It seems an unlikely combination. Nazis and World War 2 could be interesting but it could be very similar to something you already read. Throw in a bit about economics and the Treasury department and it certainly seems unique but probably less interesting. But you would be wrong.

The book is “The Wealth of Shadows: A Novel” by Graham Moore. I thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House for letting me read this before publication. The book is definitely historical fiction but also a very good mystery.

I had requested the advanced reading copy (ARC) based on the Netgalley description and did not realized until I was preparing this review that I had read and reviewed a previous book by Graham Moore.

Before the the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States was officially neutral, bound by a series of Neutrality Acts. This novel begins in this era with the formation of a secret unit is the Treasury department. The purpose of the unit is to cripple the German economy and perhaps destroy the Nazi government in that country while not appearing to violate the U.S. Neutrality Acts.

The novel continues through World War 2 and attempts to remake the world economy so that another World War would not happen.

I liked the author’s note which clearly explained that this was a work of historical fiction with much history and much fiction. He clearly explained which parts were true, uncertain, or modified by him and why he did why he did with them. I was amazed how much was true.

I highly recommend The Wealth of Shadows . The publication is scheduled on May 21, 2024.