Book Review: Codename Parsifal by Martin Roy Hill

 Codename Parsifal

by

Martin Roy Hill

A WWII Thriller

Publisher: 32-32 North

Publication date: 4th September 2023

Genre: Military Thriller

Pages: 221

RRP: AU$11.99 (kindle)

Source: eBook courtesy of the author

 

Review: Codename Parsifal

The Spear of Destiny. The Roman Legionnaire's lance that pierced Christ's body as he hung on the cross.

Legend claims whomever possesses it will become a great conqueror.

Martin Roy Hill has taken this legend and developed a compelling read that intricately weaves themes of betrayal, myth and WWII into the high-stakes world of special services as the Americans, Germans and Russians all race to find the legendary spear.

 

Codename Parsifal has a masterful blend of action and character development as we get to know the thoughts and actions of soldiers from each side of the war.

 

Hill skillfully portrays the psychological effect of belief as the spear is sort after for its power.

 

Set against the backdrop of the final days of WWII Hill uses vivid imagery and meticulous attention to detail to give a believable portrayal of the special services mission to find the authentic spear.

Hills expertise in crafting engaging action sequences is complemented by his ability to develop a rich, believable plot line.

 

Codename Parsifal is a thought provoking exploration of the idea of talismans, superstition and mysticism. 

 

my rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review: Outrider by Mark Wales

 Outrider

by

Mark Wales

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Publication date: 25th June 2024

Genre: Thriller / Military / Dystopian

Pages: 368

RRP: $34.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Outrider

Australia has a new hero! Jack Dunne - Soldier, Father, Survivor.

 

I will start this review with a little insight into the author, Mark Wales. Mark is a former troop commander with the SAS and 2 x survivor contestant and 1 x winner of Survivor Australia. Great credentials to be writing a book that entails warfare and the fight to survive.

Outrider is a highly imaginative and gripping story featuring a dystopian Australia. It's 2034, Victoria and parts of SA, NT & WA have been invaded by the Chinese Communist Party. Jack Dunne is an Outrider, one of three highly trained operatives, and the Resistance's only hope of curtailing the Chinese invasion of the Hill. The Hill is an outposting in Victoria with Resistance fighters warding off the CCP's further invasion into Australia.

I found Outrider to be a powerful and haunting tale of a future Australia where a civil war has broken out between the resistance and those supporting the CCP.

The fighting scenes are quite graphic, so not for the squeamish. Wales' writing is very technical,  he knows his weapons, and there are lots of initials, acronyms and armory details which may be a bit confusing if you haven't read military thrillers before.

Wales pulls on his experience as a former troop commander with the SAS to deliver a tense and atmospheric thriller rich in strategic military scenarios and weapons beyond my comprehension.

I raced through the last third of the book - that's what I want - fast paced and tense - edge of your seat stuff.

I would have liked more on what the Chinese were doing in Australia and how they breached our defenses.

An underlying theme of a loving father / son relationship was a nice sideline to the blood and gore.

After reading Mark's fictional debut 'Outrider' I am keen to read his memoir 'Survivor: life in the SAS published in 2021.

Recommended for readers of Tom Clancy.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐