Book Review - The Swiss Courier

Disclaimer - I have no material connection with the publisher or authors of this book. My friend, Duong Sheahan, loaned it to me to read.

The Swiss Courier (by Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey) kept me up reading way past my bedtime! This book tells an adventure story that you just can't put down. And, it teaches World War II history in a very interesting way with engaging characters. Appropriate for mature young adult readers as well as adults, the book does contain a few descriptions of violence and murder.

I really enjoyed the way the book began by setting the stage for the story. It starts with a brief description of the assassination attempt on Hitler, provides a couple of maps and, like a play, lists the major characters of the story.

The action of The Swiss Courier moves fast and reveals the impact of the war in Switzerland. The narrative takes place during one week in the aftermath of the assassination attempt in 1944. The main character, Gabi Mueller, is a young Swiss-American woman who risks her life in the service of the U.S. Office of Strategic Services, which was the forerunner of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

The Swiss Courier also reveals insights into the atomic bomb development program in Germany and how the balance of the war weighed on that weapon of mass destruction.

I highly recommend this book, especially for those who love action, spy stories and history.