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Series Review
All the World's a Stage for Secret Agent Kit Cobb
Son of Isabel Cobb, the most famous American actress of her time, Christopher "Kit" Cobb was born and raised to play a role--as an undercover operative working for U.S. intelligence during World War I. Cobb, who started his professional life as a war correspondent, segued naturally into the life of a secret agent when his nation called on him to help out during wartime.
Old-fashioned boy's adventures with picturesque bad guys and unflappable good guys
I was drawn to this series because of the author's literary reputation. These are old-fashioned adventures, heavy on the action and light on emotion. Cobb is unflappable, focused on logistics, barely blinking when he encounters evil. Bad guys pop up like so many tin silhouettes in a shooting gallery and Cobb mows them down. Cobb's main emotional attachments are to his famous mother and his portable typewriter and considering his general lack of introspection and reflectiveness, that probably won't change.
Series Guide
Begin with the best, The Star of Istanbul (#2).
Book Summaries
Below, the spy novels in chronological order:
The Hot Country (2012, Christopher Marlowe Cobb Thrillers #1)
1914. In Veracruz, Mexico to report on the United States occupation of the city, Cobb discovers a German agent on a mysterious mission. The Star of Istanbul (2013, Christopher Marlowe Cobb Thrillers #2)
1915. Cobb follows a suspected German agent onto the ship Lusitania where Cobb becomes smitten with a famous actress who has a secret every bit as sinister as the German agent's.The Empire of Night (2014, Christopher Marlowe Cobb Thrillers #3)
1915. Cobb's mission is to ferret out the true loyalties of a British baronet, who is enamored of world-famous actress, Isabel Cobb, known to Cobb as "Mom."Christopher Marlowe Cobb Thrillers
Historical Espionage Series Set in World War I
Book Reviews
Christopher Marlowe Cobb Series
(From newest to oldest; Dates refer to publication in the US in English;
# refers to series order)
Above, from top to bottom: Marine Commanders in Vera Cruz in 1914, The Lusitania, a German-built Zeppelin
(2013, Christopher Marlowe Cobb Thrillers #2)
by Robert Olen Butler
My favorite in the series so far. I enjoyed the scenes of escape from the sinking Lusitania and the plot delivered a few good surprises. But the hero is still one dimensional, in spite of a terrific backstory.
(Espionage. Historical. World War I.)
(2014, Christopher Marlowe Cobb Thrillers #3)
by Robert Olen Butler
Interesting bit of history--the zeppelins bombing London during World War I. But the plot lacks the twists and turns that make the best mysteries and thrillers entertaining. The hero also lacks complexity, which is too bad because his backstory is terrific.
(Espionage. Historical. World War I.)
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(2012, Christopher Marlowe Cobb Thrillers #1)
by Robert Olen Butler
Interesting piece of history--the Occupation of Vera Cruz--and some nice fight scenes, especially during Cobb's ride with Pancho Villa's men. And some of the descriptions are beautiful. But lacking in plot twists, surprises and moral ambiguity, all of which characterize the best mysteries and thrillers.
(Espionage. Historical. World War I.)
