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The Company Files: The Good Man
Jack Marshall had served with Walker during the war, and now they work for The Company in postwar Vienna. With the help of Leslie, an analyst who worked undercover gathering intelligence from Hitler’s inner circle, they are tasked to do the inconceivable: recruit former Nazis with knowledge that can help the U.S. in the atomic race. But someone else is looking for these men. And when he finds them, he does not leave them alive. In this tale of historical noir, of corruption and deceit, no one is who they say they are. Who is The Good Man in a world where an enemy may be a friend, an ally the enemy, and governments deny everything?
251 pages, Paperback
First published December 16, 2017
About the author
Gabriel Valjan
29 books271 followersGabriel Valjan is the author of the Roma Series, The Company Files, and the Shane Cleary Mysteries. He has been listed for the Fish Prize three times, shortlisted for the Bridport Prize once, and received an Honorable Mention for the Nero Wolfe Black Orchid Novella Contest. Gabriel has been nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, Silver Falchion Awards, and received the 2021 Macavity Award for Best Short Story. Gabriel is a member of the Historical Novel Society, ITW, MWA, and Sisters in Crime. You can find Gabriel on Twitter (@GValjan).
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 12, 2018
This is my first book on the genre setup on world war. Being unaware of the details of war I found it quite “unaware mood” popping here and there. I was hardly tossing the pages but once the pace took its wheels ,I felt myself getting involved with the story.
This is a fantastic thrilling espionage tale where we find hard to guess when the twist would emerge. The Ex-army friends Jack and Walker work together to bring out the information from the former Nazis. But they find that someone is ahead of all their steps and even the murder happens. They ought to determine who they should focus ,whether its is British, Americans or Russians. But out of nowhere they are suddenly introduced to the involvement of the historical treasure which is believed that it never exists.
Author has brillant taste for the spies , his narration was unique and intriguing. The post war setup was interesting and emotional at times. Most lovable character in the book would be Sheldon. I usually hesitate to go through the deep description but the prose which the author indulged me was so good which made me to read the entire description. The End of the story was very good and it was like having a warm coffee on a cold night.
Overall this book is a different read for me where I didn’t see a sudden twist but a slow and steady story with ample turn on and fascinating events .
This is a fantastic thrilling espionage tale where we find hard to guess when the twist would emerge. The Ex-army friends Jack and Walker work together to bring out the information from the former Nazis. But they find that someone is ahead of all their steps and even the murder happens. They ought to determine who they should focus ,whether its is British, Americans or Russians. But out of nowhere they are suddenly introduced to the involvement of the historical treasure which is believed that it never exists.
Author has brillant taste for the spies , his narration was unique and intriguing. The post war setup was interesting and emotional at times. Most lovable character in the book would be Sheldon. I usually hesitate to go through the deep description but the prose which the author indulged me was so good which made me to read the entire description. The End of the story was very good and it was like having a warm coffee on a cold night.
Overall this book is a different read for me where I didn’t see a sudden twist but a slow and steady story with ample turn on and fascinating events .
February 13, 2018
World war 2 has ended and everyone's life is changing. Now a new conflict is starting to take shape as both the Russians and the United States are looking to recruit former Nazis in search of information. They aren't the only people looking for Nazis though, someone is hunting and killing them.
Jack Marshall and Walker served together during the war and now work in Vienna. Along with fellow spy Leslie they are taking on the task to find the killer and bring former Nazis to their side. The problem is that in this new post war world, no one is who they appear and everyone has something to hide.
The Company Files: The Good Man by Gabriel Valjan is an old fashion Noir spy thriller set in the early days of the cold war. The story is what you would expect from a spy novel, It's complex with twists, turns and surprises along the way. What really makes it a great read is how it gives you a history lesson by way of realistic characters that feel like they were really there. For example in the beginning you see the Russians as villains but as you get to know the characters you see that they are shades of grey and they don't trust Americans. any more than Americans trust them. We meet Russians that are doing what they need to do to keep the communist government off there backs. We have one fleeing from the government and another who just wants to live a normal life and not be involved in the cold war or politics. There are no real villains in this book, instead everyone is just doing what they need to do to survive. Right and wrong is in the eye of the reader.
As much as I loved the story in this book I loved the use of the time period and the character's backstories even more. You feel for Walker as he keeps having flashbacks of combat in World War 2, but you also hear of his life before the war and how he can't get over being in battle or what happened to him before that. We also hear about a character named Sheldon and how he survived being an officer in the concentration camps. We also learn that the female spy Lesile knows several different languages and infiltrated Hitler's inner circle. Despite her accomplishments in the intelligence field she still doesn't get the respect she deserves because she's a woman. In one scene her fellow male spies comment that she may be a woman but she thinks like a man. This is an attitude that probably all women in this period had to face.
The Company Files: The Good Man is well researched and makes the time period come alive. At this point in history we had just gotten rid of one enemy and were getting a new one The atomic age had begun and the world was becoming a different place. This is a period of history that I didn't know a lot about but Gabriel Valjan made me feel like I was there. He gives you a good look at what's going on in his character's heads as you hear about their pasts, their regrets and their hopes for the future.. There were times when I was reading this that I couldn't help but hear the popular jazz of the day playing in my head. If you ever wanted to know what it's like to be transported to another place in another time then get this book.
Jack Marshall and Walker served together during the war and now work in Vienna. Along with fellow spy Leslie they are taking on the task to find the killer and bring former Nazis to their side. The problem is that in this new post war world, no one is who they appear and everyone has something to hide.
The Company Files: The Good Man by Gabriel Valjan is an old fashion Noir spy thriller set in the early days of the cold war. The story is what you would expect from a spy novel, It's complex with twists, turns and surprises along the way. What really makes it a great read is how it gives you a history lesson by way of realistic characters that feel like they were really there. For example in the beginning you see the Russians as villains but as you get to know the characters you see that they are shades of grey and they don't trust Americans. any more than Americans trust them. We meet Russians that are doing what they need to do to keep the communist government off there backs. We have one fleeing from the government and another who just wants to live a normal life and not be involved in the cold war or politics. There are no real villains in this book, instead everyone is just doing what they need to do to survive. Right and wrong is in the eye of the reader.
As much as I loved the story in this book I loved the use of the time period and the character's backstories even more. You feel for Walker as he keeps having flashbacks of combat in World War 2, but you also hear of his life before the war and how he can't get over being in battle or what happened to him before that. We also hear about a character named Sheldon and how he survived being an officer in the concentration camps. We also learn that the female spy Lesile knows several different languages and infiltrated Hitler's inner circle. Despite her accomplishments in the intelligence field she still doesn't get the respect she deserves because she's a woman. In one scene her fellow male spies comment that she may be a woman but she thinks like a man. This is an attitude that probably all women in this period had to face.
The Company Files: The Good Man is well researched and makes the time period come alive. At this point in history we had just gotten rid of one enemy and were getting a new one The atomic age had begun and the world was becoming a different place. This is a period of history that I didn't know a lot about but Gabriel Valjan made me feel like I was there. He gives you a good look at what's going on in his character's heads as you hear about their pasts, their regrets and their hopes for the future.. There were times when I was reading this that I couldn't help but hear the popular jazz of the day playing in my head. If you ever wanted to know what it's like to be transported to another place in another time then get this book.
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January 11, 2019Author's guest post at my blog:
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https://bookfare.blogspot.com/2019/01...
January 23, 2018
It’s 1948, post-war Vienna. In this tale of international espionage, friends and ex-army buddies Jack Marshall and Walker are trying to gather intelligence for the Company in a time when Americans are ruthlessly trying to keep ahead of the Russians. To do so, they must sort Nazis out and question them. But a vigilante with a vendetta against former Nazis is getting to them first. Can Jack and Walker trust a vigilante killer to help them, and if yes, at what price? Add to the mix a beautiful Company analyst as well as a young Russian refugee girl who happens to be under the care of the vigilante. And at the core of it all, a rare priceless coin. As tension escalates one of them must become bait in order to unmask the traitor amongst them.
In a world of intelligence and counter-intelligence where an ally can turn into an enemy—and vice versa—at the flip of a coin, who can you trust? The Americans, the Russians, the British? Who is working for whom in this ruthless race for power?
I thoroughly enjoyed this historical noire. Valjan’s skillful and often witty prose flows elegantly through the pages. The setting is excellent and post-war Vienna comes to life during winter, especially the refugee areas with their gritty bleak streets, run-down cafes and dark cold rooms. There’s an array of interesting and well-crafted characters and the mystery accelerates at a steady pace until the very satisfying ending. In sum, I recommend this read for lovers of spy and international intrigue novels a la James Bond.
The Company Files: A Good Man is book one in Valjan’s new Company Files series. He also has another series of international suspense set in the present titled The Roma series.
In a world of intelligence and counter-intelligence where an ally can turn into an enemy—and vice versa—at the flip of a coin, who can you trust? The Americans, the Russians, the British? Who is working for whom in this ruthless race for power?
I thoroughly enjoyed this historical noire. Valjan’s skillful and often witty prose flows elegantly through the pages. The setting is excellent and post-war Vienna comes to life during winter, especially the refugee areas with their gritty bleak streets, run-down cafes and dark cold rooms. There’s an array of interesting and well-crafted characters and the mystery accelerates at a steady pace until the very satisfying ending. In sum, I recommend this read for lovers of spy and international intrigue novels a la James Bond.
The Company Files: A Good Man is book one in Valjan’s new Company Files series. He also has another series of international suspense set in the present titled The Roma series.
February 12, 2018
Gabriel Valjan’s The Good Man is the first in the series The Company Files.
I admit, I’ve had a diet of primarily light reading for the last few years. Lots of romances, humorous space opera, and fantasy that I know well enough that I don’t have to think about it. Sure, I’ve read an average of 30 non-fiction books each year, but most of those that required lots of thought were consumed slowly, like a chapter at a time. So I haven’t really practiced the discipline of sitting down and reading a book that required heavy thought in some time.
Maybe it’s because the book was set in Vienna and had lots of German names. Maybe it’s because I haven’t read a political thriller or any murder mystery that wasn’t cozy in a while. Maybe it’s because I was primarily reading late at night and was already tired. But this book felt very heavy to me. It required a lot of thought processes. And yet, it was very, very good. I enjoyed every moment of it. I was constantly thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it. I didn’t read it in a day like so many books lately, but I did chew on it slowly for a week.
Set in post-WWII Vienna, The Company is the American counter-intelligence that’s finding its way in a new world of intrigue, so different from the spies who worked for America in WWI. And in Vienna, it’s an office full of young men who fought their way through Europe less than a decade before. They’re looking for Nazis that can be turned to use for American science, but someone is executing the Nazis before they can turn them.
I thoroughly enjoyed the intrigue and the double (sometimes triple) crossing. I enjoyed getting to learn a bit about how all the various cultures rubbed up against each other after the war. The descriptions were vivid while not falling over the line into lurid. The characters were fleshed out and intriguing. And the plot was twisty and totally logical and just what I would want from a good mystery.
I will most likely read the rest of The Company Files, though I might take my time with the next one.
I admit, I’ve had a diet of primarily light reading for the last few years. Lots of romances, humorous space opera, and fantasy that I know well enough that I don’t have to think about it. Sure, I’ve read an average of 30 non-fiction books each year, but most of those that required lots of thought were consumed slowly, like a chapter at a time. So I haven’t really practiced the discipline of sitting down and reading a book that required heavy thought in some time.
Maybe it’s because the book was set in Vienna and had lots of German names. Maybe it’s because I haven’t read a political thriller or any murder mystery that wasn’t cozy in a while. Maybe it’s because I was primarily reading late at night and was already tired. But this book felt very heavy to me. It required a lot of thought processes. And yet, it was very, very good. I enjoyed every moment of it. I was constantly thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it. I didn’t read it in a day like so many books lately, but I did chew on it slowly for a week.
Set in post-WWII Vienna, The Company is the American counter-intelligence that’s finding its way in a new world of intrigue, so different from the spies who worked for America in WWI. And in Vienna, it’s an office full of young men who fought their way through Europe less than a decade before. They’re looking for Nazis that can be turned to use for American science, but someone is executing the Nazis before they can turn them.
I thoroughly enjoyed the intrigue and the double (sometimes triple) crossing. I enjoyed getting to learn a bit about how all the various cultures rubbed up against each other after the war. The descriptions were vivid while not falling over the line into lurid. The characters were fleshed out and intriguing. And the plot was twisty and totally logical and just what I would want from a good mystery.
I will most likely read the rest of The Company Files, though I might take my time with the next one.
February 12, 2018
Friends, enemies, spies, deceit all in the backdrop of post World War II Vienna - The Good Man has it all and more.
I LOVED LOVED LOVED this novel. I could not put it down. The plot itself was completely unique and was not what I was expecting at all. The novel is set in post World War II Vienna, where the effects of the war can still be seen in both the people and the architecture. It is here that two war veterans come together again with a task that many of us could not understand. In a race against the Russians, the Americans are looking for information from former Nazis. The only problem? They are not the only ones who are looking for these former Nazi members and the others looking for them have a more deadly agenda on their mind - revenge and murder.
Into this is thrown an alluring analyst, a young girl who has seen far more than she should have ever seen and a missing coin that is highly valued. Who can you trust when everywhere you turn you find lies and death? How do you even keep yourself alive amidst the corruption and torture?
This novel was laid out in an exciting manner with the plot ever-expanding and changing. Just when we think we know what is going to happen next, Gabriel throws in quite the twist (and maybe even a murder!). I learned a lot from this novel and did some of my own research afterwards, I find that this is the mark of a great novel - making you think and crave for more. It is well written and thought out, Gabriel puts his all in his work and this is definitely one of his best novels so far. Historical, suspense and all readers alike will love this novel.
February 11, 2018
A brilliant and thrilling tale of espionage and murder. One list, two sides, and knowledge that could change the world. Can Jack and his intrepid team recruit the minds America needs to win the arms race before the other side picks them off one by one? Can you really trust anyone when everything is secret, nothing is officially happening, and the bodies are piling up?
Received as a gift from the author, all opinions are voluntary and 100% my own
Received as a gift from the author, all opinions are voluntary and 100% my own
February 16, 2018
FTC: I received a free copy of this book from iRead Book Tours in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.
The Company Files: 1. The Good Man by Gabriel Valjan was an interesting book, but I had a hard time staying interested in what was going on. It is a book that I am glad I didn’t give up on because I did enjoy it at the end but getting through parts of it was super hard for me. I found that I was always skim reading parts of it because I would get so bored with the story. I did wish that I knew more of the backstories of the characters right at the start so that I could have kept them all straight right from the start. They do give you a list of the characters, but I wished I would have known more about each of them, but I also know that isn’t how most books go. I did love that this book takes place after World War Two because that time period is my favorite. If you are looking for different type of book that takes place right after WWII than I would pick up a copy of this one and let me know what you think about this book.
The Company Files: 1. The Good Man by Gabriel Valjan was an interesting book, but I had a hard time staying interested in what was going on. It is a book that I am glad I didn’t give up on because I did enjoy it at the end but getting through parts of it was super hard for me. I found that I was always skim reading parts of it because I would get so bored with the story. I did wish that I knew more of the backstories of the characters right at the start so that I could have kept them all straight right from the start. They do give you a list of the characters, but I wished I would have known more about each of them, but I also know that isn’t how most books go. I did love that this book takes place after World War Two because that time period is my favorite. If you are looking for different type of book that takes place right after WWII than I would pick up a copy of this one and let me know what you think about this book.
December 31, 2017
“The Company Files: The Good Man” immerses you in the post World War II cold war in Vienna through cultural and historical references and a good story. The intrigue among the various national factions, especially the Americans and Russians and their interest in former Nazi scientists is dramatic and well written. Mr. Valjan creates a wonderful sense of place through scents, sounds and observations. His characters are fully developed with attention to the details, not only of their features, but also their quirks and inner thoughts. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the sequel.
February 26, 2018
It’s 1948 Vienna, a city trying to redefine itself but having a hard time of it with a population infiltrated with Russians, Nazis, British, Americans, war criminals and war heroes, the innocent and the guilty, and opportunists abounding. Revenge and retribution and international superiority are strong motives in a place that’s grim and where the sometimes-shiny surface is best left undisturbed for what ugliness might lie beneath. The powers of multiple countries each have reasons to find Nazis, but for the Americans and the British, they want to recruit the Nazi scientists to further their countrys’ own research and interests. As one Russian notes: “Today’s hero becomes tomorrow’s villain and, in the future, rehabilitated icon.”
Author Gabriel Valjan does an outstanding job with the setting of The Good Man, the first book in The Company Files series. Not only does he create a tangible mood, but his descriptions add to the authenticity. He includes a variety of what I assume to be real places in Vienna -- streets, neighborhoods, buildings, monuments -- and organically incorporates historical tidbits for reference and insight. I learned a lot about a place and a fascinating period that I have not yet explored.
The Good Man is told from three different characters’ points of view: Americans Walker and Jack (who work for The Company) and Russian Sheldon. Each brings a unique perspective to the story, but all are products of their experiences in the war. Walker is defined most clearly, but Jack and Sheldon are a bit murkier. I really like Walker’s reliance on routine, procedure, and the familiar to calm and re-focus himself. He’s quirky, but I get him. The grammarian in me loves when Walker is deliberating with himself about the case, and his conclusion is, “That was a lot of subjunctives.” Shows his quiet intelligence and again, the methodology around which he works. And Walker is complex: he can drop a person without a second thought yet is charitable and visits children’s hospitals on the sly.
Jack is more difficult to read. Even when Jack narrates, readers don’t get the full picture of what’s going on in his brain. The same is true for Sheldon, plus readers are missing a sizable chunk of his backstory between his time in the concentration camps and where he is currently. Valjan includes some scenes and actions that drop hints there is MUCH more to Sheldon than meets the eye. I look forward to learning more about he and Jack (and others) in future books in the series. (Side note about other characters: even the secondary characters are fleshed-out very well, are complex, and some will evoke a visceral response in readers.)
The story is raw and gritty and violent – reflective of the underside of the world in Vienna and beyond. Death comes often and often comes unnaturally and while Valjan is detailed in his descriptions, they aren’t overly graphic – they are horrific by deed, but much is left to the readers’ imagination, which I appreciate. This is no cozy mystery.
“Not bad for a snake built like a moose with a frog’s reflexes.”
Valjan’s writes intelligently and he’s clever in his wording. The dialogue is perfectly balanced with expository writing, and natural -- and Valjan does a great job of projecting meaning beyond the words and innuendo by including characters’ gestures and expressions. The plot is intricate, and it’s unique in that where most books in this sub-genre are action-packed and fast-paced, the stories in The Good Man are slower to unfold, and it is the attention to detail that kept me firmly planted in the story. There are a scattered few typos and some comma errors, but though I noticed them, I doubt most will notice or be distracted by them.
The Good Man is a solid noir espionage novel that kept me engaged and on my toes with plot twists and turns-of-events that conclude with a very satisfying ending. After the conclusion of the story is a sample of book two, The Naming Game to whet readers’ appetites for more -- plus there are descriptions of Gabriel Valjen’s five books in his Roma Series (now added to the ever-toppling TBR pile).
Thank you to iRead Book Tours for providing me a print copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give. This full review and more features on Hall Ways Blog:
https://kristinehallways.blogspot.com...
Author Gabriel Valjan does an outstanding job with the setting of The Good Man, the first book in The Company Files series. Not only does he create a tangible mood, but his descriptions add to the authenticity. He includes a variety of what I assume to be real places in Vienna -- streets, neighborhoods, buildings, monuments -- and organically incorporates historical tidbits for reference and insight. I learned a lot about a place and a fascinating period that I have not yet explored.
The Good Man is told from three different characters’ points of view: Americans Walker and Jack (who work for The Company) and Russian Sheldon. Each brings a unique perspective to the story, but all are products of their experiences in the war. Walker is defined most clearly, but Jack and Sheldon are a bit murkier. I really like Walker’s reliance on routine, procedure, and the familiar to calm and re-focus himself. He’s quirky, but I get him. The grammarian in me loves when Walker is deliberating with himself about the case, and his conclusion is, “That was a lot of subjunctives.” Shows his quiet intelligence and again, the methodology around which he works. And Walker is complex: he can drop a person without a second thought yet is charitable and visits children’s hospitals on the sly.
Jack is more difficult to read. Even when Jack narrates, readers don’t get the full picture of what’s going on in his brain. The same is true for Sheldon, plus readers are missing a sizable chunk of his backstory between his time in the concentration camps and where he is currently. Valjan includes some scenes and actions that drop hints there is MUCH more to Sheldon than meets the eye. I look forward to learning more about he and Jack (and others) in future books in the series. (Side note about other characters: even the secondary characters are fleshed-out very well, are complex, and some will evoke a visceral response in readers.)
The story is raw and gritty and violent – reflective of the underside of the world in Vienna and beyond. Death comes often and often comes unnaturally and while Valjan is detailed in his descriptions, they aren’t overly graphic – they are horrific by deed, but much is left to the readers’ imagination, which I appreciate. This is no cozy mystery.
“Not bad for a snake built like a moose with a frog’s reflexes.”
Valjan’s writes intelligently and he’s clever in his wording. The dialogue is perfectly balanced with expository writing, and natural -- and Valjan does a great job of projecting meaning beyond the words and innuendo by including characters’ gestures and expressions. The plot is intricate, and it’s unique in that where most books in this sub-genre are action-packed and fast-paced, the stories in The Good Man are slower to unfold, and it is the attention to detail that kept me firmly planted in the story. There are a scattered few typos and some comma errors, but though I noticed them, I doubt most will notice or be distracted by them.
The Good Man is a solid noir espionage novel that kept me engaged and on my toes with plot twists and turns-of-events that conclude with a very satisfying ending. After the conclusion of the story is a sample of book two, The Naming Game to whet readers’ appetites for more -- plus there are descriptions of Gabriel Valjen’s five books in his Roma Series (now added to the ever-toppling TBR pile).
Thank you to iRead Book Tours for providing me a print copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give. This full review and more features on Hall Ways Blog:
https://kristinehallways.blogspot.com...
February 28, 2018
Two years ago, I discovered the Roma series by Gabriel Valjan, and was hooked from the first book and read all five in the series. I eagerly await the 6th novel. However, in the meantime, The Company Files is a new series by Gabriel Valjan, with the first book The Good Man recently published and featured here today. In an interview with me on Oct 3, 2016, the author said about this series:
"The Company Files is a multi-book series about the early days of the intelligence community. This series draws from real history and individuals. The writing style is very different from that of the Roma Series. I would describe it as le Carré meets Chandler."
Oh, there is something about noir fiction that is so compelling, drawing us in with its cynical characters and fatalistic mood punctured with witty repartee. The Good Man set in 1948 Vienna has that but with a good ending. We have Jack Marshall and Walker, former soldiers who are now working for The Company, in search of former Nazis to recruit them to work for the U.S. government. Leslie is the Company analyst, mysterious and alluring. And then we have Sheldon, who comes across as calm and collected but is a Jew who survived the horrors of Auschwitz. Valjan peels back the many layers of each character slowly, as the plot thickens and unlikely alliances form between former enemies as the winds of change sweep through post-war Europe.
The story has classic elements of noir fiction with hardboiled main characters, a post-war setting, espionage and crime with an unexpected femme fatale that surprised me. I'm also happy to say that unlike the norm in this genre, there is no profanity or excessive violence in this novel. It's true that the writing style is different from Valjan's previous books, but then again, this is a different genre. It is a testament to Valjan's writing talent that he can switch from his thriller series laced with humour and camaraderie to a darker thematic novel.
While the hardened male characters bedecked in dark suits and fedoras could quicken a woman's heartbeat when that vulnerable side slipped through their tough veneer, I was more ambivalent about the female characters. Tania, the Russian refugee is still an enigma to me and several things about her remained unanswered for me, (perhaps this was the intention all along) making me think she will make another appearance in future books?
If you like noir fiction, espionage historical fiction that is atmospheric and leaves one pondering moral dilemmas then this one's for you. An absorbing read to be sure, one that immerses the reader into a world filled with political intrigue, shady characters, and the need to find one's place in a world struggling to regain its footing in the aftermath of WWII.
"The Company Files is a multi-book series about the early days of the intelligence community. This series draws from real history and individuals. The writing style is very different from that of the Roma Series. I would describe it as le Carré meets Chandler."
Oh, there is something about noir fiction that is so compelling, drawing us in with its cynical characters and fatalistic mood punctured with witty repartee. The Good Man set in 1948 Vienna has that but with a good ending. We have Jack Marshall and Walker, former soldiers who are now working for The Company, in search of former Nazis to recruit them to work for the U.S. government. Leslie is the Company analyst, mysterious and alluring. And then we have Sheldon, who comes across as calm and collected but is a Jew who survived the horrors of Auschwitz. Valjan peels back the many layers of each character slowly, as the plot thickens and unlikely alliances form between former enemies as the winds of change sweep through post-war Europe.
The story has classic elements of noir fiction with hardboiled main characters, a post-war setting, espionage and crime with an unexpected femme fatale that surprised me. I'm also happy to say that unlike the norm in this genre, there is no profanity or excessive violence in this novel. It's true that the writing style is different from Valjan's previous books, but then again, this is a different genre. It is a testament to Valjan's writing talent that he can switch from his thriller series laced with humour and camaraderie to a darker thematic novel.
While the hardened male characters bedecked in dark suits and fedoras could quicken a woman's heartbeat when that vulnerable side slipped through their tough veneer, I was more ambivalent about the female characters. Tania, the Russian refugee is still an enigma to me and several things about her remained unanswered for me, (perhaps this was the intention all along) making me think she will make another appearance in future books?
If you like noir fiction, espionage historical fiction that is atmospheric and leaves one pondering moral dilemmas then this one's for you. An absorbing read to be sure, one that immerses the reader into a world filled with political intrigue, shady characters, and the need to find one's place in a world struggling to regain its footing in the aftermath of WWII.
February 20, 2018
Valjan orchestrates a complex, satisfying plot in The Good Man. I love Gabriel Valjan's writing style. His novels, including The Good Man, are not "light reading"--they are complicated with intricate plots, detailed settings, complex characters and enough twists keep the reader engaged to the end and ready to read the next book in the series. The Good Man is not loaded with action-packed scenes or pages of dialogue. Readers will find a slower plot--but, one filled with such attention to detail--that the novel becomes a page-turner nonetheless. While the book isn't a light read and readers will require some focus at times; fans of post-war German history and world espionage or political thrillers will be intrigued by the storyline.
The Good Man characters maintain a bit of mystery. When I read the Roma series, I wondered if had "missed" details about the characters and their backstories since I did not read the series in order. Now that I have read the first book in this new series; I think Valjan writes with an air of mystery around his characters to keep them in character. Readers know "what they need to know" for the book's storyline--but, also know that there are deeper, untold stories building these characters. These more "shadowy" characters help keep readers guessing a bit about trust and motives and alliances.
Would I recommend The Good Man by Gabriel Valjan? If you enjoy spy/espionage/international thrillers with a slower pace--then I cannot recommend this book enough. The Good Man requires a bit of focus and an interest in historical fiction and political thrillers. Readers will not find heart-racing action on the pages--but, will find a very steadily moving novel with exceptionally well written and carefully developed plots, settings and characters. The Company Files is another series that I will look forward to adding to my reading list as new novels are released.
I received a copy of this book from the author or publisher for use in a blog review. All opinions are my own.
The Good Man characters maintain a bit of mystery. When I read the Roma series, I wondered if had "missed" details about the characters and their backstories since I did not read the series in order. Now that I have read the first book in this new series; I think Valjan writes with an air of mystery around his characters to keep them in character. Readers know "what they need to know" for the book's storyline--but, also know that there are deeper, untold stories building these characters. These more "shadowy" characters help keep readers guessing a bit about trust and motives and alliances.
Would I recommend The Good Man by Gabriel Valjan? If you enjoy spy/espionage/international thrillers with a slower pace--then I cannot recommend this book enough. The Good Man requires a bit of focus and an interest in historical fiction and political thrillers. Readers will not find heart-racing action on the pages--but, will find a very steadily moving novel with exceptionally well written and carefully developed plots, settings and characters. The Company Files is another series that I will look forward to adding to my reading list as new novels are released.
I received a copy of this book from the author or publisher for use in a blog review. All opinions are my own.
February 15, 2018
I was fortunate to have a chance to review author Gabriel Valjan's 4-book Roma series in 2015 (review links below) and enjoyed it immensely, so I jumped a the chance to review his latest offering The Company Files: 1. The Good Man. This new fiction still offers intrigue, suspense and danger, but it's a big departure in terms of setting and plot.
The story opens in post-war Vienna. Countries that stood against the Nazis are all present here, each with their own secret agendas that are often at odds with the goals of other countries. While the story follows several characters, the ones that rise to the top for me are: Jack Marshall (company station chief), Walker (a soldier who fought alongside Jack and now hired by him) and Sheldon (a tailor and former Auschwitz detainee who they think is offing former Nazis). On the female are Leslie (company analyst under Jack who might not be what she seems) and Tania (a Russia refugee Sheldon rescues and tries to protect who might also have surprises within).
The Company's goal is to find Nazis who might have information the U.S. could find useful. If one is found, they might be secretly exonerated and the information they hold used to keep America at the top globally. Sheldon's suspected war against former Nazis could interfere with that goal in certain circumstances. Next comes Whittaker who has gone missing and Mr. Meeks from Washington whose actions begin to ring alarm bells. Are they patriots or traitors?
As the plot deepens, we are taken further and further into the underworld surrounding a post-war country. As each step is taken, who is friend and who is foe becomes harder to discern and the truth becomes more and more elusive. Who will survive to the end? Who will prove trustworthy?
The Good Man is a great read filled with twists, turns, thrills, mystery, danger, suspense and in the end a small dash of romance. A great read.
The story opens in post-war Vienna. Countries that stood against the Nazis are all present here, each with their own secret agendas that are often at odds with the goals of other countries. While the story follows several characters, the ones that rise to the top for me are: Jack Marshall (company station chief), Walker (a soldier who fought alongside Jack and now hired by him) and Sheldon (a tailor and former Auschwitz detainee who they think is offing former Nazis). On the female are Leslie (company analyst under Jack who might not be what she seems) and Tania (a Russia refugee Sheldon rescues and tries to protect who might also have surprises within).
The Company's goal is to find Nazis who might have information the U.S. could find useful. If one is found, they might be secretly exonerated and the information they hold used to keep America at the top globally. Sheldon's suspected war against former Nazis could interfere with that goal in certain circumstances. Next comes Whittaker who has gone missing and Mr. Meeks from Washington whose actions begin to ring alarm bells. Are they patriots or traitors?
As the plot deepens, we are taken further and further into the underworld surrounding a post-war country. As each step is taken, who is friend and who is foe becomes harder to discern and the truth becomes more and more elusive. Who will survive to the end? Who will prove trustworthy?
The Good Man is a great read filled with twists, turns, thrills, mystery, danger, suspense and in the end a small dash of romance. A great read.
February 26, 2018
I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. I read The Roma Series by Gabriel Valjan and I liked it so I was looking forward to reading The Company Files: The Good Man.
The Company Files: The Good Man, like the Roma series, is not light reading. It is an international thriller based in Vienna in 1948, post World War II. There’s a lot of history included in the story which makes it all the more interesting.
Walker and Jack Marshall work for The Company trying to recruit former Nazis to assist America in the atomic race. Unfortunately, there is a vigilante who has other ideas. He is killing former Nazis and some of those are on the list of recruits who Walker and Jack are looking for. Can they come to an understanding and possibly work together?
As I would expect from this author, there are many other things happening while the main plot carries out. For example, the vigilante saves a young girl who has nowhere else to go. What will happen to her? And then there’s Leslie who works with Walker and Jack and has many skills. She even infiltrated the Nazis and got a lot of important information during the war. But because she’s a woman, her skills are seldom acknowledged.
Anyone who enjoys historical fiction, international spy thrillers, or suspense will enjoy The Company Files: The Good Man. It’s not only interesting as far as the history but the characters are well developed and it has a good ending.
The Company Files: The Good Man, like the Roma series, is not light reading. It is an international thriller based in Vienna in 1948, post World War II. There’s a lot of history included in the story which makes it all the more interesting.
Walker and Jack Marshall work for The Company trying to recruit former Nazis to assist America in the atomic race. Unfortunately, there is a vigilante who has other ideas. He is killing former Nazis and some of those are on the list of recruits who Walker and Jack are looking for. Can they come to an understanding and possibly work together?
As I would expect from this author, there are many other things happening while the main plot carries out. For example, the vigilante saves a young girl who has nowhere else to go. What will happen to her? And then there’s Leslie who works with Walker and Jack and has many skills. She even infiltrated the Nazis and got a lot of important information during the war. But because she’s a woman, her skills are seldom acknowledged.
Anyone who enjoys historical fiction, international spy thrillers, or suspense will enjoy The Company Files: The Good Man. It’s not only interesting as far as the history but the characters are well developed and it has a good ending.
March 1, 2018
It is 1948, post-World War II, and everyone is trying to scramble to get the Nazi scientists to their side with the cold war starting. Jack and Walker are in Vienna and are hunting down scientists, but they are not the only one, someone else is on the hunt too and is planning on killing the Nazi’s. It’s a race to get to the scientists first but the real challenge is to figure out who can be trusted.
This is an amazing story. It was so easy to find myself in the story and slip back in time. It’s a hard time to trust anyone after World War II. So many people did what they had to just to survive, including the scientists. It’s a race to get them so the different countries can use their knowledge but who is an ally and who is working against them. Jack and Walker are going to have to be quick to save lives and careful to not lose their own.
You can tell Gabriel Valjan took his time and thoroughly researched this story. There is an air of truth that made me want to look into more about this time period. I strongly recommend reading this story. It will draw you in and leave you wanting more.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
This is an amazing story. It was so easy to find myself in the story and slip back in time. It’s a hard time to trust anyone after World War II. So many people did what they had to just to survive, including the scientists. It’s a race to get them so the different countries can use their knowledge but who is an ally and who is working against them. Jack and Walker are going to have to be quick to save lives and careful to not lose their own.
You can tell Gabriel Valjan took his time and thoroughly researched this story. There is an air of truth that made me want to look into more about this time period. I strongly recommend reading this story. It will draw you in and leave you wanting more.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
March 1, 2018
To simply put it, I found this book to be a bit of a slog. It had nothing at all to do with the writing by the author, but mainly had to do with the content of the book. While I do enjoy a thriller or mystery from time to time, I found it difficult to get any sort of rhythm with the book. And while it was an intriguing book and the end of the book was easier to get through, as there was more action going on in the book, I found that I was slogging through the book and not really enjoying the book. I felt that the author spent a little too much time in the quiet moments and that there wasn’t enough action. Maybe because I am used to similar movies to be a little more action oriented and that maybe was why I didn’t really connect with the book.
On the plus side, it is clear that the author has worked on this book, as I didn’t find any really major errors in terms of grammar or keeping the story line going or creating well-crafted characters. It just wasn’t my cup of tea.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
On the plus side, it is clear that the author has worked on this book, as I didn’t find any really major errors in terms of grammar or keeping the story line going or creating well-crafted characters. It just wasn’t my cup of tea.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
January 22, 2019
A crime mystery set post WW2 in Vienna. We join Jack and Walker, two army buddies, as the attempt to find and recruit former Nazis........Nazis with valuable information that can help the U.S in the atomic race.
Along the way we encounter some interesting characters, find love, get betrayed and find enemies becoming friends and friends our enemies.
Amongst these personalities I'm drawn to Walker for his lotalty and honesty. Also Sheldon, but you need to read this book to understand why!
This is an easy storyline to follow, that isnt bogged down with unnecessary details like other books have been. Having said that I'd have liked to had a little more detail in the final chapter, but that's just how I like my endings.
The Good Man is great as a standalone read on as part of a series and is perfect for fans of crime and mystery with a touch of the historical.
Along the way we encounter some interesting characters, find love, get betrayed and find enemies becoming friends and friends our enemies.
Amongst these personalities I'm drawn to Walker for his lotalty and honesty. Also Sheldon, but you need to read this book to understand why!
This is an easy storyline to follow, that isnt bogged down with unnecessary details like other books have been. Having said that I'd have liked to had a little more detail in the final chapter, but that's just how I like my endings.
The Good Man is great as a standalone read on as part of a series and is perfect for fans of crime and mystery with a touch of the historical.
October 9, 2019
This book is well written though outside of my typical genre interests.
November 3, 2022
Vienna post WWII was a fascinating place. And the early days of the CIA make for gripping reading. Great characters, tense plot - a wonderful start to the series!
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