The new installment in Stella Rimington’s series of “frighteningly authentic” espionage thrillers (Chicago Tribune) read full description
reviews
Oct 21, 2011
Vanessa
rated it: 
We are promised authenticity with this book and we probably get it. Being a spy is probably as dull and pedestrian as this.
This is Stella's third spy novel so you'd think she'd have hit her stride by now but she seems content with an unambitious amble. She has no doubt used her experience as Head of M15 to good effect, but she doesn't seem to have used her qualification as a graduate in English literature.
The book has no pace. The dialogue doesn't crackle. There is no ten More...
This is Stella's third spy novel so you'd think she'd have hit her stride by now but she seems content with an unambitious amble. She has no doubt used her experience as Head of M15 to good effect, but she doesn't seem to have used her qualification as a graduate in English literature.
The book has no pace. The dialogue doesn't crackle. There is no ten More...
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Oct 11, 2011
Diane
rated it: 
Not all that long ago, Abbeys Bookshop in York Street, Sydney, was giving away a Stella Rimington title when you bought a thriller. My husband got one, read it (he can't remember which one it was) and said it wasn't much good. But he's like that.
Illegal Action is an intricate and involving story in which Rimington makes good use of the knowledge she gleaned during her long career in Britain's security services, culminating in her appointment as the first female Director General of M15. Wh More...
Illegal Action is an intricate and involving story in which Rimington makes good use of the knowledge she gleaned during her long career in Britain's security services, culminating in her appointment as the first female Director General of M15. Wh More...
Feb 07, 2011
Paul
rated it:
Stella Remington knows of what she writes. Stella, not of "A Streetcar Named Desire" fame, was the first woman Director General of MI5. She has probably used her experience in MI5 in writing her 4 novels. So, being true to life, we must forego the car chases and gun battles and settle for the psychological mystery.
Liz Carlyle, quite possibly fashioned after Stella, is working for the counter-espionage department of MI5. She and the department are faced with the changing More...
Liz Carlyle, quite possibly fashioned after Stella, is working for the counter-espionage department of MI5. She and the department are faced with the changing More...
Sep 29, 2009
Trish
rated it:
When Stella Rimington first published a novel in 2004, I was pleased, surprised, and interested. It was kind of cool, watching the watchers, and seeing what she decided to share with us of her life, her work as the first Director General of Britain's domestic security service, MI-5. Her earlier work, particularly her first novel At Risk, was good. But a really great editor wouldn't have let her get away with this latest narrative, which did not quite reach the mark. Perhaps writing is a stress-r
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Feb 10, 2010
Zach
rated it:
Pretty good. The author's career in MI5 allows her to convey an air of realism in certain aspects of the story, however you often wish that there were more details.
The plot is at times a little weak and requires a bit of a suspension of disbelief at several points (the pretense used to install Liz in the house, the lack of follow up after one violent incident, the series of events used to separate her from her cell phone) The final confrontation was tense and I read the last 40 pag More...
The plot is at times a little weak and requires a bit of a suspension of disbelief at several points (the pretense used to install Liz in the house, the lack of follow up after one violent incident, the series of events used to separate her from her cell phone) The final confrontation was tense and I read the last 40 pag More...
Aug 28, 2011
Niall519
rated it:
Starts promisingly, and ends tiresomely.
I actually listened to the audio book version of this while driving long distances, and it's probable that my opinion of the story wasn't helped by the woman doing the narration. I've heard some some superb audio books over the years, with 'The Quiet American' being a stand out. The narrator there managed accents and male and female voices with subtlety and detail., and added to the exerience of the story.
Unfortunately, this narrator was on par with Terry More...
I actually listened to the audio book version of this while driving long distances, and it's probable that my opinion of the story wasn't helped by the woman doing the narration. I've heard some some superb audio books over the years, with 'The Quiet American' being a stand out. The narrator there managed accents and male and female voices with subtlety and detail., and added to the exerience of the story.
Unfortunately, this narrator was on par with Terry More...
Feb 05, 2009
Barrett
rated it:
Solidly enjoyable, but not spectacular, rather like Rimington's personality I am coming to feel. I noticed how underepresented female writers are in my library and wanted to branch out. Rimington as the former female head of MI-5, writes more manly than say, John Updike, who in his Eastwick series coems across as quite the feminine empath. Her spy book is much like a report, where hotshot agents get fired and scolded, rather than saving the day. This adds a level or realism that gives me a b
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Aug 21, 2008
Jennifer (JC-S)
rated it: 
Part of my current fiction binge. I am almost sated. I enjoyed this book: the main characters are well developed and (generally) likeable and very human.
Liz Carlyle, MI5 agent, is now working in the Counter-Espionage Branch. While it was once the hub of MI5 operations, Counter-Espionage has been reduced in size since the end of the Cold War – even though there are significantly more spies operating in London. Drawn in part by London’s status as the base of the international fina More...
Liz Carlyle, MI5 agent, is now working in the Counter-Espionage Branch. While it was once the hub of MI5 operations, Counter-Espionage has been reduced in size since the end of the Cold War – even though there are significantly more spies operating in London. Drawn in part by London’s status as the base of the international fina More...
Nov 28, 2010
Dina
rated it:
A thriller by a former head of M1-5 who happens to be a woman. The concept of a smart woman writing about espionage from personal experience was exciting. And, as a bonus, the main character is a smart woman. The book was a little stressful to read because the theme of terrorism can hit a little too close to reality for comfort, but I really enjoyed it.
Mar 23, 2011
Bachyboy
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Read this when recovering from hip surgery so not sure I gave it my best shot. Sort of spy book and all those confusing Russian names again. I liked the action at the end and the strong female character.
May 15, 2011
The
rated it:
My first book in this series and probably not the last. A very easy read however a little bit predictable. Just not enough happening for my liking but I very much like the character of Liz Carlyle
Sep 20, 2008
Susan
rated it:
The prospect of reading a spy novel from the former Director General of MI5 (and the only woman to have ever held that post) was intriguing.
Unfortunately, the story itself was not.
The story was OK...and I'm sure that many of the technical aspects of the book were accurate. But the characters were really flat. The main character (predictably) got herself into a dangerous situation towards the end of the book and I found myself not really caring what happened. And...seve More...
Unfortunately, the story itself was not.
The story was OK...and I'm sure that many of the technical aspects of the book were accurate. But the characters were really flat. The main character (predictably) got herself into a dangerous situation towards the end of the book and I found myself not really caring what happened. And...seve More...
Nov 25, 2010
Tom
rated it:
Pleasant read. Not as good as the first two, which were super. Hope Stella can turn up the heat for the next one. Congratulations to her being selected to manage this year's Man Booker prize committee.
Mar 21, 2010
Kat
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Stella Rimington writes great, current spy novels set in England. I reccomend all of them.
Nov 25, 2009
Jill
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The author is a very good writer. You are sucked into her books, and they move at a fast pace.
Dec 16, 2008
Joanne
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Nice old-fashioned British espionage in the spirit of the older books by Le Carre.
Aug 09, 2011
SirPoochala
rated it:
I like this character and I look forward to Rimington's next book
Aug 05, 2011
Jen
rated it:
Third in a series about spies by the ex-chief of MI? This one is much better than no.2, if still a bit formulaic and light on in the character development area. A 3 star thriller.
May 02, 2011
Martin
rated it:
Another great read from Stella Rimington. The reader is quickly dragged into the murky world of the Intelligence Community, following Liz Carlyle and the intricacies of her life and work. I'm not going to talk about the plot of the book so as not to spoil for anyone reading this review..... but if you are a fan of BBC 1's `Spooks', you'll love this book.
As in her previous two offerings, this book is well written and a good read from start to finish. I can't wait for the next instalmen More...
As in her previous two offerings, this book is well written and a good read from start to finish. I can't wait for the next instalmen More...
Sep 05, 2008
Keith
rated it: 
Well I choose this as our next book for my book club. Its a completely different genre than we typically read. But my thought for choosing this was to mix it up and see what the ladies think about the plot. Since we all liked watching Casino Royale with Dame Judy Dentch and hmmm Daniel Craig !!!!
Okay would not recommend this book it just droned on and on. I kept waiting for something to take hold of me and nothing ever did so I aborted because I have many more books I want to rea
Okay would not recommend this book it just droned on and on. I kept waiting for something to take hold of me and nothing ever did so I aborted because I have many more books I want to rea
Apr 01, 2010
Jeff
rated it:
Another strong counter-espionage story from Rimington. The ending had two clever twists near the end.
Aug 05, 2008
Jessica
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While the premise of a female MI5 agent on assignment in Europe sounds thrilling, the actual case this story is based on wasn't as captivating as I'd imagined.
However, I did read it through and it was fairly short - so I'd imagine this is something of a series of books, because that's how the story reads. Like there may be other books coming down the pike based on different cases to which this agent is assigned.
Not bad.
However, I did read it through and it was fairly short - so I'd imagine this is something of a series of books, because that's how the story reads. Like there may be other books coming down the pike based on different cases to which this agent is assigned.
Not bad.
Jul 27, 2009
Ginger
rated it:
Gave up - couldn't get into it. It could have been me and not the book.
Sep 03, 2008
Margee
rated it:
The third book in the Liz Carlyle series, by former head of MI-5, Stella Rimington, pits her against wealthy ex-pat Russian oligarchs living in England. Liz goes undercover as an art expert, advising a wealthy Russian who's become a target of Putin's government, and unmasking a Russian operative working at cross purposes with her. This is a complexly plotted novel which builds to a satisfyingly explosive finale.
Jan 30, 2012
Wendy T
rated it:
I'm not much into reading espionage novels, but I thought this book was okay.
