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Deep Cover: The Unknowing Agent
“Deep Cover delivers a twisty, action-packed story of deep-cover Russian spies that plays on long-time fears and rumors. As the tension amps up, you won’t know who to trust.” –Lena Gibson, award-winning author of The Edge of Life
Are there deep cover Russian Cold War spies in the U.S.? If the answer to that question is, “Yes,” what the hell are they up to?!?
The Cold War, a period of history during which spycraft rules the world by substituting subterfuge and lies for actual war and mass death. The Soviet Union and the United States of America, the two major players, spend untold sums of money and put their best minds to work at attempting to gain the “upper hand,” whatever that means. Two distinct ideologies. One takes the long view, while the other prefers instant gratification. They find common ground only in their willingness to utilize experimental methods and the lengths to which they are willing to go to “win,” including using their own citizens in unimaginable ways.
During the Cold War, the Soviets plan to infiltrate the U.S. by placing deep cover agents into the country as everyday citizens. Was the plan successful? If so, with détente and the collapse of the Soviet Union, where are they today?
Lisa Jones and Jennifer Turner are two brilliant scientists working at United Genetics Research Lab, a state-of-the-art facility located outside of Washington, D.C., doing state-of-the-art genetics research. Lisa's boyfriend, Sgt. Stephan Beck, works at the United States Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) as an interpreter of intercepted Russian language messages. One such message, intercepted by Homeland Security, piques his interest due to what he, and no one else, perceives to be a hidden message. Unable to resist the challenge, he breaks protocol in an effort to unravel the mystery, unprepared for what he actually a possible connection to the people he loves and an attempt to manipulate the next presidential election, only months away, altering the fate of the U.S., and the world.
Deep Cover, the second published novel by acclaimed author Jeffrey Jay Levin, author of Watching, Volume 1: The Garden Museum Heist, asks the Are the two countries, and the behind-the-scenes players, really all that different? Who can one really trust?
If The Manchurian Candidate and The Americans had a baby, it would have been the adult action thriller Deep Cover.
Are there deep cover Russian Cold War spies in the U.S.? If the answer to that question is, “Yes,” what the hell are they up to?!?
The Cold War, a period of history during which spycraft rules the world by substituting subterfuge and lies for actual war and mass death. The Soviet Union and the United States of America, the two major players, spend untold sums of money and put their best minds to work at attempting to gain the “upper hand,” whatever that means. Two distinct ideologies. One takes the long view, while the other prefers instant gratification. They find common ground only in their willingness to utilize experimental methods and the lengths to which they are willing to go to “win,” including using their own citizens in unimaginable ways.
During the Cold War, the Soviets plan to infiltrate the U.S. by placing deep cover agents into the country as everyday citizens. Was the plan successful? If so, with détente and the collapse of the Soviet Union, where are they today?
Lisa Jones and Jennifer Turner are two brilliant scientists working at United Genetics Research Lab, a state-of-the-art facility located outside of Washington, D.C., doing state-of-the-art genetics research. Lisa's boyfriend, Sgt. Stephan Beck, works at the United States Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) as an interpreter of intercepted Russian language messages. One such message, intercepted by Homeland Security, piques his interest due to what he, and no one else, perceives to be a hidden message. Unable to resist the challenge, he breaks protocol in an effort to unravel the mystery, unprepared for what he actually a possible connection to the people he loves and an attempt to manipulate the next presidential election, only months away, altering the fate of the U.S., and the world.
Deep Cover, the second published novel by acclaimed author Jeffrey Jay Levin, author of Watching, Volume 1: The Garden Museum Heist, asks the Are the two countries, and the behind-the-scenes players, really all that different? Who can one really trust?
If The Manchurian Candidate and The Americans had a baby, it would have been the adult action thriller Deep Cover.
- GenresThriller
198 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2024
41 people are currently reading
3173 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 3, 2024
Note: Thank you to NetGalley, Black Rose Writing, and Jeffrey Jay Levin for the advanced reader copy of this book. This review will also be posted on NetGalley. What follows is my unbiased review of the book.
If you have ever seen the television show The Americans (which is a pretty good show, by the way), then you have the basic premise of Deep Cover. Harkening back to the Cold War era, the Soviet Union developed hundreds of spies to pose as ordinary Americans who could be activated as needed. Once the Soviet Union collapsed, what happened to all of them? They stayed in the United States, had children, and are somewhat merged into society.
I say “somewhat” because there were special schools these spies sent their children to, and those children were trained as sleeper agents to be activated when needed. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, though, nothing much seemed to come of it, until now.
Stephan Beck is a sergeant assigned to Army Intelligence. He stumbles across a recording from Homeland Security that initially seems to be nothing. However, he’s sure there’s more to it. Working on it even after being told no to, he hears musical notes through the static identical to the school song he heard at his girlfriend’s school reunion. The girlfriend, Lisa Jones, works for a genetics lab and is a brilliant scientist.
What follows is some brilliant intrigue, where the bad guys aren’t who the reader would think. Well, most of us wouldn’t. I had an idea but hoped I was wrong. In fact, I kept waiting for the mea culpa that I was sure was going to be there but never came.
To read my full review please go to Deep Cover by Jeffrey Jay Levin
If you have ever seen the television show The Americans (which is a pretty good show, by the way), then you have the basic premise of Deep Cover. Harkening back to the Cold War era, the Soviet Union developed hundreds of spies to pose as ordinary Americans who could be activated as needed. Once the Soviet Union collapsed, what happened to all of them? They stayed in the United States, had children, and are somewhat merged into society.
I say “somewhat” because there were special schools these spies sent their children to, and those children were trained as sleeper agents to be activated when needed. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, though, nothing much seemed to come of it, until now.
Stephan Beck is a sergeant assigned to Army Intelligence. He stumbles across a recording from Homeland Security that initially seems to be nothing. However, he’s sure there’s more to it. Working on it even after being told no to, he hears musical notes through the static identical to the school song he heard at his girlfriend’s school reunion. The girlfriend, Lisa Jones, works for a genetics lab and is a brilliant scientist.
What follows is some brilliant intrigue, where the bad guys aren’t who the reader would think. Well, most of us wouldn’t. I had an idea but hoped I was wrong. In fact, I kept waiting for the mea culpa that I was sure was going to be there but never came.
To read my full review please go to Deep Cover by Jeffrey Jay Levin
September 21, 2024
Shellie’s friend wrote it. Spies, Russia, lots of time frames, very confusing, very low reading level and everyone is a terrible person in the end. The Russians are terrible, the American homeland me are terrible and the young adults who did t know their were brainwashed did terrible things too.
March 24, 2024
Deep Cover: The Unknowing Agent, by Jeffrey Jay Levin, is a thoughtfully crafted spy thriller that delves into the lingering tensions of the Cold War era. The narrative is set against the backdrop of a dormant Russian spy program, which is suddenly reawakened to potentially disrupt a forthcoming U.S. presidential election. At the heart of this intrigue is Sergeant Stephen Beck, a character from U.S. Army Intelligence, who stumbles upon a cryptic message. His decision to pursue its meaning against orders leads him into a labyrinth of espionage.
Levin's storytelling echoes the intricate spy narratives of John le Carré, infused with elements that might remind readers of The Manchurian Candidate, particularly the original version directed by John Frankenheimer. The novel primarily revolves around three protagonists: the policy-savvy Stephen Beck, his girlfriend Lisa Jones, and her colleague Jennifer Turner. These characters are portrayed with intelligence, dedication, and a nuanced sense of patriotism, adding depth to their roles in a world rife with subterfuge and ambiguity.
As the story unfolds, Levin masterfully introduces unexpected developments, maintaining a gripping pace. The enduring animosity between the U.S. and Russia is a central theme, portrayed as an unextinguished flame from the Cold War era, lending a sense of realism to the narrative, especially in light of recent global events. The novel's strength lies in its meticulous plotting and subtle narrative progressions. Levin's writing exhibits patience and precision, gradually revealing the intricacies of the plot. The story's direction is confidently handled, ensuring that readers remain engaged through a slowly unraveling mystery. By the novel's conclusion, Levin skillfully shifts the reader's allegiances in tandem with those of the characters, showcasing his prowess as a writer.
Deep Cover: The Unknowing Agent stands as a testament to Levin's ability to weave a complex and realistic spy narrative that resonates with contemporary geopolitical themes. The novel's careful construction and compelling character dynamics make it a notable addition to the genre.
Levin's storytelling echoes the intricate spy narratives of John le Carré, infused with elements that might remind readers of The Manchurian Candidate, particularly the original version directed by John Frankenheimer. The novel primarily revolves around three protagonists: the policy-savvy Stephen Beck, his girlfriend Lisa Jones, and her colleague Jennifer Turner. These characters are portrayed with intelligence, dedication, and a nuanced sense of patriotism, adding depth to their roles in a world rife with subterfuge and ambiguity.
As the story unfolds, Levin masterfully introduces unexpected developments, maintaining a gripping pace. The enduring animosity between the U.S. and Russia is a central theme, portrayed as an unextinguished flame from the Cold War era, lending a sense of realism to the narrative, especially in light of recent global events. The novel's strength lies in its meticulous plotting and subtle narrative progressions. Levin's writing exhibits patience and precision, gradually revealing the intricacies of the plot. The story's direction is confidently handled, ensuring that readers remain engaged through a slowly unraveling mystery. By the novel's conclusion, Levin skillfully shifts the reader's allegiances in tandem with those of the characters, showcasing his prowess as a writer.
Deep Cover: The Unknowing Agent stands as a testament to Levin's ability to weave a complex and realistic spy narrative that resonates with contemporary geopolitical themes. The novel's careful construction and compelling character dynamics make it a notable addition to the genre.
July 9, 2024
Deep Cover - This is my favorite genre and Ludlum rules. I guess I have read too many Cold War, and other wars and commercial/industrial, espionage books over the decades since I am having trouble finding writers that can compete with the Old Masters; no, not the Dutch painters.
This author, like many others, throws a bunch of stuff at the reader trying to get all the characters and snippets in before the body of the story. When done correctly, this is a great; Levin did poorly. Otherwise, if the reader is easily bored, confused or lacks patience, the rest of the story does not survive. I am patient and understand what the author is trying to do in many of the beginning chapters but I could not get interested, forget getting immersed, in the story. (Ludlum has ruined me for the novice writer.)
I am sure there are many readers who will enjoy this book but sadly, Levin's writing style did not roll for me. This is an average read, not a bad read once past the intros, which is why I rated DC three stars. I would like to see a new book of his in five years to see how well he improves. Source: Netgalley. 3*
This author, like many others, throws a bunch of stuff at the reader trying to get all the characters and snippets in before the body of the story. When done correctly, this is a great; Levin did poorly. Otherwise, if the reader is easily bored, confused or lacks patience, the rest of the story does not survive. I am patient and understand what the author is trying to do in many of the beginning chapters but I could not get interested, forget getting immersed, in the story. (Ludlum has ruined me for the novice writer.)
I am sure there are many readers who will enjoy this book but sadly, Levin's writing style did not roll for me. This is an average read, not a bad read once past the intros, which is why I rated DC three stars. I would like to see a new book of his in five years to see how well he improves. Source: Netgalley. 3*
August 2, 2024
First off I received this book as a giveaway from Goodreads and the author, so thank you very much! I am an avid fan of thrillers and stories about spies. As someone who has read many of these types of books, it can be predictable about the ending, however, this book was not the case. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters’ developments throughout the book and thought the author did a masterful job of giving depth to the characters. The plot is based around a time (the Cold War with Russia) that can be hard to portray and make exciting to readers who might not know a lot about that time period. This book I believe gives a good background in how tense those times were. For a short book this, kept me guessing throughout and every page was excellently written. Overall, I highly recommend the book to anyone who enjoys this type of genre!
October 15, 2024
Oh, the layers! Like a matryoshka doll, the author doesn't so much let the action unfold as pull the mask off each layer, revealing what decades-long scheming lies beneath. When Sgt Stephan Beck uncovers a strange audio recording, he is set down a path of discovery that goes all the way back to the Cold War. It is up to him to unravel a plot surrounding a group of Russian agents placed domestically decades before. The author does a marvelous job of understanding both the American military psyche as well as the Russian military psyche, and is careful to portray each side with the requisite subtlety. Very few characters are truly good or truly evil, which this author appreciated enormously. Never resorts to tropes, but instead weaves an action-packed, fast-paced tale which is both sprawling and ultimately believable, given the stakes.
September 24, 2024
Spy novels used to be my favorite. I especially loved Jason Bourne, the assassin who turned out not to really be an assassin. Reading this, it felt like the author loved the same books once upon a time. Unfortunately, this book did not recreate those kinds of stories.
The time kept switching, the characters were shallow and unlikeable, and the plot was predictable.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.
The time kept switching, the characters were shallow and unlikeable, and the plot was predictable.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.
July 2, 2024
This was definitely a “don’t want to put it down” book! As the story plays out you’re never quite sure who the good guys are. The author keeps you turning pages and questioning what you think you know. I highly recommend Deep Cover and look forward to more from Jeffery Jay Levin!
July 4, 2024
Deep Cover is the 2nd book by Jeffrey Jay levin I have read. Whether sitting by the pool, on the beach or on the couch, it grabs you and makes you want to keep going until you come to a surprising and entertaining finish. Can't wait for the next one!
August 1, 2024
A great page turning story with hidden twists and turns. Very clever, imaginative and makes you wonder if such spy stories are actually going on around us every day. An enjoyable and interesting read that keeps you wondering, especially these days.
September 19, 2024
Loved this book! Pick it up and trust me you won't be able to put it down. I suspected everyone which kept the plot tense and my wanting it to never end! I have read both of Jay's books and cannot wait for the next!
October 27, 2024
Another great read from author Jeffrey Jay Levin. This book could not be more timely in it's release. International intrigue, spys, nations looking for any advantage for resources and support of worldwide opinion. Levin delivers another good one!
July 7, 2024
I couldn't put this book down! Not only is the agent unknown, the reader is unknowing as the plot twists and turns and takes you on a wild ride. An excellent read!
July 10, 2024
This is not my usual genre but I got hooked and found it hard to put down. The plot turns, the mystery, the anticipation. really enjoyed it!!!!!!
July 19, 2024
Great fast paced spy novel. Very likeable hero and a few good twists along the way.
August 11, 2024
I'm old enough to remember the Cold War. And this book gave me shivers! the twists and turns were enough to keep me up all night reading to find out what would happen. Mr. Levin's first book was very good, so I tried his second. This one is GREAT. Worth the read.
June 30, 2024
Deep Cover delivers a twisty, action-packed story of deep-cover Russian spies that plays on long-time fears and rumors. As the tension amps up, you won’t know who to trust.
I received an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
I received an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews