The Last Supper (Paul Christopher #5) in Espionage Aficionados

Feb 16, 2016 Ric rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

(This October of the Pandemic year 2020 I started reading the Paul Christopher, or PC, series in sequence from Book 1 to 10 spanning original publication dates from 1974 to 2007)

Well, I had to skip Book 4 because apparently it does not include PC. And looking ahead, may have to skip several other books since they do not have audiobook versions and could very well be out of print. Anyway, this Book 5 is a re-read. I last read this in 2016.

Betrayals are a key plot element for many spy novels as th (This October of the Pandemic year 2020 I started reading the Paul Christopher, or PC, series in sequence from Book 1 to 10 spanning original publication dates from 1974 to 2007)

Well, I had to skip Book 4 because apparently it does not include PC. And looking ahead, may have to skip several other books since they do not have audiobook versions and could very well be out of print. Anyway, this Book 5 is a re-read. I last read this in 2016.

Betrayals are a key plot element for many spy novels as they add a poignancy and unpredictability to the narratives. And in this novel, the betrayal is presented in such an extreme and unexpected manner that I, as a reader, had difficulty grasping the author's point at first. It all seemed senseless, characters that one has grown to love and relate to just being discarded. In some way, the author seemed to be venting against the nature of spy institutions (the Outfit, in this novel) and the foolish parade of spymasters that run them.

But, perhaps, I over-react, for by the mechanism of the narrative events, I do get to see a depth of emotion from PC, and do get to understand him better. As a character study, this does make sense. And of course, the evocative writing invites the reader to expect a poetic resolution to the emotional roller-coaster of the story. On that point, I was not disappointed.

--------------------------
Review from 2016:

Spy tale, perhaps one of the best I've read in recent times.

This story spans decades, from the infancy of modern spydom, WWII, to the later days of the Cold War, thoughtfully told and delivered. It does take some time for the narrative to pick up but the author keeps us engaged with character development, then, in one fell swoop, strips the veneer off, revealing hidden depths to their deception. Spies behaving badly.

I enjoyed the book immensely, reminding me of the early works of John le Carré, but only in terms of the delightful expectation in good storytelling, for the styles are starkly different. Recommended for spy buffs everywhere. ...more

Like · see review

Apr 03, 2018 Sandi rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: crime-mystery-thriller-suspense, audio, read-2018

A good old fashioned page turner that was both a suspenseful spy story and family saga that spanned the globe and the decades from the late twenties to the seventies. Listened to the audio version which was expertly read by Stefan Rudnicki.

Like · see review