In "The Key to Rebecca" by Ken Follett, the story is set in Cairo during World War II, where a German spy named Alex Wolff is on a mission to steal British military plans to aid Field Marshall Rommel's invasion of Egypt. The protagonist, Major William Vandam, is a British intelligence officer dedicated to catching Wolff. The cat-and-mouse game between the spy and the intelligence officer unfolds against the backdrop of the war in Africa, with themes of espionage, romance, and betrayal intertwining in the plot. The writing style is described as tightly written with good characterization, capturing the essence of big cities in the Near East, and keeping the reader riveted till the end.

Characters:

The characters include a psychotic spy and a dedicated officer, with relationships that reflect personal struggles, though some find them formulaic.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is straightforward and gripping, designed to maintain a fast-paced narrative with some humor and suspense.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a German spy in WWII North Africa involved in espionage against the British, employing a coded message based on a famous novel to further his mission.

Setting:

The setting is 1942 North Africa, specifically Cairo, providing a historical backdrop for the espionage plot.

Pacing:

The pacing is fast and engaging, designed to maintain suspense, though some find it predictable.

It was the five-year-old white bull he had bought in Gialo, the youngest and strongest of the three beasts, and the least ill-tempered: he liked the animal as much as a man could like a camel, which i...

Notes:

The book is set in 1942 during World War II in North Africa.

The main character, Alexander Wolff, is a German spy with a grudge against the British.

Wolff uses his charm and good looks to seduce women into helping him gather military secrets.

Major William Vandam is a British officer obsessed with catching Wolff while dealing with personal struggles.

The novel features themes of espionage, romance, and a cat-and-mouse chase.

Daphne du Maurier's novel 'Rebecca' plays a crucial role, as it contains codes used by the Germans.

The Key to Rebecca is inspired by real historical events related to German espionage in World War II.

Ken Follett is known for his suspenseful writing style, keeping readers engaged from start to finish.

Characters in the story deal with morally ambiguous situations, questioning the nature of good and evil.

The novel combines military strategy with personal relationships and intense drama.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

There are some content warnings, including themes of war, espionage, and mature sexual relationships, which may not be suitable for all readers.

Has Romance?

Yes, the story contains a moderate level of romance, primarily through relationships that intersect with the espionage elements.

From The Publisher:

Ken Follett's The Key to Rebecca took readers and critics by storm when first published forty years ago. Today, it remains one of the best espionage novels ever written.

A brilliant and ruthless Nazi master agent is on the loose in Cairo. His mission is to send Rommel's advancing army the secrets that will unlock the city's doors. In all of Cairo, only two people can stop him. One is a down-on-his-luck English officer no one will listen to. The other is a vulnerable young Jewish girl. . . .

Ratings (8)

Incredible (2)
Loved It (2)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (2)

Reader Stats (15):

Read It (8)
Want To Read (5)
Not Interested (2)

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The Key to Rebecca?

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About the Author:

Ken Follett is one of the world's best-loved authors, selling more than 170 million copies of his thirty-two books. Follett's first bestseller was Eye of the Needle, a spy story set in the Second World War. In 1989, The Pillars of the…

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The Key to Rebecca

Ken Follett