A Divided Spy

Publisher's Summary

Thomas Kell thought he was done with spying. A former MI6 officer, he devoted his life to the Service, but it has left him with nothing but grief and a simmering anger against the Kremlin.

Then Kell is offered an unexpected chance at revenge. Taking the law into his own hands, he embarks on a mission to recruit a top Russian spy who is in possession of a terrifying secret. As Kell tracks his man from Moscow to London, he finds himself in a high stakes game of cat and mouse in which it becomes increasingly difficult to know who is playing whom.

As the mission reaches boiling point, the threat of a catastrophic terrorist attack looms over Britain. Kell is faced with an impossible choice. Loyalty to MI6 - or to his own conscience?

©2017 Charles Cumming (P)2017 Macmillan Audio

Best of the bunch

This book, the third in the series, was better than the others, better than the Trinity Six by this author and the best spy book I've read for awhile. It's a genre I particularly like, so I'm always glad to score a hit with one, which gets harder and harder the more I read. I have my huge favourites, such as Daniel Silva and John Le Carre, but this book I enjoyed just as much as both of them. There was little actual violence, but lots of intrigue, which is far more interesting to me and the twists and turns seemed mostly plausible. The story line connects with current events and issues, and the characters are very clearly drawn. The narration was first rate. The book stands alone as the explains anything you need to know from the first two books of the series, so you can try this first if he's an author new to you. I didn't find the events of the first two books stayed in my mind all that well anyway, as to me they were both just 'good enough', not great.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Didn't realize it was a sequel.

I found this book difficult to finish. Too many repeated references to a previous book. Predictable plot.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

fast paced, well written

An easy read. I wanted more time with the characters but enjoyed the fast pace.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

review

Very Predictable , narrator sometimes hard to hear and decipher what the author intent was

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

The total package: deep character portrayals

Five stars all around, in my estimation: I felt as though I knew the protagonist, Thomas Kell. Expertly narrated, the several characters and their origins were so thorough and developed that I was amazed at the author's brilliance.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Terrific, can't stop listening

This happened to be my first audio book and first boom by Cumming and I just had to immediately read the first two books in the series. The reader was excellent as well and I didn't even need to hear who was reading because I could tell all characters by voice. The story and Toms character was gripping, entertaining and suspenseful. Perfect book and audio.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Enjoyed this one.

I can't put my finger on it but there was something missing in this one. It was almost as if the author was going in one direction and then decided against it. Enjoyable nonetheless and I'll definitely keep reading anything he writes.

Despite its weakish plot, this was an exciting listen

Despite its weakish plot, this was an exciting listen.. the story was built on actions by the hero's protagonist, which did not fit with his former patterns of behavior or personality.

Great book, Great Narration

One of Cumming's stronger books I thought. Not up there with The Spanish Game but the best Kell novel I thought. Evocative and detailed.

The narration was really excellent - there was a wide range of characters to portray and he does a great job - especially Minasian - talk about a character coming to life!