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The Spy Who Jumped Off the Screen
A stunningly clever idea lies at the heart of this sophisticated thriller. Former covert operative Ty Hunter has become, almost by accident, the number one film star in the world. Recruited for a clandestine mission to prevent the theft of nuclear warheads, he deploys every skill he has as an actor, soldier, and spy to match wits and muscle with an enigmatic billionaire and his nefarious protég途even as he falls for the entrancing woman closest to them both. Racing from Hollywood to the Black Sea, Camp David to Prague, The Spy Who Jumped Off the Screen is an electrifying novel with a hero who is sure to become an icon of the genre.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 10, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
June 6, 2025
The other day I found myself in an unusually precarious position for one who owned a Little Free Library Shed. I had run out of books to read. What?!😳 How could that be? What was my solution?
It was time to visit my local library.
Busy with my grandsons who had come in from Texas for a visit, I quickly perused the library shelves. Nothing stood out to me but this book title. How could it not capture my attention? It is rather unusual for a book, don’t you think?
So unusual, I didn’t even take the time to read what this book was about. I just opted to go along with the title. I checked it out, lobbed it in the car, and hustled onward for a walk with my husband, the dogs and the grandboys on to the embarcadero.
As it turns out President Bill Clinton wrote the introduction to this book. As friends in college with the author, it seemed only appropriate that he would write this nice introduction. His love of thrillers, and this book, came through in the introduction, but would it translate well to us readers?
Going into this with mixed reviews, I chose to keep an open mind.
Even though the novel was imperfect in its telling, it was somewhat enjoyable to read…at times. Its protagonist Ty Hunter was a handsome Special Forces operative who goes on to be a Hollywood superstar who could easily be compared to Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise. His extraordinary talents lead him to be recruited by the President of the United States to go looking for some missing warheads. Of course, we as readers can suspend disbelief, but that makes it somewhat entertaining, as much as imperfect, right?
How can we not enjoy this good-looking movie star 007 hottie who can save the world, too? Too much, you say? How about some lust, too when our hottie is attracted to one of the bad guy’s goddaughters? Oh my! Like I said earlier, can we suspend disbelief? Yes, we can! And, we can have fun, while we are at it, too! Or not.
And, while we are at it, can we have a scenic escape through Beverly Hills to Camp David, and perhaps a movie premiere hosted by the Queen of England, as well? What is this the “culture of privilege” that Clinton alludes to in his introduction? A bit much?
Let’s just say that even through the silly, the meandering plot gets lost a bit in pointless scenes, causing me to want to give up on this novel more than once. Especially with the authors over-abundance of run-on sentences.
But hey, why not have a spy jump off the screen at us who has been appointed by a president of the United States? Afterall, some presidents of the United States (#45 and #47 come to mind) appoint people to critical positions with a lot less experience, don’t you think? Oy!
2.5 stars
It was time to visit my local library.
Busy with my grandsons who had come in from Texas for a visit, I quickly perused the library shelves. Nothing stood out to me but this book title. How could it not capture my attention? It is rather unusual for a book, don’t you think?
So unusual, I didn’t even take the time to read what this book was about. I just opted to go along with the title. I checked it out, lobbed it in the car, and hustled onward for a walk with my husband, the dogs and the grandboys on to the embarcadero.
As it turns out President Bill Clinton wrote the introduction to this book. As friends in college with the author, it seemed only appropriate that he would write this nice introduction. His love of thrillers, and this book, came through in the introduction, but would it translate well to us readers?
Going into this with mixed reviews, I chose to keep an open mind.
Even though the novel was imperfect in its telling, it was somewhat enjoyable to read…at times. Its protagonist Ty Hunter was a handsome Special Forces operative who goes on to be a Hollywood superstar who could easily be compared to Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise. His extraordinary talents lead him to be recruited by the President of the United States to go looking for some missing warheads. Of course, we as readers can suspend disbelief, but that makes it somewhat entertaining, as much as imperfect, right?
How can we not enjoy this good-looking movie star 007 hottie who can save the world, too? Too much, you say? How about some lust, too when our hottie is attracted to one of the bad guy’s goddaughters? Oh my! Like I said earlier, can we suspend disbelief? Yes, we can! And, we can have fun, while we are at it, too! Or not.
And, while we are at it, can we have a scenic escape through Beverly Hills to Camp David, and perhaps a movie premiere hosted by the Queen of England, as well? What is this the “culture of privilege” that Clinton alludes to in his introduction? A bit much?
Let’s just say that even through the silly, the meandering plot gets lost a bit in pointless scenes, causing me to want to give up on this novel more than once. Especially with the authors over-abundance of run-on sentences.
But hey, why not have a spy jump off the screen at us who has been appointed by a president of the United States? Afterall, some presidents of the United States (#45 and #47 come to mind) appoint people to critical positions with a lot less experience, don’t you think? Oy!
2.5 stars
December 24, 2011
*First Reads Contest Winner*
Here's where I tell you I tried to like the book and maybe I will more if I give it some time, blah blah. No, I pretty much didn't like this book from the first chapter, and it only intensified. Here's why:
The writing style is convoluted. Sentences confuse themselves into forgetting what they were originally talking about. The dialogue is unnatural and forced. NO ONE talks like these characters, who are extremely verbose. No wonder it got a favorable forward from a politician.
Sometimes I felt this book was a vehicle for product placement, and the author an interior decorator rather than someone who was concerned with telling a story.
The plot is booooooorring. There is no suspense, as you know the extremely detailed (and don't forget, boring) plan as well as its perpetrators from pretty much the beginning of the book. There are no twists. As a matter of course, you know how books like these will end. But there was nothing making you guess and that left me with nothing but the hope that it would end, and soon. Besides a few murders, there is relatively little action. This book is mostly just 400 pages of exposition.
Cliches on top of others. For instance, can you guess how the crack IT team is portrayed? If you guessed overly geeky and witty, you win absolutely nothing, because it is exactly like every IT team has been portrayed, ever. And oh the acting puns! Hey did you remember that this guy, who does the bare minimum required of a hero, is a famous actor?! Crazy!
Maybe I'm being too mean. I dunno. I only finished it because I felt obligated as I received this book with the gentleman's agreement to post feedback. I suppose that left me a little bitter.
Here's where I tell you I tried to like the book and maybe I will more if I give it some time, blah blah. No, I pretty much didn't like this book from the first chapter, and it only intensified. Here's why:
The writing style is convoluted. Sentences confuse themselves into forgetting what they were originally talking about. The dialogue is unnatural and forced. NO ONE talks like these characters, who are extremely verbose. No wonder it got a favorable forward from a politician.
Sometimes I felt this book was a vehicle for product placement, and the author an interior decorator rather than someone who was concerned with telling a story.
The plot is booooooorring. There is no suspense, as you know the extremely detailed (and don't forget, boring) plan as well as its perpetrators from pretty much the beginning of the book. There are no twists. As a matter of course, you know how books like these will end. But there was nothing making you guess and that left me with nothing but the hope that it would end, and soon. Besides a few murders, there is relatively little action. This book is mostly just 400 pages of exposition.
Cliches on top of others. For instance, can you guess how the crack IT team is portrayed? If you guessed overly geeky and witty, you win absolutely nothing, because it is exactly like every IT team has been portrayed, ever. And oh the acting puns! Hey did you remember that this guy, who does the bare minimum required of a hero, is a famous actor?! Crazy!
Maybe I'm being too mean. I dunno. I only finished it because I felt obligated as I received this book with the gentleman's agreement to post feedback. I suppose that left me a little bitter.
March 2, 2012
I can count on one hand the number of books I have stopped reading part-way through, and this is one of them. The premise sounded interesting, but it just has not gotten my attention at all.
It did not start out well. The "introduction" by Bill Clinton was truly one of the most boring things I have ever read. It's 6 pages long! I literally could only read one paragraph, and then just stopped. It was verbose, self-aggrandizing, and meaningless.
Caplan's writing style is not appealing to me. He clearly has a large vocabulary, which he is eager to show off, but it does not enhance the story or reading experience. The dialogue between characters is silly - nobody really talks like that.
I'm halfway through the book, and the closest "spying" thing the main character has done so far is overhear a conversation in Chinese that the people didn't think he could understand. Not exactly thriller material.
I'm not a finicky reader, but this book is dull. Don't waste your time.
It did not start out well. The "introduction" by Bill Clinton was truly one of the most boring things I have ever read. It's 6 pages long! I literally could only read one paragraph, and then just stopped. It was verbose, self-aggrandizing, and meaningless.
Caplan's writing style is not appealing to me. He clearly has a large vocabulary, which he is eager to show off, but it does not enhance the story or reading experience. The dialogue between characters is silly - nobody really talks like that.
I'm halfway through the book, and the closest "spying" thing the main character has done so far is overhear a conversation in Chinese that the people didn't think he could understand. Not exactly thriller material.
I'm not a finicky reader, but this book is dull. Don't waste your time.
January 19, 2012
With a dashing hero, an attractive jewelry designer, and a megalomaniac billionaire villain worthy of James Bond, Caplan brings to you a thriller for the modern day. You'll sail on a luxury yacht and get lost in foreign locales. Filled with passion and betrayal, technology and money hungry men, this book will bring you up to a new level of story telling, and keep you there for the entire ride.
The hero: former covert operative, now number one box office movie star Ty Hunter, recruited by Washington to track down missing nuclear warheads from a decommissioned Russian military site. The villains: Ian Santal, a billionaire with twisted justifications for any action and Phillip Frost, Santal’s ruthless second in-command. The lure: Isabella Cavill, Santal’s goddaughter, a British designer working in Rome. The problem: the warheads are en route to their eventual owners, fanatics who sponsor terrorism. Hunter must use both his skills as an operative and an actor to thwart those who would try to control world destiny.
This novel is filled with long narration and in depth philosophical passages. The action is analytical, logical, and decisive. Caplan gets into the minds of the main characters, showing faults, quirks, loves and regrets, and how history affects the present. Don’t expect a quick read, but be ready for an adventure worthy of another classic battle between good and evil.
Review written by Stephen L. Brayton, author of “Beta” for Suspense Magazine
The hero: former covert operative, now number one box office movie star Ty Hunter, recruited by Washington to track down missing nuclear warheads from a decommissioned Russian military site. The villains: Ian Santal, a billionaire with twisted justifications for any action and Phillip Frost, Santal’s ruthless second in-command. The lure: Isabella Cavill, Santal’s goddaughter, a British designer working in Rome. The problem: the warheads are en route to their eventual owners, fanatics who sponsor terrorism. Hunter must use both his skills as an operative and an actor to thwart those who would try to control world destiny.
This novel is filled with long narration and in depth philosophical passages. The action is analytical, logical, and decisive. Caplan gets into the minds of the main characters, showing faults, quirks, loves and regrets, and how history affects the present. Don’t expect a quick read, but be ready for an adventure worthy of another classic battle between good and evil.
Review written by Stephen L. Brayton, author of “Beta” for Suspense Magazine
September 8, 2015
I'd like to know who came up with this title. It gives me the impression that the plot takes place sometime during the nineteen thirties; shades of Errol Flynn and the Nazi Bund rumors. But no, it's all very modern, high-tech computer-ville. This is an extremely uneven novel with an exceptionally laborious start that doesn't get into gear until halfway through the book and then it can't decide which direction to take. An additional irritant for me was the constant descriptions of the toys and possessions of the rich and famous, even without Robin Leach. I'm usually quite forgiving of spy novels and other military action reads but this one needed major help before it went to press and it didn't get it. I won't totally trash it, but basically confusion reigns so I'll only recommend it if you have nothing else to read. And one more thing: Regardless of what you think of Bill Clinton politically, I think you'll agree after reading it, that he really isn't a book critic.
April 16, 2012
(2.5) This book wants so desperately to be a no-holds-barred thriller but it masks itself behind a semi-intricate plot with a pulpy premise. Reading it the whole time, its thinly-drawn characters and uninspiring dialogue, I wanted it to just tear off its sophisticated clothes and be an all-out action book. Yet it continually refuses to do that until near the end and for what purpose? Just to make it seem like a more sophisticated read? Some novels can have their action cake and eat it with a dense premise too. This is not one of them. Cheap thrills or international intrigue: pick your poison, Mr. Caplan.
April 17, 2012
An interesting plot and storyline. Caplan develops his characters enough to compel a read through the conclusion even if a few of the characters are somewhat unbelievable (but it IS fiction). Overall a good read. He of course has left the door open to a sequel and I'm still undecided if I'll go after that one. But, I may read one of his three earlier novels. Caplan is not a bad writer.
February 16, 2017
After a glowing introduction by former President Bill Clinton, I was expecting a fast-paced suspense thriller. Instead the prose in the first couple of chapters was quite turgid and I rapidly lost interest. There are too many good books awaiting my reading so I set it aside. Not worth wasting your time on.
December 23, 2019
I can't believe Bill Clinton wrote the intro for this book. But that should have been the first clue - the 6 page long, self indulgent intro was as plodding as the book itself.
The L.A. Times called Ty Hunter a "Bond-Bourne love child". I guess that would be true if you took the amnesia side of Bourne from the beginning first book (where he has no clue about what he is doing) with the glamour side of Bond (being on huge yachts and at fancy parties with beautiful women). But to imply that this book has the action and intrigue of an Ian Flemming novel or of one of the Bourne books is a gross misrepresentation.
The overall plot is compelling but the story plods along with Ty Hunter (the main character) basically walking around kissing women and looking for clues. He is clueless most of the story and sees very little action.
The dialog is poorly written, and the author wrote a LOT of dialogue. Every main character seems to want to explain what they are doing and often makes statements that most people would never say in a normal conversation. In the intro Bi Clinton states "I recommended cuts of a few thousand words of dialog and description ..." - I'd hate to read the book before these cuts. And if Bill Clinton, a man who likes his own dialog more than any others' recommends cutting some, you know it must have been bad.
The few action sequences are also poorly written - lots of detail for a single karate chop to someone neck.
Oh well, at least I made it to the unsatisfactory ending.
The L.A. Times called Ty Hunter a "Bond-Bourne love child". I guess that would be true if you took the amnesia side of Bourne from the beginning first book (where he has no clue about what he is doing) with the glamour side of Bond (being on huge yachts and at fancy parties with beautiful women). But to imply that this book has the action and intrigue of an Ian Flemming novel or of one of the Bourne books is a gross misrepresentation.
The overall plot is compelling but the story plods along with Ty Hunter (the main character) basically walking around kissing women and looking for clues. He is clueless most of the story and sees very little action.
The dialog is poorly written, and the author wrote a LOT of dialogue. Every main character seems to want to explain what they are doing and often makes statements that most people would never say in a normal conversation. In the intro Bi Clinton states "I recommended cuts of a few thousand words of dialog and description ..." - I'd hate to read the book before these cuts. And if Bill Clinton, a man who likes his own dialog more than any others' recommends cutting some, you know it must have been bad.
The few action sequences are also poorly written - lots of detail for a single karate chop to someone neck.
Oh well, at least I made it to the unsatisfactory ending.
April 29, 2020
After finally overcoming a distaste for the title---it took 8 years---I pulled Caplan from the shelf and was pleasantly surprised. Mr. Caplan writes well. He also formulates an intricate plot, gives us engaging characters: worth the time to read.
Lately I have taken to reading blurbs on the dust jackets. Usually they are ridiculous, as are the illustrations on many book covers. In this instance Clive Cussler, who is a prolific author whom I do not read any more, claims this novel is the 'most ingenious thriller I've ever read". Phui. Either Mr. Cussler has read very few thrillers or has a poor memory. It is a readable book but far from the most ingenious on the shelf.
Recommended
Lately I have taken to reading blurbs on the dust jackets. Usually they are ridiculous, as are the illustrations on many book covers. In this instance Clive Cussler, who is a prolific author whom I do not read any more, claims this novel is the 'most ingenious thriller I've ever read". Phui. Either Mr. Cussler has read very few thrillers or has a poor memory. It is a readable book but far from the most ingenious on the shelf.
Recommended
January 19, 2018
Great premise, awkward writing. An action-packed thriller starring Ty Hunter, actor and former covert ops expert, who races against time to thwart the sale of nuclear warheads to shady villains who just might use them, with a backdrop of foreign locales, spy-tech, beautiful women and the lifestyles of the rich and famous. (This run-on sentence is similar to those in the book.) The best part is the introduction by President Bill Clinton (!), a friend of the author since their college days, which obviously influenced his glowing review.
December 3, 2018
Great title & great premise for a thriller but the writing was so boring that I kept putting the book down & not picking it back up again for days which is not what I want in a thriller/action adventure book. Finally forced myself to finish it & the action did finally start to pick up a bit toward the end but did not live up to what it could have been in the hands of a better writer. Really felt like he intended this as the first of a series which I hope he did not write
February 26, 2022
I gave up after 200 pages. I like the basic premise of a movie star who's actually a spy (though it would be better if he was a star known for playing spies, not just a former soldier who's landed some big Hollywood roles), but the story isn't grabbing me, the characters are tedious, and the writing is dull. Someone should take the idea and turn it into a script: it would work much better that way.
September 29, 2025
Found this in our neighborhood Little Library and it looked interesting. I found the first 2 chapters or so when the ‘dirty deed’ is being done to be a bit confusing and poorly written. There were parts of the middle that I liked and I started to quickly read through those but to be honest the back few chapters were difficult to read and I think I only skimmed the last 2 chapters just so I could say I finished the book.
June 18, 2018
It was a good story line, and I loved traveling to so many different places and countries. More than half the book is just introducing and drug out explanations the action didn't start until the end of the middle and it went fast from then on. Good story though.
May 5, 2019
Former covert operative turned film star is tasked with stopping the sale of three stolen nuclear warheads by billionnaire and his protege. Sometimes overly descriptive of Gibraltar, mega-yacht, etc., but enjoyed in the end.
May 27, 2020
I can't believe I went ahead and finished this book as it was SO slow moving. Never got vested in the plot, but interesting premise of a celebrated actor working as a spy to save the world from terrorists seeking power by procuring warheads.
July 4, 2021
I unfortunately found it very difficult to get into this book & due to that, and the fact I always finish books, it took me approx a year to read.
I had found it difficult at times to get into and follow the story. I did enjoy the ending better than any other part of the novel.
I had found it difficult at times to get into and follow the story. I did enjoy the ending better than any other part of the novel.
November 6, 2018
Dialogue all seemed wrong. Story was disjointed. Not good.
Read
June 17, 2019Was bored with it before Bill Clinton was even done with the foreword. Made it to chapter two, then went in search of a new book.
August 6, 2019
Perfect fluffy beach read.
August 26, 2019
Felt like a movie.
September 13, 2019
Just....no. Wanted to like it, usually love these kinds of stories but could not get into the characters. Felt flat.
January 20, 2020
I am so sorry President Bill Clinton and Thomas Caplan, you lost me as a reader. I do not like women’s characters to have the title “whore”, repeatedly.
June 29, 2020
I nteresting protagonist.
April 2, 2022
Slow and dull.
August 2, 2022
Middle of the road read. Didn't love it but didn't hate it.
June 26, 2023
I liked this book . I’m giving it a 4 star only because I felt it was a little slow in spots. Someone else may feel different. I can appreciate that.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews