Member Review

Another fast-moving and thrilling adventure for the reluctant spy.

"Solitary Agents" opens about a year after the events of "A Reluctant Spy". Jamie Tulloch has returned to civilian life, having departed the Legends programme. The problem is, he's bored, and actually misses the excitement he experienced as a "make-do" spy. So, he asks to be taken back - to be trained properly as an operative. He undergoes the training, and as a final test, is placed on the Red Poacher programme - a series of covert tasks, carried out in real-life, to determine if he has what it takes. Two teams, Red and Blue, one chasing the other, using only their wits and limited resources..

The story really takes off when Jamie, having completed his first task, witnesses something outside the remit of the operation, and is pulled headlong into a race across the country, and beyond, living on his wits, instinct and training, not knowing who he can trust. For spy fans, there's lots of tradecraft, and for thriller fans, lots of chases, gunfights and nights on the run. For Scottish readers, there's also some nice name-checks and place names which will be familiar, as well as a reminder of Jamie's heritage. There are also some very neat scenes where he uses simple but effective techniques to complete his tasks.

More story threads follow others from Jamie's training group, with different backgrounds and different skills, who together nicely present the wider aspects of the operation. The reader is never quite sure if everyone is what they seem - the sign of a great story.

Fans of Jamie's previous adventure will find this book somewhat different - it's mainly on home soil, from the Highlands of Scotland, to the south coast of England, with Jamie on his own, living off his wits. He's still a bit cocky, a bit over-confident at times, but clearly has what it takes, as he evades his followers, infiltrates his targets and just keeps on going. The story gathers momentum quickly, and as we meet the rest of the cast (many from the previous book) we learn the true cost of life as a spy. The sacrifices, the stresses, and the heavy price paid. The Jamie of this book is now fully-formed, as are other characters we first met in book one.

Die-hard fans of Deighton and Le Carre might find too much action in this book, but if, like me, you enjoyed Desmond Bagley and Jack Higgins, you're in for a treat.

And the ending? Well, there's plenty of scope for further escapades with Jamie and his colleagues.

Highly recommended.