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Legoland Trilogy #3
Dirty Little Secret
The final book in an espionage trilogy that has been called "as elegant as le Carré and as cynical as the twenty-first century" (Lee Child)
The "special relationship" between London and Washington is in tatters. Salim Dhar, the world's most wanted terrorist, has disappeared after an audacious attack on an American target in the United Kingdom. The CIA believes Daniel Marchant, renegade MI6 officer, was involved. But Marchant has a bigger secret: Dhar has agreed to work for MI6, promising to protect Britain from future terrorist atrocities. He has also asked for something in return: Marchant must help him with a final strike against America. Will the UK sign up to this Faustian pact or hunt them both down?
In Dirty Little Secret, a high-octane finale to a trilogy that will appeal to fans of Alex Berenson and Olen Steinhauer, Marchant wrestles with his conscience and the question: Does loyalty to one's country come above all else, whatever the price?
"Twisty and relentless. Stock has brought the literary spy novel into the twenty-first century." —Portsmouth Herald
The "special relationship" between London and Washington is in tatters. Salim Dhar, the world's most wanted terrorist, has disappeared after an audacious attack on an American target in the United Kingdom. The CIA believes Daniel Marchant, renegade MI6 officer, was involved. But Marchant has a bigger secret: Dhar has agreed to work for MI6, promising to protect Britain from future terrorist atrocities. He has also asked for something in return: Marchant must help him with a final strike against America. Will the UK sign up to this Faustian pact or hunt them both down?
In Dirty Little Secret, a high-octane finale to a trilogy that will appeal to fans of Alex Berenson and Olen Steinhauer, Marchant wrestles with his conscience and the question: Does loyalty to one's country come above all else, whatever the price?
"Twisty and relentless. Stock has brought the literary spy novel into the twenty-first century." —Portsmouth Herald
448 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2012
5 people are currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Jon Stock
11 books8 followersJon Stock is a novelist who writes spy and psychological thrillers. The Sleep Room, his first non-fiction book, was published in the UK on 3 April 2025 (Little, Brown). It was published in the US on 22 July 2025 (Abrams).
After reading English at Cambridge, Jon became a freelance journalist, writing investigative and arts features for the Observer, Private Eye, the Telegraph and the Times. For two years, he was a foreign correspondent in New Delhi before returning to become Weekend editor of the Telegraph in 2005 and to write espionage novels. Dead Spy Running, part of the Daniel Marchant Spy Trilogy, was optioned by Warner Bros. with a screenplay written by Oscar-winner Stephen Gaghan.
In 2015, he became a full-time author, writing psychological thrillers as J.S. Monroe. Find Me has been translated into fourteen languages. Jon is currently a Royal Literary Fund Bridge Fellow and is a vice chair of the Marlborough Literature Festival in Wiltshire, where he lives with his wife, the photographer Hilary Stock. They have three adult children.
After reading English at Cambridge, Jon became a freelance journalist, writing investigative and arts features for the Observer, Private Eye, the Telegraph and the Times. For two years, he was a foreign correspondent in New Delhi before returning to become Weekend editor of the Telegraph in 2005 and to write espionage novels. Dead Spy Running, part of the Daniel Marchant Spy Trilogy, was optioned by Warner Bros. with a screenplay written by Oscar-winner Stephen Gaghan.
In 2015, he became a full-time author, writing psychological thrillers as J.S. Monroe. Find Me has been translated into fourteen languages. Jon is currently a Royal Literary Fund Bridge Fellow and is a vice chair of the Marlborough Literature Festival in Wiltshire, where he lives with his wife, the photographer Hilary Stock. They have three adult children.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 19, 2013
"Things must be serious if the Americans were cosying up to the French."
Forget exploding jet fighters and escaped international terrorists. Forget British spies who may or may not be in league with said international terrorists and a CIA chief trying to take over MI6. Forget all about an MI6 chief being undermined by his colleagues and a body count, as the result of terrorist action across Britain, mounting by the minute...that's nowt! If the Yanks are best buddies with the Frogs, the world really HAS tilted off its axis.
'Dirty Little Secret', is the third of Jon Stock's Daniel Marchant thrillers (hopefully not the last) and begins with the various intelligence agencies trying to pick up the pieces after the mayhem of the end of 'Games Traitors Play.' 'The fire and confusion, the smoke and the sound', as the great Todd Rundgren once so eloquently put it. The international terrorist Salim Dhar has escaped the wreckage and gone missing. Our soon to be ex-very good friends, the CIA, are of the opinion that the British MI6 spy Marchant not only knows where he is, but is also actively helping him. It was all an unholy mess and it's still a mess at the start of this book.
So, everything just how you'd want it from a modern spy thriller. A crazy situation that starts badly, spirals seemingly out of control, then gets much worse. Friends become enemies and those who were enemies in the past, become the only ones you can trust to be predictable in the present.
In fact, I think 'Dirty Little Secret' is a lot about and hinges on, how past events shape the present ones. Recent events, in terms of what has gone on in the two previous books, but mainly in the past for nearly all the main characters. The past might indeed be a foreign country, and the country for both father and son (and half-son) Marchant, is India. While the story doesn't take us there this time, many times their earlier lives in India casts a shadow over their current lives in the here and now. India is where Marchant junior had his formative years, where his twin brother died tragically young and it's where Marchant Snr was stationed when he, erm...'sowed the seeds', of at least some of the present situation's problems. Then, for another of the main, perhaps more old-fashioned, characters, the spy world of the past would have been shaken to its core to find there was suspicion of (yet another) a Russian mole sitting pretty, high up in MI6. It says something about the mess Jon Stock has got us all into, that it feels almost reassuring! No great surprise then, to find a spy chief rushing off eastwards, presumably to Russia. The Yanks, bless 'em, find it shockingly predictable Brit behaviour. They did it in the past, look, they're at it again now! British spy chief goes AWOL - ring Moscow. But we know it's not him Moscow have their claws into. In the past maybe, not the present.
Crikey, I can go on a bit, eh? I didn't want to go writing out the story again, Jon Stock does that job a whole lot better than me, as I certainly hope you'll discover for yourselves.
I did though feel that the start of the book could have done with a bit more of a bang and been a bit 'neater'. There is a lot of 'tidying up' to do, but I felt it could have been a little sharper in doing it. But it does then kick on shortly after we've got everyone scurrying off from under the rock for the rest of the tale. Mainly, I thought it began to work as it should, as well as the first two I mean, when I started to think 'ooh, they're not gonna like THAT one little bit.'
With unexpected twists and turns, shocks and surprises, 'Dirty Little Secret' is a fittingly high-tension, and thoroughly satisfying final stage (?) in the Daniel Marchant story. When you add to the mix some really rather, shall we say 'uncomfortable' treatment dished out to reasonably innocent IT workers (it certainly isn't easy to look away and keep reading at the same time, I can tell you), and a level of surveillance ability, which, if true in the real world, makes you glad you've never typed b.o.m.b. in an email (and I have a tin-foil hat on as I write this). What could be better? Oh yeah, the wife getting annoyed at leaping 6ft in the air off the sofa in shock countless times when I slam the (hardback) book down on the coffee-table with a 'Ho-ley SHITE!' (or it's Danish equivalent, 'Kors i røven!!!'). Yeah, there's all that too.
There's more than one person here, with a 'Dirty Little Secret', your mission, and you better choose to accept it, is to find out who can keep it covered up longest.
Go buy the whole series*. Go do it. Now!
*Check on Amazon, for which is 1, 2 and 3. And buy 'em as physical editions, you 'll feel much better about it.
Forget exploding jet fighters and escaped international terrorists. Forget British spies who may or may not be in league with said international terrorists and a CIA chief trying to take over MI6. Forget all about an MI6 chief being undermined by his colleagues and a body count, as the result of terrorist action across Britain, mounting by the minute...that's nowt! If the Yanks are best buddies with the Frogs, the world really HAS tilted off its axis.
'Dirty Little Secret', is the third of Jon Stock's Daniel Marchant thrillers (hopefully not the last) and begins with the various intelligence agencies trying to pick up the pieces after the mayhem of the end of 'Games Traitors Play.' 'The fire and confusion, the smoke and the sound', as the great Todd Rundgren once so eloquently put it. The international terrorist Salim Dhar has escaped the wreckage and gone missing. Our soon to be ex-very good friends, the CIA, are of the opinion that the British MI6 spy Marchant not only knows where he is, but is also actively helping him. It was all an unholy mess and it's still a mess at the start of this book.
So, everything just how you'd want it from a modern spy thriller. A crazy situation that starts badly, spirals seemingly out of control, then gets much worse. Friends become enemies and those who were enemies in the past, become the only ones you can trust to be predictable in the present.
In fact, I think 'Dirty Little Secret' is a lot about and hinges on, how past events shape the present ones. Recent events, in terms of what has gone on in the two previous books, but mainly in the past for nearly all the main characters. The past might indeed be a foreign country, and the country for both father and son (and half-son) Marchant, is India. While the story doesn't take us there this time, many times their earlier lives in India casts a shadow over their current lives in the here and now. India is where Marchant junior had his formative years, where his twin brother died tragically young and it's where Marchant Snr was stationed when he, erm...'sowed the seeds', of at least some of the present situation's problems. Then, for another of the main, perhaps more old-fashioned, characters, the spy world of the past would have been shaken to its core to find there was suspicion of (yet another) a Russian mole sitting pretty, high up in MI6. It says something about the mess Jon Stock has got us all into, that it feels almost reassuring! No great surprise then, to find a spy chief rushing off eastwards, presumably to Russia. The Yanks, bless 'em, find it shockingly predictable Brit behaviour. They did it in the past, look, they're at it again now! British spy chief goes AWOL - ring Moscow. But we know it's not him Moscow have their claws into. In the past maybe, not the present.
Crikey, I can go on a bit, eh? I didn't want to go writing out the story again, Jon Stock does that job a whole lot better than me, as I certainly hope you'll discover for yourselves.
I did though feel that the start of the book could have done with a bit more of a bang and been a bit 'neater'. There is a lot of 'tidying up' to do, but I felt it could have been a little sharper in doing it. But it does then kick on shortly after we've got everyone scurrying off from under the rock for the rest of the tale. Mainly, I thought it began to work as it should, as well as the first two I mean, when I started to think 'ooh, they're not gonna like THAT one little bit.'
With unexpected twists and turns, shocks and surprises, 'Dirty Little Secret' is a fittingly high-tension, and thoroughly satisfying final stage (?) in the Daniel Marchant story. When you add to the mix some really rather, shall we say 'uncomfortable' treatment dished out to reasonably innocent IT workers (it certainly isn't easy to look away and keep reading at the same time, I can tell you), and a level of surveillance ability, which, if true in the real world, makes you glad you've never typed b.o.m.b. in an email (and I have a tin-foil hat on as I write this). What could be better? Oh yeah, the wife getting annoyed at leaping 6ft in the air off the sofa in shock countless times when I slam the (hardback) book down on the coffee-table with a 'Ho-ley SHITE!' (or it's Danish equivalent, 'Kors i røven!!!'). Yeah, there's all that too.
There's more than one person here, with a 'Dirty Little Secret', your mission, and you better choose to accept it, is to find out who can keep it covered up longest.
Go buy the whole series*. Go do it. Now!
*Check on Amazon, for which is 1, 2 and 3. And buy 'em as physical editions, you 'll feel much better about it.
February 28, 2017
Very good
This is what a spy story should be. You need to read the first books to understand everything as this continues straight off the back of Games traitors play, but I can't recommend then highly enough to anyone who enjoys this type of thing.
This is what a spy story should be. You need to read the first books to understand everything as this continues straight off the back of Games traitors play, but I can't recommend then highly enough to anyone who enjoys this type of thing.
October 9, 2012
Fantastic thriller, the third in the series. Lots of intrigue and a great pace.
A modern James Bond
September 3, 2020
Purchase Dirty Little Secret here for just $8!
Dirty Little Secret is absolutely thrilling and gripping from beginning to end, as a good spy novel should be. Good characterisation and story plot, with a dash of humour throughout. Fans of Le Carre will be sure to enjoy this author.
Alicia - The Book Grocer
Dirty Little Secret is absolutely thrilling and gripping from beginning to end, as a good spy novel should be. Good characterisation and story plot, with a dash of humour throughout. Fans of Le Carre will be sure to enjoy this author.
Alicia - The Book Grocer
September 20, 2024
I enjoyed this series and the finale was very well crafted. Solid character development throughout. The series is more on a cerebral level with political manipulation as the focus rather than excessive violence. As mentioned by one of the novel's characters, alliances are often based on expediency rather than ideology.
May 7, 2017
Absolutely loves it. Please let there be more form Daniel Marchant!
January 2, 2019
Good Book
I enjoyed the whole Daniel Marchant series. It's best to read the books in the order that they were written.
I enjoyed the whole Daniel Marchant series. It's best to read the books in the order that they were written.
January 31, 2016
I enjoyed this book as the third in a trilogy, but am not sure how strong it is in it's own right. I think that the investment that I had made in the first two books immediately made me look on this book more favourably. The idea of past actions coming home to roost seemed to be the strongest theme through the book, and that worked for me, especially when thinking of this as the final book in a group of three. What did not work so well was the personality flaws that caused problems. I don't have relevant knowledge to back up my points, but for example Daniel's weakness for women seemed unbelievable for someone who is supposedly so good at his job - surely a toughness in all relationships must be necessary to be a successful spy? This was true to a degree for other characters as well, such as Dhar and the acting chief of MI6 (Ian Denton). The idea of the tie between Dhar and Marchant is good, and enables Stock to introduce lots of interesting twists and turns with very high stakes. The simple prose used by Stock was attractive, and the pace of the plot worked well for me. Overall it makes for a good but for me probably not a great read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 16, 2015
This is a wonderful book, full of seriously nasty twists and turns...there is good reason the blurbs on the book compare Jon Stock to LeCarre. Daniel Marchant is not your typical American hero...in fact, Americans come off very poorly in this book. It's a fun, devious read...and don't trust anyone.
May 13, 2013
would have rated higher, but so anti American (esp CIA) and pro Palestinian (completely equating behavior of those in ramallah with those in Israel) that I loved and hated the book at the same time.
March 30, 2013
Review tk.
3/29/13 http://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/...
3/29/13 http://www.criminalelement.com/blogs/...
June 6, 2013
Great book, but this can't be the end of the trilogy. The ending betrays that fact.
June 13, 2013
Hmm, another rushed ending.
July 23, 2013
what a crappy story: stupid characters, stupid writing, stupid secrets.
December 7, 2013
Excellent!
March 18, 2014
Very quick reading.
Read
November 11, 2016I got this on audiobook and tried a couple of times to start it but the narrator's voice made me switch off and lose interest very quickly each time.
October 16, 2014
well constructed fast-paced thriller.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews