The Last Spymaster: a novel by Gayle Lynds

From the Cold War to the War on Terror/spies extraordinaire*****


Gayle Lynds has fashioned a masterpiece of intrigue, a first-rate international spy thriller that ranges from Cold War Berlin to modern-day Washington and the War on Terror. Jay Trice used to be Chief of the CIA's Clandestine Services but he is in prison for having betrayed his country by selling secrets to the Russians. But he breaks out of prison, prompted by a headline story in the International Herald Tribune revealing that someone very dear to him has died under suspicious circumstances. The CIA dispatches a hunter, Elaine Cunningham, to track him down. Unbeknownst to her, Elaine is a pawn for secret players who want Trice killed before he can unravel a conspiracy that reaches into the top ranks of the CIA and international terrorists who are plotting a gigantic transfer of the latest in lethal technology into terrorist hands.

After an awkward start as she positions the many layers of players, the rest of the novel is very well written and takes us hurtling from one surprise to another. Highly recommended.