The Secret Servant

If you like intelligent thrillers, Gavin Lyall is the man for you. His earlier books tended to depict somewhat down-on-their-luck ex-RAF pilots, struggling to keep their small-plane business afloat. These were all (without exception) excellent thrillers with wonderful, unexpected plot twists. Mr. Lyall in mid-career then wrote a series of four books featuring his most appealing protagonist, Major Maxim of the SAS. The last of this series, "Uncle Target", was merely good, but the first three ("The Secret Servant", "The Conduct of Major Maxim", and "The Crocus List") are some of the finest novels (let alone books in the thriller genre) I have ever read. These are right up there with the best of John Le Carre and Graham Greene! Actually, my favorite of all Gavin Lyall's books is "Blame the Dead", but you owe it to yourself to read "The Secret Servant". Do it now!!