The Second Midnight

Written by Andrew Taylor

Narrated by Leighton Pugh

From the international bestselling author comes a World War Two tale of one boy’s fight for survival in Nazi Europe

A secret mission…
1939. As Europe teeters on the brink of war, Alfred Kendall is tasked with carrying out a minor mission for the British Intelligence Service. Travelling to Prague, he takes his troubled young son, Hugh, as cover.

A terrible choice…
When Hitler invades Czechoslovakia, Alfred is given an ultimatum by the Czech Resistance. They will arrange for him to return to England, but only if he leaves his son Hugh behind as collateral.

A young boy stranded in Nazi terrain…
Hugh is soon taken under the wing of a Nazi colonel – Helmuth Scholl. But even though Scholl treats Hugh well, his son, Heinz, is suspicious of this foreigner. And as the war across the continent intensifies, they are set on a path that will ultimately lead towards destruction…

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Jan 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9780008368210

Andrew Taylor

Andrew Taylor is the author of a number of crime novels, including the ground-breaking Roth Trilogy, which was adapted into the acclaimed drama Fallen Angel, and the historical crime novels The Ashes of London, The Silent Boy, and The American Boy, a No.1 Sunday Times bestseller and a 2005 Richard & Judy Book Club Choice. He has won many awards, including the CWA Ellis Peters Historical Award (the only author to win it three times) and the CWA’s prestigious Diamond Dagger.

Reviews for The Second Midnight

[hes7 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The blurb for Andrew Taylor’s The Second Midnight promises a thrilling story of war and survival. When I read it, however, I got an awkwardly paced story lacking any true thrill. I felt incredibly bored as I waited for Hugh to actually get to Czechoslovakia. Then, when he is left behind, Taylor shares a few more (boring) scenes, fast-forwards through the next few years, and suddenly, it is time for Hugh to go back to England—with half of the book still left!Maybe I would have enjoyed The Second Midnight had the blurb not led me to expect a certain type of story. Maybe the author’s style of storytelling kept me disengaged for what could have been an exciting story. Or maybe the World War II-drama just is not working for me right now (considering I really did not like A Sister’s Courage a couple weeks ago). I do not know, but whatever the case, this book has not been a bad read for everyone. Check out some better reviews—it could be a good book for you.I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

[mishker-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Hugh Kendall is a young boy in England, 1939. Hugh is seen as a burden by his father and after Hugh is kicked out of school, Hugh's father is offered a mission through the British Intelligence Service. Alfred Kendall or Captain Kendall, as he prefers to be called is sent to Prague on a simple exchange mission and takes Hugh as a cover. While in Prague, Hitler invades and Hugh is left behind. Hugh is taken in by one of the Resistance contacts and is given a new identity as Rudi. Hugh is eager to learn the language and picks up Czeh and German. As the war progresses, Hugh's caretakers fall victim to the violence and Hugh ends up with Bela Juriga, a violent member of the resistance until Nazi Colonel Scholl come into Bela's shop and Hugh saves his life. Scholl thanks Hugh with a place in his household. Hugh quickly adjusts to life at the Scholl's as a gardener. The Scholl children, Magda and Heinz see Hugh in different ways, Magda is entranced while Heinz is filled with contempt. When Hugh finally makes it back to England 10 years later, he is changed and wants to leave his ordeal in the past, except for Magda, that is. Although, it seems that the past will continue to haunt him.The Second Midnight is a historical spy thriller that begins at the start of World War II and continues throughout the 1950's. There is a lot going on in the story with secret missions in England, Germany and Czechoslovakia, the political spread of Nazi's and Communism and changing allegiances. At the heart of the story, however, is Hugh and his will for survival as well as his knack for continuously being able to adapt to new situations. Through ten years in a strange place, Hugh was able to learn the languages and customs, maintain his cover as Rudi and earn the trust and friendship of Colonel Scholl and Magda. Hugh's is story the driving force in the book. Through Hugh, I was able to see many faces of Nazi Germany and the Resistance. However, the writing bounces back and forth between Hugh and his family in England. The point of the focus on the rest of Hugh's family does not become apparent until the end of the book. After Hugh escapes back to England, the pacing slowed down for me and I was just wondering when and how he would reconnect with Magda. While I didn't quite know where all of the background espionage was leading, it was interesting to see all of the different players, their impact on the War and how Hugh fit into it all.This book was received for free in return for an honest review.