Nazi ruthlessness pitted against British determination, French intrigue and American know-how is the basis of The 13th Cohort by K.E. Pottie. Himmler, dedicated to mysticism and taking over the world, was one of the key figures under Hitler in World War II. Pottie has used this legacy to create a story reminiscent of Raiders of the Lost Ark with the Spear of Destiny as a way to rule the world. Jack and Emily, a young couple caught up in the work of Department 7 to fight the 13th Cohort, travel to Europe and follow the footsteps of long-ago American soldiers, French partisans, and German rebels to prevent the forces of evil from gaining control of the Spear of Destiny. With the help of the original operatives who are now in their 80s and 90s, Jack and Emily come face to face with the modern National Socialists who plan on finishing what Hitler had started so many years before. Which side will win this time?

K.E. Pottie has written an incredible double story of espionage, dedication, and the fight of good against evil. Set in part during the American advance into Germany toward the end of World War II and the same location in the present day, the agents of Department 7 and the British MI-6 strive to complete what they had started back in 1945. Excellent realism along with believable supernatural elements make this story highly entertaining and exciting. The 13th Cohort combines an excellent war story with espionage, passion, and dedication that keeps the pages turning and the reader cheering for the good guys.

Deep undercover there is a nefarious group at work, trying to bring back an era of evil dominance. This group is named The 13th Cohort. This shadowy cabal of powerful men and women has located pieces of the Spear of Destiny and once they secure the rest, they plan to use its rumored magical properties, specifically the power of persuasion, to create a new order, the Fourth Reich. In 1944, Henri, Sonny and Captain Robertson attempt to stop the Nazis from escaping with the spear, already rumored to have helped the Hitler and his Reich in their evil cause Unfortunately for them, they don’t quite get it done. Now in the present, it falls to Jack and Emily, Sonny’s son and daughter-in-law stop this new evil before it is too late…

First of all, The 13th Cohort is a very large novel. The plotting takes place in the present but also through a series of flashbacks to the time of World War II. It is a very well developed story of a group of people desperately trying to end an era of evil once and for all. The tale moves rapidly along through two different time periods. The cast of characters is large and memorable. The author has cleverly woven the characters together, both past and present, to show just how intermingled they really are. It is full of action, adventure, intrigue and suspense, plus an interesting ending as well.

One small note. Readers that have not read the previous novel, Code Name Sonny, may want to read it first or they may find it a little hard at first to understand some of the characters. However, once they get into the story they will quickly see how everything interacts. Overall, I found The 13th Cohort to be a compelling, well-told tale.