The Salzburg Connection
by Helen MacInnes
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He demanded the immediate dispatch of two suitably trained operatives to Salzburg. Extreme measures might be necessary.In 1945, with their thousand-year empire falling around them and the Allies on their heels, the Nazis hide a sealed chest in the dark, forbidding waters of the Finstersee - a lake surrounded by the brooding peaks of the Austrian Alps. There it lies for twenty-one years, almost forgotten, until a British agent decides to raise it from the depths. The secrets he uncovers are show more far- reaching and lethal, and in Salzburg, Bill Mathison, a New York attorney on the trail of a missing colleague, finds himself drawn into the shadowy underworld of international espionage. Not knowing who to trust amidst the chaos, he is drawn to two beautiful women, one of whom will betray him. show less
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I started reading mysteries as did many of my generation with The Nancy Drew Mysteries by Carolyn Keene. Then it was on to the romantic mystery genre as developed by Mary Stewart and espionage novels by Helen MacInnes. This espionage novel is undoubtedly one of the best ever for its time.
This work of fiction is plush with setting descriptions and intricate details of the chase to discover if the rumor is true that an old chest containing Nazi war documents is submerged in the midst of an Austrian lake - a true Pandora's box that could seemingly easily become the basis for the recreation of the world's worst nightmare and possibly help to rebuild an underground network that would devote themselves to the rebuilding of the Nazi regime. show more Can the chest be retrieved if it is not just a rumor? What do the documents disclose? Who would the documents benefit? Can multiple agents from different countries work together for the common good?
Helen MacInnes wrote espionage before the assistance of technology in the formats of laptops, cell phones, and social media. Helen MacInnes brings her characters to life and the reader becomes engrossed in trying to solve the puzzles of the journey for the truth and who is truly to be believed in the midst of deceptive and cryptic messages. It is the classic question of "Will good prevail over evil?" The reader will continue to turn pages as fast as he/she can read to learn the answer. It is an espionage novel that reminds us of the harrowing twists and turns to the truth and forever reminds us of the challenges and costs for those that fight behind-the-scenes to preserve freedom. show less
This work of fiction is plush with setting descriptions and intricate details of the chase to discover if the rumor is true that an old chest containing Nazi war documents is submerged in the midst of an Austrian lake - a true Pandora's box that could seemingly easily become the basis for the recreation of the world's worst nightmare and possibly help to rebuild an underground network that would devote themselves to the rebuilding of the Nazi regime. show more Can the chest be retrieved if it is not just a rumor? What do the documents disclose? Who would the documents benefit? Can multiple agents from different countries work together for the common good?
Helen MacInnes wrote espionage before the assistance of technology in the formats of laptops, cell phones, and social media. Helen MacInnes brings her characters to life and the reader becomes engrossed in trying to solve the puzzles of the journey for the truth and who is truly to be believed in the midst of deceptive and cryptic messages. It is the classic question of "Will good prevail over evil?" The reader will continue to turn pages as fast as he/she can read to learn the answer. It is an espionage novel that reminds us of the harrowing twists and turns to the truth and forever reminds us of the challenges and costs for those that fight behind-the-scenes to preserve freedom. show less
Terrific post-World War II international thriller.
Macnnes has created a fascinating mix of well-drawn characters and an intriguing plot line. This fast-paced tale constantly surprises you, right to the very end. For that reason, I don't want to divulge even part of the story. Just trust me, the author gets hold of you on the very first page and never lets up.
Don't start this one too late in the evening or you will be up all night.
Macnnes has created a fascinating mix of well-drawn characters and an intriguing plot line. This fast-paced tale constantly surprises you, right to the very end. For that reason, I don't want to divulge even part of the story. Just trust me, the author gets hold of you on the very first page and never lets up.
Don't start this one too late in the evening or you will be up all night.
Sam Levitt is back, now working with Francis Reboul instead of against him. Recruited to present a construction project that, for various reasons requires a salesman with charm who cannot be Reboul, Sam is the man for the job. Added to the mix, his on-again girlfriend, Elena, goes with him. Once in Marseille Sam meets the competition, in the form of Lord Whopping, who will stop at nothing to get the job. Hi-jinks ensue! A fun, quick read, but be warned, read on a full stomach or else the descriptions of the food will cause some serious overeating!
I really enjoy reading the older novels written by established authors (this one was in its 21st printing). Published at the height of the Cold War and the Vietnam hot war, The Salzburg Connection bridges the gap between WWII and the present (1968). An interesting story, well written ... and you might even be able to catch the movie on late night.
Gripping, atmospheric first few chapters, but momentum tends to tail off from the point that Bill Mathison, the New York lawyer, arrives in Zurich to try to unravel the mystery surrounding Yates and his activities.
Old time spy drama from the cold war, with Nazis and Commies and US and British spies all converging on a tiny lake in Austria that holds a box.
Brought back some old memories from the 60s and 70s. Including my trip in 1970 still with spies running around Europe. And everywhere else I suppose.
Brought back some old memories from the 60s and 70s. Including my trip in 1970 still with spies running around Europe. And everywhere else I suppose.
I liked the beginning and the end. It was a bit slow in the middle. I liked the plot and the setting.
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ThingScore 75
Post-World War II connections sometimes come out of an intricate underground latticework that now includes submerged Nazis waiting to rise again, Peking power seekers and embattled operatives from the West. At least according to this novel in which the plot moves with the MacInnes precision but actuates within a certain limited vision.
added by Roycrofter
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1970s
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Author Information
39+ Works 7,995 Members
Helen MacInnes was born in Glasgow, Scotland on October 7, 1907. In 1928, she received a degree in French and German from the University of Glasgow in Scotland. She later studied at University College in London and worked as a librarian. She got married in 1932, moved to New York in 1937, and became an American citizen in 1952. In 1939, she began show more writing suspense novels and won the Columbia Prize for Literature in 1966. Many of her novels were adapted into movies including Above Suspicion, Assignment in Brittany, The Venetian Affair, and The Salzburg Connection. She died from the effects of a stroke on September 30, 1985 at the age of 77. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title*
- In Salzburg stirbt nur Jedermann
- Original title
- The Salzburg Connection
- Alternate titles
- Treffpunkt Salzburg
- Original publication date
- 1968
- People/Characters
- William Mathison; Frank O'Donnell; Chuck Nield; Gustav Keller; Anna Berg; Felix Zauner
- Important places
- Zurich, Switzerland; Salzburg, Austria; Finstersee, Austria; Unterwalden, Switzerland
- Related movies
- The Salzburg Connection (1972 | IMDb)
- Dedication
- To Gilbert, always.
- First words
- Der See war ein kaltes, schwarzes, böses Auge, nicht mehr als fünfhundert Meter lang, knapp zweihundert Meter breit, ein unregelmässig geformtes Stück Glas, überschattet von den Berghängen, die steil ins dunkle Wasser a... (show all)bfielen und sich darunter bis in grosse Tiefe fortsetzten.
The lake was cold, black, evil, no more than five hundred yards in length, scarcely two hundred in breadth, a crooked stretch of glassy calm shadowed by the mountain-sides that slipped steeply into it dark waters and went plu... (show all)nging down. - Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Nach knapp zwei Stunden erholsamer Fahrt hatten sie die Türme und Kuppeln von Salzburg vor sich.
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Within an easy two hours, they could see the steeples and domes of Salzburg. - Original language
- English
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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