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 got this book in the mail on friday and finished last night (MondaY) I reall y enjoyed reading this book, which is both a mystery, romance and war time story.
This story is about a wartime hero who has returned from the war after posing as a SS officer. It follows not only his memory back through the war but also the journey of his new wife as she trys to understandand learn more about the man she thought she knew and loves.
I did find at times the story difficult to follow, as the time changes ovvur without a great amount of preperation, The switching to different characters as focus was sometimes hard to follow as well, but once you got use to the style of writing it all added up well/
The story is really interesting as wel as thought provoking in the knowledge of actual war time events and characters that were used through out. I loved the ending…. Not giving it away though but helps to understand what eally happens especially with the twist we find out half way through regarding the main characters lover during the war.
I reccommend readung this book. Sometimes it may be hard to follow but it is definately worth reading to the end!
4 out of 5 stars
Well where to start..
The Great Deception was an interesting and thought provoking read…. In parts, it seemed to drag on a bit (may have more to do with my jetlag than the novel – however I digress).
Overall I found the characters and plot quite interesting. Historical fiction is not my favourite genre but it is quite informative in part and looks at things that I personally have little/no knowledge of.
A book that probably wont set the world on fire, but a nice way to pass the time if historical fiction is your thing 🙂
Thanks for the opportunity to review.
While this book is of a genre I wouldn’t normally read I’m glad I had the opportunity to do so.Through the first stage of the book (post war) I was really intrigued and involved in the story to the point I couldnt put the book down but by the half way mark (the war years in Germany) I was ready to stop reading completely as the plot and description/explanation became quite difficult in plarts to understand or I had to focus to the point of being in ”study” mode. Don’t let that comment scare you off as once the indepth descriptions of the characters roles became easier to follow the book became an enjoyable and unexpectedly gripping end. Good threads of romance and intrigue spread throughout the book and one I would definately reccomend for this type of plot or a first time Joy Chambers reader (such as myself).
This book sounds wonderful. I love reading so ill be on the look out for this novel.
Absolutely thrilling. A great story line with strong, interesting characters. Obviously a tremendous amount of research went into weaving this story around historical facts. This was so skilfully achieved I had to keep reminding myself the story was fiction.
I thoroughly enjoyed this well written novel from begining to end. Although this is the first book I have read by this author it certainly won’t be my last.
Thank you for the opportunity to review “The Great Deception”.
The Great Deception, Joy Chambers.
Imagine waking in the middle of the night to find your husband has disappeard, leaving only a brief note saying,
“Darling Shell,
Please understand I have to leave. I’ll come back, no matter how long. Trust me, sweetheart.
Cole.”
Shelley Wareing looks for answers but finds more questions than answers in a hidden trunk when she finds a silver ring which she thinks could be a Nazi SS ring and medals, including an Iron Cross with a certificate awarded to a Major in the German SS called Lucien Bayer. In addition, there are two sepia photographs, one being of “one of the most beautiful and striking women Shelley had ever seen…..” What does all this have to do with Shelley’s husband, Cole Wareing?
So begins what looked to be an intriguing novel. The beginning is excellent, the ending satisfactory, but unfortunately for me, the middle became tedious. The book is well written, excellently researched throughout the period of World War 11 especially from the German perspective with the horrors that took place, particularly in Holland, but it lost its impact for me with the length of the middle section. I’m not sure how much, if any, could have been left out but the length of the book with so much detail meant, for me, that the promise of the book’s beginning didn’t eventuate.
Cole was escaping from his former best friend who is intent on killing him, believing Cole had become a Double Agent, no longer working as a British Agent but had indeed become a traitor. Nothing could have been further from the truth but Cole needs to return to England in the hope that he can set the record straight. We then have the detailed account of the time Cole “became” Lucien Bayer, interwoven with the experiences of the friends who are now trying to kill Cole. Essential to the story is the relationship of Cole and his friend Tudor with the beautiful woman in the photograph – Laetitea de Witt, who is a patriot, living on her wits and initially prepared to do anything to maintain the life style she wants which is so much more comfortable than the Dutch people she lives amongst.
Shelley sets off on her own quest to find the woman in the photograph, believing she holds the answers to Cole’s life as Lucien Bayer, something Shelley knows nothing about.
I decided half way through this book that I like my reading to be inspirational. Unfortunately this book wasn’t inspirational, at least for me. I can accept and value the well written content and the impeccable research but I couldn’t get away from the way the excellent use of tension eventually became tedious.
Please don’t let me put you off reading this novel, especially if you are a history buff and/or interested in historical fiction or the personal histories from the Second World War. Unfortunately this isn’t going to remain with me as one of the great books I’ve read. Some may beg to differ.
Well I found The Great Deception by Joy Chambers to be an absolutely enthralling read and despite being such a large book I managed to finish it over a weekend. It was one of those novels that you put down and a few minutes later decide to go read some more.
The main characters Shelley and Cole were both intriguing and complex whislt still being relatable.Set during World War 2 Joy Chambers did a wondeful job of researching the era and subjects she writes about.
Shelley wakes up to find her husband Cole gone with only a note left and then discovers a photo of a beautiful mystery woman .The woman is Laetitia de Witt who we later find out that Cole has gone to find all interweaved in a story about a life that Cole lived that was kept a secret during the War . Shelley sets off to find Laetitia determined to uncover the truth and finds mant twists and turns along the way.
Overall a very enjoyable read especially for those who enjoy historical fiction , it was very well researched and the characters both complex and intriguing at the same time . Not a book for everyone but I enjoyed it none the less .
Thank you Beauty and Lace for allowing me to be introduced to a book which I may not have picked to read otherwise .
I have just finished this novel and found it a little boring in some parts and was hard to get into, but overall an intriguing read….I think the history side just doesn’t grab me yet…but the characters were well written, I think she is a good author though…thanks for the opportunity Beauty & Lace….:)
Firstly, thank you Beauty & Lace for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I have just finished The Great Deception and as a whole I found it to be an enjoyable book with an interesting and captivating storyline, with a combination of history, intrigue, military, mystery and not to forget romance.
The characters were all very well written and thought out, and Joy Cambers has obviously done a lot of research on the time period while writing this book, which makes it very authentic and believable
The book is very easy to read, and I really liked that while it is a large novel with a staggering 464 pages, it is made up of very short chapters.
The first chapters intrigued me with secrets which kept me wanting to read, however, once I got to the middle section of the book, which concentrated on the war, I found that it dragged on more than I liked, and at one point I was close to simply putting it away and not reading the rest. But I persisted and eventually finished the book.
All in all it was an enjoyable book, but I would have enjoyed it more if it had been a bit shorter and more concise in the war part of the book. If you like historical fiction, then I highly recommend that you read this book.
Thanks again Beauty & Lace for letting me read this book.
Well I have finished the book and would describe it as a great summer read, one which requires little actual work but which is very entertaining. It is flawed with inconsistancies and in some cases far fetched notions however if you dont take it too seriously it is a gripping book which leaves you hesitant to put the book down.
At times the book tends to repeat itself, reiterating the good looking charactors a few times and outlining the general plot (almost like it was written for a mini series for TV) which was tiresome to reread. The plot itself flowed well and kept you reading even when interest waned slightly (this occured, for me, twice – the first time around 1/4 throughout the book, and the second about 3/4).
The ending whilst was gripping in that it encouraged you to stay up far later than you wanted to inorder to finish the book and find out what actually happened was a little too neat and polishing. A bit too much like Speilbergs movies where everyone lives happily in the end. In life this rarely happens.
Throughout the whole book I have to admit I kept waiting for the ‘Great Deception’ not realising that the whole plot was ‘The Great Deception’. I had hoped that there would have been a ground braking twist to the story in the end but alas it was not to be.
Overall, a good summer read which should be enjoyed for the story telling but leave on your rose coloured glasses.