Dead Reckoning

I don't recall reading anything by Clive Egleton before "Dead Reckoning." Of course I also admit that the vast number of books I read never quite distinguish themselves in my mind and get dumped into a kind of cerebral soup. "Dead Reckoning" is perfect for several nights pre-sleep reading or, if you're in a warm climate (lucky you), take it to the beach. The opening sets the stage beautifully for the rest of the story. Peter Ashton is revealed to us as a brave, cunning, loving but somewhat limited man, hemmed in by the politics of his bureaucracy. Ashton's first goal is not protecting his nation as a "secret agent," but shielding his very competent wife from harm. The story never stops moving. Egleton reveals one detail after another, introduces one plot twist at a time. The book never becomes heart-stopping, but it never becomes dull either. Egleton's involvement of technology is different than that employed by others (i.e., Dale Brown): Egleton has actually taken the time to research the limited technology he describes - and gets it right. (I am always jarred when I read someone like Brown or Clancy and they describe something that is flat out wrong.) Overall, "Dead Reckoning" is a good read. It will not keep you awake into the early hours, turning pages - but in the end it will leave you with a very satisfying feeling.Jerry

Victor Hazlewood, the Director General of England's Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), has to tell the bad news to one of his best operatives Peter Ashton. Apparently, Peter's wife Hazel, a former operative, was found brutally murdered in the office of psychiatrist Dr. Ramash. Two other females besides Harriet were also found dead in the doctor's office. However, Peter soon learns that his beloved Harriet is still alive, which leads him to believe that someone obviously penetrated SIS to have obtained the information about Harriet being found in the doctor's office. Soon evidence surfaces that other secret information has leaked. Peter begins to investigate the situation even though his superiors seem more apt to slow him down if it furthers their personal agenda. Clues fail to lead to anything new and more murders follow. Peter knows one thing is certain. Someone(s) is playing a dangerous game in which major power shifts could occur if they succeed. Anyone who believes that that espionage thrillers died with the collapse of the Berlin Wall obviously has not read Clive Egleton. With DEAD RECKONING, Mr. Egleton keeps his spy out in the cold even though Peter has family obligations. The story line is typical Egleton as it's filled with head-butting action, twisting plots, and a good mystery. Peter retains his charm even as he swim a bureaucratic ocean filled with sharks and barracudas. Fans of espionage thrillers need only turn to Mr. Egleton for a post Cold War chiller that keeps the audience on the edge from start to finish.