The Geneva Trap

The Geneva Trap (Liz Carlyle #7)

3.46 of 5 stars 3.46  ·  rating details  ·  168 ratings  ·  32 reviews
Geneva, 2012. When a Russian intelligence officer approaches MI5 with vital information about the imminent cyber-sabotage of an Anglo-American Defence programme, he refuses to talk to anyone but Liz Carlyle. But who is he, and what is his connection to the British agent?

At a tracking station in Nevada, US Navy officers watch in horror as one of their unmanned drones plumme...more
Paperback, 328 pages
Published September 13th 2012 by Bloomsbury (first published July 19th 2012)
more details... edit details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 321)
filter  |  sort: default (?)  |  rating details
Sam
Sep 19, 2012 Sam rated it 4 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition Recommends it for: spy thriller fans
Recommended to Sam by: sent by the publisher
Stella Rimington is one of those authors I’ve heard about and always meant to get around to reading. So when this book landed on my doorstep, courtesy of Bloomsbury, it was fate. Time to imbibe! As soon as I started reading, I had a real “D’oh!” moment. This is definitely the kind of book I enjoy – how could I have been such an idiot to walk past Rimington’s previous Liz Carlyle novels?

There are six prior novels in the series about intelligence officer Liz Carlyle – I really don’t think it matte...more
Julia
MI5 Intelligence Officer Liz Carlyle is called to Geneva when a Russian intelligence agent approaches MI5 and demanding to speak to her. He has news about the infiltration of a top secret US/UK defence project. As Liz and her team hunt for the mole hidden somewhere within the Ministry of Defence, the Swiss authorities are conducting parallel enquiries into another Russian intelligence officer based in Geneva. At the same time, Liz is trying to assist her mother's partner with a family problem as...more
Jeffrey
In The Geneva Trap, Stella Rimington's 7th Liz Carlyle espionage novel, the spycraft shares time with a subplot involving Carlyle's mother's boyfriend's daughter, who is being harassed by a cult for money to use in some terrorist scheme. Its a strange marriage for a spy book, but seems to be part of the story because the spy story is fairly thin.

In the Liz Carlyle portion of the story, Alexander Sorsky, a Russian spy, who used to know Carlyle when she was a student in university, approaches the...more
Bree T
In Geneva, a Russian spy approaches an employee of MI5 and requests to speak to only one person: Liz Carlyle of MI6. After they figure out precisely who he is and what his connection is to Carlyle (and how he even knows about her) a meeting is arranged between the two of them in Geneva.

He gives Carlyle some valuable information: he tells her of a secret joint operation between the UK and the US that has been infiltrated by someone from a third country (but that third country isn’t Russia). At fi...more
Alexander Peck
Jan 15, 2013 Alexander Peck rated it 3 of 5 stars  ·  review of another edition Recommends it for: Spy fans, anglophiles, George Clooney
Recommended to Alexander by: Mother
A good spy novel.

As you would expect from a novel written by the former head of MI5 and the first woman to hold that post. The female characters were good and the events seemed real people acted plausibly and the situation was plausible. Also it is very British.

On the other hand, as you would expect a novel written by the former head of MI5 there really isn't anything fantastic about the plotting, characters, story telling. Not that there was any faults in these but there were certainly no stren...more
Shelleyrae at Book'd Out
The Geneva Trap is the 7th book by former MI5 agent Stella Rimmington featuring British counter terrorism agent, Liz Carlyle. Set in the present time, Liz Carlyle is approached by a former acquaintance, now a Russian agent, with information regarding the infiltration of a top secret project known as Operation Clarity involving the development of unmanned drones. Despite the vehement denial of any possible unauthorised access, Liz's investigation uncovers a message that seems to have allowed the...more
Megan
This is a good quick read. I think that some credibility is given to the Stella Rimington books through her role as past Director General of MI5. The books feel intelligent and unglamorous - but not really gritty either.
As a reader, you occasionally feel that you are 'briefed' on the characters, and there's no mucking round with anything remotely artsy. This is a lightweight antidote to those who are thirsty for a bit of plot, but would also like to feel that MI5 are in control, so all is good i...more
Karen
It's always intriguing, who or what will be the next threats that espionage writers can employ in their thrillers. I'm not sure what it says about the world that we live in but there does seem to be no shortage of possible scenarios and nefarious goings-on to occupy the intelligence world. THE GENEVA TRAP is the 7th book in the Liz Carlyle series, and the main plot elements, as you'd expect from a writer with Rimington's background, have a ring of truth and absolutely credibility about them.

Liz...more
Michael
This review originally appeared on my blog; http://literary-exploration.com/2012/...

The Geneva Trap by Stella Rimington is my first real look into the Liz Carlyle series but this is book seven. So be warned that I’ve not read the other six books so my opinions of this book are only based as a standalone book. Liz Carlyle is a counter terrorism agent for MI5 who is approached by a Russian intelligence officer with some vital information of a cyber-sabotage plot on an American defence program. Liz...more
Ruth
Even though this is a cold week in March, this book made me think of a good beach read. It was engaging, had a plot that kept moving and I liked the two main characters. While the experimental drones are part of today's military, the spycraft seemed left over from the Cold War. Maybe old methods are still used. This is the first Liz Carlyle novel I've read. I liked the character enough to try another one....maybe during the real beach season.
Patrick SG
This is the sixth Liz Carlyle novel written by the former director of Britain's MI-5. Over the series the character has developed and this most recent novel is among her best. The story has its beginnings in Geneva, but much of it, including he dénouement revolve around France. As in other novels several strains of stories are involved, two of them coming together in the end. The story is suspenseful and the insight into the workings of the British security services seems well-informed. Overall...more
Sandy
The beginning was good and because this was written by Dame Stella Rimington who joined MI5 in 1968, I kept reading. I found the background details of espionage very interesting and a good insight into the proper 'spying game.' However, overall, I found the characters pretty wooden and the writing style a bit like she was fleshing out a report/dossier.
Anne
aaaAll the ingredients were there - good knowlege of politics and spying international plot and an interweaving story. However, the characters are pretty wooden, even though they've been together for a few books and the prose is not engaging. Don't know why I keep reading this author - probably because of her credentials I keep hoping she'll get better.
Carol Cooper
Disappointing. I expected better from the simply stellar Stella Rimington, especially after hearing her speak in 2012 on the changing face of British intelligence. However I'll probably pick up another of her books one day.
Bebe (Sarah) Brechner
The author, former MI5 Director General (!), brings yet another fine entry in this series. Fascinating and well written, given extra authenticity by the author's sterling credentials.
Lisa Nakamura
A really solid spy yarn. It is great to read a strong/stable female character in a spy thriller. Lots of pieces to the puzzle, lots of interconnections.
Monica
A solid entry in a well written series. A rogue Russian security agent is conspiring with North Koreans to sabotage a joint US/UK defense project.
Marty
I thought it was great. Interesting characters, great locations in LOndon and Provence, written by an ex-MI5 female chief and an excellent mystery.
Carey Combe
Too predictable, the characters are becoming charicatures and the plot devices are pretty thin but still readable.
Sue
Great book. Moves right along. I'm a Liz Carlyle fan and admire Dame Stella Rimington whom I met Summer 2012.
Tracy
Aug 16, 2012 Tracy rated it 3 of 5 stars
Shelves: own
I like this series enough that I was willing to shamelessly ask around to find someone going through Heathrow who would pick me up the book.
Julie
B ad writing, but good plotting. I think the publishers were trading on her name.
Martina
7th in the great Liz Carlyle series written by former head of MI-5.
Charlotte
Too much telling, not enough showing and the plot strands didn't integrate well.
Linda
Predictable and quite dull
Alex Ballantyne


Predictable and lacking in suspense.
Marcia Meakim
Failed to hold interest.
Rick Hollis
Decent escapist reading. This book did not really stand out to me, but having said that, I will probably read more of this series.
Cassandra Brotherton
Enjoyed this one. Engaging story, good pace.
« previous 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 next »
There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »
The Geneva Trap (Hardcover)
The Geneva Trap (Hardcover)
The Geneva Trap: A Liz Carlyle novel (Paperback)
The Geneva Trap (Kindle Edition)
The Geneva Trap: A Liz Carlyle Novel (ebook)

166873
Dame Stella Whitehouse Rimington joined the Security Service (MI5) in 1968. During her career she worked in all the main fields of the Service: counter-subversion, counter-espionage and counter-terrorism. She was appointed Director General in 1992, the first woman to hold the post. She has written her autobiography and five Liz Carlyle novels. She lives in London and Norfolk.

Watch a video of Stel...more
More about Stella Rimington...
At Risk (Liz Carlyle, #1) Secret Asset (Liz Carlyle, #2) Illegal Action (Liz Carlyle, #3) Rip Tide (Liz Carlyle, #6) Dead Line (Liz Carlyle, #4)

Share This Book

Your website