Q&A with Graham Hurley, author of Last Flight to Stalingrad
By Crime HQ
July 2, 2021Plus: Leave a comment on this post to enter for a chance to win a copy of Last Flight to Stalingrad!
Congratulations on the publication of Last Flight to Stalingrad, the 5th book in your Spoils of War (Wars Within) series from Head of Zeus. What can readers expect from this installment in the series?
Graham Hurley: This is a book about the lies, big and small, that created and sustained the Third Reich. It explores what happens when the no-man’s-land between truth and fiction becomes contested, a journey that ends in Germany’s biggest defeat at the battle of Stalingrad. This is a disaster that even the Minister for Propaganda can’t turn to Germany’s advantage. Or so everyone thinks…
Last Flight to Stalingrad follows Ministry of Propaganda journalist Werner Nehmann as he carries out an order for Joseph Goebbels, the Minister of Propaganda under the Third Reich. Why were you drawn to write from the perspective of a journalist in this era?
GH: All fiction, says me, is an act of trespass. You’re venturing into someone else’s world, onto someone else’s territory, hence the incessant need for research. But I’ve been a journalist myself and I think I understand how vulnerable we all are to the power of fake news. This is the way that whole societies change in front of our very eyes. Hence my fascination with this conjuring trick—then, thanks to the likes of Joseph Goebbels, and now with fakers like Trump and chancers like Boris Johnson. The truth is worth protecting. As recent history, in the shape of the Third Reich, so conclusively proves.
What was your research process like for Last Flight to Stalingrad?
GH: My knowledge of the battle of Stalingrad comes from endless research, chiefly that ever-growing stack of first-person accounts, historical fiction, and contemporary re-analysis bred by the conflict. Alas, my wife Lin and I never made it to Stalingrad itself but we’re on good terms with Berlin, Hamburg, Kiel, Munich, Warsaw, and Kiev. Paris, L’Orient, Le Havre, Dieppe, and many of the other cities that feature throughout the series.
Do you personally read historical fiction? If so, who are some of your favorite authors in the genre?
GH: I’ve always been a huge fan of Len Deighton, and I thought Winter was wonderful in its ambition and sheer reach. Likewise, with a tighter focus, Bomber. German authors have an obvious closeness to the voltage of those years of war, and I’ve loved reading Hans Fallada, especially Alone in Berlin. Ditto Heinrich Gerlach’s Breakout at Stalingrad.
What first intrigued you to write about WWII?
GH: My father fought with the RAF during the war, and my mum was under the blitz in London, and my reading as a kid (without a TV in the house) was dominated by fact and fiction from writers who’d drawn heavily on either first-hand experience or the stories of others. As a TV documentary maker, I was lucky enough to meet and memorialise dozens of veterans from key moments in the war, and over the years I gradually joined up all these random dots until I felt confident enough to hazard a little fiction of my own. Since then, as an ex-crime writer, I’ve never looked back.
What is your favorite book, movie, or series about WWII?
GH: Favourite book? Christabel Bielenberg’s The Past is Myself. Favourite WWII Movie Moment? Kenneth Branagh’s performance in Conspiracy. Darkness made visible…
The sixth and final installment in the Spoils of War series, Kyiv, is set to publish next month from Head of Zeus. Can you give us any teasers about that final chapter in the series?
GH: Kyiv is a special book for both myself and my wife. Lin discovered the core idea during a stay in the city, and I couldn’t resist exploring it further. The result, says me, is a substantial addition to the series, and has provoked my publisher into insisting on further titles. A teaser? The Germans are feasting on the Soviet Union and nothing will keep them from devouring the capital of the Ukraine. But
Kyiv will be a bone in the throat of the all-conquering Wehrmacht armies. Why? How? Read on…
Do you have anything in the works after the Spoils of War (Wars Within) series concludes?
GH: After Kyiv, comes Katastrophe, a story set in the early months of 1945, with the Russians at the gates of a ruined Berlin, the Western armies still pushing to be first to the capital of the Reich, and Moscow preparing for a new confrontation after the defeat of Nazi Germany. This book features both Werner Nehmann and Willi Schultz, two years after the events of Last Flight to Stalingrad. After that, I’m drawing a bead on the catastrophic Dieppe Raid, when thousands of unblooded Canadian infantry paid for political chaos and tactical blunders with their lives. Title? As yet unknown. Research? Nearly complete. Page one? About to happen…
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I would love to read this book. Thank you for the chance!
I am always interested in reading novels about WWII. Can’t wait to read this one.
This sounds great. My family came from small villages outside Kyiv, so it is very interesting for me. Many of them were executed by the Nazis.
Sounds fascinating.
Sounds very interesting! Would love to read this.
Betrayal is eternal.
Hence at the core of all history’s perpetual pattern of repetitive tale told repeatedly.
Congrats on finishing your new work!
Impressive historical which interests me greatly. World War 11 books are larger than life and profound.
Extraordinary author, captivating story and fascinating interview.
Historical books are my new obsession
I must read this book!
Historical books are my new found passion
Thank you for the opportunity.
My dad enlisted in the Navy, during WWII. He told me so many interesting stories about his time served…
Many thanks, Cindi
My 11 year old nephew loves anything on WWI and WWII, so I would def keep and share with him!
This looks like a great summer read.
I love thrilling books to read about WWII…look forward to reading it soon!!
I like reading about WWII . One of my uncles spent two years in a German prisoner of war camp. I always liked hearing him talk about it but he really didn’t say much to us little kids in the family. I learned later in life what it was like for him to be there as a young 19 year old soldier.
Fabulous looking book!! ❤️❤️
Sounds like a great read, and one that I can share with my dad, too!
Historical fiction brings history alive in ways that non fiction cannot.
Sounds really good!
I cannot wait to pass this title on to my teenage son. He started writing a book a year ago as an assignment and has continued even though the assignment is over and it is centered around WWII. His book is also historical fiction. At the young age of 15, he has gone to great lengths in his research to make sure the factual information he uses is accurate. I believe this will be truly inspiring for him.
Sounds like an intriguing read and cool to hear how you got started writing too!
I love historical fiction! Especially WWII
Love. A. Good. WW2. Story
Looking forward to reading this book.
My father fought in WW11 and I love reading about it.
Thank you!
Another book I need! Yes!
Book sounds wonderful.
a nice interview
Very interested in reading this book.
This book sounds AWESOME! WWII fiction is one of my absolute favorites to read!
This book would be helpful as background for my own suspense novel set in WWII.
I would love to read this book
Sounds like a great read!
I love both suspense and history. Sounds intriguing.
Fingers crossed for this one!
This hits home for me. My grandpa was in WW2. He never talked about it much, what I know I had to find out for myself, but he was a hero and this book really brings it all home for me. Like a missing piece of the puzzle.
Both my Mother and Father served during WWII. My Dad in the US Navy aboard submarines and my Mom in the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force. Without the war my parents never would of met and I wouldn’t be around to read this book.
Author Graham Hurley is a new author to me, but when he says he loves Ken Deighton’s fabulous book. WINTER, I knew I needed to read Hurley’s new book. If I enjoy it as much as I expect to, I will go back and read his previous WWII novels. So glad I saw this interview.
I need a new challenging book to keep me intrigued long enough for my kids to battle through bathtime.
Historical fiction is my favorite genre read. So many friends and neighbors were affected by WWII, and it’s books like this that give me an insight into their lives.
Would love to read this! Thanks for the chance!
A thriller pitting propaganda against truth couldn’t be more timely and makes me anxious just thinking about it. Imagine what immersing myself in the book might do!
I would love to read this. WWII is my favorite timeframe to read about.
Fingers crossed! Sounds like a great read!
Would love to read!
This sounds like a really interesting book, I would love to read it.
I would love to win and read!! Thank you for the chance!!
I have a couple of guys who would love to read this book. Thank you for the opportunity.
Good luck to all
This sounds great!
Sounds like a must read!
Stalingrad is the most fascinating battle of W.W.II
The acknowledged past should help us move forward into the future.
Looking forward to it.
very interesting Q & A – makes me want to read the book and learn more
On my TBR list
Would enjoy this book!
I’m a historical fiction fan. Everyone from W.E.B Griffith’s WW11 books,to Kate Quinn’s The Rose Code’s WW11 Bletchely Park and let’s not forget Murphy the Hero Donkey from WW1. So The Last Flight to Stalingrad would fit right in.. Kyiv is ending which makes me sad but I’ll look forward to new book.
How can people say this never happened its part of history needs to be read by all
I love reading books set in this period, and look forward to loving this one as well.
I think a novel about truth and lies in the news would be particularly fascinating to read right now.
Nice to see a different perspective on the era. Look forward to reading this.
Always looking for new reads with great character development and interesting plots
Would love to read this. Thank you
Thanks for the chance to read the book
This sounds really interesting. I need to read the earlier books in the series.
always interested in trying something different.
I would Love to this book, it sounds like a very interesting book.
I am ready to read this book.
Can’t wait to read this book !
Sounds like something that I would be interested in reading. As a History major, I has always enjoyed books that deal with history.
I have read a couple of series (David Downing and Phillip Kerr) in which the protagonist is a journalist or police detective in Berlin during WWII. I found the Kerr series particularly interesting since his hero is a German cop.
love a chance to add this to my bookshelf. TY
Would like to take it for a ride. Thx
I am really looking forward to reading this book!
I am always looking for new-to-me authors. This sounds like an interesting read.
This sounds exciting, thank you for the chance.
Thanks for the opportunity!
My father served in WWII and narrowly missed death when a glider he was scheduled to fly in crashed. All perished but luckily my dad was summoned for another duty instead, so I have always been fascinated with WWII novels.
This series sounds like a must read for me. Thank you for recommending it. Some of my father’s friends were in the RCAF. Their war experience forever impacted their life.
Been looking for someone to replace Phillip Kerr. I going to try this author
I am very interested in reading this book!
Sounds like a page-turner!
Definitely want to ready this and love that the author is also huge fan of Len Deighton and liked Winter. I just read it.
I enjoy historical fiction, and this sounds like a fascinating work.
One of my favorite things to read about are WW11 stories,this one looks like a must read for me
Look forward to reading this book – sounds like my kind of historical fiction.
This sounds so interesting to read.
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This is definitely a must read for me!
Sounds awesome
I’ve been interested in WW2 for a long time. Looks like a book I’d enjoy.
Sounds like a well researched book. It will be interesting to compare the propaganda methods of the past to modern day methods!
Sounds so good!
Posting. Sounds like a great book!
I would like to read this book.
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Looks like an exceptional plot, and a good read for the late summer or fall.
Sounds like a good book. I enjoy reading about WW2, makes me appreciate my life even more. My grandpa was a medic paratrooper and would never talk about his experiences.
Sounds like a series I need to investigate.
I hope I win because I don’t win that often
Sounds great–I’d love to read it!
I look forward to reading this whole series! Thanks
Love to read historical novels or historical fiction. Have never read anything by Graham Hurley but he certainly sounds interesting. My grandparents came from Germany and experienced some of the harsh realities of the Nazis. Would love to read this book.
Sounds highly interesting…
bet my dad would like
Looks like an intriguing read!
I love to read historical novels or historical fiction. I have never read anything by Graham Hurley, but he certainly sounds interesting. My Grandparents came from Germany and experienced the Nazis. I would love to read this book.
Wow! Unique insight! I would love to win this for my husband.
Wow! Unique insight! I’d love to win this for my husband!
Would love to win this book. Love historical writings.
thanks for the chance – sounds like a good book
One of my favorite periods in history to read about. Sounds good.
This book sounds intriguing. WWII is my favorite historical fiction timeframe.
It sounds very interesting to read. All I know is it was way before my time, in the late 60’s I was born, lol. Thanks
These are the true stories that need to be told. Thank you for your labor of love.
Sounds like a great read. Looking forward to reading it.
Such a fantastic author.. I cannot wait to read this, but I’d also love to win a copy!
i love everything about WWll- would really love to read this.
I enjoy reading WWII historical fiction and I look forward to reading this series.
Long ago some of my history courses were WWII Europe, and have read quite a bit more in the years since – but not much fiction. This series may well change that. Sounds really interesting.
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Sounds like a great read
Can’t wait to read!
Looking forward to reading it!
Great!
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Thanks —
I’ve learned about so many good authors on this web site. Thanks for keeping me up to date.
My husband and I are huge historical fans, I would love to read this story! Thank you for the opportunity at the chance!
This looks good
i want to read this book!
Sounds like an incredible book.
THANKS FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN!!
I’m not very familiar with the Dieppe Raid. I look forward to that book down the road.
Would love to read it
I would love to read this book. Thank you for the chance!
Looks like a great book!
I’m very interested in reading of WWII. My late father was a Navy veteran, but I like reading of the different fronts.
I’m a big WWII/Eastern European history reader and this book has been on my to-read list on Goodreads. I’d love to add this book to my collection of WWII books that I already enjoy reading.
Love WWII reads!
Sounds intriguing!
I’m looking forward to reading Last Flight to Stalingrad. My uncle worked with both the Undergrounds of Norway (“Vikings”) and Belgium (“extraordinarily efficient saboteurs, but always late to our rendezvouses.” So, I love a good WWII spy thriller!
my dad would love to read this he was in the war
I’ve read some historical books on WWII. It’s not my favorite historical period, but I try to keep informed about all times.
So very interesting. Would love to read more.
Sounds like an exciting read. I love reading about the Great Patriotic War in both English and Russian.
looks like a good book.
My husband would love to read this.
My husband would love this.
Looking forward to the read
I too really enjoy historical fiction. This looks interesting!
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