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Kenneth Aubrey and Patrick Hyde #5
The Bear's Tears by Craig Thomas
The trap was baited and waiting, but MI5's Aubrey still had a trick or two up his sleeve. And he had friends willing to risk everything in Afghanistan and Prague in search of the secret of Teardrop, buried deep in the centre of Moscow. The author's other novels include "Firefox" and "Rat Trap".
Hardcover
First published January 1, 1985
5 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Craig Thomas
87 books92 followersDavid Craig Owen Thomas was a Welsh author of thrillers, most notably the Mitchell Gant series.
The son of the Western Mail rugby union writer, JBG Thomas, Craig was educated at Cardiff High School. He graduated from University College, Cardiff in 1967, obtaining his M.A. after completing a thesis on Thomas Hardy. Thomas became an English Teacher, working in various grammar schools in the West Midlands, and was Head of English at the Shire Oak School, Walsall Wood.
After unsuccessfully trying script writing for radio, Thomas wrote part-time, with his wife as editor, in two fields: philosophical thoughts in books of essays; and techno-thriller genre, which although invention is often attributed to the better-known Tom Clancy, many feel that Thomas was its true originator. Most of Thomas's novels are set within MI.6 and feature the characters of Sir Kenneth Aubrey and Patrick Hyde.
His best-known novel which brought him to global prominence, Firefox became a successful Hollywood film, both directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. After writing his third novel, 1960s Cold War espionage thriller Wolfsbane, he left teaching altogether in 1977. His later books include Snow Falcon and A Different War. Shortly before his death he finished a two-volume commentary on German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche.
Thomas and his wife Jill had lived near Lichfield, Staffordshire, but moved to Somerset in 2010. He died on April 4, 2011 from pneumonia, following a short battle with acute myeloid leukemia. He was 68.
The son of the Western Mail rugby union writer, JBG Thomas, Craig was educated at Cardiff High School. He graduated from University College, Cardiff in 1967, obtaining his M.A. after completing a thesis on Thomas Hardy. Thomas became an English Teacher, working in various grammar schools in the West Midlands, and was Head of English at the Shire Oak School, Walsall Wood.
After unsuccessfully trying script writing for radio, Thomas wrote part-time, with his wife as editor, in two fields: philosophical thoughts in books of essays; and techno-thriller genre, which although invention is often attributed to the better-known Tom Clancy, many feel that Thomas was its true originator. Most of Thomas's novels are set within MI.6 and feature the characters of Sir Kenneth Aubrey and Patrick Hyde.
His best-known novel which brought him to global prominence, Firefox became a successful Hollywood film, both directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. After writing his third novel, 1960s Cold War espionage thriller Wolfsbane, he left teaching altogether in 1977. His later books include Snow Falcon and A Different War. Shortly before his death he finished a two-volume commentary on German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche.
Thomas and his wife Jill had lived near Lichfield, Staffordshire, but moved to Somerset in 2010. He died on April 4, 2011 from pneumonia, following a short battle with acute myeloid leukemia. He was 68.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 21, 2019
When I was younger, I read a lot of Craig Thomas' novels after discovering and greatly enjoying "Firefox" and later "Firefox Down." I stumbled over this book in a thrift store in Dallas, TX and not having read it previously, picked it up for the princely sum of $1. I have always thought that Craig Thomas is unfairly overlooked in the espionage/thriller genre and that his work bridged the gap between the low-key realism of Le Carre and Deighton and the high octane implausibility of the Vince Flynn and Brad Thor set. His high concept set-ups require a degree of suspension of disbelief and although his lone protagonists (often Aussie SIS officer Patrick Hyde) face near-insurmountable odds, he neatly avoids the "superman syndrome." This book is archetypal Thomas in that it has an interesting and convoluted plot, constantly escalating tension and his oft-used cast of plausible and likable characters. Despite the usual Thomas habit of being exceptionally wordy and hence overlong, it is nonetheless recommended.
May 12, 2014
Story involves a middle-aged spy who's on vacation in eastern Europe, when he's called forward for a dangerous assignment, dealing with a nefarious plot set up by the Russians (i.e. this is set during the Cold War).
Some of the most intense emotional experiences for the spy as he realizes he can trust no one and is running out of time. His escape, in the beginning, from Austria was a roller coaster ride.
Some of the most intense emotional experiences for the spy as he realizes he can trust no one and is running out of time. His escape, in the beginning, from Austria was a roller coaster ride.
November 27, 2020
This was the late author's tenth novel and his best to date. It's a great Cold War epic that mixes twisty espionage thrills with exciting action. Spymaster Sir Kenneth Aubrey is being framed as a traitor by the KGB while their real mole's poised to control British intelligence. It's down to Aubrey's regular Australian sidekick, Patrick Hyde, to clear his name and reveal the truth.
There's a poignant flashback sub-plot in post war Berlin and some convincing villains to boo. It's nice to see returning characters like Petrunin and Shelley, but Hyde's story was my favourite. Strewth is this poor Aussie put through the mill: he's chased from Vienna to Kabul, shot at, napalmed, frozen and nearly drowned. The section in Afghanistan is terrific, as is the heist of a computer file from KGB's Prague HQ.
A star is dropped due to the verbose writing style. Stronger editing may have pruned laboured prose like the following random examples: "she passed the fire, its warmth sudden against her calves, reminding her upper torso that it was chilly with indecision, helplessness". Or how about "he plugged in the coffee percolator with the wifely nonchalance of an enforced bachelor."
It all builds to a satisfying white knuckle finale and I'm looking forward to revisiting the rest of the series. My 1985 Sphere first-edition paperback is pure class: a glossy black cover with big bold silver and gold lettering. Chris Moore's picture of a Hind gunship against a snowy backdrop is perfect. If all books looked this good I would ditch my Kindle.
There's a poignant flashback sub-plot in post war Berlin and some convincing villains to boo. It's nice to see returning characters like Petrunin and Shelley, but Hyde's story was my favourite. Strewth is this poor Aussie put through the mill: he's chased from Vienna to Kabul, shot at, napalmed, frozen and nearly drowned. The section in Afghanistan is terrific, as is the heist of a computer file from KGB's Prague HQ.
A star is dropped due to the verbose writing style. Stronger editing may have pruned laboured prose like the following random examples: "she passed the fire, its warmth sudden against her calves, reminding her upper torso that it was chilly with indecision, helplessness". Or how about "he plugged in the coffee percolator with the wifely nonchalance of an enforced bachelor."
It all builds to a satisfying white knuckle finale and I'm looking forward to revisiting the rest of the series. My 1985 Sphere first-edition paperback is pure class: a glossy black cover with big bold silver and gold lettering. Chris Moore's picture of a Hind gunship against a snowy backdrop is perfect. If all books looked this good I would ditch my Kindle.
June 23, 2019
Fantastic Cold War thriller!
November 13, 2019
I just could not finish this book! war and men blowing each other up - YUK!
February 7, 2024
When Kenneth Aubrey meets with a senior KGB man in Vienna, he thinks he is on the verge of a tremendous intelligence coup. Instead, he is arrested. A Russian defector has provided the Americans with evidence of a secret file, codenamed ‘Teardrop’, identifying Aubrey as a deep-cover Soviet agent.
Patrick Hyde barely escapes the arrest, and disappears, his trust in Aubrey overriding the evidence. His suspicions of collusion between the Russians and British are confirmed by the fact both sides are chasing him. Making his way to Afghanistan, then behind the Iron Curtain, the only way he can prove Aubrey’s innocence is to break into the KGB’s central computer!
As ever Mr. Thomas creates a deep, engaging tale at the height of the cold war. Hyde’s utter conviction his boss is innocent is offset by the lack of friends Aubrey has. Hyde’s excursion to Kabul is brilliant, and the denouement keeps you reading past your bedtime.
Patrick Hyde barely escapes the arrest, and disappears, his trust in Aubrey overriding the evidence. His suspicions of collusion between the Russians and British are confirmed by the fact both sides are chasing him. Making his way to Afghanistan, then behind the Iron Curtain, the only way he can prove Aubrey’s innocence is to break into the KGB’s central computer!
As ever Mr. Thomas creates a deep, engaging tale at the height of the cold war. Hyde’s utter conviction his boss is innocent is offset by the lack of friends Aubrey has. Hyde’s excursion to Kabul is brilliant, and the denouement keeps you reading past your bedtime.
October 24, 2010
Asomewhat lengthy, draggy at first, espionage story about a Russian plot to discredit the head of Britain's MI5. The story picks up about 1/3 of the way through the book but is still a bit slow and unexiting. This book is a departure from Craig Thomas' usual plot dealing with military hardware and is more in the genre of John LeCarre or Len Deighton. The last half of the book is attention-holding however.
May 31, 2012
I read this book when I was at school (I was somewhere between 12 & 15) & the other kids didn't believe me that I was actually reading such a thick book - twats. Anyway I remember enjoying it so I just bought it again and will re-review it after my 2nd read :)
December 11, 2010
relatively solid cold war thriller. has some nice highs and lows builds to a good conclusion but is just a tad mired in swampy pacing here and there
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October 23, 2008M Tho
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews