"I never
thought anyone could make being in a Luftwaffe Stalag appealing, but
Bill Walker's ingenious page-turner has found a way."
--David Westheimer
Former POW: Stalag Luft III &
Best-selling Author of Von Ryan's Express When journalist and
aspiring war novelist Frank Murphy returns from the 10th Annual
World War Convention, he has no idea that the mysterious videotape
he holds in his hands will change his life forever. He has been
handpicked to participate in a specialized experiment in mass psychology
and a unique form of Living History:
"Spend two weeks with three hundred other men in an authentic
replica of a World War Two German POW Camp!" the tape says.
"Come, and experience the thrill of a lifetime!"
For Frank it is the chance to research the book he has always wanted
to write firsthand, a chance to relive a piece of history, a chance
to feel closer to the heroic and beloved father he barely knew.
Eager for adventure, Frank and his best friend, Dean Seger, leave
their wives and families behind and plunge headlong into a time
gone by.
Everything about Camp Stalag is authentic: The buildings, the
uniforms, the food, the guards, the weapons--the savage treatment.
Soon Frank, Dean, and the others find their cherished fantasy turning
into a nightmare. The Germans are playing for keeps, and no one
may leave. . .ever.
Camp Stalag, the monstrous creation of billionaire defense contractor
Heinrich Koenig and his adopted son, Johann Schmidt, is Koenig's
last hurrah--his final revenge for the humiliations of Germany's
defeat and the death of his mother at the hands of marauding soldiers.
Dying of brain cancer, he has secreted a weapon of terrifying power
within the camp to insure that no one will interfere.
Unaware of this danger, and desperate for freedom, Frank and his
men try to escape the camp's brutality, personified by the greedy
and sadistic Sergeant-of-the-Guard, Hans Mannheim.
And everything's about to get worse. . ..
Koenig's mental deterioration has left him believing the camp is
real and the war still rages. He orders the compound expanded, tortures
the prisoners for outdated military secrets, listens to the F¸hrer's
speeches by the hour, and begins having nightmares from his past,
nightmares that leave him dangerously disoriented.
Now the prisoners' only hope lies with John Riley.
An ex-cop and private eye hired by Frank's wife, Brenda, Riley
must find the camp, get inside, and help them shoot their way out
before Koenig tires of the game. . ..
