Started like a rather glib, facile spy tale, almost a spoof, and then it took off - a great read.
Difficult to say much about it, without risking spoilers, but the writing is very good and the characterisation, especially Leo, is excellent - really felt for Leo, an honest, straight up guy, seeking justice, freedom and a quiet life, in a nasty, twisted world which will not let him have them.
Highly recommended (but persevere through the early chapters) and I will look out for more by Mr Brierley.
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Czechmate Kindle Edition
by
David Brierley
(Author)
Format: Kindle Edition
| David Brierley (Author) Find all the books, read about the author and more. See search results for this author |
| Amazon Price | New from | Used from |
- Kindle Edition
$0.00 This title and over 1 million more available with Kindle Unlimited $3.99 to buy - Hardcover
$10.053 Used from $2.57
Everyone's entitled to bury their own mother.
Except, it seemed, Leo Panuska.
All hell broke out in the Glasshouse when Leo vanished. SIS agents don’t disappear - unless they’re defecting.
Had he really gone back to Czechoslovakia to bury his mother?
And what should they do now that he’s resurfaced and wants help to get out?
In Prague, alone and hunted by the secret police, Leo is sheltered by Eliska, a beautiful young dissident.
Together they uncover a horrifying story of treachery and dishonour involving Leo’s father and the betrayal of a partisan group to the Nazis in the dying days of the war.
His father’s diaries reveal the identity of the real traitor.
And Leo wants revenge.
Back in the Glasshouse they’re not so sure.
If Leo is not a double-agent his actions make him a security risk.
And if he’s discovered their secrets they can’t take any chances…
For Leo Panuska the nightmare is only just beginning...
Czechmate is a classic Cold War thriller by a master of the genre.
‘An exciting, gripping read’ - Daily Mail
‘The plot is fast and furious’ - Daily Telegraph
‘Superior model of its kind’ - Guardian
David Brierley was born in 1936. He lives with his wife and daughter in Hertfordshire, apart from the time spent abroad each year researching locations for his books. He is also the author of Shooting Star and One Lives, One Dies.
Except, it seemed, Leo Panuska.
All hell broke out in the Glasshouse when Leo vanished. SIS agents don’t disappear - unless they’re defecting.
Had he really gone back to Czechoslovakia to bury his mother?
And what should they do now that he’s resurfaced and wants help to get out?
In Prague, alone and hunted by the secret police, Leo is sheltered by Eliska, a beautiful young dissident.
Together they uncover a horrifying story of treachery and dishonour involving Leo’s father and the betrayal of a partisan group to the Nazis in the dying days of the war.
His father’s diaries reveal the identity of the real traitor.
And Leo wants revenge.
Back in the Glasshouse they’re not so sure.
If Leo is not a double-agent his actions make him a security risk.
And if he’s discovered their secrets they can’t take any chances…
For Leo Panuska the nightmare is only just beginning...
Czechmate is a classic Cold War thriller by a master of the genre.
Praise for David Brierley:
‘An exciting, gripping read’ - Daily Mail
‘The plot is fast and furious’ - Daily Telegraph
‘Superior model of its kind’ - Guardian
David Brierley was born in 1936. He lives with his wife and daughter in Hertfordshire, apart from the time spent abroad each year researching locations for his books. He is also the author of Shooting Star and One Lives, One Dies.
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateFeb. 5 2015
- File size2616 KB
Product details
- ASIN : B00T9JPZKI
- Publisher : Lume Books (Feb. 5 2015)
- Language : English
- File size : 2616 KB
- Text-to-Speech : Enabled
- Screen Reader : Supported
- Enhanced typesetting : Enabled
- X-Ray : Not Enabled
- Word Wise : Enabled
- Print length : 343 pages
- Best Sellers Rank: #1,089,894 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #2,345 in Political Fiction
- #5,163 in Spy Stories & Tales of Intrigue
- #5,275 in Politcal Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
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Customer reviews
4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
11 global ratings
How are ratings calculated?
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Top reviews from other countries
Al
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read if you persevere
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 1, 2015Verified Purchase
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redndead
5.0 out of 5 stars
Put a date in!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2017Verified Purchase
I really enjoyed this book, but as someone who lived through the period, I spent more time trying to glean clues to the date it was set in(digital watches, so post 1970, pre Berlin Wall etc etc) which spoiled my enjoyment overall. Is it so hard to put Spring 1982 somewhere??
Alan Williams-Key
5.0 out of 5 stars
Like John le Carré at his best.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 25, 2017Verified Purchase
This is deceptive. It seems to go slowly but it is gripping. A cold war spy story with good characterisation and a twist at the end that I didn't see coming (after the twist that I did!).
Patricia MA Cooper
4.0 out of 5 stars
There are twists and turns to maintain the pace of the tale with the added sweetener of a love story. I just wonder would it hav
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 18, 2015Verified Purchase
This novel powerfully conveys the suspicions & fears shrouding the Cold War era. The story weaves together the travails of a Czech who works for the British secret service when he acts as a lone wolf by returning to his homeland for his mother's funeral, with that of his spy masters who struggle to contain his activities. There are twists and turns to maintain the pace of the tale with the added sweetener of a love story. I just wonder would it have been that easy to be smuggled out of a lorry in a secret compartment.
Ian Hicks
3.0 out of 5 stars
Review
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 17, 2017Verified Purchase
Reasionably good story line although somewhat predictable. Good characterisation on thevwhole but a bit prrdictable as well. I prefer le Carre