Helen Scheller
John Le Carre acknowledges his debt to Graham Greene in The Tailor of Panama, yet his account of life in Panama before the US withdrawal is entirely original, and ingenious. The hapless Harry Pendel, tailor to those who matter, and many who don't, is not entirely who he says he is, and hence easy pickings for the villainous Andrew Osnard, a British spy and one of Le Carre 's most evil creations. Pendel's mission is to provide Intelligence on those most likely to take over the Panama Canal should there be a power vacuum. It becomes increasingly obvious that his reports are complete fabrications, and, as this fragile house of cards collapses, the consequences for his family, close friends, and of course Harry are catastrophic. Everything we expect from a spy thriller is there, villains aplenty, vivid descriptions of Panama, and a twist at the end when evil triumphs.
Helen Scheller Any story which can combine top level espionage in wartime France, with a triangular love story at the heart of the action must be a winner, and so it is with The Lavender Keeper, written by Fiona McIntosh. Vichy France is a dangerous place to be for Luc Bonet, a member of the French resistance, and Lisette Forestier who has been parachuted into France, and instructed by SO6 to seduce Markus Killian,a senior German officer and find out the plans of the German High Command. The problem for Lisette, is that she discovers that she can love two men, Luc and Markus, simultaneously, and is, therefore, in danger of compromising her mission. Fiona McIntosh does a fine job of keeping us in suspense, and her meticulous research into every aspect of the resistance has resulted in an authentic, and atmospheric novel.
Helen Scheller |
About 'Page Turners'The Page Turners group reads a selection of contemporary novels, some crime fiction and a few books based on actual events. Convenor and contact detailsMeg Dillon
5762 6558 Meeting times1st Tuesday
10 am to 12 noon Dillon's Home* *Please note - Page Turners is limited to 10 - 12 members due to constraints on where we meet.
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