St. Martin's, Aug 2003, 24.95, 352 pp.
ISBN: 0312309430
Everyone employed by the British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) is shocked by the suicide death of the head of the Asian Desk Bill Orchard. Representing SIS at the funeral is Will Landon who is accosted by the victim's sister-in-law claiming the Firm killed him and that just prior to his death SIS Deputy Director General Jill Sheridan visited him. Will reports the claim to his superior Peter Ashton, head of the Eastern European Desk, who reports this to the DG.
Jill has other problems besides the probe into her and Bill's activities. Apparently while on Florida vacation, she was drugged and videotaped having kinky sex. The client then kills the movie producer Kransky and his two actors. Terrorists believe they have perfect blackmail material and it becomes Peter's job to lead the effort to abort their diabolical plan.
CRY HAVOC is a strong modern day espionage thriller that sub-genre readers will enjoy and not just for its terrorist subplot. Fans will appreciate its insightful look at how politics impede and interfere with accomplishing the mission especially at the DG level. Will and Peter are delightful protagonists and Jill is a piece of work who the audience will not want to meet in a dark alley. Clive Egelton's latest tale is a winner.
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book descript. of violence and chases - 10% Planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30% How society works & physical descript. (people, objects, places) - 20%
Tone of story
- suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
Time/era of story:
- present (2000-2010)
Spying/Terrorism Thriller
Yes
Cloak & Dagger Plotlets:
- stopping a saboteur/spy
Kid or adult book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Who's the terrorist enemy here?
- generic terrorists
Main Character
Gender
- Male
Profession/status:
- government investigator
Age:
- 40's-50's
How much violence does he/she use?
- just the right amount
Ethnicity/Race
- British
How sensitive is this character?
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
Intelligence
- Very much smarter than other characters
Physique
- very athletic
Main Adversary
Identity:
- an organization
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Motive of antagonist
- power
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Southeast
Europe
Yes
European country:
- England/UK
Style
Person
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
How many deaths?
- 3-4
Amount of dialog
- significantly more dialog than descript
