This is my third Charles Cumming book, and I thought it was the best, so far. I like the fact that his books don't rely on a lot of violence, but involve more thinking. The main character doesn't even feel comfortable using a gun.

The story definitely kept me interested, and I went through it very quickly. ( )

Charles Cumming has been heralded by many critics as the likely successor to John le Carre as master of the espionage novel. I can see why, because his stories are well crafted, and show great insight into the workings of the intelligence services, but I don’t think he can match le Carre’s wonderful prose. Still, who can?

This is certainly a strong novel, and one that I feel took Cumming onto a different plane. His previous books had been good, but he changed gear here, with far greater development of his characters.
The principal protagonist is Thomas Kell, who has recently ‘retired’ from his post as an officer in MI6, and is currently awaiting a subpoena to appear as a witness in a prosecution arising from alleged incidents of ‘extraordinary rendition’.

Out of the blue he receives a call from a former colleague asking for help tracing the woman who has been chosen by the powers that be as the next head of MI6, as she appears to have disappeared while on a holiday visit to the south of France. Having nothing better to do, Kell agrees to help, flying down to Nice to try to pick up her trail. Cumming gives a fascinating insight into low level spycraft, much of which will certainly lead me to change my own habits when staying in a hotel!

The novel has numerous twists and turns, but never loses its basic plausibility. It did, however, keep taking me by surprise, and I found it an immensely enjoyable read. There is a more serious element to the novel though, with Kell’s departure from the Service allowing for detailed consideration of the various sides of the argument around extraordinary rendition. ( )

suspense, thriller, mystery, detective, adventure, spy, espionage, MI6, British fiction

Seis semanas antes de asumir la dirección del MI6 y convertirse en la primera mujer que encabeza uno de los servicios de espionaje más prestigiosos del mundo, Amelia Levene desaparece sin dejar rastro, provocando así la crisis más grave que la institución ha vivido en una década. Los altos mandos se encuentran en un trance: no sólo tienen que encontrar a Levene, sino que la tarea tiene que realizarse en el más absoluto secreto si quieren evitar un duro golpe a la imagen y credibilidad del MI6. Así pues, la mejor opción que les queda es acudir a Thomas Kell, un agente al que despidieron del cuerpo ocho meses atrás por presuntas torturas a un detenido durante una antigua misión en Kabul. Incapaz de adaptarse a la vida civil y en medio de una tormentosa ruptura matrimonial, Kell está a punto de tocar fondo, pero a sus cuarenta y dos años no puede rechazar esta oportunidad, tal vez la última de su vida, para redimirse ante sus colegas y volver a ejercer el único trabajo que sabe hacer. Una primera pista lo conducirá a Niza, Marsella y finalmente Túnez, donde, en la nueva situación creada tras la Primavera Árabe, estaría gestándose una trama que podría dañar seriamente los vínculos de Gran Bretaña con sus aliados. ( )

perhaps a 3.5 speeds up at the end. ( )