Review: A Fast-Paced and Riveting Ride
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 27, 2013
For a novel to grab my attention in the first three pages, it is usually one of three things; set in London (check), contains the making of a good thriller (check), and is undeniably well-written (triple check). Tales of MI7 starts off with an interesting preface about the changing of the guard, so to speak, and this ultra-modern secret sounds exactly like the type of thing we might be experiencing today, yet are completely unaware of. Shadowy government agencies loom like developing players right from the start, and Ward clearly has done his homework in terms of international espionage and the traditions of the secret dealings of governments.However, after the exciting build-up of what I presumed would be a respectful homage to Ian Fleming and add to the proud canon of British espionage literature, I was disappointed with the plot. There was promise of something more than those specific murders, and I feel that by the time the plot had expanded wide enough to feel like an international thriller, it was slightly too late in the reading. It felt as though he recognized the need for a broader scope and did it quite late in the story. Obviously, writers use their own unique style, and Ward may be completely aware of the choices he made; in my humble opinion, he had the framework and the pieces in place for a "bigger" novel, but it never felt that way as I read it.However, he still deserves considerable praise for this novel, because I still enjoyed it immensely, despite being somewhat disappointed in the grandness of the plot. The writing is done so well, and Ward's use of language and dialect is so sharp and convincing, without being heavy-handed. His characters were meticulously crafted, and they seemed natural and responded to situations realistically, one of the greatest challenges in writing intense dialogue and interactions. I see that Ward has also written some other installments in this MI7 series, and they definitely warrant a read. Well done on so many points, but think bigger next time!