A Spy in Vienna: A Paul Muller Novel of Political Intrigue (Wages of Appeasement)

This is the third William Walker novel I reviewed. I previously reviewed his first and third Paul Muller novel (“Danzig” and “Target Switzerland”) about inter-war Europe. Paul Muller, his protagonist is a diplomat/spy in the service of Switzerland. Here as League of Nations Commissioner for Austria his mission is to prevent Hitler from acquiring Austria’s gold reserves in the event of a German takeover of the country. Muller goes so far as to meet with British foreign minister Anthony Eden in a failed attempt to get his cooperation in transferring Austria’s gold reserves which are held in the vaults of the Bank of England.You can literally smell, taste, and witness the street fights of 1938 Vienna in this novel as tensions rise from early January to mid-March when the German troops move in. We see Muller meeting with the Austrian finance minister and the head of its central bank as they try to determine what policy Chancellor Kurt von Schushnigg is going to follow as he attempts to face down Hitler.Along the way Muller meets with the leading journalists of the day who are covering Austria, among them the now very famous William Shirer. We also see Muller ending up in bed with the wife of Germany’s ambassador and former German chancellor Franz von Papen.There is brief diversion to Hollywood where Muller was visiting relatives. There he meets the actor, Charles Boyer who had just completed “Algiers.” By shear coincidence I watched the movie last week. So at least for me, it added a nice touch to the book.Of Walker’s three books I would rate this one better than the other two: not quite five stars but very enjoyable.

Hopefully . You have taught us a lesson so we are not doomed to repeat history in our dealings with Putin. Thank you for sharing your us diplomatic experiences with us.

After reading three books in the Paul Muller series, I must say, William Walker has written some great historical fiction that details much of the political intrigue in play during the time period of pre-WWII. The ability of Walker to weave factual instances into these books is what holds the attention of the reader from the first page to the last paragraph. The inability to put the book down is a testament to just how involved the reader is drawn into the plot of the books. Well done!

A very good story that gives a very good account of the historical event in a way that was interesting to read, something that is often lacking in history books

A Spy in Vienna is a worthy successor to the previous Walker novel, Danzig. Once again Walker has captured the mood, intrigue, and real time suspense of a epic pre war time in Vienna. As in Danzig many stdudents of this time period will have a general understanding of the tensions in Austria existng in the period just before Hitler's takeover. But Walker's extensive research has resulted in a gripping description of the day by day drama that occured in the few days before that event; days when the outcome was not at all clear. Using his maturing main charachter Paul Mueller from Danzig once again as the real time participant allows Walker to bring alive the "gut wrenching" drama; even tho we know the outcome, the writing allows us to participate in uncertainty, hoping against hope that the Austrians fighting against Hitler's intents will prevail. The portrait of the Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg is particularly interesting as he was a key factor; little known today his struggles are a central theme and come alive for us thruout the telling. This is a must read for Furst fans and adds to the growing Walker/Muller series that explore lesser known episodes of the pre Hitler period in Eastern Europe. And a must read in this time of increasing turmoil in today's Eastern Europe.

Having gotten to know Walker's protagonist, Paul Muller, as assistant to Sean Lester, in Walker's earlier novel, Danzig, I was fascinated to find Muller operating on his own, as a League of Nations diplomat to Austria, in Walker's second novel, A Spy in Vienna. Muller is the spy, with a plan to divert Austria's gold bullion from Nazi control as they take over Vienna (and Austria) in the Anschlus of March, 1938. We follow Muller carrying out his plans, and then barely evading capture. I shed some tears (of relief) to see him get away. In this novel I became a Paul Muller fan. Walker's in-depth knowledge of the time and place is impressive.

Déjà vu all over again! There are parallels in this book to what is happening today in Ukraine. Good read!

This book kept me guessing & entertained. It is scary to think history is repeating itself & to see the similarities of then & now. I can hardly wait to read his other books