Published by . Knopf July 2008. ISBN: 978-0-307-26885-3
The KGB lives on, no matter how the initials change. In this second impelling espionage thriller by the author, former head of Britain's MI-5, we find Liz Carlyle in a bit of a muddle as she is assigned to an undercover role as an "art student" in the household of a Russian billionaire in London. It appears "intelligence" has picked upinformation of a Russian plot to assassinate a Russian oligarch in the British Isles, which could produce a severe international incident.
Liz has been transferred to counter-espionage. While it was the hub of activity during the Cold War, major MI-5 emphasis is now on counter-terrorism despite the fact that there are probably more Russian spies in London than during the height of East-West hostilities. Now, however, they seem to spy on numerous Russian
oligarchs intent on enjoying themselves and spending their money ostentatiously.
In this fine-tuned thriller, the clues are numerous, but misdirections more plentiful. Tersely written, the plot moves forward to a dangerous but satisfying end. Liz is an appealing character, which is more than one can say for some of her co-workers. Recommended.
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