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Jonas Merrick #4
Hodder Stoughton The Best Revenge (Jonas Merrick series).
Dust jacket has some creasing to the edges. Shipped from the UK in recyclable card packaging.
384 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2024
147 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Gerald Seymour
100 books289 followersGerald 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 18, 2024
Felt this book was missing something but liked some parts though
January 15, 2024
Having read everything Gerald Seymour has written from Harry's game to this third novel of the Jonas Merrick character, yet again I found myself reading late into the night, totally immersed in the utterly believable world of Merrick.The mundane daily routines, the caravan holidays he and Vera are so fond of and the parallel dark world of intelligence agencies and their never ending bureaucratic inanities , with a framework of a easily imagined ongoing solo operation against China and its economic and military theft of the UK secrets.
Seymour is a master like Le Carre of enveloping the reader in an utterly realistic world, his Merrick series is a joy, this square peg of a older agent handler and curmudgeon , who has seemingly a boring existence, yet is triumphant in his operations, is a wonderful character , as enriching as George Smiley.
Definitely a great read.
Seymour is a master like Le Carre of enveloping the reader in an utterly realistic world, his Merrick series is a joy, this square peg of a older agent handler and curmudgeon , who has seemingly a boring existence, yet is triumphant in his operations, is a wonderful character , as enriching as George Smiley.
Definitely a great read.
September 4, 2024
A wonderfully constructed book, superbly written and with characters to die for. The creation that is Jonas Merrick was a masterstroke. His grumpy shuffling through the evolving and always enthralling plot line is masterful. A super, super anti hero.
And Seymour has been prolific in his output so there is so much more to look forward to!!
And Seymour has been prolific in his output so there is so much more to look forward to!!
February 17, 2024
Wow this is a change, I'm actually reviewing a book the same year it gets released. Usually I don't have much to say on Gerald Seymour novels. He is one of my favorite authors and I pretty much always enjoy his books. That is until the Crocodile Hunter, which despite parts of it being really good, I just didn't like Jonas Merrick as a protagonist. Hence why I didn't read the next two Merrick books. Why did I read this one then, you may wonder. Well, I am a sucker for thriller novels with Chinese antagonists and since Seymour had yet to touch on the subject I thought I would at least enjoy seeing how this attempt went.
Up until the Merrick series, Seymour wrote standalone novels. Sometimes there were indications that these were part of a wider universe but these were more like easter eggs for fans than ongoing narratives. Over the course of his career, Seymour built up a cast of archetypes, so despite every novel being about ostensibly new characters, they would often seem pretty familiar. His stories became a like this with the premises too, and variation usually came from how all the different plot threads would inevitably collide into some massive disaster at the end. Because of the way characters would often be iterations on an archetype it made sense to at some point to just have a reoccurring caste so having the Merrick books as a series seemed like a positive move. However, the advantage with standalone novels, or the episodic format, is if something doesn't work, it won't be an issue next episode.
Seymour has this tendency to include kind of quirky ideas that he would play with throughout the novel like 'Battle Sight Zero' repeating the title of the book within the narrative every so often or 'A Damned Serious Business' having constant references to waterloo and ruminating on the burden of command. This tendency is not common in mainstream thriller novels which don't tend to overly challenge readers as far as big ideas or artistic flourishes are concerned.
It seems like Seymour's quirk in 'The Crocodile Hunter' was to make the protagonist, Merrick, as unlikeable as possible. Not in the conventional sense of an anti hero but as someone who annoys everyone he comes into contact with, including the reader. Like Le Carree's George Smiley, Merrick is a skilled manipulator who happens to also be an entirely unthreatening middle aged man. Like Smiley Merrick is opposed to the career beauracrats at the agency where he works and acts as a kind of maverick, running operations that superiors seem to have limited knowledge of. Unlike Smiley however, Merrick is abrasive to everyone, alienating his allies and subordinates. His home life is also so mundane and tedious it had me wondering why I had to read about it. Despite him being a subversive protagonist in one sense, in the 'Crocodile Hunter' he seemed to have an abundance of luck and ability which meant he could deal with any situation as well as the super capable gary stu's of most thrillers.
I am not sure how Merrick is handled in the 2nd and 3rd books in the series. However, in 'The Best Revenge' Seymour utilises him so well that I found myself not having an issue with him. This is because Seymour makes Merrick's physical limitations a lot clearer in this novel. We see Merrick's lack of courage when put in similar situations that he puts his subordinates in. It is also made explicit how his lack of empathy messes up his personal relationships, despite how effective he is as a manipulator otherwise and despite how much he needs help from others in numerous situations in the book. Merrick gets some character development and some of Merrick's good traits are shown, his love for his wife, their large cat and his ability to be self reflective on his failings.
So the prior issues I had with Merrick are dealt with quite well. In that case how is the rest of the novel?
For a start, Seymour seems to have got a second wind from finding an issue where he feels genuine outrage. This makes the novel not only seem fresher and more energetic than his books have been in a long time but push the novel into territory where I would say it's an "important book", not just an entertaining read. What I mean by that is Seymour touches on an issue and explores it in such a way that I think everyone needs to read this book.
The central issue that propels the A plot is Chinese espionage subverting western democracy, corrupting politicians and stealing secrets from research firms to give the People's Liberation Army an edge in a future invasion of Taiwan. A particular point of moral outrage for Seymour is how western governments avoid prosecuting Chinese spies for these crimes, due to being scared of Chinese over-reaction and retaliation through trade sanctions. This situation is shown to be totally hypocritical as Seymour points to China executing Chinese citizens involved in espionage activity. In typical Seymour fashion we see the kind of people involved in these activities, get into their mindsets and then he turns it into a compelling and exciting story.
This novel has a B plot which relates to the 2nd Merrick book. Despite not having read that one, I had no issues following it. Despite not having a lot to do with the A plot, all the narrative threads pay off in the end and as with previous novels, the last stretch of the novel is wild and unpredictable. I really enjoyed seeing how the different threads resolved and the solutions the various characters came up with. There is a strong cast of characters, some with more unexpected and sympathetic arcs than Merrick. Olaf the cat is a standout with some fun and unexpected scenes.
Highly recommended.
Up until the Merrick series, Seymour wrote standalone novels. Sometimes there were indications that these were part of a wider universe but these were more like easter eggs for fans than ongoing narratives. Over the course of his career, Seymour built up a cast of archetypes, so despite every novel being about ostensibly new characters, they would often seem pretty familiar. His stories became a like this with the premises too, and variation usually came from how all the different plot threads would inevitably collide into some massive disaster at the end. Because of the way characters would often be iterations on an archetype it made sense to at some point to just have a reoccurring caste so having the Merrick books as a series seemed like a positive move. However, the advantage with standalone novels, or the episodic format, is if something doesn't work, it won't be an issue next episode.
Seymour has this tendency to include kind of quirky ideas that he would play with throughout the novel like 'Battle Sight Zero' repeating the title of the book within the narrative every so often or 'A Damned Serious Business' having constant references to waterloo and ruminating on the burden of command. This tendency is not common in mainstream thriller novels which don't tend to overly challenge readers as far as big ideas or artistic flourishes are concerned.
It seems like Seymour's quirk in 'The Crocodile Hunter' was to make the protagonist, Merrick, as unlikeable as possible. Not in the conventional sense of an anti hero but as someone who annoys everyone he comes into contact with, including the reader. Like Le Carree's George Smiley, Merrick is a skilled manipulator who happens to also be an entirely unthreatening middle aged man. Like Smiley Merrick is opposed to the career beauracrats at the agency where he works and acts as a kind of maverick, running operations that superiors seem to have limited knowledge of. Unlike Smiley however, Merrick is abrasive to everyone, alienating his allies and subordinates. His home life is also so mundane and tedious it had me wondering why I had to read about it. Despite him being a subversive protagonist in one sense, in the 'Crocodile Hunter' he seemed to have an abundance of luck and ability which meant he could deal with any situation as well as the super capable gary stu's of most thrillers.
I am not sure how Merrick is handled in the 2nd and 3rd books in the series. However, in 'The Best Revenge' Seymour utilises him so well that I found myself not having an issue with him. This is because Seymour makes Merrick's physical limitations a lot clearer in this novel. We see Merrick's lack of courage when put in similar situations that he puts his subordinates in. It is also made explicit how his lack of empathy messes up his personal relationships, despite how effective he is as a manipulator otherwise and despite how much he needs help from others in numerous situations in the book. Merrick gets some character development and some of Merrick's good traits are shown, his love for his wife, their large cat and his ability to be self reflective on his failings.
So the prior issues I had with Merrick are dealt with quite well. In that case how is the rest of the novel?
For a start, Seymour seems to have got a second wind from finding an issue where he feels genuine outrage. This makes the novel not only seem fresher and more energetic than his books have been in a long time but push the novel into territory where I would say it's an "important book", not just an entertaining read. What I mean by that is Seymour touches on an issue and explores it in such a way that I think everyone needs to read this book.
The central issue that propels the A plot is Chinese espionage subverting western democracy, corrupting politicians and stealing secrets from research firms to give the People's Liberation Army an edge in a future invasion of Taiwan. A particular point of moral outrage for Seymour is how western governments avoid prosecuting Chinese spies for these crimes, due to being scared of Chinese over-reaction and retaliation through trade sanctions. This situation is shown to be totally hypocritical as Seymour points to China executing Chinese citizens involved in espionage activity. In typical Seymour fashion we see the kind of people involved in these activities, get into their mindsets and then he turns it into a compelling and exciting story.
This novel has a B plot which relates to the 2nd Merrick book. Despite not having read that one, I had no issues following it. Despite not having a lot to do with the A plot, all the narrative threads pay off in the end and as with previous novels, the last stretch of the novel is wild and unpredictable. I really enjoyed seeing how the different threads resolved and the solutions the various characters came up with. There is a strong cast of characters, some with more unexpected and sympathetic arcs than Merrick. Olaf the cat is a standout with some fun and unexpected scenes.
Highly recommended.
November 25, 2023
This is my first dip into Gerald Seymour's espionage series featuring the elderly MI5 Jonas Merrick series, a man who gets results but is not appreciated for the manner in which he breaks the rules to get them. Left alone on the China desk, the attraction of his life on the third floor of Thames House is that as an counter intelligence analyst, he is anonymous, operating as a heavyweight peripheral shadow. He tracks and takes note of the People's Liberation Army's Colonel Zhang Dong staking his reputation and life on a GPS free missile guidance system, intended to radically shift the global balance of power. The undercover Jimmy Bolton feels he has successfully embedded himself in the local community, but he and Mary Lou have not gone unnoticed.
The ruthless Merrick is aware of a Chinese honey trap set for young, socially awkward, electronic engineer genius working on innovatory missile guidance systems, Q (Quentin), headhunted by Alpha Engineering, signing the Official Secrets Act once recruited. However, in Moscow revenge is being sought for previous failures, orders have been issued to kill Merrick that have Arkadi, Danil and Pushka drive to Helsinki, the beginning of the journey in an effort to complete their mission. There is betrayal, a Strangeways inmate being taken, and more. It would be a mistake to underestimate just how able Merrick is, particularly as he refuses to be put off doing what he coldly reasons is necessary, even if it lands him in trouble.
Merrick appears to live a life of routine with his wife, Vera, and cat, Olaf, going to work, publicly acknowledged only by the guards, Kev and Leroy. Any of his successes do not prevent him having to face the Kangaroos, intent on eradicating any signs of a culture of independent thought, whilst paying little attention to Chinese espionage. This is a compulsive, intense, engaging and well plotted read, although I did feel that I was coming in late to the game, having not read the earlier books in the series. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
The ruthless Merrick is aware of a Chinese honey trap set for young, socially awkward, electronic engineer genius working on innovatory missile guidance systems, Q (Quentin), headhunted by Alpha Engineering, signing the Official Secrets Act once recruited. However, in Moscow revenge is being sought for previous failures, orders have been issued to kill Merrick that have Arkadi, Danil and Pushka drive to Helsinki, the beginning of the journey in an effort to complete their mission. There is betrayal, a Strangeways inmate being taken, and more. It would be a mistake to underestimate just how able Merrick is, particularly as he refuses to be put off doing what he coldly reasons is necessary, even if it lands him in trouble.
Merrick appears to live a life of routine with his wife, Vera, and cat, Olaf, going to work, publicly acknowledged only by the guards, Kev and Leroy. Any of his successes do not prevent him having to face the Kangaroos, intent on eradicating any signs of a culture of independent thought, whilst paying little attention to Chinese espionage. This is a compulsive, intense, engaging and well plotted read, although I did feel that I was coming in late to the game, having not read the earlier books in the series. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
January 2, 2024
The Best Revenge is the fourth entry in his series about the nondescript MI5 agent Jonas Merrick. Generally despised and overlooked by his superiors and flasher younger colleagues, and not really forgiven for unmasking a Russian spy in MI6 in The Foot Soldiers, Merrick has been banished to the Chinese desk with instructions not to ruffle feathers. But while Merrick seems to be a harmless old fellow waiting for retirement, underneath he is very astute and quite ruthless in his determination. When he stumbles upon a Chinese network, which is targeting a young naive expert in GPS-free missile guidance systems, he sets in place a devious operation that has the potential to strike a blow to China’s espionage network in the UK.
One thing that Merrick is unaware of, however, is an operation against himself by the Russians who have been given the instruction from Putin to ‘bring me his head’.
This is a slow burn of a thriller, that steadily builds its way to a series of tense moments and a bloody climax in England and in far-off Russia. The pace may be slow at times, but the tension is high throughout, and as with most of Seymour’s novels, the outcome is never clear until the final moment.
The details of the operation are credible and interesting, and the various foot soldiers on both sides are well crafted and believable. There are some terrific little vignettes, including an amusing incident involving a tea trolley, and Merrick’s clever efforts to outwit both his foreign enemies and his superiors is fondly reminiscent of Brian Freemantle’s Charlie Muffin books.
An outstanding spy novel for those readers with patience and a love of well executed plots.
See full review at: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/2...
One thing that Merrick is unaware of, however, is an operation against himself by the Russians who have been given the instruction from Putin to ‘bring me his head’.
This is a slow burn of a thriller, that steadily builds its way to a series of tense moments and a bloody climax in England and in far-off Russia. The pace may be slow at times, but the tension is high throughout, and as with most of Seymour’s novels, the outcome is never clear until the final moment.
The details of the operation are credible and interesting, and the various foot soldiers on both sides are well crafted and believable. There are some terrific little vignettes, including an amusing incident involving a tea trolley, and Merrick’s clever efforts to outwit both his foreign enemies and his superiors is fondly reminiscent of Brian Freemantle’s Charlie Muffin books.
An outstanding spy novel for those readers with patience and a love of well executed plots.
See full review at: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/2...
December 30, 2023
This is the latest in a series of books featuring Jonas Merrick who works for MI5. I really like the characterisation of Jonas - he is an older man, past retirement age, but still working at his desk, following his usual routines and doing things his own way. In this novel Jonas is quietly working on the China desk, filtering through intelligence reports and picking up leads possibly missed by others.
I found the storyline of this book quite complicated to follow. It was a book of two halves for me. In the first half, you are learning the background to the case. At times it felt as though the cast of characters was a little overwhelming - there are the Chinese, the Russians as well as references to Albanians and the usual cast of characters from the previous books. Even Olaf, the cat, plays a significant part in this story. I don't think I quite got all of the detail. The references to the yellow beach were a bit lost on me to be honest. But I very much followed the storyline of the deep cover agent and the woman captured by the Russians.
In the second half of the book the pace ramps up significantly. You feel the tension as things are brought together towards the resolution of seemingly separate threads of storyline. The thread of the escaped prisoner in the second half is particularly interesting.
All in all, this was a complex but enjoyable read. I'm not sure how much longer Jonas Merrick can keep going before he is forced to retire, but I will be looking out for his next episode!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I found the storyline of this book quite complicated to follow. It was a book of two halves for me. In the first half, you are learning the background to the case. At times it felt as though the cast of characters was a little overwhelming - there are the Chinese, the Russians as well as references to Albanians and the usual cast of characters from the previous books. Even Olaf, the cat, plays a significant part in this story. I don't think I quite got all of the detail. The references to the yellow beach were a bit lost on me to be honest. But I very much followed the storyline of the deep cover agent and the woman captured by the Russians.
In the second half of the book the pace ramps up significantly. You feel the tension as things are brought together towards the resolution of seemingly separate threads of storyline. The thread of the escaped prisoner in the second half is particularly interesting.
All in all, this was a complex but enjoyable read. I'm not sure how much longer Jonas Merrick can keep going before he is forced to retire, but I will be looking out for his next episode!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2025
Gerald Seymour is a consummate professional at the top of his game here (fifty years & counting into his stellar career). The previous three books introduced his first recurring protagonist, the elderly, cussed Jonas Merrick. Bond gets his Aston Martin & Miss Money Penny. Merrick gets a second hand caravan, long-suffering wife Vera...and a cat called Olaf who plays a surprisingly pivotal role in events.
Previous characters and plot lines are expertly brought together. Jonas is poised for another coup but his past successes have prompted a vendetta from no less than Vladimir Putin, our special guest star. The book exposes the squalid and nasty core at the centre of the Russian & Chinese tyrannies. The brutal nature of China's police state in particular is laid bare in forensic detail. Merrick has to fight foreign enemies and the internal apathy of his MI5 bosses: appeasement seems order of the day.
I found this the best of the Merrick quartet. There's a lot going on, with three or four different plot strands and a new side kick - Hen, a goth girl who fnds a kindred spirit in the curmudgeonly Jonas. We are left with a tantalising cliff hanger. If Jonas returns I will be back onboard. If this proves his swansong, it's a cracker.
Previous characters and plot lines are expertly brought together. Jonas is poised for another coup but his past successes have prompted a vendetta from no less than Vladimir Putin, our special guest star. The book exposes the squalid and nasty core at the centre of the Russian & Chinese tyrannies. The brutal nature of China's police state in particular is laid bare in forensic detail. Merrick has to fight foreign enemies and the internal apathy of his MI5 bosses: appeasement seems order of the day.
I found this the best of the Merrick quartet. There's a lot going on, with three or four different plot strands and a new side kick - Hen, a goth girl who fnds a kindred spirit in the curmudgeonly Jonas. We are left with a tantalising cliff hanger. If Jonas returns I will be back onboard. If this proves his swansong, it's a cracker.
August 25, 2024
This is the fourth book in the series and for anyone following the exploits of Jonas Merrick, it as good as all the others.
Once again, the main character, Jonas, that seemingly insignificant "Fiver" clerk, finds himself moved again to another section of the Security Service, this time on the China Desk. He still has the same office, but this time has gained another member of staff. A woman "Hen" who has been dumped on him as she is seen as rebellious - just like him. They make a formidable team, she "on the ground" and him as usual in the office plotting the moves.
From his analysis of a seemingly random act - a Chinese language newspaper spotted by an alert retired security officer on the car seat of a parked car - Jonas identifies a deep cover spy and associates.
As usual the plotting is good and ties all the parts together well.
Well recommended.
From the start I wondered if this was the last outing for Jonas. The ambiguous ending leaves that in the air. But maybe we have seen the last of him. Pity, but there is perhaps only so much you can do with a stubborn, curmudgeonly employee who continually incurs the wrath of his seniors, despite his successes.
Once again, the main character, Jonas, that seemingly insignificant "Fiver" clerk, finds himself moved again to another section of the Security Service, this time on the China Desk. He still has the same office, but this time has gained another member of staff. A woman "Hen" who has been dumped on him as she is seen as rebellious - just like him. They make a formidable team, she "on the ground" and him as usual in the office plotting the moves.
From his analysis of a seemingly random act - a Chinese language newspaper spotted by an alert retired security officer on the car seat of a parked car - Jonas identifies a deep cover spy and associates.
As usual the plotting is good and ties all the parts together well.
Well recommended.
From the start I wondered if this was the last outing for Jonas. The ambiguous ending leaves that in the air. But maybe we have seen the last of him. Pity, but there is perhaps only so much you can do with a stubborn, curmudgeonly employee who continually incurs the wrath of his seniors, despite his successes.
November 12, 2023
Jonas Merrick is a marvellous invention by Gerald Seymour, The curmudgeonly veteran is still out there breaking all the rules and giving the impression that he is a doddering anachronism well past his sell-by date. But don't be fooled - appearances can be deceptive as he has a mind like a steel trap and a determination simply to get the job done whatever the consequences however many petty-fogging rules he feels justified to ignore or break.
This is a wonderfully told and researched tale, well up to the enormously high standard Gerald Seymour has set for himself over the years if not past decades.
Yes, it helps of you firstly read the three previous Merrick books starting with "The Crocodile Hunter" but that is no hardship as a veritable treat awaits you. A master still at the top of his game - a verdict that refers to both author and lead character alike.
This is a wonderfully told and researched tale, well up to the enormously high standard Gerald Seymour has set for himself over the years if not past decades.
Yes, it helps of you firstly read the three previous Merrick books starting with "The Crocodile Hunter" but that is no hardship as a veritable treat awaits you. A master still at the top of his game - a verdict that refers to both author and lead character alike.
January 9, 2025
Gerald Seymour at his best. The pace of his prose does not detract from the tensions of the plot. At times, as usual, one looks back a few pages to remind one of previous references to plot or persona. Occasionally, in short sub-chapters, as one leaps from plot to sub-plot to sub-sub-plot, one longs for a less episodic read. The whole however is diverting and satisfying, revolving around China and Russia and effective and ineffectual spycraft. Jonas Merrick in his workplace cubicle, his modest home in Raynes Park is at the unobserved centre of the spider's web of the story. As usual his wife, Vera, is his link to normality and, then, there is their cat, Olaf.....
January 23, 2024
Jonas Merrick is tucked away in a cubicle at MI5 where his superiors hope he'll be forgotten.
That cannot stop his keen brain scheming to foil the plots of Britain's enemies.
But as he constructs a complex web to trap Chinese spies, he is unaware of a deadly threat in Moscow.
This story is vivid, pacy and addictive with a great cast of characters.
Eccentric Merrick, with his trilby and tweeds, is a magical creation who stands alongside the great characters of crime and thriller fiction.
Seymour, who redefined the modern thriller 50 years ago with Harry's Game, still hits the target.
That cannot stop his keen brain scheming to foil the plots of Britain's enemies.
But as he constructs a complex web to trap Chinese spies, he is unaware of a deadly threat in Moscow.
This story is vivid, pacy and addictive with a great cast of characters.
Eccentric Merrick, with his trilby and tweeds, is a magical creation who stands alongside the great characters of crime and thriller fiction.
Seymour, who redefined the modern thriller 50 years ago with Harry's Game, still hits the target.
August 13, 2025
Want to read a book with a happy ending and no strings attached? Then this is not for you. The usual excellent and well researched story, with many threads, of modern day espionage. Does Seymour really know what goes on inside MI5? He certainly makes you think he does and his latest Jonas Merrick novel has all the twists and turns we’ve come to expect. This time we take in missile guidance systems, Chinese State interference in the UK, Russia’s revenge philosophy and traitors on all sides. Really is unputdownable, if that is a word. Spellcheck seems to think that’s OK and so do I.
January 9, 2024
I’m sitting, almost open mouthed in admiration and wondering how to do justice to this splendid novel. I very rarely award 5* to a book but Gerald’s work is so very good.
This is the third and latest book in his Jonas Merrick series and is, for me, the best of an excellent trilogy. I was utterly hypnotised by it and literally couldn’t put it down after the halfway point as the suspense about the impending dénouement was so visceral. An absolute marvel.
This is the third and latest book in his Jonas Merrick series and is, for me, the best of an excellent trilogy. I was utterly hypnotised by it and literally couldn’t put it down after the halfway point as the suspense about the impending dénouement was so visceral. An absolute marvel.
May 14, 2024
My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
This is the fourth outing for the imperious Jonas Merrick, and while it's not quite as good as the previous books, it is still worthy of five stars, after all its not the Author's fault that my ageing brain cannot cope with the twists and turns of a superb cast of characters. Clever engaging quality writing more please soon.
Completely recommended.
This is the fourth outing for the imperious Jonas Merrick, and while it's not quite as good as the previous books, it is still worthy of five stars, after all its not the Author's fault that my ageing brain cannot cope with the twists and turns of a superb cast of characters. Clever engaging quality writing more please soon.
Completely recommended.
July 25, 2024
The wierd thing about Gerald Seymour’s writing is all these threads that you have to keep track of, and a strange writing style, hard to describe, but not easy to read. Having said that I’ve read several of his books and in the end always want to stick with it to see what happens at the conclusion. A difficult read.
July 27, 2024
If you like the characters Jackson Lamb and George Smiley then you will like this very contemporary spy thriller. It kept me hooked even though I’m still not completely sure what happened. The sub plots are divulged in a very obscure, under stated way which I found a little frustrating, but you have to love the touches of humour in an otherwise dark story.
August 23, 2024
MOG Is At It, Again!
Miserable Old Git, and he really is miserable, ungrateful & crafty, is at it, again.
This time he has set his heart on the very biggest fish of all, through a smaller fish and spinning many tales.
The quality of ‘Miserable Old Man’ here is top grade, superior!
I don’t know how Vera puts up with him, she should get a medal + Bar!
Miserable Old Git, and he really is miserable, ungrateful & crafty, is at it, again.
This time he has set his heart on the very biggest fish of all, through a smaller fish and spinning many tales.
The quality of ‘Miserable Old Man’ here is top grade, superior!
I don’t know how Vera puts up with him, she should get a medal + Bar!
October 18, 2024
Merrick in danger?
Another ingenious crafted yarn featuring Jonas Merrick, this time he's scheming to bring down a Chinese network operating across the UK, all the while a plot to exact revenge on the Mi 5 man starts with breaking out a criminal to carry out a dish of cold revenge. Seymour always delivers!
Another ingenious crafted yarn featuring Jonas Merrick, this time he's scheming to bring down a Chinese network operating across the UK, all the while a plot to exact revenge on the Mi 5 man starts with breaking out a criminal to carry out a dish of cold revenge. Seymour always delivers!
January 21, 2025
Seymour and Le Carre have the field to themselves.
Another beautifully crafted and believable story with a plodding central character who is not to be underestimated. For Smiley read Jonas Merrick relentlessly doing his duty for scant reward at the centre of an complex web that is seamlessly brought together in the final chapters.
Another beautifully crafted and believable story with a plodding central character who is not to be underestimated. For Smiley read Jonas Merrick relentlessly doing his duty for scant reward at the centre of an complex web that is seamlessly brought together in the final chapters.
February 13, 2024
This is a gripping and dark spy story that makes you understand how thing changed in political field. A well plotted page turner that kept me reading.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
April 12, 2024
Multiple plot lines and points of view makes the start of the book a little confusing, but as you would expect Seymour ties everything up neatly in the end. However, I would recommend starting with the first book in the series rather than the third as I stupidly did.
August 25, 2024
I think this series of books are excellent, great characters and stories that keep you engrossed.
This one does not disappoint and contains exceptional roles for “Hen” and “ Olaf “ the cat .
Brilliant !
This one does not disappoint and contains exceptional roles for “Hen” and “ Olaf “ the cat .
Brilliant !
August 27, 2024
Outstanding
Gerald Seymour usual brilliant thriller.
Slowly building up a high octane ending of a complex plot.
We will all miss Jonas Merrick and his reluctance to submit to the aristocracy of the hierarchy while obtaining his desired results.
Gerald Seymour usual brilliant thriller.
Slowly building up a high octane ending of a complex plot.
We will all miss Jonas Merrick and his reluctance to submit to the aristocracy of the hierarchy while obtaining his desired results.
August 20, 2025
Mmm. Have been reading Gerald Seymour my entire life. Just feel the last couple of books tread water for about 70% of the time. Was disappointed with this book and felt that I was having to persevere as opposed to be drawn to it.
September 2, 2025
You must read all the Jonas Merrick books!
Gerald Seymour has created a great character in Jonas Merrick; a ‘hero’ manages to be completely predictable and totally unconventional at the same time. I really love reading his books. So original.
Gerald Seymour has created a great character in Jonas Merrick; a ‘hero’ manages to be completely predictable and totally unconventional at the same time. I really love reading his books. So original.
February 26, 2024
Ah, the annual treat from Gerald Seymour. The series is growing on me.
Flawless, and highly recommended.
Flawless, and highly recommended.
March 14, 2024
Another great novel from Seymour.
April 5, 2024
It was a slow burn. First of Seymour's books that I have read and I found it a bit of a slog.
May 2, 2024
Plenty of characters and plenty of tension. Perhaps too much, it gets boring after a while but enough to keep your interest to the end where you end up where the book started
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