In a word The Information Officer is complicated. It is dark, dense, and very complex. Simultaneously a historical war story, an espionage novel, a mystery book and a romantic suspense; it is for the reader that appreciates the descriptive build up of time and place.

The mystery is not the primary player in this book. It is the war. The drama is in the ceaseless air raids and threat of imminent invasion balanced against the everyday life of the locals and British soldiers, the murder is incidental. Perfect for lovers of historical fiction, especially World War II fanatics, but a bit off course for readers seeking a taught thriller. ( )

While this book wasn't bad, it could have been a lot better. There was too little character development early on which made it difficult to keep the characters straight or to even develop any feelings for them, one way or another, which reduced the impact of the moment when the murderer was revealed. The island of Malta and the bombings during WWII were a major component of the book but this also could have used a little more background so the reader can develop some attachment. Not knowing anything about this particular part of WWII, I felt I was missing some critical knowledge that could have enhanced the reading experience. ( )

I wouldn't have read this book if I hadn't won an advanced copy, and I kind of wish I hadn't won it. This book was very, very muddled. I wish it just focused on one damn thing, but nnoooooo, it had to try to do it all, and it failed. The whole mystery/thriller part of it absolutely drowned in all the war details and boring characters. A good 3/4 of this book was just talking about bombings and airplanes and guns and other things that were just not interesting. And there was waaaayyy too many characters that still remain undistinguished in my mind. And I was nearly half-way into the book before I realized that every other chapter switched the subject of the narrative. Once I figured this out, the novel made much more sense, but I just wish it had been made clearer. Very little of this book was spent on the actual murder investigation, and it was pretty slow-moving until the last couple of chapters. One thing this novel had going for it was that I did not guess the killer, which is always a plus. I was not pleased with this book, and will not be reading it again. ( )

Mark Mills, author of The Secret Garden, has once again drawn on the history of World War II for his latest novel, The Information Officer. It's 1942 and Malta is under daily barrage from the Germans and Italians. A resolute band of English soldiers help the local Maltese protect the island and live day to day.

There's a delicate balance to be maintained between the English and the Maltese and Max Chadwick plays a part as the British Information Officer. When a friend brings a recent murder of a local hostess to his attention and the apparent involvement of a British submariner, Chadwick realises that this could disrupt the accord between the British and local Maltese. Despite being warned by the top brass to stop investigating, Chadwick continues to dig, uncovering evidence of Nazi spying and subversion.

Mills magnificently recreates the atmosphere of an island under constant aerial attack and attention to historical detail is excellent. However, it feels a little like mystery by rote, and the final revelations just don't ring true. The story just isn't memorable. ( )

With The Information Officer by Mark Mills a spoonful of mystery certainly makes the history go down a lot more easily. Normally, just the mention of a book set in WWII on the island of Malta would make me decide to go for a walk instead, but I found myself drawn into the story from the opening scene which takes place in a restaurant several years and several countries distant from the central story. Here I am allowed to eavesdrop on an astonishing conversation that leaves me wanting to know more about why the one man believes that the other man tried to kill him nine years earlier on Malta.

From the restaurant in 1951 the story immediately shifts to Malta in 1942 with a description of the murder of a native Maltese girl who entertained soldiers and sailors in one of the island's many bars. Normally Max Chadwick, the British Information Officer, would not concern himself with a local crime, but there is evidence the murder was committed by a British officer. And it is not the first. If the Maltese discover that one of the British is preying upon their daughters, Maltese support for the British could evaporate and tip the scales for the Germans, who are ready to invade and seize this small yet critical island for their own efforts. But Max cannot bring himself to buy into the cover-up his superiors have ordered. He needs to know who murdered this girl and stop him from ever doing it again.

As Max works to uncover and destroy the serial killer, the war is ever present. Malta becomes a separate character in the plot as the German bombs rain down on this ancient Mediterranean crossroads and an ill-equipped and dwindling fleet of fighter aircraft struggle to hold back the tide. Meanwhile husbands, wives, and lovers continue to grab small moments of pleasure as the ground trembles and buildings tumble. Max finds himself drawn to two women even as the duties of war and justice pull him away and his list of suspects grows. Are the murders what they seem or is there an enemy agent amongst them trying to create revolt among the citizenry? Who can he trust? Will he get the killer before the Germans get them all?

I found the mystery intriguing and the history of Malta's importance in WWII quite interesting. The Information Office is a very satisfying read. ( )