Review: Great Spy Novel
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 17, 2013
I received this book from Library Thing to read and review. Set in the tradition of the great spy novel writers, the author has produced an equally well written novel of suspense and intrigue following the life of a young CIA operative as he weaves his way in and around Beirut during the Lebanese Civil War, trying to recruit an operative (necessary for his career progression). However, unlike many other spy novels, this one portrays an average young man, spending his non-work time like any other red-blooded young man might. A rash of car-bombings sets him off in search of answers.  While trying to recruit an attractive Lebanese doctoral student and her idealistic brother, the main character and CIA operative, Conrad Prosser, sets off a series of retaliations that threatens both him and his way of life. He exploits his contacts and his new girlfriend and her brother to find answers, while denying attempts on his own life. He finds out that these may result in unforeseen, unfortunate consequences for his own and other's lives and his spy tradecraft. The author has described the settings, political and international intrigue as well as characters quite well, giving the reader a good sense of the time and situation. It is very obvious the author is in touch with the setting, the times and the life of an operative, for this book provides a good lexicon on how the craft works and how events play out in that time of upheaval/civil war. This book belongs in the ranks of those by other greats (Green and LeCarre). It is the first of a trilogy, and I look forward to the next and subsequent volume of the series.