Spies Without Borders

Clarke and Fairchild #5

by T.M. Parris

Some old secrets still have the power to destroy.

Spy-turned-traitor Grom plans to manipulate popular fear and resentment to serve the unscrupulous rich in the form of global hacking empire Fire Sappers.

MI6 officer Rose Clarke has come to Hungary to stop him, but is diverted into discovering an unsettling secret that causes her to rethink her whole life.

Rootless international mercenary John Fairchild has ostracised himself from everybody to infiltrate Grom's group, but is taken in a completely different direction. Falling through a hole in his own network, he discovers something shocking that changes everything he thought he knew about himself.

Their paths cross with a former agent who bears a grudge, and a lost boy who found everything he wanted in the city, only to lose it again. Their rage threatens devastation - but who is it aimed at?

Battling with their own bruising discoveries, can Clarke and Fairchild get ahead of a ruthless mind that's manipulated them both?

Set in vibrant modern Budapest with its turbulent history and troubling politics, Book Five in the series explores the importance of identity and belonging and ends with an explosive finale.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

321 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 28, 2022

About the author

My name’s Tracey Parris and I live in Belper, a lively market town near the Peak District National Park in the middle of the UK. I’ve been a market researcher and data geek, an English language teacher, a player of the flute, trumpet and Irish whistle (not at the same time), a marathon runner, a baker of fine cakes and a local councillor. I’ve been lucky enough to have travelled a lot, particularly in Asia and Europe, but I’m not done yet!

I’ve been writing since 2011. The Clarke and Fairchild series, my first self-publishing venture, is a result of my fascination with international travel and the moral ambiguities of the world of politics. I've been lucky enough to travel to many of the places featured in my stories. I had the idea for the character of John Fairchild in a moment of homesickness wandering the streets of Beijing, when I really, really wished someone was around who spoke the language!

Reviews

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spies Without Borders shows a clear picture of life in the eastern countries in Europe and the intricacy of the relationships in the area. Spying was the norm as well as betraying in order to allow certain beliefs to continue to dominate people and countries. Rose and Fairchild were sometimes on the opposite sides but they have a magnetic pull between them and only the future may say what will happen to that relationship. John has found some unsettling information regarding his past, but he is far from satisfied with what he knows, and also there is Grom the arch-enemy of all political forces and in some ways able to manipulate John and everyone else he touches. I'm looking forward to learning how this series will continue to develop. This story is full of action, twists, and turns and at the same time brings a lot of history to enlighten the reader's culture. Very entertaining!
I received a free copy of this book from the author and this is my honest opinion.

[mary arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rose Clarke and John Fairchild have faced many life and death situations over the past few years, both together and separately. John is still searching for the truth about his parents who were killed when he was very young. They were working as he and Rose are, undercover. So he goes to Hungary to meet with an old enemy to exchange information to further his search. Not only is this a thriller with a twist, but it gives insight into the beauty and recent history of that area of Europe.

[Viragored · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a while since I read a book like this, and I'm glad I did. The story-telling style reminds me of John Le Carré, but is rather more accessible. Even though this is the fifth in a series, the author has done a great job of alluding to previous stories in such a way that enough is explained for this book to stand alone.
Overall a well-crafted tale, good quality writing and editing, and well worth a read.

[Veronica Flowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great spy series

I truly loved all of the books in the series and would recommend reading them. They are good as one or the whole series. I can't wait to see if there's another and to get the chance to read it.

[C. Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read - but too much blasphemy for my liking! Others appear to be able to write exciting novels without resorting to that kind of language, so no excuse for using it!

[Christine Doron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Old secrets

If you enjoy fiction set in another culture, you will enjoy the word pictures and historical extracts of Hungary. Now I want to visit Hungary and particularly Budapest.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written. Interesting read with lots of twists and turns.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This action packed spy thriller will keep you guessing throughout. Fairchild must work with his nemesis Grom to figure out what dastardly deeds he's up to now ...... but the traitor Grom is a master manipulator and all is not what it seems. Knowing that Fairchild has been seeking information about his parents who disappeared when he was a child Grom sends him down a rabbit hole that has a shocking twist. Rose is also on a parallel mission to stop whatever Grom is up to so Fairchild and Rose support each other behind the scenes but will it be enough? I received this ARC and this is my honest review.