I enjoy these novels by a former head of MI5, Britain's Secret Service, and this one was especially well-written. Stella Rimington knows whereof she writes. ( )

The plot hinged on two lucky breaks - targets originally pursued for purpose of destabilisation turned out to be close to intelligence. It could have been terrifically incredulous but Rimmington laid the background well, and you understand why the Russians and the Brits are both interested in Kapoor, for very different reasons. The other lucky break was less believable. Even less credulous was Kapoor's naivety. It was heartbreak watching this likable character fall into Hansen's trap. ( )

This was an enjoyable read if you can accept that Jasminder, a university lecturer, civil liberties lawyer, immigration adviser, and speaker on government surveillance would be a good choice for or even consider applying for the role of press liaison for MI6. Then you have to believe in her rapid transformation into a morally dubious and compromised girlfriend, who made one stupid decision after another.

On the plus side, I found the plot coherent and the other characters fortunately competent and honourable (apart from their rather unlikely overwhelming sympathy for "poor" Jasminder).

On to instalment #10. ( )

As always the inner workings of the security services have an authentic feel to them and help to compensate for some of the holes in the plot. The plot in general is very current being about Russian attempts to destabilise the west and attacks on ex-pat dissidents living there, but the two core characters at the heart of the plot seem unlikely to have fallen for the stories they were peddled. ( )

A great spy story, with a sad ending. ( )