Complex plot a sequel to Secret Service, featuring Kate Henderson as ex SIS who left under a cloud after appearing to be conned by the Russians into implicating the PM. Her husband had also defected after being blackmailed by the Russians. Lots of insight into the workings of Whitehall and international relations, as well as detailed descriptions of Prague and Moscow. The plot moves fast enough to cover the improbability of it, especially being able to enter Russia without a visa at short notice... ( )

I happen to be reading this Tom Bradby series alongside Mick Herron. Whitehall must be flooded with blood from all of the backstabbing.. ( )

After her breakdown Kate Henderson no longer works for SIS and is contemplating her future prospects when she is called up by the Prime Minister to identify a double agent who has been in place for several decades and who has manipulated recent events. The shortlist is Kate's ex-boss, her mentor and even Kate herself. The hunt for the double agent takes Kate from London to Prague and finally to Moscow but the answer is much closer to home.
Bradby writes very accessible and relatively straightforward espionage thrillers which are entertaining without being to complex. Here the story picks up from the end of the last book and the plot is suitably interesting with a few topical slants (paedophile billionaires with private islands etc). The identity of 'Dante' was easy to guess, I had it barely half-way through the book but the lead-up is fun. ( )

This is the third of a trilogy of suspenseful spy stories about a Russian mole embedded at the highest level in the British SIS. There has been speculation that the current British prime minister James Ryan is the mole, although there are other candidates. In this finale to the trilogy, Kate Henderson, a former SIS senior executive is tasked by Ryan to finally unmask the traitor in order to clear the PM. Her reward would be permission for her estranged husband Stuart to return to the UK. He was previously uncovered as a Russian spy and exiled to Moscow without ready access to his children. Kate is driven to agree to help the PM for their children's sake.

The story begins in the south of France where Kate and the children are having a clandestine meeting with Stuart. Then it really gets underway in Istanbul, and moves on to London, Prague and finally Moscow. There's a spectacular denouement to the story as Kate and Stuart race to the Russian border crossing to escape capture. After that, there's the shocking and devastating revelation of the mole's identity. It's a pitch perfect ending.

There's plenty of strong women characters supported by several weak men. Kate is the strongest of all, which makes the revelation of the mole's identity all the more poignant. There's a strong hint that Kate's story will continue.

I agree with the author that this book can be read as a standalone without too much difficulty. However, the previous two books in the trilogy are excellent reads and should not be missed. Tom Bradby is a talented and skillful storyteller.

Grove Atlantic the publisher gave me a complementary advance reading copy of the eBook via Netgalley for my independent review. The comments about it are my own. ( )

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

Definitely read the first two books in this series before tackling this one. I read this in one sitting and enjoyed it, although as I think I have said about each book, I don't think I could really summarize the plot coherently - I just go with the flow. Kate and Stuart's relationship is resolved, and the 'mole at the centre of SIS' is finally revealed. I had had flickers of suspicion about that person throughout the series, so I was pleased with myself. It looks as if there is going to be a new series with Kate on the China desk - I look forward to it. ( )