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Throughout most of DARK SPIES, the latest Spycatcher novel by Matthew Dunn, top-notch operative Will Cochrane is on the run, the target of an international manhunt. It all begins during a routine assignment, providing sniper coverage for Ellie Hallowes, a CIAagent, as she meets with her informer by a river in Norway. But the situation quickly unravels as Russian spymaster Antaeus, who was supposed to be dead, appears near the scene and then assassins try to kill Ellie. Cochrane is ordered by his handlers to stand down, but he decides to kill the intruders and saves Ellie's life. His superiors see only that he has disobeyed orders. A group of high placed individuals, including the head of the CIA and an important Senator, seem to have a secret plan in place, and the Senator reveals Cochrane's identity to the public on national TV. Cochrane is a wanted man and his life is forfeit. They seem to be concerned that Cochrane will somehow undermine a vital operation and jeopardize their relationship with a spy whose code name is Ferryman. Ferryman, in turn, is supposed to be providing Intel that will lead them to the location of a wanted financial mastermind named Cobalt.
Cochrane is from the breed of highly trained heroes who is just that much better at shooting and hiding and strategizing than anyone else. He believes that there is something wrong going on in the hierarchy of the CIA, but there are few people he can trust. He has a series of narrow and harrowing escapes in which other people are killed or injured, but he is able to go on. People from his past help him to cross oceans and borders and reach his ultimate goal of confronting the people who are not who they appear to be. Some of those who help him meet horrifying deaths, and since his face is everywhere in the media, danger is at every turn. There are many unforeseen twists in the tale and we are as surprised as Cochrane to discover who is really behind the acts of sabotage and treason.
Although this is a work of fiction, and Will Cochrane is not a real person, the author knows his subject matter from personal experience. Dunn was an undercover agent for MI6, Britain's Secret Service. He lived with danger for five years, going undercover and confronting international terrorism as his characters do. Cochrane's situation and his quest for the truth provide an exciting read that is solidly grounded in the real world.
§ Anne Corey is a writer, poet, teacher and botanical artist in New York's Hudson Valley.
Reviewed by Anne Corey, October 2014
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