Liz Carlyle, the quick, passionate intelligence officer of Britain's MI5, returns to defuse a terrorist plot in this high-stakes, high-tension tale...
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reviews
Jul 28, 2011
I've not been a fan of the espionage genre before, so I can't compare it with other such books; but as an avid reader of all sorts of well written books, I enjoyed "Secret Asset" a lot. It followed on nicely from the first Liz Carlyle book "At Risk", thoguh I'm sure it'd be fine as a first read, though it's undoubtedly richer with the knowledge of the prceding book to build on.
There was tension moreso than excitement and the characters were better formed than in the first More...
There was tension moreso than excitement and the characters were better formed than in the first More...
Aug 11, 2011
Elisha
rated it: 
Stella Rimington sounds like the coolest alias for the coolest woman in the world. She's the real life M - the former head of British Intelligence, and the first woman to hold the position. And Stella Rimington is her real name! It's all too good to be true.
I approached this novel with glee, just knowing that it would be awesome. Maybe I expected too much, but it wasn't very good. It started out well, with Liz Carlyle (MI5 employee) looking into an Arab terrorist plot that h More...
I approached this novel with glee, just knowing that it would be awesome. Maybe I expected too much, but it wasn't very good. It started out well, with Liz Carlyle (MI5 employee) looking into an Arab terrorist plot that h More...
Nov 30, 2010
Ted
rated it:
I had high hope for the former head of M15 being a Bond fan, LeCarre reader and part time Anglophile, but my first meeting with the Liz Carlyle series was only so so. I did enjoy getting an inside glimpse into the intellectual elitism of Oxford and the often mundane world of the intelligence service, but this plot, best summarized as pre-Gerry Adams IRA meets jihad, meets vengeful son, stretched the boundaries of credulity a tad too far. Still, the library has a few other in the series so I'll p
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Aug 29, 2008
Jennifer (JC-S)
rated it: 
I've really enjoyed the Liz Carlyle novels: two of them have have been part of my escapist fiction recently.
This is the second of the novels written by Ms Rimington to feature MI5 Intelligence Officer Liz Carlyle. I’ve read them out of order and while this hasn’t materially impacted upon my enjoyment of the novels, I would recommend new readers to start at the beginning.
In this novel, Liz is investigating a tip-off that a mole has been planted in one of the branches of More...
This is the second of the novels written by Ms Rimington to feature MI5 Intelligence Officer Liz Carlyle. I’ve read them out of order and while this hasn’t materially impacted upon my enjoyment of the novels, I would recommend new readers to start at the beginning.
In this novel, Liz is investigating a tip-off that a mole has been planted in one of the branches of More...
Nov 25, 2008
Maureen
rated it: 
I had high hopes for this book based on the Amazon feedback and other reviews. It was a good story, but started out sooooo scattered I really had to work to get through the first part. The second half came together better and the story did come together in the end. It is a look inside MI5 and the struggles that I imagine most "agencies" struggle with. It is a pretty quick read but it would not be the top of my list, it is a good one to have on hand for waiting rooms, starbucks, etc
May 02, 2011
Martin
rated it:
I was eagerly awaiting the release of this book after enjoying `At Risk' so much. It didn't disappoint!
From the start, you are dragged in to the murky world of Liz Carlyle & her associates at `five' and (without spoiling the plot) are launched into several, seemingly unrelated, story lines which weave and turn throughout the book.
I found this book compulsive, gritty, exceptionally well written and above all else, enjoyable. Again Stella Rimington has delivered a truly great
From the start, you are dragged in to the murky world of Liz Carlyle & her associates at `five' and (without spoiling the plot) are launched into several, seemingly unrelated, story lines which weave and turn throughout the book.
I found this book compulsive, gritty, exceptionally well written and above all else, enjoyable. Again Stella Rimington has delivered a truly great
Nov 14, 2010
J.
rated it:
This was a good read with believable characters that were not super human and therefore unbelievable. The suprise revolved around finding the Secret Asset as easrly in the book but then they had to catch him and that involved reasons for his behavior that were surprising. This has the makings of a gret series.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"
Oct 13, 2010
Jessica
rated it:
This is the second in a series about MI5 operative Liz Carlyle and it is more polished than the first, with a tangled plot that links decades-old IRA politics with present-day Islamist terror. MI5 suspects a mole infiltrated the service decades ago but was never activated. Carlyle must find the mole and prevent him or her from taking personal revenge. One of Rimington's talents is pacing and this 350-page book just zips by.
Jan 14, 2012
James
rated it:
I enjoyed this book.
The MI5 is the internal force in the UK to fight terrorists and spies. (MI6 works outside the UK). The author worked as its head before retiring. Her inside knowledge results in a more realistic storyline.
There's some action, suspense, some mystery but it's not over-the-top like US writers (Thor / Flynn).
The MI5 is the internal force in the UK to fight terrorists and spies. (MI6 works outside the UK). The author worked as its head before retiring. Her inside knowledge results in a more realistic storyline.
There's some action, suspense, some mystery but it's not over-the-top like US writers (Thor / Flynn).
Mar 29, 2010
Zach
rated it:
Okay. Similar to Remington's other books in that there is not a huge amount of detail of life of a spy and there are some interesting characters especially the female characters (Liz and Peggy) and some of the Irish partisans/supporters, but many of Liz's colleagues kind of blur together. The plot is interesting, but requires some leaps/major suspension of disbelief- there is not a huge amount of tension and the climax is rather anti-climactic and disappointing.
Feb 21, 2009
Heather
rated it:
I've always been a fan of mysteries and spy novels, and this author handles both with a deft hand. Realistic characters, great pacing, and a feeling that you're part of the MI5 team as they try to solve the latest case-- I'm looking forward to reading more from Rimington.
Jul 05, 2010
Martha
rated it:
Terrific pageturner. I want to read more books by this woman...who was the head of the British Secret Service so she knows what she is writing about. I'm sure that the boss in the James Bond movies is modeled after the author.
Dec 03, 2008
Maria
rated it:
Great book-- written by the first female director of the MI-5 in England. A bit too detaily but underscored with an air of reality. It does have a true cosmopolitan feel.
Aug 11, 2011
Bookhuw
rated it:
It's a page turner, not much more, not much less. The suspense fades, the thrust is very muted, but hey, at least you won't be stuck reading it for too long. Needs more salt.
Sep 08, 2009
Joe
rated it:
2nd in the Liz Carlyle series. Like a police procedural about MI5. Written by the first female Director General of MI5.
Jan 05, 2012
Karen
rated it:
Loved the authenticity, and personal-life parts weren't as great as the intelligence services, but still a good read.
Oct 01, 2011
Cilla
rated it:
Written by the former head of MI5, this book is a bit light weight compared to John le Carre's novels.
Jun 12, 2010
Megan
rated it:
Ok book by former M15 Director, not a strong writer but has an interesting and different kind of plot.
Jul 30, 2011
I still have mixed feelings about this author and her protagonist, but this was a good enough book.
Jan 27, 2011
Phil
rated it:
The second Liz Carlyle story from the former head of MI5 Stella Rimington. Reads like an episode of Spooks but with less tension.
Jun 20, 2009
Maggie
rated it:
This book was ok, but at times I felt like I was reading her first book all over again. Not sure that I'll read any more of her books.
