Neither a candle nor a pitchfork

Just as Inspector Dover is literatures worst detective, Joyce Porter's Eddie Brown is its worst spy. Ms. Porter delights in displaying the many character flaws of Eddie Brown, industrial spy. This is the 3rd book in this series, and they are all excellent. Sir Maurice, his boss, tells Eddie that his next mission is in America, which is a big fat lie. This information abates slightly Eddie's whining about his health, etc. He however is unceremoniously and literally dumped into a horse breeding (stud) collective in 1969 Russia. They have a dangerous secret, and Eddie's mission will be to protect their secret, or end up as a permanent resident of their largish graveyard. Don't worry Eddie will survive despite a 'smashing bit of crackling with ruby lips' .