cover image Blood Winter

Blood Winter

William Patrick. Viking Books, $19.95 (384pp) ISBN 978-0-670-82789-3

In the grim winter of 1916-17, just before America officially joins the Allies in WW I, undercover British agents prowl Berlin, trying to verify a rumor that the Germans have developed a deadly strain of infectious disease for use as a weapon. Also involved in the search is Eli Gordon, an American physician whose life has been torn asunder by the death of his young daughter. His investigation leads to a German colonel, head of the chemical armaments ministry, who recently died in bed with a beautiful young woman. The mystery woman proves to be an Allied sympathizer, a researcher at the Institute for Infectious Diseases who has made a secret medical breakthrough and who also knows the truth about the Germans' supposed secret weapon. She and Gordon must escape Germany with their knowledge before the British recklessly unleash chemical weaponry with potentially disastrous consequences. This well-done thriller closes with an unexpected and properly dark surprise. 35,000 first printing; $35,000 ad/promo; BOMC alternate. (May)