CODENAME LIONEL

In Glass’ historical thriller, an automobile racer turned Resistance fighter risks life and limb in Nazi-occupied France.

The major lesson that Robert Benoist, the hero of this absorbing historical novel, learns is that an easy life is less compelling than a difficult mission of service. The story is an epic mixture of fact and fiction, “written as I believe [Benoist] would have seen his world,” the author suggests. The protagonist’s world turns on the notion of risk, moving from World War I reconnaissance flying to major success as a Grand Prix racer without missing a proverbial beat. Indeed, for Benoist, there’s no bigger thrill than pulling off a major risk successfully: “I loved the rush of being a champion, of being the best, I loved the laughter, accolades, flowing drinks, and women—especially the women.” However, as the go-go 1920s yield to the chaotic ’30s, Benoist’s racing career begins to taper off. Forced to settle for a sales job with Italian automaker Bugatti, he unexpectedly finds a renewed sense of purpose: World War II begins in 1939, and when the Nazis overrun France a year later, Benoist seeks out the chance to fly again—only to be denied because of his age. Suitably stung, he satisfies his yearning for action by joining the Special Operations Executive, a secret army meant to “set Europe ablaze,” as Prime Minister Winston Churchill put it, via acts of spying and sabotage behind enemy lines. It’s at this point where the story rapidly kicks into high gear as Benoist absorbs the grim logic of bluff and counterbluff. Unsurprisingly, the constant pressure to balance various responsibilities, while lobbying for munitions and money from his British handlers, begins to take a toll on Benoist personally.

He may be required to walk into the heart of the beast itself, as Benoist learns in one of the novel’s best-drawn and most harrowing scenes, when he comes face to face with Kieffer, his Nazi nemesis, who makes him a proverbial offer he can’t refuse. Asked what might happen if he doesn’t accept the delivery of a package as part of an incentive to switch sides, Keiffer threatens Benoist’s family: “I should think that it would be in their best interests for you to remain in our favor.” Glass effectively shows how the hero is then wracked with doubts: “I didn’t have an answer. I didn’t have a choice.” The author shows how Benoist accepts a terrible proposition in order to keep the spy game moving along—even if it means he could eventually run out of chances (and further tomorrows). For readers, such scenes offer a haunting reminder of the seemingly hopeless decisions that Benoist and others faced while struggling to shake occupied Europe free of the Nazi regime, and how evil works to reward the basest of impulses. Overall, readers will find that Glass has done an impeccable job of bringing alive the main character’s dilemmas.

A thrilling blend of fact and fiction that recounts a French celebrity racer finding a higher calling.