Rating: 
Summary: Wonderfully told, zero real tradecraft, worth a read
Review: As a former spy myself--long since out from under cover with permission--this book jumped off the supermarket shelf at me, the title and the recommendations from Jack Higgins overcoming my general reluctance to read fiction. The book is a five for a light tale told very smoothly, and a three for lacking any real knowledge of tradecraft and spying--hence a four average. It is nowhere near an "Enigma" or "The Unlikely Spy" or "The Black Tulip", my three favorites in this past decade, but for a first novel by someone with no field experience it is quite worthy and I will look forward to the next effort by this author. This is an honest solid book, worth the price and the time.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Thriller!
Review: Meticulously researched telling of a WWII thriller. I loved everything about. I was sitting on the edge of the chair wondering what would happen next. If you're in the market for a wonderful read, with suspense, read this.
The amount of detailed information on everything is a wonderful weaving in of the actual events taking place. And I especially like a villain worthy of the chase. Good show, John!
Rating:
Summary: excellent thriller
Review: This is a very impressive debut novel. It kept my interest from the first (violent) chapter to the end. Don't miss this one!
Rating:
Summary: A Gathering of Spies
Review: Loved the book. Have recommended to all my friends!
Rating:
Summary: Terrific Read!
Review: This page turner from author John Altman held my interest from beginning to end. It was hard to put down. I love spy novels, and this is definitely one of the best!
Rating:
Summary: Manages to convey suspense even though ending is "known"
Review: John Altman's first novel, "A Gathering of Spies" is a convincing debut. He uses ideas that have been used many times before: the "atomic secret" at Los Almos; the secret of the point of landing for D-Day; a long hidden and extremely well training (and feminine) mole; and historical facts such as Einstein's letter to Roosevelt. This book is different because his craft so well. It is a thriller that thrills; one of the protagonists (Katarina) does the incredible, but we believe it. An aspect of this novel that I truly like is that Altman protrays a character who does horrible things, but, oddly, I come to somehow like her and hope, against all hope, that things work out well for her in the end. But I shall not divulge the ending.
Rating:
Summary: Penzler Picked Right
Review: 9 out of l0 times you can rely on a Penzler Pick, and "A Gathering of Spies" is another winner in the World War II spy thriller genre. This book has it all, and then some. It was hard to put down.
Rating:
Summary: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Review: If you enjoy spy novels with interesting characters, lots of plot twists, a bit of violence, and plenty of historical detail, you'll love this debut novel by newcomer John Altman. What a writer! His age belies his talent.
Rating:
Summary: Style and Intrigue!
Review: Reading this book was pure enjoyment. It is chock full of intrigue, historical data, fascinating characters, especially the female Nazi antagonist, and atmosphere galore. I can see Catherine Zeta-Jones with her hair dyed blonde or Uma Therman in the movie version. I'm eagerly awaiting a sequel from this talented young author!
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books I've read in quite awhile.
Review: This book is easily the best book I've read in some time. I tore threw it in a few hours unable to put it down, indeed I was late to work due entirely to this book's ability to capture the reader.
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