Cover Image: BOX 88

BOX 88

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Member Reviews

Failed to hold my interest, Spy? thriller moving between past and present, more about revs than anything else.

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My thanks to HarperCollins U.K. for an eARC via NetGalley of the espionage thriller, ‘BOX 88’ by Charles Cumming in exchange for an honest review.

BOX 88 is a top secret intelligence agency, whose existence is only known to an inner circle of MI6 and CIA operatives. In 1989 Lachlan Kite is recruited by BOX 88 straight from the elite boarding school that he has been attending. His invitation to spend the summer in France at the family estate of his close friend Xavier Bonnard places him in an ideal position to gather intelligence on a mysterious Iranian businessman, who is implicated in the tragic Lockerbie bombing, who will be visiting Xavier’s father.

In 2020: MI5 has heard rumours of BOX 88’s existence and goes after Kite but Iranian intelligence is intent on capturing him first. They plan to force him to either reveal the truth about what happened in France thirty years earlier or watch his family die.

Moving between the past and present this proved to be a well written and highly engaging spy thriller that also establishes Lachlan Kite’s character and how he came to be part of BOX 88 as well as their situation in the present day. Its final pages allows for the possibility that this could be the start of a new series.

This was my first experience of Charles Cumming’s work and given that I always enjoy quality spy thrillers, I expect that I will be looking into his previous books as well as keeping a look out for future adventures for Lachlan Kite and BOX 88.

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Jolly good spy thriller - espionage in a rather old fashioned way but all the better for the book is a good enjoyable read.

Lachlan Kite has spent decades working for "Box 88" a top secret international spy agency. He was recruited out of a typical English boarding school and as a teenager ended up spying on a controversial figure at the family summer home of his best friend in the south of France. The tragic Lockerbie murders are the background with the shadowy and controversial figures behind it being of immense interest to Box88.

Besides the spying, the characters are excellent and small episodes like Lachlan's trip home on the train, typically well described, and well written. Thank you Mr Cumming.

Thanks also to Net Galley and Harper Collins UK for the chance to read and review.

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As soon as I have finished one of Charles Cumming's' spy novels, I am waiting impatiently for the next one. I've enjoyed his latest, "Box 88", which for me has a slightly different vibe from the previous books, but is certainly no less enjoyable. The backstory emerges as the book progresses and there are different, but closely related and topical, mysteries in the past (set in the late 1980s) and the present.

With many thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for giving me a copy in exchange for this honest review.

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This is an excellent spy thriller that is set in 1989 and 2019.
When Lachlan Kite is kidnapped after attending his friends funeral he has to give up secrets from when he was a teenager and was a spy in order to save not just himself but his wife and unborn child.
The story takes you from the Lockerbie bombing to the South of France, the story flows effectively and really draws you in from start to finish.

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Excellent spy thriller with well developed characters.

The time changes keep it moving at a good pace and I really enjoyed it.

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*4.5 stars *

Box 88 is a a secret organisation that is unknown to the outside world - to all intents and purposes, it doesn’t even exist, but after its 31 years of operations, MI5 have begun to hear rumours of it and decide to go after Lachlan (Lockie) Kite, who they believe to be one of its top British Intelligence agents.

Kite was recruited straight from one of the best private schools in England in 1989, at the very young age of 18, and his first assignment takes him to France - his orders are to gather intelligence on an Iranian businessman, thought to be involved in the Lockerbie bombing, but he discovers much more than that in this gripping espionage thriller from Charles Cumming.

It’s now 2020, and Kite has been kidnapped, and there’s no doubt that his torturers will stop at nothing to make him reveal the truth about what really happened in that long ago summer in France.

As Lachlan fights for his own survival members of Box 88 are frantically searching for him, but will they find him in time to save his life?
Cumming has made what initially seem random, and irregular events across two time zones, into the muscular skeleton of a tautly plotted thriller, that manages to grip the reader right from the start.

I understand that author Robert Harris has named Cumming as the heir-apparent to le Carré’s throne in spy fiction. Who I am I to argue with that? Highly recommended!

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I loved the two different time periods which happened within this book, They worked so well together and kept me guessing what the outcome of the book was going to be, I was fully invested from the first chapter and could not put it down.

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Told from two different time periods, intertwined together. Story moves at pace and keeps you guessing the final outcome. Will be looking out for other books by this author. Would love box 88 to become a series and follow other characters on missions but still include characters from this story as secondary characters.

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Box 88 by Charles Cumming is an outstanding espionage novel which is is superbly written has an excellent main underlying storyline and well drawn out main and supporting characters.

The story is told over two timelines but in the hands of this author this does not cause any issues due to the excellence of the writing which kept this reader fully hooked from the first page to the last one

Cumming has written some excellent novels but Box 88 is probably the best one of the bunch. Don’t miss out

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Exciting espionage thriller with two strands one told in flashback is a young man Lachlan Kite at his posh public school approached by one of his teachers to help a shadowy joint British and U.S Intelligence agency (Box 88) investigate Iranian who its claimed may have been one of those responsible for the Lockerbie atrocity. He will be visiting the father of Lachlans friend Xavier whilst they are holidaying in the South of France where coincidently Lachlan will also be spending the summer..The story tracks his first faltering steps into the world of espionage and his realisation of his betrayal of his best friend and his family.
The second strand follows Lacklan now a established operative in Box 88 with many years experience attending a memorial service for his friend Xavier his life ruined in part by those early actions of Lachlans..After he service he meets a man claiming to be an old friend of Xaviers who invites him to lunch but in the mans chauffer driven car suddenly things don't add up and Lachlan realises he is being kidnapped.
Who by? Why? and was the girl who tried to introduce herself at the service from MI5 and did they have him under surveillance ?
The follows a race to find and rescue him with both Box 88 and MI5 invo;ved but unaware of the others actions.
An exciting romp although I didn't quite grasp some of the technicalities of how Box 88 seemed to coexist with the likes f MI5 and the CIA and be invisible to all but a handfull of people in both those organisations and those politicians who made their finances available but I quibble. This may not have the authenticity of Charles Cummings previous novels but it is still a great read .

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Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an advanced copy of this book.

I have never read an espionage book before but if they are as good as this one I will certainly read more of them.
As he finished boarding school Lachlan Kite was persuaded to spy on his friend’s father and his Iranian business associate whilst holidaying with the family during the summer. He was recruited by a “secret” spy organisation.
The book jumps backwards and forwards between the holiday and years later when Kite is held hostage and interrogated knowing that his pregnant wife is also being held captive elsewhere.
The characters and storyline keeps the reader enthralled and wanting to know what happens next.
Can’t wait to see if there will be more instalments in the life of Lachlan Kite. I certainly hope so.

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It's a good story! I found it very hard to put down despite the basic premise being pretty unbelievable. Whilst I can accept a certain amount of deceit between, say MI5 and MI6, and no doubt a certain amount of 'not invented here' type rivalry, it's hard to believe that MI5 would actively investigate an ultra clandestine off-shoot of MI6! Although maybe if it included a section of the CIA I might be persuaded.

It's still a good story, with a lot of local details about an area of London I know well. I will be looking for the sequel!

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Long time readers of CR will know that I am a big fan of Charles Cumming’s spy thrillers. Ever since Typhoon, I’ve eagerly anticipated each new novel from the author. Box 88 was no different, and I’m very happy to report that it lived up to my high expectations. Really enjoyed this.

Kite’s story is told from two perspectives: that of the older, experienced operative, decades into his career as a spy; and that of Kite as an 18 year old, on his first mission. I thought the juxtaposition of the spy “origin story” on the one hand, and the supremely talented operative on the other worked extremely well, and over the course of the novel we get a pretty great portrait of Kite, his work, and his evolution as a person and spy.

The events of that first operation have finally caught up with him, and he must confront not only his actions for BOX 88, but also what his actions meant for his friends and family. The novel therefore has a blend of espionage and coming-of-age fiction at times that works very well. Cumming keeps us in the dark and guessing for most of the novel, adding a few excellent red herrings here and there. It makes for a gripping read with plenty of revelations that will keep you reading well into the night. (I stayed up very late to finish it.)

As someone who grew up unhappy (and not belonging) at a British boarding school, there were a lot of amusing, sometimes uncomfortably reminiscent, flashback details and moments when I felt sympathy for Kite — Cumming critiques the elite school system brilliantly, highlighting its inequities and bizarre Darwinian elements.

The author includes many great details of “current” events during the flashback chapters — many of them I recall hearing in the news at the time, but only later learning more about them — giving extra depth to the story. The novel is filled with little details that are either very telling or were such touchstones in the UK at the time. It’s not just the events, though: Cumming is able to bring each of the settings to life brilliantly, without over-describing or spoon-feeding the reader. Whether the story is taking place at an expensive home in France in the 1980s, or a remote hotel in Scotland, or in contemporary London, each scene is excellently crafted and staged. His characters, too, are realistic and engaging.

An excellent update on the classic espionage genre, I very much enjoyed this. If you are in any way a fan of spy fiction, then I would absolutely recommend you read Box 88. I’d also just recommend it to anyone who’s looking for a gripping read. It reaffirms Cumming’s place as one of my favourite authors, and is a must read. I can’t wait for his next novel!

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This is the story of Lachlan (Lockie) Kite and how he is recruited into Box 88, a covert, below the radar US/UK espionage group. We meet Lockie, now in his forties at the funeral of friend Xavier Bonnard from his school days at Alford - think Eton. It is here that Lockie aged 18 is recruited by his ‘beak’ (public school speak for teacher) to spy on high ranking Iranian Ali Eskandaria, a friend of Xavier’s family, whilst they are on holiday at a Bonnard villa in France. The Lockerbie bombing looms large in people’s minds, Salman Rushdie is in protective custody following Ayatollah Khomeini’s fatwa and events in Tehran continue to cause concerns. This is the background to this clever, intricately plotted thriller with what happens to Lockie at eighteen skilfully woven into events after Xavier’s funeral creating a tense narrative.

I do enjoy a good espionage thriller and this isn’t just good, it’s outstanding. Real events are used to give the plot a feel of authenticity and I find the Iranian aspect fascinating. There are some excellent characters especially Lockie whose teenage naivety contrasts so well with the experienced operator in his forties, he’s a skilful agents utilising all his mental agility and physical strength. It’s clear from the start that Lockie is going to be a great asset as he shows real initiative even as a young man. The novel depicts political dangers as well as personal ones and daring risks. There are some shocks along the way and moments of breath holding suspense which glue you to the pages.

Overall, this is a slick, very intelligent and well written thriller. The plot is excellent, it unfolds organically and naturally through the high quality writing. Very mean Mr Cumming to leave us hanging at the end! I sincerely hope the next instalment is under way and sign me up now!

With thanks to NetGalley and special thanks to Harper Collins UK/Harper Fiction and Charlie Cumming for the much appreciated arc for an honest review.

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Charles Cumming is definitely still the King of the modern spy thriller! Long live the King! Another really well written, suspenseful story of espionage spanning several timelines, starting with the 1988 Lockerbie bombing of Pan Am flight 103, the collapse of the Berlin Wall to current times. Lachlan Kite is part of Box 88, a covert transatlantic intelligence unit of both M15 and CIA. M15 have Kite under surveillance and while attending a funeral of his school friend Xavier, Kite is abducted. Kite quickly learns that his abduction is connected with a summer spent in France many years ago when he was first recruited to Box 88 as a young public school boy. It is here that Kite meets the charismatic Iranian politician, Ali Eskandarian, while on holidays with Xavier and his family in their luxury villa. Cumming unwinds a wonderful plot as the connection between Eskandarian and his captors is revealed. There are some wonderful examples of good old fashioned tradecraft, such as dead drops and chalk marks on walls, which really appealed to me. The story and plot, while very clever and tense, are easy to follow, which is part of the appeal of Cumming to the modern day reader. The conclusion also strongly suggests a sequel which is very good news indeed. A definite 5 star read from me!

Many thanks to @netgalley and @HarperCollinsUK and @chalrescumming for this ARC in return for my honest review.

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Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance review copy.

The rubric for this entertaining but morally ambiguous spy thriller is that a young man, Lachlan Kite, is recruited in 1989 into a top secret agency, Box 88, accountable only to a small number of elite figures in the CIA and MI6.

The book moves between two time-frames - one follows Kite's recruitment in 1989 and subsequent holiday in the South of France with friends, where he is tasked with obtaining information on an Iranian businessman who may be part of the Lockerbie bombing and is visiting the family. He uncovers worse still. In the contemporary time frame MI6 investigate Box 88 but Kite is abducted and tortured by Iranian intelligence operatives, who want to understand what happened in 1989. His family will be killed if he does not comply.

I enjoyed this pacy thriller and would recommend it - with some caveats - to other readers.

I read it with the lens of Iranian heritage. Although an Iranian dissident does make an appearance, the Iranian regime is presented as wholly evil. Rogue states such as Iran, North Korea and Russia make for entertaining villains in novels, but stereotyping countries and by default most of their citizens is problematic, to say the least. John le Carré's moral murkiness seems a more accurate reflection of the world to me. The CIA, possibly with MI6 involvement, has admitted to destabilising and then toppling a democratic government in Iran in 1953, which led via the Shah to the uprising and subsequent Iranian revolution and the current Islamic Republic. There are reasons why governments become rogue states, and unaccountable Western intelligence agencies play and have played a considerable part in that. Despite the excellent writing, sense of place and characterisation I feel uncomfortable about a vision of the world that puts an even more unaccountable spy unit centre stage without acknowledging how problematic that has been in the real world.

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This is a good book and moves very quickly. It all starts with Lachlan Kite attending a boarding school and showing one of his teachers that he is a good candidate for a top secret spying mission. He is only 18 when he is approached and asked to gather intelligence on a Iranian business man who is staying in a villa in France owned by the father of a friend of his from boarding school. He realises that the covert operation will be difficult but has been told he can cope. He finds it very difficult as the time goes by as his friend Xavier could find out and his does not like to dishonour their friendship. The story goes backwards and forwards from this time and when he is in his late 30s when the past comes back to haunt him and affects his wife and unborn child. He is kidnapped and has to reveal information which is against all his principles and he has to decide which way to go as he knows his wife and child are in danger. He is hoping that before he has to do something against his better nature he will be saved. Gripping story.

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An excellent espionage thriller and police procedural novel. An incredibly well made protagonist and a really well thought out plot. The prose are good throughout and the tale has an air of Bond about it which I liked a lot. If you enjoy Fleming, Le Carre's Smiley then it's a must read. You certainly won't be disappointed.

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A very reliable writer of spy thriller is Charles Cumming and this one is right up there as one of his best.
The title and a first glance suggest this might be about an intelligence unit deeply buried deep in assorted international agencies. A second glance might suggest this is about investigation into the background into the Lockerbie aeroplane bombing and how buried secrets still exist today. But that is all background to the real story.
Split between today and 1989 this is about the recruitment of a young man, Lachlan Kite into the top secret Box 88. Kite has an “in” via a friend to get close to an Iranian businessman while on a French holiday. The businessman might have links to the Lockerbie bombing. So while young Kite is doing the sort of stuff late teenagers do, he is also starting his spying career.
Back in 2020 MI5 have got wind of Box 88 and have Kite under surveillance, suspecting him to be a significant player in the organisation. When Kite is kidnapped by Iranian intelligence the MI5 team lose him and a desperate chase begins to find him and, in the background, Box 88 are most definitely on the case. Meanwhile Kite is being tortured over his involvement in events from over 30 years ago and doesn’t know what secrets his captors are after.
Like any good spy novel, the root of this is the characters and the author does a brilliant job of making them all come alive off the page, you feel close affinity to the MI5 team and the Box 88 team as agents of varying skills. When it comes to 1989 Kite is amongst friends and yet is forced to lead a double life and such is the characterisation that you really feel that you know and understand the entire cast.
Top stuff, thoughtful and intelligent story telling. My thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy.

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