Union Station

John Russell WWII Spy, Book 8

By: David Downing

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Length: 11 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

John Russell, an English journalist who specializes in human-interest pieces, had always been a reluctant spy. It’s a dangerous life—especially when you are tasked with being a double agent for Soviet and American intelligence, in a city as fraught with hazard as Nazi-occupied Berlin. But it’s been years, now, since Russell was finally able to extricate himself from his life of espionage—through a shady deal with a high-ranking Soviet official.

Now it’s 1953, and Russell and his family—his long-time partner, Effi Koenen, a burgeoning star on an American sitcom, and their daughter, Rosa, a young artist on the cusp of adulthood—live a life of relative comfort in Los Angeles. Feeling somewhat adrift, Russell has just begun work on a book investigating American firms that continued doing business with Germany during Nazi occupation. Then he notices someone is tailing him around Los Angeles. Has someone not taken kindly to his research? Or could it be that the deal Russell struck all those years ago has left him with unfinished business?

The answer may lie in Berlin, where John and Effi decide to return for the Third Annual Berlin International Film Festival. Braving the political disorder of a city that was once their home, the two are thrust into a perilous mission to protect the life—and safety—they worked so hard to build.

“Ambitious, layered, and expertly crafted, Union Station is a compelling dive into the world of McCarthy-era Los Angeles, illuminating themes that powerfully resonate with today.” —Sarah James, internationally bestselling author of The Woman with Two Shadows

©2024 David Downing (P)2024 Recorded Books

Overall good and happy to see another book in this series

I was so excited when I saw another book in this series and couldn’t wait to read it. I find these characters beloved so it was fun hearing about their life in Los Angeles and what they were up to in the US.
I figured they would end up again in Germany and it was interesting seeing how they ended up back there. The story was overall good, but I had a hard time keeping up with the Strom storyline (I had to remember his part from previous books) and to me was kind of boring even though it was an integral to the storyline.
Who knows if this is the end of the series, the ending seemed like it was, so I felt a sadness about saying goodbye to them.

Meh

I absolutely loved the first 6 books of the series. I liked the 7th, but this one was just ok. It was slower and not as interesting and felt a bit scattered. I hope there are more books for this series because I really like the characters and the idea. But they need to be more action and intrigue than political commentary. The narrator is excellent and his voice is easy to listen to and I like the distinct character voices.

Boring

I’ve always liked David Downing station series but this would have been more interesting if he’d written about the Cold War rather than, his opinion, the racist US in the 50’s. Story was scattered. Apparent that Mr Downing has a very low opinion of the US.

It’s not a novel, it’s a diatribe against the United States. 

Aside from the diatribes, it’s exceptionally boring. It also takes a lot of nerve for a Brit to criticize America’s history with regard to minorities, colonization, etc. ask an Irishman what he thinks about Britain.