Books about spies and spying always fascinate to me. But there are very few authors who get behind the glamour and illusions into the soul of spying.  John Le Caré is of course at the top of the list and then there is Helen Dunmore’s Exposure that revealed the complicated choices a spouse of a spy might face. Olen Steinhauer’s All the Old Knives was gripping even though the characters were just having lunch together and Mike Herron who writes about the spies who are no longer useful in his Slough House series. And now we can add Charles Cumming to this list.

Sam Gaddis, a recently divorced British academic, is in debt and needs tuition money for his daughter’s private school. His only new source for funds is to write a bestseller. Unfortunately his last book on Russia, although well received by academia, did not sell any where close to the volume needed to meet his current financial needs.  In this moment of crises, Sam gets a call from an investigative journalist who he has helped in the past, asking if he would like to collaborate with her on a new book about a possible sixth member of the notorious Trinity spy ring, who included Kim Philby and Anthony Blunt. Elated at the possibilities, both academically and financially, Sam jumps at the chance. Unfortunately, within hours of their meeting, and before they have been able to share much information, the journalist is found dead of an apparent heart attack.

Determined to continue the investigation Sam follows the only lead he has -Edward Crane who at age 76 died in London 1992. But who was he and is he really dead, or was his death just a hoax? Following the leads where they take him, Sam travels to London, across Europe and into Russia. But Sam is not alone and “they” are watching his every step, trying to prevent him from knowing a truth so shocking it could upset the balance of power.

Cumming’s is creative, but grounded in reality. His characters are real- the spies are not super heroes or extraordinary, but that is the very thing that makes this book so fascinating. Ordinary people doing some very interesting and dangerous things. The juxtaposition of Sam, a dogged academic, with the work of the spies creates an interesting contrast and allows the plot to move forward. This was a thoroughly interesting and satisfying read!

Brenda Rating: **** (4 out of 5 Stars)

Recommend this book to: Marian, Keith, and Sharon

Book Study Worthy? Yes!

Read in ebook format.