Book Blurb:
Taken from Carinhall is a tale of intrigue, passion, betrayal, and shocking revelations as Brian O'Sullivan and his Interpol associates, Erick and Nina, search to solve a lingering WWII mystery. Recent satellite images collected by the CIA suggest gold and art plundered by the Nazis are hidden in Grand Canary Island. But when an unexpected clue reveals the stolen bounty may be in Morocco, Brian and his team find themselves racing against Russians to find the missing treasures. Complicating matters are Brian's feelings about his wife's sudden death, another theft, and the discovery of the DiBotticino family legend. Can the Interpol team solve the mystery? Do the sinister Russians win the race? Can Brian resolve his swirling emotions to move forward? Can the team recover from the betrayal of a hidden FSB spy? Do shocking revelations and a CIA and White House decision stress Brian and bring his relationship with Nina to a crashing end?
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/Q25D8e
Author Bio:
My writing journey has occurred during a historic time in America and abroad. Our American democracy has become a target of extremists on the radical edges of each political party. Congress’s inability to pass meaningful immigration legislation is shameful, and each party has failed to present the American people with inspiring young and vivacious centrist leaders who can merge divergent opinions. Hopefully, the canyon between political parties in the United States will be bridged by the next generation of common-sense politicians willing to speak the truth, listen to each other, and make compromises to sustain our democracy and improve life in America.
At the same time, the United States of America and other democratic countries in the free world face a daunting task as Russia continues a malicious, horrific, and immoral invasion of Ukraine. Putin’s desire to expand the Russian homeland by invading Ukraine is parallel to Hitler’s invasion of several countries when he desired to take back land for Germany because of the Treaty of Versailles’ post-WWI terms and conditions.
May the Ukrainian people succeed in their struggle for a safe and independent country. – Peter J. Marzano
Editorial Review:
Brian had hoped today would be more relaxing, but the tension in his back hadn’t eased as he turned up the gravel drive after his hour-long walk. And his sense of crushing grief from the events of the past six weeks felt more overwhelming than ever. To most of the world, Brian O’Sullivan was a respected art-history professor at Rutgers University. But for the past twenty years, he’d led a double life as an Interpol agent, and recent horrific events in the Agency had caused the deaths of the three people closest to him. Heaving a sigh of resignation as he reached the front door, Brian concluded day two of his visit to his old friend Massimo was already a bust.
"Taken from Carinhall" has an engrossing opening that pulls the reader in with a sense of urgency and suspense. Marzano does a particularly good job of building tension and suspense in the first few lines of his writing. The reader is drawn in and driven to accompany Brian and his group on their adventure from the outset, curious to learn the mysteries that lie beneath the book's pages.
Peter J. Marzano's gripping book "Taken from Carinhall" transports readers on an exciting voyage through a maze of secrets, historical intrigue, and nuanced emotions. The story follows Interpol agent Brian O'Sullivan as he makes his way through a world full of buried riches, cunning adversaries, and internal conflict.
"Taken from Carinhall" skillfully combines mystery, action, and historical fiction in its plot. By fusing the past and present, Marzano crafts a story that is both suspenseful and full of historical knowledge. The main plot centers on the hunt for Nazi artifacts that have been pilfered, an idea that has captivated readers for many years. But Marzano gives the tale his own special spin, which gives it a new and inventive flavor.
The pacing of the book is done well, with each chapter concluding on a note that compels you to turn the page. The plot is full of suspense and high stakes as Brian and his team must find the truth in a race against time and a menacing Russian enemy. Marzano does a fantastic job of striking a balance between the action-packed scenes and reflective times, which lets the characters grow and the plot progress organically.
After formulating the story they would share, Abraham and Benjamin left the house and immediately went to friends and nearby neighbors to assemble a caravan. In an hour, as the sun’s rays peeked over the eastern horizon, eighteen volunteers, thirty-six camels, and four pull-carts moved forward on Abraham’s command. The men of his community understood the challenging task and were ready to support the venture. Abraham knew Youssef would be doing the same, and he was right. At that exact moment, twelve men with twenty-four camels and six pull-carts stood ready to leave from Marrakesh in a caravan. As father and son commenced their journeys from different cities, the fifteen-year-old twins anxiously sat in positions of honor on the first camels, leading the way.
"Taken from Carinhall" has excellent editing and layout, which makes for a seamless and delightful reading experience. The narrative is given ample space to shine thanks to the clear, uncluttered style. Because of Marzano's meticulous attention to detail, the story is both readable and captivating due to its clear language and well-constructed phrases.
A logical flow of scenes and distinct chapter breaks are features of the well-done formatting. The reader is kept fully engaged in the narrative by this structure, which aids in keeping the plot moving forward. The editing and formatting are flawless overall, demonstrating the thought and work that went into creating this book.
Character development is one of the novel's strong points. The protagonist, Brian O'Sullivan, is a multifaceted and likable character whose emotional journey gives the narrative depth. Brian's anguish over his wife's untimely death, his resolve to unravel the mystery surrounding the looted artifacts, and his internal turmoil as he struggles with his affections for fellow Interpol member Nina are all deftly portrayed by Marzano.
Each of the well-drawn supporting characters, such as Erick and Nina, makes a significant contribution to the plot. Nina's cunning and cleverness make her an attractive spouse for Brian, while Erick's practicality and devotion balance Brian's intense emotional state. The enemy, a vicious Russian agent, is appropriately ominous and gives the story an extra depth of peril and urgency.
The way Marzano manages the interactions between his characters is a very good example of his ability to construct multi-dimensional characters. Each character influences the others by their actions and intentions, creating believable and dynamic connections amongst them. The reader is kept interested in the characters' outcomes by this interaction, which gives the narrative depth.
Another area in which "Taken from Carinhall" shines is continuity. The plot flows naturally from one scene to the next because Marzano keeps the tone and style of the book constant. The historical details complement the primary story rather than take away from it, and the transitions between the past and present are handled expertly.
The plot is well-developed, with no mysteries or unanswered questions. The story's many turns and turns are all cleverly hinted at, which makes the conclusions unexpected and satisfying. The characters grow because of Marzano's attention to consistency, which keeps their choices and actions consistent with their preexisting personas.
"Taken from Carinhall" has a pleasant and provocative conclusion. Marzano neatly wraps up the major story lines, putting an end to the mystery surrounding the stolen jewels and the protagonists' fates. But he also provides space for introspection, enabling the reader to consider the story's larger consequences.
Without giving too much away, the book ends on a hopeful but melancholy note. It illustrates the intricacy of the characters' decisions and journeys. Brian’s emotional closure is moving as he accepts his past and looks forward to the future with a fresh sense of purpose.
Although the idea of Nazi looting has been examined in earlier works, Marzano approaches the topic in "Taken from Carinhall" from a novel angle. This story stands out from others in its category because it combines historical fiction, mystery, and action with meticulously researched facts and original twists.
The novel gains depth and complexity from Marzano's skill in tying together several plotlines, such as the FSB spy mystery, Brian's personal troubles, and the treasure search. By adding a further level of intrigue, the DiBotticino family legend enhances the story and elevates it above that of a simple thriller.
The novel's setting, which moves from Grand Canary Island to Morocco, also contributes to its uniqueness. Marzano's vivid descriptions of these locations bring the story to life, immersing you in the world inside.
The author’s writing style is evocative, succinct, and straightforward, conveying the tension and emotion of the narrative without overpowering the reader with details. Marzano uses speech very well, giving each character a unique voice that is authentic to their individuality.
They looked up and saw the circular staircase’s round frame rising to the flat roof above, but no stairs were going upward. A small glass dome at the top admitted a small amount of light – just enough to let them barely see it was there.
As their eyes adjusted, they peered further down the circular staircase, but the darkness hindered their view, and they couldn’t see the bottom.
“Maybe it’s an optical illusion,” Erick observed, “but I’m not seeing any indication the staircase’s diameter gets any smaller from where we are standing right now.”
“I agree, but we don’t want to try it. Ahmad said this staircase was built with a spring-loaded trap with swords of some sort. The last thing we need to do is to test if he was telling us the truth.”
“Anyway, we’ve done more than just the drive-by we originally planned. We know where the mosque is, the keys work, and we found the rock pile topped with the statues. And that all sits above the opening of the lower level’s exit ramp. So we need to head back to Settat and wait until backup arrives from Malaga.”
Solie spoke up. “Did you hear that?”
It has a well-planned plot with a distinct story arc that culminates in a thrilling finale. Marzano masterfully manipulates the pacing, allowing for both character growth and introspective pauses while the action rises and falls to keep the reader interested.
The book has a well-developed plot arc with a distinct beginning, middle, and end. The whereabouts of the Nazi riches that have been pilfered is revealed as the novel's core mystery, and it also briefly introduces the key players and their objectives. The novel's middle section is characterized by a sequence of increasing difficulties and disclosures as Brian and his group approach the truth.
The story's climax is dramatic and action-packed, with multiple plotlines coming together to provide a dramatic and gratifying resolution. Marzano wraps up the major storylines while providing ample space for possible side stories, so the resolution is both definitive and unresolved.
The story arc is handled masterfully overall, with every plot point adding to the larger story. "Taken from Carinhall" is an incredibly captivating read because of Marzano's skill at keeping the reader interested in the resolution by sustaining suspense and tension throughout the book.
"Taken from Carinhall" is a skillfully written, incredibly entertaining book that blends mystery, action, and historical intrigue. Readers will love its gripping plot, likable characters, and satisfying conclusion. A must-read for everyone who loves mysteries or historical fiction, it’s a compelling read.
*****
“Taken from Carinhill” by Peter Marzano receives 4.5 stars from The Historical Fiction Company
To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year contest, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission
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