A review by freemti
Leaving Berlin by Joseph Kanon

4.0

Similar to a significant degree to Alan Furst's excellent (although a little formulaic) series of books, maybe with a bit more Le Carre/Ludlum thrown in. I gave it one more star mainly for the historically accurate references and characters that are dotted around the book, many of which led me off on wikipedia searches to read up on the subject. It has most/all of the classic ingredients of a good Cold War spy novel/action drama, everyman hero thrust into dangerous intrigue, love interest hiding something, spy masters with secret agendas, soviet cold hearted villains, all wrapped up in a dark foreboding atmosphere. I have another one of his on my nightstand (The Good German) so I will read that too, but I'm not sure I'll charge through all of his efforts like I have with Furst.