Synopsis/blurb……
SPIKED sees Purkiss
in Hong Kong a few days before Christmas, investigating the stabbing to death
of a British intelligence agent. A second agent has been accused of the murder
– but is the case as cut-and-dried as it seems? And can Purkiss escape the
Triads in time to solve the crime?
A last minute read to get me up to 10 for the month.
Only 15 pages long, but plenty here to entertain me and it’s
another new author sampled and another that I want to read more form on the
back of this initial taster. As we have an agent involved, I'll also give myself a tick in the Espionage Challenge, even if the story focuses on spooks all on the same side.
John Purkiss, a British agent is dropped into Hong Kong to look
into the death of another agent, possibly at the hands of a third. His presence
isn't particularly welcomed by the resident spook responsible for managing the
politically sensitive situation.
Purkiss secures some reluctant cooperation and is soon
attracting the murderous attention of some triad killers – seeking to avoid
exposure and eliminate any threat to their operation.
Short but with depth and a satisfying conclusion. More from
this author in the future for definite.4 from 5
There are five or six full length John Purkiss books available and I think I have the first couple – RATCATCHER and DELIVERING CALIBAN.
Tim Stevens is a
British author and he is fairly prolific. He has a couple of other series on
the go – Joe Venn, an NYPD Detective – 6 books and Martin Calvary, an
ex-soldier-assassin – 2 books so far.
His website is here.
Spiked was
available as a freebie on his website after signing up to his newsletter.
Col - Espionage generally isn't much of my street, but I'm glad you enjoyed this one. And it is interesting to read a bout spies who are all working on the same side.
ReplyDeleteMargot, I do like the double dealing and intrigue and the sense of isolation and not knowing who can be trusted which these novels throw up frequently. Perhaps not so much in this shorter tale - but still enjoyable for me.
DeleteSounds good, but can safely leave it as a maybe for now....
ReplyDeleteFair enough
DeleteCol, I don't think I have read an espionage short story though I have actually read about triads in fiction as far apart as Hong Kong and San Francisco. I'll take a look at this story.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it.
DeleteWell,I was waffling on getting Stevens' first book because you know I love espionage stories. Then I found I it has been on my Kindle for a year. So I should go ahead and read it sometime.
ReplyDeleteA year's not over-long, not if you're a bookaholic like me!
Delete