Kings of Many Castles

Charlie Muffin #13

by Brian Freemantle

Television audiences around the world witness in horror the Moscow assassination attempt upon the American and Russian presidents. The captured gunman is revealed to be the son of one of Britain's most infamous nuclear defectors, which brings the shuffling, believe-nothing Charlie Muffin into the investigation.

Within hours, the death of the Russian leader and the diagnosis that the American's president's wife will be maimed brings the pressure on the combined American, Russian and British investigators to a melting point. Only Charlie Muffin refuses to accept the defector's son was the sole shooter and he doesn't endear himself to anyone--including ex-KGB debriefer Natalia Fedova and mother of Muffin's daughter-and must risk his life and his love to prove his case.

From the corridors of power in Russia to the offices of MI5, Charlie must once again challenge higher authorities to bring justice to all. In perhaps his most intense thriller to date, Brian Freemantle once again uses his unique understanding of international espionage and intrigue to remarkable results.

Genres: Espionage, Thriller, Fiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Aka John Maxwell, Jonathan Evans, Jack Winchester, Harry Asher and Richard Gant.

Brian Freemantle [b. 1936] is one of Britain's most acclaimed authors of spy fiction. His novels have sold over ten million copies worldwide. Born in Southampton, Freemantle entered his career as a journalist, and began writing espionage thrillers in the late 1960s. Charlie M (1977) introduced the world to Charlie Muffin and won Freemantle international recognition—he would go on to publish fourteen titles in the series.

Freemantle has written dozens of other novels, including two featuring Sebastian Holmes, an illegitimate son of Sherlock Holmes, and the Cowley and Danilov series, about an American FBI agent and a Russian militia detective who work together to comabt organized crime in the post-Cold War world. Freemantle lives and works in London, Englad.

Reviews

[Hans Ostrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love Charlie Muffin. Sloppily dressed, problems with authority, larceny in his heart, loyalty to friends, hatred for enemies and superiors, an underestimated smarts. The central premise of these books is always engaging and feels authentic. Muffin is the anti-James Bond, and we're all the better for it. Great insights into bureaucray worldwide.

[Diogenes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps the most convoluted of the Muffin series, this is a study in CYA (cover your ass). Too much goes unsatisfied in this 13th of an outstandingly clever series.
Without giving away any spoilers, Charlie's brilliance is attributed to others and goes unrewarded, his love life is in shambles, he loses track of his own principles, and things are so uncomfortable for him that he hardly notices his signature foot discomfort. While all the others in this series leave one with a satisfied smile, this one just leaves one down.

[Lindsay Heller · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was genuinely surprised to find this book with a 4+ star rating - outside of all the editorial errors I found myself completely disinterested in the implied meaning behind the words of the various spy characters. While I understand a spy novel is supposed to speak volumes without saying a lot in dialogue, I found myself struggling to stay engaged. Charlie Muffin is a mans man, and as such I couldn't seem to latch onto the character. Overall a disappointing read.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlie Muffin is always enjoyable. Nothing earthshaking in this—just typical Muffin.

[Daniel Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing. Very strong and entertaining until the last 15% of the book where Freemantle just mails in the ending.

[Adolfo Ramon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty average tbh...