Kingfisher

by Gerald Seymour

Four Ukrainian Jews are engaged in a bitter fight for recognition within the Soviet Union. When one of them is captured after shooting a policeman, they know time is running out. Their only hope is to hijack a plane, fly to the West and then on to Israel.Britain is the only country that allows the plane to land. Charlie Webster, an Intelligence officer, is brought in to negotiate with the are they political refugees or dangerous criminals? As the British government prevaricates, the hijackers become increasingly desperate, losing patience - and control.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery

368 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Gerald Seymour (born 25 November 1941 in Guildford, Surrey) is a British writer.

The son of two literary figures, he was educated at Kelly College at Tavistock in Devon and took a BA Hons degree in Modern History at University College London. Initially a journalist, he joined ITN in 1963, covering such topics as the Great Train Robbery, Vietnam, Ireland, the Munich Olympics massacre, Germany's Red Army, Italy's Red Brigades and Palestinian militant groups. His first book, Harry's Game, was published in 1975, and Seymour then became a full-time novelist, living in the West Country. In 1999, he featured in the Oscar-winning television film, One Day in September, which portrayed the Munich Olympics massacre.
Television adaptations have been made of his books Harry's Game, The Glory Boys, The Contract, Red Fox, Field Of Blood, A Line In The Sand and The Waiting Time.

Reviews

[Nigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable thriller set around a group of Jewish militants who decide to hijack plane to get out of Russia and into Israel. It focuses on the tensions in the group as their plans start to fall apart as first one then another western countries refuse them permission to land. When they are finally allowed to land in England due to lack of fuel, they are soon up against a refusal to refuel plane. Pressure is applied to the British government by Russia to return the hijackers there for trail.
It's a good story and whilst the read is drawn into feeling a degree of sympathy for the militants who only want to get out from under a tyrannical rule and to freedom, it does in now way glamorise hijackers in anyway, which I imagine was not an easy duality to write

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tight & tense tale of a Russian Jewish teenage foursome who set out to make bold statements against the authorities that govern their lives. Things rapidly go out of their planning & control and create an international incident that must be resolved. Seymour's characters are vivid, carefully crafted personalities who are committed to their widely differing beliefs & experiences. The story is masterfully told with intelligence, experience and compassion. Don't miss this author!

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Novel by a Great Author with a very atmospheric build up, showing a great insight into all the characters. This is quite a new author to me and one that i will be continuing to recommend.

[Julie Round · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent example of a modern thriller, great characters, a gripping plot. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1979. Murder mystery.

[Bent Andreassen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read in Norwegian. A very well written thriller.

[Barry Bridges · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another solid read from Gerald Seymour. At times it felt like I was reading Le Carre. The plot plods along and all bases are covered (some superfluous to requirements) and a complete picture presented. Dependable, real world based fiction where there are no heroes, just men doing their jobs!!

[Imbtsman · Rating 3 out of 5]

OKish, but plodded along at times when it was more like a documentary than a novel.

[Ken Wiggs]

very good read like all his books