The Downing Street Plot: An Agent's Revenge by Toby Oliver

by Toby Oliver

Spencer Hall, head of the British MI5 Security Service, knows it's no ordinary day when top CIA field agent Jack Stein lurks near his car. He's right, and when he learns of the looming internal threat, he knows it won't be business as usual.Hall must bypass usual communication routes and put increased trust in Jack when he learns of an assassination plot against the British Prime Minister. The plot's KGB-hatched, but the assassin's possibly homegrown-meaning Hall doesn't know just how close the assassin is to the target.Hall works close with Stein to put together a top-notch team to crack the mystery and stop the plot in time. After all, they can't have a professional killer running loose on the streets of London. They reenlist old friends such as Virginia Dudley, who's done intelligence work for both nations, and work fast. Failure would likely mean the end of their careers. Worse, if they get too close, it could be the end of their lives.Author Toby Oliver captures the political intrigue of the Cold War to craft spy thriller "The Downing Street Plot," a page-turning treat-from its opening intrigue to its dramatic conclusion.

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About the author

Biography
Toby Oliver was born in London, and since 2007 moved to the countryside of West Sussex with his family in England. For many years he worked as an Administrator in Central London. His first novel Codename Nicolette is based upon the real-life secret work of MI5's Double Cross System, who was responsible for controlling turned Nazi agents based in Britain during World War II. His other works include Mission Lisbon - The Double Cross, Dead Man Walking - A Spy Amongst Us, and The Downing Street Plot - An Agent's Revenge. His latest book is Duty and Betrayal, a Cold War thriller set in the 1960s.

He decided to write books that he liked to read: and that was a mixture of crime and espionage stories, coupled with close family connections to the British Army, and his degree in politics, his books about WWI and the Cold War-era encompass all of the above. His latest novel To Catch A Spy And Traitor was published November 2020.

Reviews

[David Lucero · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever thriller that leaves the reader wondering if this sort of incident happened.

Charles Taylor is a former British MI5 agent, and WWII veteran. It is 1960 and the height of the Cold War couldn't be more tense. When his career is ruined after his superiors learn he has been involved in a lucrative racketeering scheme, he sells his skills to the highest bidder, opting to terminate with extreme prejudice persons who fall out of favor with their group.

Taylor is approached by Alexander Bukin, Cultural Ambassador for the Soviet Union stationed in London, with a scheme which if successful, could place Great Britain in the hands of the USSR as their latest 'Puppet Regime.'

Spencer is a former field agent of MI5 now running the group. With the help of his CIA friend, Jack, they learn the Russians are up to something big! So big the British PM's life is at stake. After putting together a team of specialists to verify the information they received is authentic, they embark on a cat-and-mouse hunt for Taylor.

But Taylor is as elusive as he is deadly, and he's hell-bent on firing the shot which would be heard around the world! Time is not on Spencer's teams' side, nor the British PM, and it will take all their experience to keep Taylor from accomplishing his mission.

This is my first book read by the author and I found it highly authentic and entertaining. The characters were real, as the incident taking place. I'm sure we'll be hearing a lot about Toby Oliver, and I'm glad to see he's got quite a list of books for us to enjoy.

[Victoria Simcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Spencer Hall hears of some impending inside danger he recognizes things are going to get complicated. He’s the top dog of the British MI5 Security Service and discerns there’s something strange about Agent, Jack Stein, hanging around his car. Then there’s the possible online danger which is apt to stir thing up. Could there be a murder conspiracy plotted against the British Prime Minister? Spencer will have to evade customary ways and place greater than before reliance on Jack to help out with cracking the case. Hall teams up with Stein to blow apart the scheming. Joining them is a former pal, Virginia, also in the intelligence service. Formally a civil servant in London and holding a degree in politics, Author Toby Oliver has done his research when fashioning this fast paced Cold War story. He certainly has a way with incorporating actualities into his creative-writing fiction. He’s created an intense dramatic, spy thriller, sure to please enthusiast of the genre.

[Sharon Brownlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Downing Street Plot is a good solid story and a cohesive plot that makes you want to keep reading. The plot has clearly been well thought out. I don't understand the ins and outs of politics but this didn't hinder my reading. In the MC, Spencer Hall the author has created a strong and likeable character. In fact even his secondary characters are also well drawn and believable. I liked the strength and qualities in gave to the female character Virginia Dudley.

Toby Oliver weaves fact along side fiction, so if has erred a little bit he can not be condemned for it surely? After all, it's a fiction book and a good one at that! The pace was steady and driven forward with believable dialogue.

I don't usually read reviews but I did notice The Downing Street Plot had a number of 1 stars on Amazon. I don't understand how they can justify it. Did they read the same book as me? Either way its their review and their opinion.

[Good Reader! · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read ‘Dead Man Walking’ and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to check out Oliver’s latest spy thriller. Just like ‘DMW’ I found this one to be well-researched and well-written. Excellent character development – I particularly liked Oliver’s “Virginia Dudley” – who’s based on the real-life spy Virginia Hall. I love how he weaves truth with fiction to create a dramatic, intriguing, page-turning thriller. Oliver fills this tale with such detail I felt as if I was right there with Hall (Spencer), Dudley, Stein, Taylor, Bradshaw… Excellent read. If you’re a spy thriller fan, you’ll love this book. I did. 5 stars.

[Jennifer Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is the first book I read from this autor and let me tell you that I loved it! Such a good book, very well writen
with great characters that keeps you obsessed with every page since the first one. This thiller is fantastic! The plot is well built and the suspence was killing me! definitely enjoyed every single page! Highly recommended to every thiller lover out there.

[Leonide Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this captivating spy and political intrigue story, leaders of the British M15 and Scotland Yard agencies join with the U.S. CIA to ferret out an assassin hired by the Russian KGB to kill the British Prime Minister. The plot is complex with many twists, giving a window into the thought processes and tactics of intelligence officials when trying to unravel a threat of major proportions, overlaid with international political motives. The characters were fascinating, including the firm and honorable protagonist Spencer of M15, his counterpart Luke at Scotland Yard and American CIA agent Jack, the PM, and the rogue hit man whose identity we learn early, but remains hidden from officials until near the end. The steps to discover the assassin lead us through levels of British government, well-researched and overlapping with history during the Cold War. The Home Secretary Bradshaw and his mistress-turned-spy were intriguing and well-drawn characters. Spencer's WWII related link to American ex-spy Virginia (based on a real figure) provided a little romantic interest, which was left hanging.

The story moved apace and kept me interested, waiting to see the next layer unfold. Action scenes were intense and gripping, and the dialogue scenes exposed the characters and built tension. Much narrative description provided background and gave insight into characters' inner experiences. Long sentences and curious punctuation slowed the pace a bit, but overall this was a very enjoyable read.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spy Verses Spy
Interesting read, the author captured my attention immediately with his cast of colorful characters who are tangled in mystery and secrecy. This exciting and esoteric read follows a clandestine group of mysterious spies that are lurking behind the scenes of our national security. Being former military, I appreciated the accuracy and realism the author has shared. As an avid reader of spy based novels, The author takes you on a fantastic journey into a secret world of danger and unknown fate. Removing the mask of friend and foe as the story deepens into secrecy and danger. I enjoyed The Downing Street Plot: An Agent's Revenge and would recommend it with confidence to my friends and family. Disclosure: I received this product for free/discounted however this in no way influenced my review. I only write honest reviews regardless of whether I purchased a product at full price, at a discount, or received it free.

[Julie Baswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

When an undercover CIA operative reveals a KGB plot to assassinate the Prime Minister, Agent Jack Stein reaches out to his old spy buddy, Spencer Hall. When Spencer starts assembling a team that he can trust, he runs into resistance. It seems retired spies want to stay retired. But when the operative relays further intelligence, Spencer discovers that the assassin could be a former co-worker with a grudge.

This was an enjoyable spy thriller. The main characters had history between them, but it is all laid out from the start. I really liked Spencer. He was an uncompromising character, and surrounded himself with the same. At times, I felt like I was part of the team, trying to beat the clock. This was an intriguing plot, and it down-played politics, which is always a plus.

[Rozsa Gaston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-drawn characters make The Downing Street Plot a much more deeply-layered read than your average thriller. I especially enjoyed the characters of the two female supporting characters: Virginia Dudley and Maggie Ellis. Both are priceless in diametrically opposite ways. Colorful detail, vivid character descriptions and complex relationships between them make The Downing Street Plot a compelling read.

[Ld Rizk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story! Poor writing

If the writing were better, I would have given this story 5 stars. As it is, my attention was constantly pulled away from the story line by the endless run-on sentences. But the story was such that I had to go through to the end. This reminds me a lot of Jack Higgins, Frederick Forsyth and others whose novels I was devouring in college! Very satisfying read.

[David Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of this authors previous books. The Downing Street Plot is slightly faster paced and a really absorbing read. The story revolves around a KGB plot to assassinate the Prime Minister. Spencer Hall, the head MI5, is tipped off by a CIA field agent Jack Stein about the plot. It is then a race against time to track down the professional killer before.

[F Chowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read nearly all of this authors book, I was given this copy as a gift and really enjoyed The Downing Street Plot. Great characterization and yet another clever political/spy drama. This one is set during the early 1960's and the introduction of the CIA into the storyline adds to the intrigue. Well worth a try if you like political spy thrillers with a twist.

[Gino Cox]

“The Downing Street Plot” is reminiscent of John le Carré novels. These spies have graduated from field work and settled into ministerial duties where their main adversaries seem to be bureaucracy, protocol and tradition. But the Cold War is beginning to warm and, in a move that evokes recent events, the Soviets have hatched an audacious plot to meddle in Western politics.

The story is set in 1960 in London. The author paints a detailed and authentic historical backdrop in terms of setting, political climate, attitudes, and technology. The characters are three-dimensional, complex, conflicted and flawed.