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mose_poe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
usbsticky's review against another edition
3.0
Not really sure what to rate this book. It was easy to read and follow but unremarkable in every which way. There wasn't much passion in the writing, everything was just so but not much more. I picked this book because I liked some of the author's previous books. In fact, I had to look up the name of the book to write the review on it and look at the pages to remember the names of the characters and I just finished it.
Spoilers below: Sam Gaddis is a Russian studies lecturer at University College of London. He's in need of money and needs to write a book to pay his bills. A journalist friend's death and a seemingly accidental meeting with a dead writer's daughter prompts to him to write a book about the current Russian president Platov.
His investigation leads to him a retired spy who was given a new identity. Everyone involved with that operation starts to die. Gaddis realizes that his own life is in danger unless he finds the truth and exposes it because he will never be safe now that he is known to be investigating it.
The spycraft and the investigation was pretty decent and interesting but all the relationships in the book and the character development seem half-hearted. All of them had a good start but seem to fade away - just didn't hit the spot. Likewise I was only casually engaged in the book. I think in the end I liked the plot but the writing didn't match it.
The only thing I actively disliked was the first chapter. It described an event that happened years ago and the timeline didn't continue into the 2nd chapter so it was a bit of useless reading at the front. After I got into the book, I understood what was going on in the first chapter and had to go back to read it because only then did I understand who those people were. It's like cutting out part of a story in the middle and then sticking it into chapter 1.
Spoilers below: Sam Gaddis is a Russian studies lecturer at University College of London. He's in need of money and needs to write a book to pay his bills. A journalist friend's death and a seemingly accidental meeting with a dead writer's daughter prompts to him to write a book about the current Russian president Platov.
His investigation leads to him a retired spy who was given a new identity. Everyone involved with that operation starts to die. Gaddis realizes that his own life is in danger unless he finds the truth and exposes it because he will never be safe now that he is known to be investigating it.
The spycraft and the investigation was pretty decent and interesting but all the relationships in the book and the character development seem half-hearted. All of them had a good start but seem to fade away - just didn't hit the spot. Likewise I was only casually engaged in the book. I think in the end I liked the plot but the writing didn't match it.
The only thing I actively disliked was the first chapter. It described an event that happened years ago and the timeline didn't continue into the 2nd chapter so it was a bit of useless reading at the front. After I got into the book, I understood what was going on in the first chapter and had to go back to read it because only then did I understand who those people were. It's like cutting out part of a story in the middle and then sticking it into chapter 1.
andrew61's review against another edition
I'd previously read one of this writers books and found it an enjoyable thriller but a little gung ho in one of it's elements. I do however like a good spy story and enjoy the twits and turns of the chase and machinations of governments. Here an innocent history lecturer, sam gaddis , down on his luck happens upon the story of a possible sixth spy in addition to the Philby, Burgess, Maclean, Blunt, Cairncross . Sniffing the possibility of a book he is quickly embroiled in a hunt for the identity of the spy as individuals involved are rapidly assassinated by Russian agents acting on behalf of the head of the Russian government, a character very reminiscent of Putin.
The book rattles along, although Gaddis's ability to charm a British female secret agent had me harrumphing half way through as I saw one plot twist and escape route flagged up too obviously. Generally though a good read which is enjoyable escapism.
The book rattles along, although Gaddis's ability to charm a British female secret agent had me harrumphing half way through as I saw one plot twist and escape route flagged up too obviously. Generally though a good read which is enjoyable escapism.
mazza57's review against another edition
3.0
This book I came to by accident when looking for an audio read from the library. It was a remarkably well written book with enough intrigue to keep reader interest. The characters were not particularly likeable but I don't think that was detrimental. It was very well narrated
dannb's review against another edition
3.0
This one had "glimmers of being 4 stars"; however, the author lost me for a while here and there because of these personality tangents the main character took...a better editor might have helped this one live up to the "blurb on the back".
The one thing that I found especially intriguing was how the author seemed to "give away" the answer a few times...however, he still had a stinger.
The one thing that I found especially intriguing was how the author seemed to "give away" the answer a few times...however, he still had a stinger.
rachelini's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting story about an academic who finds himself researching a
Cold War secret that various government agencies would prefer stay a secret. Great plot, odd writing. I felt like we were given too much information too directly, getting POV from MI6 heads and Russian assassins, as well as the main guy. Wouldn't read anything else by the same author, I don't think.
Cold War secret that various government agencies would prefer stay a secret. Great plot, odd writing. I felt like we were given too much information too directly, getting POV from MI6 heads and Russian assassins, as well as the main guy. Wouldn't read anything else by the same author, I don't think.
cricket771's review against another edition
4.0
I got this one originally for Matt since it was kind of a Jason Bourne spy thriller but I really enjoyed it. My only criticism is that they tied up the end very quickly.
ericgaryanderson's review against another edition
3.0
Good winter break reading -- nothing spectacular, just a good, solid espionage story. The author seems to think that his big surprises are more surprising than they are . . . but this is still worth a read if you like spy novels.