never disappoints. This is a war novel without violence or romance, just the tightening tension of intrigue, and not knowing whom to trust. Your friend or neighbour could be a collaborationist of the worst kind, the kind that tries to trap his own countryman. Johann's girlfriend seems eager to help - or is she gathering information for the enemy? Innocent conversations can prove deadly when secrets are extracted.

For some reason, I have read several novels about this event and area. This was a captivating page-turner of politics and loyalties on a human level. When there is no time to judge a man's allegiance or motives, you must look into their eyes and decide in the moment, with your life on the line. Tense and exciting.

My other Helen MacInnes reviews:

The Salzburg Connection

Prelude To Terror

Above Suspicion

Other novels of the Alps:

Avalanche

Death In Captivity

The Lovers

1945 / Tradeback / 224 pages