Welcome to Litsy!

There‘s no question that I. S. Berry has mad writing skills. There‘s a great story embedded in this thriller. I just wish that there was also at least one likeable character. I get it, spy novels are all about treachery and betrayal. Berry describes her protagonist, Shane Collin‘s, as world-weary. He is that, and his colleagues and foes are very ready to betray him, and themselves. I kept reading to find some redemption; there is none.

(1968) When files go missing from the British embassy in Bonn, Alan Turner arrives to sort out what happened while the diplomatic personnel wish he would just keep it quiet. The thief is quickly identified, but his motives and location remain a mystery. This is *so* LeCarré: espionage novel as psychological thriller, pensive, deeply cynical, gorgeously written. Also: the resolution has chilling parallels to our current historical moment.

Did I mention that I love irony? It‘s ironic to me that recording and listening to private conversations created the downfall of Richard Nixon. Here was a president who listened in on his political rivals, denied it for years, then several recorded private conversations admitting what he did was used against him forcing him to resign. #politics #impeachment #jeffreyengel #richardnixon #spying #recording #history #uspolitics #ushistory

I‘ve been missing in action! My excuse.. a wonderful overseas holiday and spending lots of time in my garden. My reading high lights have been John Boyne and John Le Carre. I have just started War and Peace as I promised myself I would read it this year. Hope your all getting some reading time😊
#holidayreading #literature #crime #classics

I had expected a book from one of the earliest women to rise to a leadership position in the CIA to be fascinating, but overall this is repetitive and surprisingly bland. There are moments here and there that are interesting, but the writing just isn‘t engaging. Also, by the end, she is making choices that reinforce the stereotypes she says she‘s railing against and that just bugged me.

Love it

Having live through and watching the fall of the Berlin Wall while also being scared 💩-less by my older brother of impending nuclear annihilation by the Soviet Union as a child, this book was a fascinating behind-the-(Iron)-Curtain look into just exactly how the West was able to curtail Russian paranoia and ultimately dismantle generations of mistrust. One man sacrificed everything in pursuit of freedom.

1. I redid my bookcases and put my TBR shelves near each other. Top shelf also includes favorites that I‘ve kept.
2. I‘m at Malice Domestic! That TBR list is CRYING after a “speed dating with authors” session.
3. Live performance of Grieg piano concerto. Very dramatic!
4. Two ballgames with drastically different outcomes but fun to hang out with my “summer family.”
5. Book club outing at a brewery in a bucolic setting.
#5JoysFriday

A little nonfiction to kick off the weekend.

I unknowingly read this series out of sequence. I‘m actually glad I did. I liked the second book but, having really enjoyed this one, I might have been disappointed. “The Shadow Intelligence” was a masterfully plotted espionage thriller. The twists were unexpected and pacing increased as the story moved the reader along toward the chaotic, crescendo ending. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5