Revenge of Odessa: A Thriller Review

Revenge of ODESSA by Fredrick Forsyth is a powerful, timely sequel to a classic thriller, that sets itself into the current political climate.

Synopsis: Revenge of Odessa

Sixty years after exposing ODESSA, the secret network of former Nazis determined to rebuild their power, Peter Miller is a legend of investigative journalism.

Now retired, he has devoted his life to protecting his grandson Georg after the tragic death of his son and daughter-in-law, an accident Peter has always suspected was anything but accidental.

Despite Peter’s efforts to shield him, Georg follows in his grandfather’s footsteps, building a formidable reputation for fearless journalism in the digital age. But while Georg’s career rises, in the background a far darker force from Peter’s past has been growing in the background.

Now in 2025, ODESSA has evolved into something far more sophisticated and dangerous: Medusa. Operating in the shadows, it has embedded itself deep within political and social movements across Germany and beyond.

The rise of far-right populism, the surge of nationalist parties, escalating violence against immigrant communities are not coincidences. They are carefully orchestrated steps in a long-term strategy designed to destabilise democracy and ignite chaos.

While tensions mount across Europe and extremist influence reaches even into the corridors of American power, Peter and Georg find themselves drawn into a battle that spans generations.

The children of ODESSA are no longer hiding they are playing for the highest stakes of all.

Timely, provocative, and steeped in geopolitical intrigue, Revenge of Odessa revisits Forsyth’s most infamous conspiracy and reimagines it for a volatile modern world.

Review: Revenge of Odessa

A powerful, timely sequel to a political thriller classic

Revenge of ODESSA Book 2 of The ODESSA series, is the long-awaited sequel to The ODESSA File, first published in 1972 and widely regarded as one Fredrick Forsyth’s best novels.

Set in 2025, this new instalment shifts its focus to Georg Miller, the grandson of journalist Peter Miller, whose investigation decades earlier exposed the clandestine Nazi organisation ODESSA.

Raised by his grandfather after the tragic loss of his parents, Georg inherits more than just a name, he carries forward a legacy of moral courage and investigative instinct.

Now a podcaster operating in a digital age of misinformation and political volatility, Georg begins to uncover signs that ODESSA’s ideology may not be as buried as history would prefer. What follows is a conspiracy thriller that feels unnervingly plausible.

A Risky Sequel – But a Worthy One

Returning to a revered classic more than fifty years later is no small undertaking. The ODESSA File remains a benchmark in the genre, and literary history has shown that sequels written decades later rarely match the impact of their predecessors.

Compounding that uncertainty was the fact that Frederick Forsyth was 87 when the project was announced. Expectations were cautious.

Yet against those odds, Revenge of ODESSA succeeds. Not only does it honour the spirit of the original novel, but it also stands confidently among Forsyth’s stronger works, bridging eras without feeling nostalgic or forced.

Themes: The Persistence of Ideology

Beneath its tightly constructed thriller plot lies a sobering central theme: extremist ideologies do not simply disappear, they evolve.

The novel argues that organisations like ODESSA may fragment or go underground, but the beliefs that fuel them can resurface in new forms, often aided by modern technology and political instability.

This thematic focus gives the novel sharp contemporary relevance. Rather than relying on historical villainy alone, it examines how old hatreds adapt to new platforms.

In today’s geopolitical climate, that premise feels less speculative and more like tomorrow’s headline.

Plausibility and Political Realism

Forsyth has always excelled at blending fiction with meticulously researched realism. That skill remains evident here. The political tensions, technological elements, intelligence procedures, and global manoeuvrings feel convincingly grounded.

At times, Revenge of ODESSA reads less like escapist fiction and more like a scenario analysis of plausible future events. The collaboration with Tony Kent, may contribute to the novel’s sharper modern pacing.

Research vs. Narrative Momentum

Earlier Forsyth novels occasionally leaned heavily into technical detail, sometimes slowing the pace in favour of precision. In this sequel, the balance feels more controlled.

The research underpins the narrative without overwhelming it. Exposition feels purposeful rather than indulgent, and the suspense remains the driving force. The result is a thriller that feels informed rather than instructional.

Character Development: A More Human Protagonist

Character depth has not historically been Forsyth’s primary strength; many of his protagonists were defined by competence and moral clarity rather than emotional nuance.

Georg Miller, however, feels more layered. His generational connection to Peter Miller adds emotional weight, but he also functions independently as a modern investigative figure navigating digital media, legacy burdens, and moral responsibility.

Whether this greater character richness stems from Tony Kent’s influence or from the narrative advantage of inherited legacy is open to interpretation. Either way, Georg stands as one of the more developed protagonists in Forsyth’s body of work.

Action and Tone

The action sequences retain Forsyth’s signature precision: efficient, realistic, and controlled rather than cinematic or theatrical. They sometimes read more like intelligence briefings than blockbuster set pieces, but that restraint adds credibility.

Compared to the 1972 original, however, the violence feels sharper and more immediate, reflecting the harsher and more fragmented global landscape of the 2020s.

Can It Be Read as a Standalone?

While familiarity with The ODESSA File enriches the reading experience, particularly in appreciating the generational echoes and subtle references, it is not essential though.

New readers can follow the narrative without difficulty, as sufficient context is provided. That said, those who revisit the original beforehand may find deeper resonance in the thematic continuity.

Final Thoughts

Revenge of Odessa functions both as a respectful continuation and as a compelling modern political thriller in its own right. It captures the disciplined, research-driven style that defined Frederick Forsyth’s career while adapting it for a contemporary audience.

Perhaps the most poignant aspect of the novel is its timing. Published shortly after Forsyth’s death, it reads in many ways like a final statement from one of the genre’s masters — a reminder that vigilance, truth, and moral courage remain necessary across generations.

For long-time fans, it is a worthy sequel. For newcomers, it offers an intelligent, timely thriller that stands confidently on its own.

Rating: Highly Recommended

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Above all Keep Safe and treat people fairly.

Mark.