Albatross

Davina Graham #3

by Evelyn Anthony

Who was the mole called Albatross?

Was he Brigadier James White, the revered head of British Intelligence? Was he Humphrey Grant, his second-in-command? Was he Jon Kidson, the perfect technocrat and brother-in-law to the woman assigned to unearth Russia's most deadly mole? Was he Tony Walden, the man assigned to be the woman's cover?

British Intelligence had to find out before it was too late for Britain and perhaps even the world . . .

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Espionage, Suspense, Thriller

313 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Evelyn Anthony was the pen name of Evelyn Bridgett Patricia Stephens Ward-Thomas,

Started her career as a writer of historical fiction, later switched to writing contemporary thrillers, often with an espionage theme.

She met Michael Ward-Thomas on a double date in The Dorchester and both were attracted to each other.] He worked for the Consolidated African Selection Trust. They switched partners and were married a few months later.

They bought Horham Hall in 1968 but found that it was costly and sold it in 1976 and moved to Naas, County Kildare where she had relatives. Increased income from her writing allowed her to buy Horham Hall back in 1982.

In 1994 she became High Sheriff of Essex, the firswt woman in over 700 years to hold this office.

In 1995 her daughter Kitty died of a heroin overdose, leading Evelyn to not write for another seven years.

In 2004 her husband died of a stroke.

She was survived by her children Susan, Anthony, Ewan, Christian and Luke as well as 16 grandchildren.

NB:Some sources give Ms Anthonys year of birth as 1926.

Additional information added from Wikipedia

Reviews

[Laura Rose Gatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept me going! The final bit is a gut wrencher!

[Squirrel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not nearly as tight or compelling as the previous book in the series. Stupid mistakes - not just human error, but really stupid - are used to move the plot. MC is supposedly 'not with the agency' and devises a way to get in anyway. At the main office. Without bothering with even a wig to change her hair color, or style of clothing, or walk. Again, at the main office, where she's well known, worked for years, and all her colleagues work. In daylight. Why didn't she just bring a spotlight and PA system? Not much of a spy then. It insults the reader, who maybe would fare better and maybe not, but does not get paid to do this work.

Some of the obvious plays do spark tension. Natalia is obviously a spy, the question is for who? Borisov isn't played as a fool, but only a moron would believe a woman like her would be thrilled to be his devoted, besotted mistress. And its a cheap party trick to put up 3 candidates and have the key be a 4th, peripheral but dismissed, party.

Boring, tedious at the middle. The reader stops caring 'who' Albatross might be. Does it matter? This series has EVERYONE working for some other side. For money, for political ideology, for revenge, for sex - it doesn't matter why, really. The players are all critically 'loose-lipped' and the likelihood that it reflects reality is more horrifying than the story line. It's impossible not to presume Charlie is Albatross, for so many ironic reasons. She's perfect - access to the top info, making 'suggestions' all sweet and smiley, pretending to be vapid when all evidence shows her cunning.

The characters become increasingly disposable, interchangeable, disingenuous as the story wears on, leaving the reader weary and grateful to not have to continue experiencing this particular world. Even the ending, assuredly meant to be a teaser into the next book, instead leaves the impression of a tiresome 'not again'.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

My spouse got this book and three others in the series iut of the library on Libby before we headed off for three weeks in southern India. We needed volume and some reading that wasn’t too taxiing and these fit the bill—he read them all and I did not until now. These are old school spy novels written before the wall came down, but the deep animosity combined with ruthlessness and a general disregard for what people think of you sums up the current Russian government as well. And Davina Graham is a modern woman in most respects.

[Sally Spoelstra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Albatross

The series continues much in the same vein. Davina has challenges. She overcomes and ends up with a man in her bed. Evelyn Anthony continues to keep me engaged in the story.

[K. Counihan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Story

My spy is now your spy. Passed up for a promotion to Bureau chief in London? Come to Moscow you can take over as Bureau chief and get revenge and more money.

[Bent Andreassen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read.

[Sarah Rickman · Rating 5 out of 5]

As Always, Evelyn Anthony Scores With This One

I’ve liked every book of Anthony’s that I’ve read! She’s a top notch storyteller! And Davina Graham is one heck of a heroine!

[Karen Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good holiday read

[Gabriela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh the suspense towards the end!! Such wicked fun reading this series! #3 did not disappoint either.

[Jeff Crosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I have noted in other reviews, a mole hunt is one of my favorite forms of espionage fiction. I am sure that is one of the factors that drew me to this novel when it was first published. I remember liking it, but the details have totally fled. The first three novels in this sequence are a carefully crafted whole—with this novel foreshadowing the final volume. I prefer Tinker, Tailor, Solder, Spy, but this is first rate.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evelyn Anthony writes in a distinctly romantic style, but I continue to be completely engrossed in the story of Davina Graham, her colleagues in the Secret Service, her family troubles, and her lovers, not to mention the intrigues she must unravel! Only one left now, and I am so sad…