Agent of the devil
By: translated from the German by Ewald Osers.
Publisher: New English Library
Published: 1968
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 400
First sentence: Prelude:
The hands of the big gilt clock above the door leading from the terrace into the dining-room formed a right-angle: the time was almost three o'clock and most of the guests had gone. Only the man and the boy were still sitting over their coffee, deep in conversation.
Description: George Droste is a secret agent. Playing a double game —employed by both the Soviet and American intelligence agencies. It is a life lived on the knife-edge of death. For to cheat both sides is one of the most dangerous games a man can play.
But this is what George Droste does. First for money and from greed; and then from the love of adventure and finally from a conviction that all intelligence agencies are motivated by self-interest and believe in the necessity of war.
This is a great novel from Hans Habe. It is not only a powerful and enthralling story of a spy's life in Europe, America and the Far East. It is also an indictment of secret services everywhere.
'Should not be missed ... my favourite spy novel. Anthony Boucher, NEW YORK TIMES
Notes: Original German title:  Im Namen des Teufels.