In Pursuit of Platinum: The Shocking Secret of World War II by Vic Robbie

Published: August 26th 2012 by Principium Press

Read Date: December 3rd 2017

Pages: 310

Stars: 4.5/5

It’s the secret they don’t want you to find out – buried in government archives and not to be revealed until 2045. Now you can read the real story about the attempt to smuggle a fortune in platinum out of Paris in the legendary Bullion Bentley. But the Bentley is carrying an even more valuable human cargo, a mysterious Frenchwoman with a secret that could change the course of the Second World War.

Alena and American Ben Peters are targets of Hitler’s ruthless investigator Ludwig Weber, whose family will be executed if he fails. His orders are to silence Alena before she can reveal her secret; capture her young son and take him back to Berlin; and recover the Banque de France’s platinum. As they flee their hunter, they experience the stark and tragic realities of war and the raw emotions of two brave people living on the edge of fear. And not everything is as it seems. Who is Alena and what is her secret that could destroy everything the Nazi movement stands for?

In a Pursuit of Platinum is first book of Ben Peter Thriller Series that as title says, reveals Shocking secret of WWII. Whether the history in book is true or not, it was damn shocking, thrilling, and nail-biting political historical fiction that kept me on the edge of the seat till the end.

Story was third person narrative revolved around three main characters, Ben Peters, Alena, and Ludwig Weber (antagonist). It was about adventurous journey of Ben, Alena, and her son Freddie from Paris to England in the Bentley loaded with most precious metal Platinum, with many obstacles on their way. It was about the secret Alena had against Nazis that could change the course of war.

She was even more important than platinum both for Nazis and British people. To stop her from escaping top German officer and investigator, Ludwig Webner, was given the task to capture her by Adolf Hitler himself. Isn’t that interesting?

What’s the secret, why Germans are so desperate to capture them and what makes Alena more important than platinum? Well, that’s the story.

Alena– she was such a strong woman. She was so afraid of torture that she preferred to kill her son and herself than being caught alive. That was horrible! Even after everything her will to reach to safety with her son was remarkable. She was a mysterious till second half of the book. She was very hard on Ben in the first half but in second half closeness between them made book sweet and touching. Sad, there was very less romantic chapters in the book.

Ben– He was such a determined guy. He won’t leave Bentley even he could die with it. Seriously! I’m sure whether it was explained or I missed that part (I’m more sure I have missed it but didn’t go back and read those chapters again) but I couldn’t see a solid reason behind his acceptance for the task and his faithfulness to Bernay. Whatever it was this guy was amazing and such a gentleman in the book. I loved his determination and strong will.

Freddie– he was most adorable and likable character in the book.

Ludwig– He was very complex character. At first I hated him, his action and way of getting information was unlikable but as story progressed, I knew him better. This character showed the intensity of love for family. He would go to any extent to save them. I liked reading his perspective in the book.

All characters were well developed and very important for the story, even the smallest side character. Narration from all character’s perspective gave the detailed background of them and by the end of the book I got to know them better.

This was second book in historical fiction genre with WWII theme after ‘The Book Thief’ that I loved reading because of its easy to follow writing without much political jargons or heavy old English. I just love to read WWII books.

Perfect beginning of the book! A mother’s turmoil with only option either save her son or kill him, German reaching to border of Paris, a banker’s desperate to save platinum so that it can be used to win back his country, an American- a writer, who doesn’t know how to use a gun was given a task to carry platinum and a Frenchwoman with child away from Germans to London, Ludwig’s terrifying ways of getting information – all this created a tense atmosphere from very beginning. Another thing I liked most was short chapters and all ended with cliffhanger.

“She knew she must kill her beautiful son. The decision was made in moment of ice-cold clarity before panic took over and tears began to flow in rivulets of sorrow.”

Ben’s desperate efforts to take Alena to safety and Webner hot on their heels made book most thrilling. Journey from Paris to Spain, Estoril and then the final destination England was very exciting, it covered almost 60% of the book and it was very creatively written that I couldn’t put down the book. Ben and Alena stumbled from one problem to other throughout their journey, it created a tight grip in the book that glued me to seat till the end. I couldn’t guess what will happen next in the book.

“There comes time when a person knows they are beaten and there are no means of escape. They may not admit it or show it yet deep within the realization they cannot win suffuses their being.”

Characters were killing and dying was like normal thing by the end of the book. Bloodshed, cruelty and disrespect to women was so frequent that I was no longer shocked or flinched when they killed anyone in book. Most interesting chapters were character’s life story- Ben’s love of writing and writer Ernest Hemingway which was most beautifully narrated; Alena’s story on what happened to her, how she ended as prisoner of German and why she was so important to them; and Ludwig’s love for his family. Oh and Bentley was the star of book. This car had suffered just like characters.

 “Wars are not just fought with bullets and bombs, the psychology of it can be greater importance.”

Climax! My goodness! Book was even more interesting. Author created a mind-blowing suspense in the book. Secret was not revealed till last two chapters. And when that moment came it was wow! Not totally unexpected but shocking, yes! and the way it was revealed was brilliant. I highly suggest to those impatient readers not to read end first, it will ruin the fun of book.

Just small thing too many characters and their perspective made it little challenging to follow the story. I had to remember smallest thing about them as it was very important to keep tract of everything in this kind of book. This is what happens- as I said in ‘characters’, I missed that part of Ben’s motive or reason to follow Bernay’s order.

Overall, amazing, thrilling, chilling, nail-biting, fast paced political Historical Fiction with suspense and adventure that I’m sure everyone would love to read. I strongly recommend this book.  

Author: Vic Robbie

To know more about author click ⇒ Here

Buy Here: Amazon.in / Amazon.com

*** Note: I received a review copy of this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. I am glad I got a chance to read this book. ***

What do you think about the book and review? Have you read this book already? Share your thoughts in the comment-box below.

Happy Reading! 🙂