Author: Joy Chambers
ISBN: 9780755352654
RRP: $29.99
Joy Chambers has written a novel that will surprise and shock, containing a relatively strong element of intrigue and more than a touch of romance.
All of the events in the novel link back to World War II so even though the narrative opens in Australia in 1947, after the end of the war, it isn’t long before we are transported to wartime Holland.
I am still a little ambivalent about this book, I can’t quite make up my mind. Part of this, a large part of this, is due to it being so heavily centred on WWII and the actions of the Nazis. The book has some stellar selling points but there were also aspects that left me less than impressed.
The chapters are extremely short which is something I really enjoyed. I tend to read in any slot of time I can find and I hate stopping mid-chapter so this was great for that.
We begin in NSW in 1947 with Shelly and Cole Wareing, newly married and far away from everyone they know. They don’t speak much of Cole’s time in the war but we slowly learn the things that Shelly knows, which isn’t much.
The first 130 pages are set in 1947, but not far in the narrative splits off to follow each of the main characters. The Peace time chapters follow three different characters in turn so the fact that the entire tale is narrated makes it much simpler to follow than if there were also multiple points of view.
These chapters raise many questions that can only be answered with a trip to the past, which is how we are returned to 1943. These chapters are concerned less with following all of our characters than with focusing on the character who raises the most questions. There are also brief snapshots of the other characters to share relevant information.
The wartime section was very drawn out and gave a vivid view of goings on in occupied countries, so though our original characters are Australian much of the narrative is set in the war-torn European regions. We read much about the Nazi treatment of the Dutch and the Jews, visiting prison camps with our characters and seeing the way the SS controlled the populace.
I appreciate that there were many questions to be answered in the wartime section but I believe it could have been done more succinctly. Even as these chapters unraveled more questions were raised but all of them were answered quite satisfactorily.
Once the questions were answered it was a quick cut back to post war 1947 to pick up where we left for the journey to the past. It glossed over the ensuing 2 years without telling us much about how they got from where we left them to 1947. Yes, I said not long ago that the war section could have been more succinct and now I’m wishing for elaboration but it isn’t the contradiction it seems.
Once back in 1947 all the loose ends are neatly tied up and some questions are answered that were never consciously asked.
The characters were complex which I think is necessary in a tale of this type. I don’t see how you can have secret agents or double agents that weren’t complex. Tudor, Cole and Laetitia were all quite likeable though with reservations because I was never quite sure what was going to jump out and bite me. They were commendable characters taking great risks for their country. Shelly too is a character to be admired, in the face of questionable evidence she chose to keep faith with her husband and set off on a quest of her own to find answers.
Many of the other characters were nauseating and reprehensible, I have never liked to hear/read/see anything about the fanatical followers of the Fuhrer and the staff he had enforcing his reign throughout the war.
Throughout the novel Chambers has used real historical figures and there are Author Notes to give a little background on the real people that appear in the book. The majority of the characters are fictitious and the story is fictional so the inclusion of historical figures seems a little superfluous.
The Great Deception illustrates the hardship faced by millions during the war, and the lingering effects afterwards. We are given an insight into life for Australians during the war, those still at home and doing what they can but still feeling that bit removed.
All in all an interesting read with all the elements of an engaging story, although it is one I found to be quite hard work. The element of romance was quite strong yet also quite subtle and slow building which worked for me, and I think for the story.
The Great Deception also explored the change the war wrought on people’s behaviour. Attachments and intimacies that may never have eventuated if it weren’t for the very real fear that at any time the reaper could come calling your name.
All of which worked just fine for me and then was instantly ruined with a seriously saccharine ending. I’m all for a happily ever after and everything working out for the best but this one took it a step too far for me, but I’m sure there will be romantics out there who read this and absolutely adore the ending.
I devour books, vampires and supernatural creatures are my genre of choice but over the past couple of years, I have broadened my horizons considerably. In a nutshell – I love to write! I love interacting with a diverse range of artists to bring you interviews. Perhaps we were perfect before – I LOVE WORDS!
I’m a third of the wa through and so far I’m enjoying it. This is most definitely a genre I don’t normally pick up. I have found the writing to flow easily and be appropriate to the time. Of most interest was how well the author wrote her male characters. I haven’t found them to sound like “The Dam Busters” once.
I read the above review and looks like I could be a little disappointed by the end, but we’ll see.
I’ll be back when I’ve read it all 🙂
Just finished reading “The Great Deception” and have to say was left a little disappointed. After reading the blurb on the back the book seemed very much a genre I love to read but the reality left me a little flat.
I certainly didn’t hate it but I did’t love it either. The author is obviously an accomplished writer and a meticulous researcher and the research that went into this book kept me interested enough to keep reading.
I liked the first part of the book, the way the story keep swapping between well-drawn characters kept the pace going, but the use of overly descriptive adjectives slowed the pace again, distracting me.
The war section I enjoyed the most, the storyline got most intriguing, the characters more interesting and we finally get to meet the mysterious Leticia de Witt. I liked the touches of real history thrown into the fiction and the harrowing lives of ordinary people during the war was very well written, not to mention the bravery and sheer audacity of the secret agents characters which had me turning the pages rapidly to find out what would happen next.
The last 80 pages left me feeling flat again as every question was nicely wrapped up and I’m afraid the ending was not what I had hoped for, a twist at the end would have been nice, but it will probably appeal to those who love a happy ending.
Overall I enjoyed the book, the characters were engaging and the storyline was quite exciting. A well-written pleasant read.
For me, reading ‘The Great Deception’ was not hard work at all. It grabbed me right from the beginning with gripping twists and compelling characters.
I feel that Michelle has greatly summarised the story, so I’ve decided that’s left me to do none other but discuss what I love/hate about this book.
Filled with action and intrigue it was no wonder I found myself turning pages for more, and consequently as a result left me finished all but too soon. I found myself up at late hours of the night, or should I say early hours of the morning, and when this happens, you know you have found a good book.
The pace of the novel is quite fast, and the majority of chapters are riveting. It is one of those books, where at the end of each chapter it leaves you wanting more.
As Michelle mentions, the chapters are quite short, and I too liked this. There is nothing worse than when you have to put a book down in the middle of a chapter!
I went into this with the notion that this novel was purely going to be a story of romance set in the backdrop of War, and the targeted audience being female. I was mistaken; as this is a story of mystery, action and of course deception and I believe those of the male gender would enjoy it too.
Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed this read, there were a few small things which irked me. Firstly, Joy Chambers threw in a few German words, most of which she translated, some which she did not. Sadly for me, I cannot speak German and so there were a few times where I found myself wondering what a certain character had said.
Secondly, I found the amount of times that the two characters Cole Wareing and his friend Tudor’s extremely good looks were discussed more than necessary, and the numerous times had me rolling my eyes a little thinking it was a bit over the top. They are good looking, I got that the first time!
And lastly, (and I realise I’m just picking here) the basis of the entire story was somewhat unbelievable in my opinion. The fact that the SIS and SOE wished to use one of their own to replace and ‘become’ a German Colonel in the SS, Lucien Bayer, and that their recruit Cole just happened to look almost identical to Lucien, was unbelievable.
Their resemblance in size, shape and general appearance (beside the area around the mouth), was convenient. And the fact no one who knew Lucien in the past picked up that someone was impersonating him was farfetched. Yes, a character had his suspicions in the end, but it took long enough to discover the imposter. I suppose they looked like ‘identical twins’ though.
Despite my feelings on the previously discussed, I don’t wish to be negative, and wish to stress that I thoroughly enjoyed this story, as I do indeed realise it is a story of fiction, so anything can be made believable and I credit Chambers on her imagination.
I also enjoyed that I shared the same name with a certain character and I will be recommending this to family and friends.
I am glad to have read this charming story.
I got this book on Tuesday and have read it in the 3 days since! This is a huge story, multilayered and intriguing to say the very least.
The main characters are so well written you understand their point of view and their motivations. I agree with the review above that some of the characters are reprehensible and the action…disturbing to say the least. But this is a story of fiction interwoven with real events…and a realistic reflection of the dreadful things that happened during the war.
To say the very least The Great Deception is an easy read – engrossing and enjoyable (except for the bits mentioned above), I couldn’t put it down! The end was perfect, so fitting. Loved it.
I Have just finished The Great Deception and as a whole I found it an enjoyable book. History, intrigue, military, mystery and romance all thrown into the mix. The characters were all very well written and the storyline I found to be interesting and intriguing. While it is a large novel the short chapters made it easy to pick up where I left off.
Set before, during and after World War Two we get an insight into what life was like for the people involved in the horrible atrocities of war and those that were left behind at home. At times the cruelty and indifference some of the characters showed made it difficult to read but I felt the author conveyed really well the time in which the novel was set.
I did find certain things a little bit repetitive. Different characters each remembering the same thing and it felt like certain parts of the book were dragged out because of this.
And as for the ending like Michelle in her review above I wasn’t a fan. Maybe because the war chapters were so indepth the ending just seemed to all fall into place too happily and too quickly. Just felt like a big red bow was tied around everything and after enjoying the rest of the book I was left feeling a little flat. Maybe just not what I was expecting though.
All in all a good read with a little bit of everything thrown in for all to enjoy.
I have just finished The Great Deception and as a whole i found it to be an enjoyable book. History, intrigue, mystery, military and romance all thrown into the mix. The characters were all very well written and the storyline i found to be interesting and intriguing. While it is a large novel, the short chapters always made it easy for me to pick up where i left off.
Set before, during and after WW2 we get an insight into what life was like for the people involved in the horrible atrocities of war and those that were left behind at home. At times the cruelty and indifference some of the characters showed made it difficult to read but i felt that the author conveyed really well the times in which the novel was set.
I did find certain things slightly repetitive. Different characters each remembering the same thing and it felt like certain parts of the book were dragged out unnecessarily because of this.
As for the ending I have to say i wasn’t a fan. Maybe because the war chapters were so in depth and so intense, the ending just seemed to all fall into place too happily, too quickly and even too conveniently for me. Just felt like a big red bow was tied around everything and after enjoying the rest of the book I was left finishing it feeling a little flat. Maybe just not what i personally was expecting though.
All in all a good read with a little bit of everything thrown in for all to enjoy.
I found this book to be a bit of a task. It didn’t really grab me from the beginning and was far to long and detailed. The story line is bombarded with far to many irrelevant facts and just over a third of the way through I found myself skim reading and skipping paragraphs. This is normally not something I do but I just felt I needed to get to the crux of the story. I found the war section the hardest part. Even though parts of it were crucial to the story I felt that some bits could have been sacrificed in order to give the reader more about the relationship between Cole and Shell.
The book is obviously well researched, and Chambers’ love for research shines through, however I feel the attempt to interweave historical characters made it a trial to read as the book is filled with unnecessary bits and pieces. It’s almost as if she felt she needed to feed ALL her research into the book somehow without leaving anything out.
I’m afraid that if a book is this long it needs to be an excellent read and “The Great Deception” didn’t fit the bill for me. It certainly isn’t Chambers’ best work however I would highly recommend her other novel, “Mayfield”.
I loved reading The Great Deception – it’s full of Intrigue that keeps you on the edge of your seat and wanting to turn the page for more.
The characters and story line have been well written and the author has definitely done plenty of research on the time period to make the book authentic and believable.
I would recommend The Great Deception to anyone who wants to be taken away to another time and place.
Well done Joy Chambers – 5 stars out of 5.
I loved the Great Deception! to start with. Great story line, couldnt put it down and couldnt pick what was going to happen next, making for a wonderful read. The characters I could relate to and were well written, not over the top and let me be able to imagine being there with them.
I found the middle of the book about the war not so great, dragged on a bit and struggled to read on at times but could well understand its relevance to the story, and yes was shocked by a few things that happened but knowing that all these things did happen and were well researched added to the story. I appreciate there is a need to write it down for future generations and give the author full credit for winding it into a love story
All in all a good read and I look forward to finding other books by Jay Kristoff.
Katrina
***oops Joy Chambers, my apologies!