The Blieberg Project by David Khara

First published in France in 2010; published in translation by Le French Book on July 15, 2014

The Bleiberg Project is the first novel of the Consortium series. Wall Street trader Jeremy Novacek is wealthy but empty of heart. He carries the guilt of a reckless and irresponsible moment that could have destroyed his life, had his employer not rescued him. While generally wallowing in self-pity, Jeremy is cheered to learn that his father, from whom he has been estranged for a quarter century, has died. When he conveys the news to his hospitalized mother, she gives him a locket that contains a small key embossed with a swastika. The key opens the door to secrets about Jeremy’s past and to a more meaningful future.

When The Bleiberg Project isn’t following Jeremy, it tracks events that occurred during World War II or focuses on the present day scheming of ruthless Mossad agent Eytan Mog, who has taken an interest in knowledge that Jeremy’s father acquired while working for the CIA. But what is that knowledge and what does it have to do with the contents of the box to which Jeremy now has the key? Jeremy intends to find out. He’s accompanied in that journey by a CIA agent who, being female, is of course beautiful.

I would rate The Bleiberg Project as a no-worse-but-not-much-better-than-average Nazi conspiracy thriller. Apart from some expository information dumps, the story moves smoothly and quickly, but it covers ground that has been well plowed by other writers. The Übermensch theme is too familiar to be compelling, and while David Khara adds a fresh touch here and there, nothing about the novel is particularly exciting. Khara’s prose is snappy but his characters, while adequate, never quite come to life. If Nazi Übermensch stories are your thing, you’ll probably enjoy The Bleiberg Project. If you think you’ve read enough novels about ongoing Nazi plots to create a superior race, there’s no need for you to add this to your reading list. Or you can opt for the graphic novel, which trims away the fat and is, I thought, superior to the origial prose version.

RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS