‘The Predicament’ is the second in William Boyd’s Gabriel Dax trilogy and we meet him two years on. Gabriel’s life is becoming increasingly frustrating and convoluted. A successful travel writer, on the way to having his ‘Rivers’ book published and with ‘On the Beaten Path’ taking shape in his mind, he reluctantly juggles the MI6 demands of his secret boss and sometime lover, Faith Green, whilst wanting more than she is prepared to give emotionally. And then, of course, there’s the Russians who think Gabriel is their secret agent.

As the narrative builds, the reader grows increasingly aware of the machinations of the CIA in the background. Gabriel is moved from Guatemala, where he tracks down a rebel leader, back to London, and on to West Berlin. Here the focus in on the upcoming visit of the popular US president, John F. Kennedy. With rumours of a possible assassination plot, Gabriel is determined to work out why and how he is being played.

Those who enjoyed ‘Gabriel’s Moon’ will welcome the chance to learn how Gabriel’s complex life is developing. Having read ‘The Predicament’, it’s not easy to envisage how things will pan out in the last of the series. But, clearly, that’s the point. Once hooked etc. … and you probably will be!

My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin General UK – Fig Tree for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

The second in what is developing into an engaging and fascinating series. Gabriel Drax is learning well on the job and from his reluctant beginnings is gradually turning into a serviceable secret agent.

He is still pretty much the fall guy to whom things happen but he shows initiative and grit in getting out of tight scrapes.

The writing, as you would expect, is skilled and lush, laced with gentle humour and pertinent character descriptions.

An easy and satisfying read.

Surprisingly enjoyed this quite a lot. My normal genre would be modern day with female leads. This was based in the 1960s with a reluctant male English spy lead. Well written and engaging on human relationships and story level. Thank you to the author. Thank you to #netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

A minor criticism: this book is not particularly well-served by its title. 'The Predicament' tells us almost nothing about this novel's contents and risks making it sound like a comedic farce, which it most certainly isn't.
However, don't be put off. This is a perfectly enjoyable sequel to 2023's Gabriel's Moon. That book, set in 1961, saw travel writer, Gabriel Dax getting unwittingly drawn into a world of international espionage. This second book, picks up Dax's adventures in 1963 as we see Dax facing more danger and excitement as he becomes aware of a new dastardly plot: a conspiracy to assassinate the popular US president, John F. Kennedy. Boyd is a never less than compelling writer and this follow-up book featuring Dax proves very nearly as engaging as the first.
But the title is a mistake.