A Real Spy's Tale

I have been reading and reviewing a few spy novels lately, if you hadn't noticed.  In Jacqueline Winspear's book, A Lesson in Secrets, (click here for review) the little known efforts of women during wartime is utilized.  Then I came across the story of Eileen Nearne, a spy for the Britain during World War II.  I had to share this story of her bravery with all of you.

She died at 89 years old, poor and alone in September of 2010 in England.  When her small apartment was being emptied, her wartime medals (Croix de Guerre by the French government, and appointment as a Member of the Order of the British Empire) were discovered and her secret was out.  She had no family or friends to pay for her funeral and was about to be cremated, until the news was spread that she was a war hero.  The public flooded local officials to help pay for her funeral and to attend her services.  The Royal British Legion placed a flag on her casket.  There was even a French official in attendance at her funeral to honor this incredible brave woman.  Her eulogy was given by Adrian Stones, Chaiman of the Special Forces Club (click here for eulogy text.)

It turns out she was only 23 when she was sent into occupied France since she spoke fluent French. She was "one of 39 British women who were parachuted into France as secret agents by the Special Operations Executive, a wartime agency known informally as “Churchill’s secret army.”  She was caught by the Nazis using her radio to send information.  She endured torture but managed to maintain her cover story, but was still sent to a concentration camp.  She managed to escape and resumed spying.  In all, she was captured a few times by the Nazis, and either convinced them she knew nothing, or escaped.  The New York Times reported (click here for article) that after the war, she suffered emotionally from the toll of her experiences.

 I just felt her story is worth passing along.  Spy novels are exciting, but this lady is an unsung hero who deserves to get some praise - even after her death.  I found these two short British news stories about her.

As for the Agatha Awards we have been following, the winners have been announced.  Turns out I had only reviewed one of the winners.  Congratulations to all the winners!!

Best Novel
• Three Day Town by Margaret Maron

Best First Novel
• Learning to Swim by Sara J. Henry
 

Best Non-Fiction
• Books, Crooks and Counselors by Leslie Budewitz

Best Children's/Young Adult
• The Black Heart Crypt by Chris Grabenstein

Best Historical Novel
• Naughty in Nice by Rhys Bowen  (Review Here)

Review - The Last Spymaster

I am returning to my current yen for spy novels with this book.  The author, Gayle Lynds, is a member of the U.S. Association for Intelligence Officers, and is a bestseller in a male dominated genre.  She wrote three of the books in the Covert-One series with Robert Ludlum.  She also co-founded the International Thriller Writers, Inc.  This particular novel was awarded the 2006 Novel of the Year prize from the Military Writers Society of America.

Author:  Gayle Lynds

Copyright:  2007 (St. Martin's Press) 304 pgs

Series:  Stand alone novel

Sensuality:  mild

Mystery Sub-genre:  Thriller, intrigue

Main Character:  CIA Agent Elaine Cunningham

Setting:  Modern Day,Washington DC

Obtained Through:  Library

The story opens with a young skier in Switzerland being shot, then two days later the spymaster, Jay Tice, breaks out of a U.S. prison where he was held for treason.  How are the two incidents related is quite the story.

From the book:

"Charles Jay Tice was a spy's spy--a legendary figure in the CIA, and the intelligence world in general, towards the end of the Cold War. But he was also a traitor, having sold secrets that seriously compromised the U.S. for years to come. Since his conviction, he's been kept in the tightest maximum security prison under the tightest security. Until one morning, his cell is discovered empty--Tice has disappeared without even the hint of trace.

Agent Elaine Cunningham is a 'hunter', assigned to find Tice quickly, before the rest of the world knows he's gone. But she soon finds out that something is very wrong. This is more than just an impossible escape by a master spy--lurking in the shadows is a much bigger, deeper, and more dangerous conspiracy than an old spy's last run for freedom."

The viewpoint shifts between Jay on the run or Elaine chasing him.  Sometimes that can be annoying or confusing, but in this case I think it works well for creating more suspense. 

Jay remains a bit of a mystery, although the reader knows there is more to him and his story than what is initially revealed.  Elaine was an unlikely choice for hunting Jay, she is considered emotionally damaged and had been left on desk duty, seemingly forgotten, until Jay escapes.  Elaine is a solid character, not perfect in the spy world, but she has great instincts and is able to quickly assess a situation and understand the implications.  I really liked Elaine.  As the story develops a few key supporting characters are introduced who all bring something to the story.  It is hard to discuss without giving too much away.  There are a few villains, some that are visible, and one that remains a mystery until the end, which is particularly well done.

The setting is mostly in D.C. or the surrounding Virginia countryside, with a few European scenes.  The setting is used effectively, one minute serene and the next ominous. 

The overall plot is believable and builds as the story unfolds.  It utilizes many of our fears regarding terrorism and cutting edge technology to push the stakes higher and higher.  It felt realistic, not a lot of flash.  I kept thinking, it could really be like this.

The climax is a nail bitter and gets the adrenaline pumping.  The wrap up was perfect and sold me on this author.  If you like a good spy novel or a plot that takes you by surprise a time or two, give this book a try.  I am getting another of hers from the library!

Here is a teaser about the book from the author herself.

 

Who will win an Agatha?

The winners of the Agatha Awards will be announced, April 28, 2012, during the Malice Domestic conference.  But I would like to hear from you.  Eight of the nominees have been reviewed on this blog.  Please vote in the comments on who would be your pick in each category.  I will tally them later in the week and post the results. 

Best Novel
• The Real Macaw by Donna Andrews (Reviewed here)
• The Diva Haunts the House by Krista Davis
• Wicked Autumn by G. M. Malliet  (Reviewed here)
• Three Day Town by Margaret Maron
• A Trick of the Light by Louise Penny

Best First Novel
• Dire Threads by Janet Bolin
• Choke by Kaye George
• Learning to Swim by Sara J. Henry
• Who Do, Voodoo? by Rochelle Staab  (Reviewed here)
• Tempest in the Tea Leaves by Kari Lee Townsend  (Reviewed here)

Best Non-Fiction
• Books, Crooks and Counselors by Leslie Budewitz
• Agatha Christie: Murder in the Making by John Curran
• On Conan Doyle by Michael Dirda
• Wilkie Collins, Vera Caspary and the Evolution of the Casebook Novel by A. B. Emrys
• The Sookie Stackhouse Companion by Charlaine Harris


Best Children's/Young Adult
• Shelter by Harlan Coben
• The Black Heart Crypt by Chris Grabenstein
• Icefall by Matthew J. Kirby
• The Wizard of Dark Street by Shawn Thomas Odyssey
• The Secret of the Skeleton Key by Penny Warner

Best Historical Novel
• Naughty in Nice by Rhys Bowen  (Review Here)
• Murder Your Darlings by J. J. Murphy
• Mercury's Rise by Ann Parker  (Review Here)
• Troubled Bones by Jeri Westerson (Review Here)
• A Lesson in Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear  (Reviewed here)

Vote in the comments for any or all of the categories: Best Novel, Best First Novel, Best Non-Fiction, Best Children's/Young Adult, and Best Historical Novel.

Also, today is the last day to vote for this blog.  PLEASE send me to the Book Expo America!  PLEASE vote for me.

Vote for this blog for the Independent Book Blogger Awards!
Vote

Review - One Book in the Grave

Once again we are traveling to the streets of San Francisco - I couldn't resist that one.  I reviewed the book just prior to this one, The Lies that Bind (click here.)   This is the fourth book in the series, let's see how this edition has stacks up.

Author:  Kate Carlisle

Copyright:  February 2012 (Signet) 304 pgs

Series:  4th in  Bibliophile Mysteries

Sensuality:  innuendo

Mystery Sub-genre:  Cozy

Main Characters: Brooklyn Wainwright, book binder and restorer

Setting: modern day, San Francisco and countryside

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Brooklyn is presented with a rare first edition of Beauty and the Beast to restore, the only problem is Brooklyn knows the the book intimately, and that it was stolen from a young widow.  Brooklyn tries to follow up with the book seller who had sold the book, but finds him dead and all the clues at the scene point to a close friend of Brooklyn's who died three years ago.

Brooklyn is insecure and not as decisive in this edition.  She is conceding to the love interest, trying to abide by his requests to not get in harms way etc.  But more than that, it seems she is becoming dependent upon him while being insecure.  Her boyfriend Derek, we are continually reminded, is rich and drop-dead-gorgeous.  But otherwise he seems like a cardboard cutout of Fabio being moved around.  This would have been the edition to make him more "real" to the reader, but I didn't feel that was even on the agenda. Minka, Brooklyn's nasty nemesis, made a couple of appearances that seemed thrown in without a real purpose.  That was jarring.  The standouts in this book were Brooklyn's family.  The reader has gotten used to their being new-agey, but a very different side is shown of them.  Sweet!  Guru Bob has more substance to him this time around as well.  Gabriel is enigmatic as always.

Forced is the best word to describe the plot. The initial setup of the plot seems a stretch.  There are enough times throughout the story that are improbable so that it feels "off" throughout.  The setting is not a key ingredient, but manages to add to the suspense with cat-and-mouse hunts in the hills of California.  Pacing was a bit on-and-off because the story didn't seem to flow smoothly.

The climatic confrontation with the killer is perhaps the best part of the entire book.  The villain was not obvious but, looking back, the subtle clues were there.  The wrap up was a little flat.  This is the time in a series when it hits its stride or starts to stumble.  I feel this book was not comparable to the prior books, although it is still a fun cozy.  I hope this is just a slight hiccup and the next book will have a more thoughtful plot and the old Brooklyn back.

Please vote for this blog, voting ends Monday April 23.

Vote for this blog for the Independent Book Blogger Awards!
Vote

Luxury Reading

How do you indulge yourself for a special time with a book?  If you have been really anticipating a special book, how would you savor reading it?  What is your way to pamper yourself, besides just the good book?

I love to soak in a hot tub, maybe add some bubbles, and just read.  Perhaps part of the enjoyment is the ever-present danger of dropping the book!  Yep, I live on the edge, flirting with danger.  Occasionally I add some aromatherapy (oh my!)

What about you?  Are you the no-nonsense type who doesn't need any paraphernalia - have book, will read?  Perhaps you are the type who loves reading with some tea, wine, or Jack Daniels?  Is a hammock and a tropical breeze your ideal, or maybe a public park bench is perfect?  Lets see how many ways we indulge ourselves reading by discussing this in the comments.

Vote for this blog for the Independent Book Blogger Awards!
Vote