Once a Spy

A Novel

By: Keith Thomson

Narrated by: Danny Campbell

Length: 11 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Drummond Clark was once a spy of legendary proportions. Now Alzheimer's disease has taken its toll and he's just a confused old man who's wandered away from home, waiting for his son to fetch him.

When Charlie Clark takes a break from his latest losing streak at the track to bring Drummond back to his Brooklyn home, they find it blown sky high - and then bullets start flying in every direction. At first, Charlie thinks his Russian creditors are employing aggressive collection tactics. But once Drummond effortlessly hot-wires a car as their escape vehicle, Charlie begins to suspect there's much more to his father than meets the eye.

He soon discovers that Drummonds unremarkable career as an appliance salesman was actually a clever cover for an elaborate plan to sell would-be terrorists faulty nuclear detonators. Drummond's intricate knowledge of the device is extremely dangerous information to have rattling around in an Alzheimer's-addled brain. The CIA wants to contain him - and so do some other shady characters who send Charlie and Drummond on a wild chase that gives father-and-son quality time a whole new meaning.

With Once a Spy, Keith Thomson makes his debut on the thriller stage with energy, wit, and style to spare.

©2010 Keith Thomson (P)2010 Random House

Critic reviews

"Huffington Post columnist Thomson's wildly original debut, a darkly satirical thriller, features an unlikely, if endearing, father-son spy duo....Poignant themes of love and redemption underpin an action-packed story line that includes exotic locales, high-tech gadgetry, and international intrigue." ( Publishers Weekly)

What can happen to old spies. ?

I love me a spy as a good guy novel-and to read that this particular spy has Alzheimer's, was very intriguing. The story is serious, caring, and of course at times funny. This story is unique, not only in the way of an Alzheimer's laden spy, but also in the "way" and "what of" the location of a bomb-that this spy helped create. I won't say any more, because I don't want to give too much away, but this story was really unique-at least to me. It also focuses on the relationship between a spy and his family-that part is not surprising, but it is handled very nicely, I thought.

Really good.

Enjoyed it. Good narration. Good storyline. Narrator was easy to listen to. Would buy again.

fun book

a great bubble gum spy novel.
a great treadmill read or book for walking the dog.

Not your usual spy novel

Interesting twist on a spy novel and I enjoyed it all the way through. Not sure I am up for the sequel but it was a good use of a credit.

I want more

I enjoyed the concept of the book but had doubts about how the plot could be sustained. I was delightfully wrong. The plot keeps evolving and surprising and you continue to smile all the way through the book. The characters are nicely drawn and are deep enough to be distinctive and memorable. I finished the book and went directly on line to see what else Keith Thomson has written. Unfortunately, this is the only book (so far). I want more.

It's a Book. It's a Movie. It's Loads of Fun.

It's a Book. It's a Movie. It's Loads of Fun. This is a wonderfully cinematic story. Not many thriller writers pull off such graphic excitement, and although the body count is high, it has more the flavor of a comic romp than a gory tale. Characters are rich and endearing.

I will cast Paul Newman as the dad in my imaginary film.

Hope you all enjoy.

Strange storyline!

I could not quit! I had to know what was coming up next! Very entertaining!

Always etc

Even though I wouldn't read it again, this book succeeded in keeping my attention and wondering how it would end. Good thing is that author left the end to us, in a way, it wouldn't be nice if everything ended like Hollywood lemonade. I won't mind reading the sequel.

I thought narrator was overstating some words a bit and I didn't like that. Dialogues were great though.

Best line? After shooting a guy with a gun from unbelievable distance, Drummond says that it is harder to make it look like he's doing it every day. Great line, and it was just one of many.

Off beat thriller

I loved this non-formulaic, quirky spy story. The titular spy has Alzheimer's and is therefore a threat to his former employers. He connects with his estranged compulsive gambler son as they try to save themselves. It is an unusual mix of seriousness and levity and these characters were likeable and had dignity instead of being melodramatic or pathetic. It is over the top as far as action goes - way too much gunfire and killing - and that detracted from the story for me, but that is my only complaint. It was a very enjoyable listen and I recommend it.

Action all the way!

This is a non-stop action novel, where the father & son protagonists constantly escape the frying pan only to end up in the fire. Charlie, is something of a ne'er-do-well, suffering in the midst of the mess he has made of his life. On top of his own troubles, Charlie discovers that his aging father, Drummond, was once a spy, and is now marked for death. Drummond has alzheimer's disease, which could cause him to reveal high-level secrets that he carries in his head. The two manage to escape hopeless situation after hopeless situation throughout the story. Along the way Charlie gains respect for his father and confidence in his own talents. This is what I would call a "guy" story, and for me the constant action/escape sequences got repetitive. But the characters were so likable, that overall it was quite enjoyable.