I picked this up from the library, in a swift grab, so I had something with me in hospital, so I had not read the blurb or had any idea about the book. I didn't know I'd be entering a series at the third book, but actually that didn't detract from the story, it stood up well enough on its own. The story was very interesting and the characters were very well written. I found the situation suspenseful and interesting. I'll now have to look up what else is written by Rory Clements. ( )

Like all well-written antagonists, Marcus Marfield, isn’t what he seems. And like all gripping novels, Rory Clements reveals secrets little by little. The result is a masterpiece of intrigue, suspense and mystery.

Nemesis is the third in the Tom Wilde series. Professor Wilde is a US Elizabethan historian working at Cambridge University. His latest adventure is set in September 1939. He rescues Marfield, an exceptional singer and brilliant student from an internment camp France.

Marfield is in a bad way. He’d been fighting for the left-wing Republicans in the Spanish Civil War. He’s in bad physical and mental shape. When Wilde’s lover, the thoroughly modern and appealing Lydia Morris, takes Marfield to a hypnotist the action goes up a notch and doesn’t let up.

The sinking of the passenger liner Athenia by a German U-boat on the first day of the Second World War provides an intriguing sub-plot. There are many loose ends laid in this brilliant journey back in time. They are all skilfully tied at the end.
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The Tom Wilde Series
#1 Corpus - Not Read Yet
#2 Nucleus - Not Read Yet
#3 Nemesis - ★★★★★



Nemesis is the third book from the Tom Wilde series by Rory Clements. I haven't read the previous two books, and I also haven't read any books from Rory Clements before. I received this book through ReadersFirst, and I will be honest, I was quite reluctant to read it. You already know my opinion on reading sequels before reading the previous books - but I went in blind in this book.

The blue cover is simply gorgeous and I knew it was a thriller and a mystery, so I decided this was enough to get me going. If this book review ever captures your attention, I advise you to also go in blind. I think going blind made me enjoy this book even more.The fact that this is a third book in a series doesn't mean anything. The only similarity with the other books is the main character. Almost the same basis as Dan Brown's series and his professor Robert Langdon. The books are entirely standalones.

It is very hard to reveal what the plot is about without spoiling the fun. Tom Wilde is a university professor and one of his very talented students, Marcus, has left to join the International Brigades in Spain. Now, two years after, he is in trouble, and Tom helps him come home.

Meanwhile, numerous things happen, involving World War 2 Politics and propaganda, and in these times, no one knows who to trust. And when Tom Wilde finds himself in great danger, who will help him? And who does he needs to be afraid from? Has maybe helping Marcus been his greatest mistake?

Nemesis is full of suspense from the very first chapter, and the thing I loved the most about it was that the chapters are quite short, and always leave you hanging, hungry to find out more. Every word that Rory Clements types had a meaning and a purpose in this book, and that was the bit I admired the most.

The time setting revolves around the Second World War - a subject I don't often read about. I can't judge about the historical fiction element. However I do know that while I am a person that doesn't enjoy war books, this one struck me in a nice way. The war setting was very well written, and you could even feel the atmosphere around it. The ending was pleasantly surprising and it involved a mystery I could simply not resist.

I will definitely read more books by Rory Clements, as I really enjoy the writing. If you enjoy thrillers and if you are a fan of Dan Brown, you will probably enjoy Nemesis a lot!

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‘Nemesis’ by Rory Clements is the third in his Tom Wilde series which sees the American-born Cambridge professor tangle with more spies as Britain enters the Second World War. It is a page-turning read that I galloped through despite a few moments of confusion about who was double-crossing who; to the point where I started to distrust everyone except Tom.
It is September 1939 and a strange time, the pause before war starts when sandbags are filled and the propaganda starts. Wilde, on holiday in southern France with girlfriend Lydia, negotiates the release of a former student, a brilliant chorister, from an internment camp. Marcus Marfield fought for the International Brigade in the Spanish Civil War and seems to be suffering from PTSD. Wilde returns him to Cambridge though feeling uneasy about the circumstances of Marcus’s release. Marcus’s behaviour is worrying. Clements includes many of the characters featured in the earlier two books, including British spy Philip Eaton, doctor Rupert Weir and fellow don Horace Dill.
Critical at this stage of the war was America joining the Allies but two unrelated incidents spread bad PR in the US; the ambassador in Paris escapes assassination and a British ship The Athenia, carrying American civilians, is sunk. On board are the wife and children of Jim Vandenberg, Tom’s contact at the US Embassy. As Jim waits for news of his wife and sons, strange things start to happen around Marcus Marfield and Tom is pulled into the investigation. Though unqualified, he has a skill for spying and takes to it eagerly, always riding his distinctive Rudge motorcycle.
This is a fun, gripping series set at a fascinating time in Britain’s history when each side was plotting to win the propaganda war and influence America. It tempts me to start reading Clements’ Elizabethan spy novels.
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Tom Wilde is not on honeymoon as his wedding did not happen but in France in August 1939 his marital status is not important. Contacted by a stranger Wilde is asked to rescue a former student who is in an internment camp following a stint in the Spanish Civil War. Wilde does this but finds, on his return to England, that all is not as it seems. As the country is plunged into World War II people are politicking and Wilde's birth nation, the USA, is a crucial ally and enemies will do anything to prevent them joining in the conflict.
As with the previous Tom Wilde novels this outing never lets up the pace. However there is also a clever and complex plot involving fascists and communists and double agents. The sense of time and place is palpable, Clements always manages to really evoke the era in which he writes, be it the 16th Century for the Shakespeare novels or Europe on the edge of war. This is a terrific book for those who like historical thrillers or those who like espionage - for me it is just a fast-paced and entertaining thriller. ( )