I read Albatross back in the 1980s when it was first published. At the time I had no idea it was the third book in this sequence. Mercifully I have onI read Albatross back in the 1980s when it was first published. At the time I had no idea it was the third book in this sequence. Mercifully I have only vague memories of the characters or story, so I’m starting fresh.
The Defector is a terrific cold war thriller. This is Anthony at her most polished.the story worked then, and it works now. Most of the characters are interesting, the setting is believable, and the pace is largely breathless in the second half.
I had the opportunity to read the eARC of this novel courtesy of the publisher through Netgalley.
Dreaming Spies is a terrific example of King's craft I had the opportunity to read the eARC of this novel courtesy of the publisher through Netgalley.
Dreaming Spies is a terrific example of King's craft as a novelist. The strengths of this novel are its pacing, setting, and complexity. The conceit of the concept is delightful. The book is divided into three sections. The first two sections take place chronologically between her novels, The Game and Locked Rooms. The third section takes place more than a year later after the events of Garment of Shadows. While this provides interesting layers for the readers of the series, it stands as no barrier to the first time reader.
Tied into the threads of this novel, the reader will encounter suicide, assassination, insights into Japanese society of the 1920s, forgery, an ocean voyage, and blackmail.
This is a carefully constructed espionage tale set primarily in Paris in 1938 and 1939 before the outbreak of World War II. The novel is episodic, divThis is a carefully constructed espionage tale set primarily in Paris in 1938 and 1939 before the outbreak of World War II. The novel is episodic, divided into four roughly equal parts. Like all of Furst's books in this loosely connected series, the story is very atmospheric. At the same time, there are many likeable and memorable characters populating the scene. This is one of Furst's best novels....more
Liz Carlyle is now in Northern Ireland, working against splinter groups who threaten the fragile peace. The procedural nature of the novel is well pacLiz Carlyle is now in Northern Ireland, working against splinter groups who threaten the fragile peace. The procedural nature of the novel is well paced, revealing each detail in a timely fashion. There is never any frustration level between what the reader knows and what the protagonists learn. The solid plot is fleshed out with believable characters. The lone exception is the central villan--a cypher who turns out to be more of a plot device than an individual. For my money, this is the strongest entry in the series to date....more
Written at the apex of the cold war, this stands alone as the greatest spy novel I have ever read. The threat of subversion to national security, the Written at the apex of the cold war, this stands alone as the greatest spy novel I have ever read. The threat of subversion to national security, the theme of betrayal, the complexities of motivation and purpose, the brutal nature of the spy game, and its impact on personal lives creates an atmosphere unique in the genre. Others have written very good mole hunt stories, but here the author takes his most enduring character, George Smiley, and places him on the ultimate stage. It doesn't matter if you read the clues and get ahead of Smiley. He plays the game out to its conclusion, despite your conviction that he has known from the start who the traitor in the Circus is.
There are no flashy action scenes, gratuitous sex or violence in Tinker Tailor, but the story is well paced and contains no red herrings. Each event reveals important information or insights into characters....more
I read this novel in the summer of 1976 when the paperback was published. At the time I was engaged by the historical framework of the story. It was mI read this novel in the summer of 1976 when the paperback was published. At the time I was engaged by the historical framework of the story. It was my first exposure to Harry Patterson / Jack Higgins / et. al. It remains my favorite book by Patterson (and I have read most of them).
Much of Patterson is derivative and he reuses locales frequently. With this novel he created an expansive timeline of almost 30 novels that spreads from Liam Devlin to Sean Dillon. However, in my opinion the Eagle Has Landed stands out as his best work....more
Terrific historical espionage novel set in Nazi Germany at the time of the 1936 Olympics. The historical stage is fascinating, and the protagonist intTerrific historical espionage novel set in Nazi Germany at the time of the 1936 Olympics. The historical stage is fascinating, and the protagonist interesting. This was my first Deaver novel....more
The Day of the Jackal and The Odessa File are two of the best thrillers I have ever read. Forsyth has never equaled his two first novels.
The Odessa FiThe Day of the Jackal and The Odessa File are two of the best thrillers I have ever read. Forsyth has never equaled his two first novels.
The Odessa File is a brilliant combination of investigation, espionage, political chicanery, and evil Nazis set in the 1960s. As the layers surrounding the Solomon Tauber diary, the Odessa organization, the Israeli agents and our crusading protagonist unfold I was kept guessing until the very end....more
I frequently hear this novel credited with creating the techno-thriller. That’s rubbish, but it did popularize the genre, cause a rash of imitators, aI frequently hear this novel credited with creating the techno-thriller. That’s rubbish, but it did popularize the genre, cause a rash of imitators, and lead to the naming of this blend of thriller and science fiction.
That being said, this is a great book, and even more impressive for being a first novel....more
This is by far Ludlum’s best work. The pace is breathless. The struggle with amnesia and the fragile trust that develops between our two protagonists This is by far Ludlum’s best work. The pace is breathless. The struggle with amnesia and the fragile trust that develops between our two protagonists elevates this beyond the normal level for a spy thriller....more
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