Confessional

It's been quite a while since I've read a Jack Higgins book, though his were the first action/adventure, spy novels I ever read. Now I remember why I enjoyed them so much. A Soviet spy, a very talented actor, code name Cuchulain, has been living in Ireland for 20 years. His task: to foster unrest. To this end, he's been part of the IRA, but he also works for the other side--whichever will make the situation in Ireland worse. British Intelligence learns of this from a defector, and has to work in conjunction with the IRA and the only two people who can identify him: the defector and the foster daughter of a high-ranking Soviet official, a concert pianist who was just a child when Cuchulain killed her father. The story has several twists, as our heroes try one avenue after another to find and stop the elusive and deadly Cuchulain. By the end of the story, the Soviets are after him as well. The Good: Jack Higgins's writing style. It's so transparent, there's nothing between the reader and the story. The premise. It's intriguing and chilling to think that one man, in the right place, at the right time, with the right training, could cause so much havoc. The plot and pacing. Every time one avenue of investigation or attack is closed off, we veer down another, always increasing the tension. The characters. While this isn't by any means an in-depth character study, the characters are well-rounded and understandable individuals the reader can care about. The Bad: It's quite obviously an older book, with dated references, particularly those to the Soviet Union. Cuchulain's cover identity was fairly obvious early on. The Verdict: This is what a spy novel should be: exciting, edge-of-your-seat suspense and action, plenty of twists and turns, and characters and consequences you can care about.

This book is an old favorite of mine. A good plot and true human characters make this yarn a great read. Higgins is a master at very quickly setting the scene, giving the reader a clear idea of where the action is taking place. He introduces the characters without beating about the bush and sends them on a ride that grips them and the reader from the first page to the last.

I read it a long time ago, but I do remember that it was classic of Higgin's quick and exciting style. If you like Tom Clancy, but get bored with the first three hundred pages of Clancy's books, or don't want the technical input given by Clancy, Higgins will always deliver a quick fast paced action book, with interesting plots

The Russians trained him and planted him deep in the hottest spot in the free world-Northern Ireland. He had the perfect cover and the perfect plan-to kill the most beloved man in the world. Too late the Russians changed their minds. He was out of their control. Desperately the IRA tried to head him off, but he was even better than they at the undercover game. So Tony Villiers of BI, had to do what he most hated, he had to have his Agency beg for help from former deadly foe and Irish terrorist, Liam Devlin, the only one who could stop the ideal assassin.THIS IS THE BEST BOOK I HAVE READ IN A LONG TIME! YOU CAN'T JUST PUT THIS BOOK DOWN, WITHOUT WANTING TO CONTINUE READING!

This was the best suspence book I've ever read. 'Confessional' grabs you 'til the last page fighting together with MI5, IRA and KGB. Someone MUST STOP Cuchulain. He is a professional killer who wants to murder the Pope!!!! ....... Stay still.......if you can!!!!!!! Jack Higgins at his best.