In post war Europe Arthur Murray hunted Nazis. In post war America Arthur is home from the war, working as an insurance investigator in Manhattan. It’s the era of the space program and rockets that will one day carry us to the moon. The scientists working on the Redstone project include Germans who worked on the V2 program at places like Peenemunde; one of them is targeted for abduction by the Israelis and Arthur finds himself caught between opposing forces. For him it’s a journey back in time, but now it seems the Nazis are hunting him.
In 1944 Arthur Murray spent thirty one days as a prisoner of war, marched through the Black Forest by a sadistic Nazi officer. Arthur escaped, and, after the war, hunted Nazis for the OSS, always searching for the officer but never finding him. Two decades later, the OSS is now the CIA; German scientists are helping America develop the rockets that will propel them into space and Arthur Murray is an insurance investigator in Manhattan trying to let the past be the past. Then Arthur receives a late night phone call from his father. Edgar needs Arthur to make a payoff, no questions asked, or Edgar will be tied to a murder he didn’t commit. Soon Arthur is caught up in a web of sex, lies, murder, corruption, and international intrigue that threaten national security and the lives of those he holds dear.
"BLACK FOREST accomplishes what you hope every historical thriller will do. The pages flying by, you're drawn in by its serpentine plot--but before long you've been seduced, willingly, into a world that is as exhilarating as it is deeply haunting. A bravura achievement."--Megan Abbott, Edgar-winning author of Queenpin
"My test with debut novels lies in assessing the confidence of the writer, and David Thayer shows that in spades with BLACK FOREST. This is a fascinating historical thriller, driven forward with terse, hardboiled narration, but capturing time and place and the haunting power of the past with ease. BLACK FOREST is an original piece of work by a writer with talent, poise, and that great key, confidence. David Thayer has every right to be confident. He's written a damned fine novel." Michael Koryta, author of The Prophet.
"Fast and sharp, obviously written by a man with a hell of a lot of talent. And such a great line right up front, 'nothing good begins with one armed pushups.' I'd steal that line if I thought I could get away with it."
Steve Hamilton, author of The Lock Artist.
BLACK FOREST is not just a terrific read, but a poignant meditation on the burden of history and the unresolved conflicts between father and son. David Thayer channels the best of the old school noir writers in this riveting tale of betrayal and lies. Thayer's dialogue is razor-sharp, his descriptions of the city evocative, and his characters--especially his tough yet vulnerable femme fatale--memorably drawn.
Jenny Siler, author of PRINCE OF BAGRAM PRISON.
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