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This book is a sequel and is designed to be read as the second of three novels involving intelligence operative, Daniel Marchant. There is a problem with sequels and it is one that some authors (including this one) fail to solve. Somebody buying this book, unaware that it was a sequel to DEAD SPY RUNNING, would find it very difficult to catch up. Questions would be asked as to why the Americans disliked and distrusted Daniel Martinet to the extent that they water-boarded him. Likewise why is he operating entirely alone in his search for Salim Dhar and why is he looking for him in an area where nobody else expected to find him. The only reason given is that Marchant "had overheard something in the souks" pertaining to Salim Dhar, but why is he in Marrakech in the first place? Clearly the ill-fated Leila was an important character in the previous book but it is difficult to work out why there are so many references to her in this one. It us unclear whether the CIA was wrong in thinking Marchant's father had sold out to the Russians and there appears still to be considerable doubt about this and even Marchant himself seems uncertain. In the face of so many questions it is easy to wish one had picked up a book that was more self-contained. The blurb on the back cover makes a comparison with Bourne but it is difficult to see on what grounds. Even in his state of total amnesia, Bourne would know far more of tradecraft and would be far better able to take care of himself than Marchant. He can always be relied upon to give the reader a thrilling ride from the word go, whereas the hero of this book seems rather colourless and out of his depth. It is very difficult to sympathize with him, particularly when, as in the episode involving Aziz, he almost knows that he is walking into trouble. This failure in characterization is not, however, limited to Marchant. The American, Spiro, is very much the cliché of the CIA operative, loud-mouthed, overbearing and – for an intelligence officer – strangely unintelligent. The female interest, Lakshmi Meena, is also CIA and so clearly untrustworthy that it is difficult to see why Marchant continues to take an interest in her. Fielding, the head of MI6, on the other hand, is a better-developed and more interesting character, rather reminiscent of Smiley. The difference is however, that Smiley has greater insight and approaches his task in the simplest possible way, consistent with its being effective. Fielding, on the other hand, seems to enjoy becoming involved in unnecessarily complicated planning which can prove as baffling to the reader as it is to Marchant. The writing itself flows very well and Stock seems particularly strong on dialogue. Unfortunately, the plot doesn't live up to the quality of the prose and lacks any real drive. One incident follows another but in a rather unconvincing way. The most unconvincing comes at the very end of the book when Marchant suddenly develops hitherto undisclosed powers of persuasion, thus averting a catastrophe. That this situation should even develop is barely credible but that he should be able to deal with it "stands not within the prospect of belief." § Arnold Taylor is a retired Examinations Board Officer, amateur writer and even more amateur bridge player.
Reviewed by Arnold Taylor, February 2012
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