Overview

Synopsis - The Eagle Scout Picture: Book 1 of the Shadow and Subterfuge Series When the world plunges into war, a Texas Eagle Scout becomes America's most dangerous secret. Fred Brown is recruited into a covert U.S. operation that transforms him into the perfect Nazi youth-new name, new past, new loyalties. As Frederich ""Zelly"" Zellner, he's inserted deep inside Hitler's Germany with one mission: infiltrate the Third Reich from the inside before the United States ever enters the war. But the Nazi regime is a world of paranoia, brutality, and ever-watchful eyes. Zelly must flawlessly play the role of a devoted Hitler Youth while hiding the truth of who he is-and who he serves. When a photograph from his American past mysteriously appears on a Nazi magazine cover, Zelly realizes he's not just a spy in enemy territory... he's a pawn in a much larger game. Hunted by the Gestapo, manipulated by powerful figures on both sides, and forced to bury every shred of his true identity, Zelly walks a razor's edge where one mistake means execution. His survival depends on mastering the darkest ""subterfuge"" of all-becoming the monster he's pretending to be without losing the boy he once was. The Eagle Scout Picture launches Gary Kidney's Shadow and Subterfuge Series, a gripping blend of historical thriller and espionage noir-perfect for fans of The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, The Man in the High Castle, and Operation Mincemeat.

Full Product Details

9781966012337

Table of Contents

Reviews

Editorial Review from Reader's Favorite by K. C. Finn5 Stars - Congratulations The Eagle Scout Picture by Gary Kidney is a razor-sharp espionage thriller that plunges readers into the perilous heart of Nazi Germany through the eyes of Frederich 'Zelly' Zellner. A young American forced to adopt the identity of a Hitler Youth, Zelly becomes a lone operative on the knife's edge of survival, betrayal, and discovery. Trained in deception but led by conscience, he carries out daring missions behind enemy lines, risking everything to undermine the Nazi regime. Each choice he makes challenges his morality, resolve, and identity. Based on real wartime intelligence operations, the novel masterfully blends historical fact with the relentless pacing of a thriller, keeping the tension high and the emotional stakes even higher. Author Gary Kidney has a keen sense of pacing and the art of the reveal to let information slip at just the right moments in this historical espionage adventure, ensuring that every moment is packed with authenticity and suspense. The work is a great balance of plot and character-led action. Zelly is a compelling protagonist whose internal conflicts elevate the novel beyond typical spy fare in an emotive story we're so personally invested in that you can't possibly leave without finding out what fate has in store for him. The same descriptive treatment is given to every scene with sharp attention to detail. This makes the action sequences suitably thrilling, but without sacrificing emotional depth or historical accuracy, as these elements are naturally woven into the story. Overall, The Eagle Scout Picture is a highly recommended standout addition to WWII literature that honors the complexity and bravery of wartime intelligence work while being thoroughly entertaining.

Author Information

Gary Kidney writes World War II espionage with the precision of a historian and the pulse of a thriller veteran. Drawing on years of research and inspired by real soldiers and family war stories, Kidney builds immersive narratives where ordinary young men are thrust into extraordinary danger. His breakout novel, The Eagle Scout Picture, showcases his signature strengths: meticulous historical detail, sharp character work, and the relentless tension of life lived undercover.A lifelong student of military history, Kidney's storytelling is shaped by the accounts of his brothers-both U.S. Army veterans of WWII-whose experiences ignited his fascination with the shadow world of Allied intelligence. His work blends fact, fiction, and the human cost of war into gripping, cinematic reads that stay with audiences long after the final page.When he's not writing, Kidney can be found digging through archives, studying declassified intelligence files, and exploring the overlooked corners of WWII history-all in pursuit of stories that honor the past while thrilling today's readers.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available