5 stars from The historical Fiction Company and the “Highly Recommended” award of excellence
She eyed him nervously, this man who could end her life without a second thought. She had been complacent, lulled into forgetting the immense power he wielded over her …
London, 1941, and in the battered capital of occupied Britain, Emilia Shaw works as a translator for ruthless SS General Oskar Voigt. But Emilia is also a resistance spy, desperate to avoid the scrutiny of Voigt’s security chief, Irish policeman Brendan O’Connor, and his brutal offsider, SS Colonel Hans Morser.
Promised the crown, the Duke of Windsor returns to London, unleashing a wave of violence from the resistance. The Duke pressures the puppet government for his coronation, but finds himself at the mercy of Hitler, the supreme kingmaker.
As the violence escalates, Emilia is hunted by both the SS and the resistance, caught in the crossfire as the country threatens to implode. Ultimately, its fate lies in the hands of one man — the most unlikely of them all.
Power and Obsession is the vividly imagined tale of an occupied London, a dark labyrinth peopled by the sinister, the smug and the sadistic. Yet it is also a gripping tale of reckless audacity and the obsessive search for justice.
Simon Kleinig – Amazon –
POWER AND OBSESSION —Invasion, betrayal and a desperate search for justice: the descriptive title of this book gives the reader a good idea of what to expect within. Cathy McCullagh’s books are always colourful and attractively written and this latest addition is no exception. It is a fast-paced narrative, full of unexpected twists and turns and dynamic personalities. Meticulously researched, there is a thread of tension running through this story of wartime London which always keeps you guessing. I found it a very hard book to put down. And I can’t wait for the next book!
Rena Ong, poet –
This is the best Catherine McCullagh book yet. There are so many twists and turns in this tale of absolute power and burning obsession. It’s a compelling story of desperation, survival and ingenuity in occupied Britain. Scheming, intrigue and the clash of wills dominate this deftly crafted tale.
Adam Holloway, author and battlefield guide –
Power and Obsession is a taut, fast-paced, enjoyable and engaging story that keeps the reader constantly in the thick of the action. It features strong, interesting characters, believable and compelling, whose fate hangs in the balance as the tension escalates. Catherine McCullagh skilfully weaves a series of complex moving parts into a cohesive story that demonstrates the breadth of her research as well as her talent as a writer. This is a beautifully written story that will delight all readers with a fascination for the twists and turns of history.
Heather Brown, retired teacher –
I was mesmerised by the complex plot that underpinned Power and Obsession and found it compelling reading from start to finish. This is a story that flows effortlessly; the writing is superb.
Reviewed by the Historical Fiction Company –
Catherine McCullagh’s Power and Obsession is a gripping account of an occupied London in 1941. Nazis have taken over Britain in this compelling alternate history, and the city is a hive of terror, intrigue, and resistance. In this setting, McCullagh creates a fast-paced and frightening tale of espionage, power struggles, and steadfast bravery.
Unquestionably, this book has a powerful opening. The tone is established right away with the opening line, which draws the reader into Emilia’s dangerous world. Every chapter is an exciting read because of McCullagh’s deft blending of exciting espionage and historical inquiry. The tension between the various characters is well-written, striking a balance between risk and hesitant partnerships to make readers continuously question their loyalties.
The book has flawless editing, with well-written text and seamless transitions that make it easier to read. Clean formatting and well-organized chapters that successfully create tension and momentum are features of this work. Both the tight action sequences and the slower, more introspective sections that give the characters more depth are made possible by the tense pacing.
One of the novel’s strongest points is how well-developed and complex its characters are. Emilia Shaw is a strong protagonist who is observant, resourceful, and very human. I enjoyed reading about her and learning more about her character throughout.
Throughout the novel, McCullagh keeps the narrative steady and captivating. The alternate history’s credibility is precisely maintained, and the historical context is painstakingly created. The story’s turns feel natural rather than forced since each character’s motivations are kept distinct and credible.
McCullagh writes with clarity, atmosphere, and evocativeness. She does a remarkable job of capturing the tension and terror of an occupied city. Her characters’ diverse political and cultural backgrounds are reflected in their incisive and genuine dialogue. London under Nazi control is described in terrifying detail, presenting a picture of a city full of resistance but also engulfed in fear.
The novel’s arc is well-structured, building to a high-stakes finale. Without any lost time or needless distractions, each act builds upon the one before it. Through a succession of calculated reveals and action-packed scenes, the fight keeps getting more intense, keeping readers interested. The tale has reached an unavoidable but powerful crescendo by the time the last act takes place.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys stories of courage, cunning, and the persistent pursuit of justice in the face of tremendous evil.