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Charlie Muffin #8
Run Around, The
A conference of world leaders in Geneva attracts a Russian assassin, as well as Charlie Muffin, who is determined to prevent the killer from executing his bloody plan
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
35 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Brian Freemantle
109 books68 followersAka John Maxwell, Jonathan Evans, Jack Winchester, Harry Asher and Richard Gant.
Brian Freemantle [b. 1936] is one of Britain's most acclaimed authors of spy fiction. His novels have sold over ten million copies worldwide. Born in Southampton, Freemantle entered his career as a journalist, and began writing espionage thrillers in the late 1960s. Charlie M (1977) introduced the world to Charlie Muffin and won Freemantle international recognition—he would go on to publish fourteen titles in the series.
Freemantle has written dozens of other novels, including two featuring Sebastian Holmes, an illegitimate son of Sherlock Holmes, and the Cowley and Danilov series, about an American FBI agent and a Russian militia detective who work together to comabt organized crime in the post-Cold War world. Freemantle lives and works in London, Englad.
Brian Freemantle [b. 1936] is one of Britain's most acclaimed authors of spy fiction. His novels have sold over ten million copies worldwide. Born in Southampton, Freemantle entered his career as a journalist, and began writing espionage thrillers in the late 1960s. Charlie M (1977) introduced the world to Charlie Muffin and won Freemantle international recognition—he would go on to publish fourteen titles in the series.
Freemantle has written dozens of other novels, including two featuring Sebastian Holmes, an illegitimate son of Sherlock Holmes, and the Cowley and Danilov series, about an American FBI agent and a Russian militia detective who work together to comabt organized crime in the post-Cold War world. Freemantle lives and works in London, Englad.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 13, 2024
The entire Charlie Muffin series is fantastic, but I just want to know what half-wit illustrator painted a five pointed star on the Israeli flag? Brian Freemantle seems to hop between publishers and most editions have terrible mass market cover designs more suited to a grocery store checkout lane than an excellent and engaging espionage novel with such deep character development.
January 6, 2017
The disheveled, footsore, reverse snob spy who manages to piss off almost everyone in authority does it again. An edge-of-the chair adventure with enough twists, irony and revenge to keep his fans more than satisfied.
November 17, 2024
This series is like a fallback option for me when I can't figure out which audiobook to listen to next. I started this book pretty much immediately after finishing the previous book and being familiar with the narrator makes it an easy book to listen to.
This book has a Day of the Jackal feel to it but isn't at that level. Charlie is trying to prevent an assassination in Europe while dealing with resistance from all other parties. The fact that it deals with a peace deal between Israel and Palestine made me a bit sad to think that 36 years after this book was published, there is still no peace in the region.
It was interesting that back in 1988, it was clear to people that the Israelis
I feel like unlike most of the other books in this series, this directly sets up the next book which I will read, though I will try to find something else to listen to in between.
This book has a Day of the Jackal feel to it but isn't at that level. Charlie is trying to prevent an assassination in Europe while dealing with resistance from all other parties. The fact that it deals with a peace deal between Israel and Palestine made me a bit sad to think that 36 years after this book was published, there is still no peace in the region.
It was interesting that back in 1988, it was clear to people that the Israelis
I feel like unlike most of the other books in this series, this directly sets up the next book which I will read, though I will try to find something else to listen to in between.
October 16, 2021
The Day of the Jackal, as if by John LeCarre
Like Forsyth, Brian Freemantle is a journalist-turned novelist - but a far better writer, more interested in the dynamics of character and personality with the interplay of bureaucratic politics both within and without organizations. In this thriller about the countdown to an assassination, Freemantle doesn't manage the atmospheric effect Forsyth did for his 1971 classic, but wears his extensive research far more lightly - and makes the politics believable.
His prose is crisp and clear; LeCarre without the longeurs. Charlie Muffin, despite his rumpled appearance and comical name, is far more engaging and believable a protagonist than the superhuman killing machines that populate far too many thrillers.
Like Forsyth, Brian Freemantle is a journalist-turned novelist - but a far better writer, more interested in the dynamics of character and personality with the interplay of bureaucratic politics both within and without organizations. In this thriller about the countdown to an assassination, Freemantle doesn't manage the atmospheric effect Forsyth did for his 1971 classic, but wears his extensive research far more lightly - and makes the politics believable.
His prose is crisp and clear; LeCarre without the longeurs. Charlie Muffin, despite his rumpled appearance and comical name, is far more engaging and believable a protagonist than the superhuman killing machines that populate far too many thrillers.
January 23, 2021
This my my fourth Charlie Muffin book and a pattern is emerging: Charlie Muffin is a smart-ass, actually the only smart-ass in the room. He’s mister “I-know-it-all” and the rest of the world is a bunch of incompetent idiots; the only one getting close to his level of smartness is his adversary, so not to banalise his successes. Charlie Muffin is so indispensable and irreplaceable that he’s allowed to be a total maverick and to breach every rule.
There’s a point when this formula wears out....The Run Around was such point for me.
There’s a point when this formula wears out....The Run Around was such point for me.
January 5, 2026
The Muffin books haven't been big on preparing the audience for an ending action sequence, let alone involving Charlie in direct violence, but this one does both in a possible attempt at illuminating the ridiculousness of the popular spy novels at the time. Freemantle proves his unique outlook and skills.
July 22, 2021
Another great Charlie Muffin book!
October 30, 2023
Love this series.
August 31, 2024
Went on for too long with too many characters and subplots
July 23, 2021
I guess I'm done with this series because the coarse language is a bit much. The f-word appers over 20 times. For someone unaccustomed to hearing language like this, it's jarring.
March 19, 2024
Yeah. That's a good piece of the series. We still have many situations that lead us to excitement.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews