Mallory's Gambit

by L. Christian Balling

1985, Atlantic Monthly Press, hardcover edition, 287 pages. Thriller novel. In 1944, a failed British Special Operations mission involves a young OSS individual because he can pass for German. The mission is evidently betrayed to the Gestapo and ends in torture and death. 26 years later, Counterintelligence Chief Thomas Pendleton is involved in extracting a defector who claims to have information about a Russian mole in the CIA.

Genres: Fiction

287 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1985

About the author

L. Christian Balling lives in New Hampshire.

Reviews

[Mallory · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yes, I read this solely for the title. Picked it up from a booksale years ago and considering it part of my quarantine shelf clean-out. Too many acronyms by half, most going undefined. I didn't find the story particularly imaginative or gripping.

[Lesly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok. felt like an old school mystery although wrote in the 80's.

[Mark Elnekave · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is somewhat slow, as espionage book usually are, otherwise it is a good book. The plot is gripping and full of surprises which are nontheless plausible. Recommended.

[John · Rating 1 out of 5]

I knew this was going to be a one star when I started it, no I knew before I started it. If you enjoy this type work ,I guess you could give it a three star, I am just glad to get it off the to read shelf.