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The Color of Night
Former intelligence officer Harry Strand learns that a secret agent can never retire--and never surrender. A widower, he has started his life over and fallen in love with Mara Song, a beautiful Asian art collector. But Harry's peaceful world is shattered when he discovers a shocking videotape of his wife's death in Mara's tape collection.
480 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1978
14 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
About the author
David L. Lindsey
29 books92 followersI’m a native Texan, and I spent my early years a few miles from the Mexican border in Starr County. Eventually my family moved to West Texas where I grew up in the oil fields and ranches of the Colorado River valley northwest of San Angelo. After graduating from North Texas State University and spending a year in graduate school (focusing on 19th century European literature), I moved to Austin in 1970 where my wife, Joyce, and I still live.
Although I wanted to try my hand at writing fiction after graduate school, Joyce and I had two small children, and the often-rocky road to publishing and establishing a writing career seemed a risky proposition that I couldn’t afford to take at that point. I took an editing job with a small regional press and spent the next decade knocking around in a variety of jobs, including running my own small publishing company for a few years, and editing books in the humanities for the University of Texas Press.
Finally, in 1980, I decided I couldn’t wait any longer to try my hand at fiction. Knowing I couldn’t afford to write for nothing, I decided to increase my odds of getting published by researching what kinds of fiction had the best chance of finding a publisher. Mystery novels rose to the top of my research results. I don’t think I’d ever read a “mystery novel” at that time, but I immediately bought a representative collection of twenty-five popular, famous, and classic mystery novels, including British and European writers. After reading these, and many more, I realized that the “genre” encompassed a startling variety of work, everything from Mickey Spillane to Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Two years later I began my writing career by publishing two mystery novels in the same year. Thirty-odd years later I’ve just finished my 15th novel. Though I began writing in the mystery genre, I eventually went on to write fiction in other areas, mostly dealing with the criminal, national, and private intelligence professions.
When I’m not writing, I spend most of my time in my library. My other pleasure is gardening and landscape work, though where I live in the hilly streets of west Austin, “gardening” most often looks like wrestling with nature, rather than gently nurturing it. Still, though it’s a lot of work, it’s a great pleasure to watch things grow. Joyce and I now sit in the shade of trees that are forty feet tall that we planted when we first moved to this place nearly thirty years ago. That’s a good thing.
Although I wanted to try my hand at writing fiction after graduate school, Joyce and I had two small children, and the often-rocky road to publishing and establishing a writing career seemed a risky proposition that I couldn’t afford to take at that point. I took an editing job with a small regional press and spent the next decade knocking around in a variety of jobs, including running my own small publishing company for a few years, and editing books in the humanities for the University of Texas Press.
Finally, in 1980, I decided I couldn’t wait any longer to try my hand at fiction. Knowing I couldn’t afford to write for nothing, I decided to increase my odds of getting published by researching what kinds of fiction had the best chance of finding a publisher. Mystery novels rose to the top of my research results. I don’t think I’d ever read a “mystery novel” at that time, but I immediately bought a representative collection of twenty-five popular, famous, and classic mystery novels, including British and European writers. After reading these, and many more, I realized that the “genre” encompassed a startling variety of work, everything from Mickey Spillane to Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Two years later I began my writing career by publishing two mystery novels in the same year. Thirty-odd years later I’ve just finished my 15th novel. Though I began writing in the mystery genre, I eventually went on to write fiction in other areas, mostly dealing with the criminal, national, and private intelligence professions.
When I’m not writing, I spend most of my time in my library. My other pleasure is gardening and landscape work, though where I live in the hilly streets of west Austin, “gardening” most often looks like wrestling with nature, rather than gently nurturing it. Still, though it’s a lot of work, it’s a great pleasure to watch things grow. Joyce and I now sit in the shade of trees that are forty feet tall that we planted when we first moved to this place nearly thirty years ago. That’s a good thing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 12, 2009
Unless I'm somehow misreading this, the book seems to start off with one of the most glaring examples of authorial and editorial malpractice I've seen in years (underlining added):
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Chapter 1
Venice, Sestiere Di Dorsoduro
It was the middle of the afternoon, and the windows of the old palazzo were partially opened to the crisp spring air. The study, filled with books and artwork obsessively arranged and cataloged and situated, overlooked the narrow canal, and the light that rhe room received was reflected off the buildings opposite, their weathered colors throwing off pale hues of apricot and lilac, wan ocher and coral and vanilla.
The sounds of the canal rose up on the summer heat and drifted into the room as well, carrying the voices of tourists strolling on the small fondamenta, the slosh of a passing gondola, the voices of merchants unloading produce from a small barge, water lapping under the bridge just beyond the window, a woman's laughter.
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Ultimately, though, it turned out to be a serviceable spy/revenge/suspense novel, and considerably more readable than the first page would suggest.
---------------------------
Chapter 1
Venice, Sestiere Di Dorsoduro
It was the middle of the afternoon, and the windows of the old palazzo were partially opened to the crisp spring air. The study, filled with books and artwork obsessively arranged and cataloged and situated, overlooked the narrow canal, and the light that rhe room received was reflected off the buildings opposite, their weathered colors throwing off pale hues of apricot and lilac, wan ocher and coral and vanilla.
The sounds of the canal rose up on the summer heat and drifted into the room as well, carrying the voices of tourists strolling on the small fondamenta, the slosh of a passing gondola, the voices of merchants unloading produce from a small barge, water lapping under the bridge just beyond the window, a woman's laughter.
----------------------------
Ultimately, though, it turned out to be a serviceable spy/revenge/suspense novel, and considerably more readable than the first page would suggest.
February 18, 2023
David Lindsay is nothing if not consistent in his writing. Pleasing to read, understand, and follow along. Just not a thriller, for me at least.
Color of Night is among the spy genre, however, this is about what happens after the espionage is over and the agents return to "normal" life. And too many of these agents are art afficionados, apparently. This group did the Superman III plot of syphoning nominal funds from the bigger laundering effort underneath the bad guy's nose. Then stashing the cache out of reach, living off the interest. How long before the villain catches on? Start the book.
My pulse never reached above 120 bps, while beautifully detailed, geographically accurate, and metronomically paced, there was no real tension, fear of severe danger (or graphic death), or purpose, if I am honest. Yes, people died in this story, more perfunctorily than I prefer, but each felt like an aside than a driving factor for the plot.
We get to glimpse other FSI agents' demise as interludes between chapters of our lead, Harry Strand, FIS retiree, widower, and art gallery owner in Houston. As an aging former spy, he seems thorough enough in every outing and effort. And through Harry we get notional plot landmines that should bring more force but seem just on par for what Lindsay is building as motivation for the finale'.
Playing Moriarty to Strand's Sherlock, is Wolf Schrade, main villain playing all sides for the most money. Wolf is supposed to be the one behind all of the devastation in Strand's immediate circle, and target for Strand's ire. Lindsay paints Wolf succinctly enough, we get it, ultimate bad guy, but little beyond that.
Lindsay captures nearly every European street, building, monument, artifact, etc., along the winding journey; liberally applies art details and specifics throughout the story to the point of counter-balancing the spy thriller with an art lecture; and includes a plentitude of intelligencia details and tactics to keep spy fans on the hook. It all felt more accurate than interesting.
While not bad, just more ballet than boxing. Think the blurb was "Stylish" and seems right to me. For Lindsay fans, a no brainer, everyone else should consider your time wisely.
Thanks for reading.
Color of Night is among the spy genre, however, this is about what happens after the espionage is over and the agents return to "normal" life. And too many of these agents are art afficionados, apparently. This group did the Superman III plot of syphoning nominal funds from the bigger laundering effort underneath the bad guy's nose. Then stashing the cache out of reach, living off the interest. How long before the villain catches on? Start the book.
My pulse never reached above 120 bps, while beautifully detailed, geographically accurate, and metronomically paced, there was no real tension, fear of severe danger (or graphic death), or purpose, if I am honest. Yes, people died in this story, more perfunctorily than I prefer, but each felt like an aside than a driving factor for the plot.
We get to glimpse other FSI agents' demise as interludes between chapters of our lead, Harry Strand, FIS retiree, widower, and art gallery owner in Houston. As an aging former spy, he seems thorough enough in every outing and effort. And through Harry we get notional plot landmines that should bring more force but seem just on par for what Lindsay is building as motivation for the finale'.
Playing Moriarty to Strand's Sherlock, is Wolf Schrade, main villain playing all sides for the most money. Wolf is supposed to be the one behind all of the devastation in Strand's immediate circle, and target for Strand's ire. Lindsay paints Wolf succinctly enough, we get it, ultimate bad guy, but little beyond that.
Lindsay captures nearly every European street, building, monument, artifact, etc., along the winding journey; liberally applies art details and specifics throughout the story to the point of counter-balancing the spy thriller with an art lecture; and includes a plentitude of intelligencia details and tactics to keep spy fans on the hook. It all felt more accurate than interesting.
While not bad, just more ballet than boxing. Think the blurb was "Stylish" and seems right to me. For Lindsay fans, a no brainer, everyone else should consider your time wisely.
Thanks for reading.
April 24, 2021
I must judge this book on a couple different levels. First, as a birthday present from my younger sister: Good. Creative. Most ppl would think of giving me a classic or a fantasy novel before giving me a thriller. She took a risk with that and with an author neither of us had ever read. Yes it may just have been the most exciting looking book at a thrift store but I appreciate the randomness of her choice. An excellent birthday present.
Second, as a thriller: Not bad. The tension was fairly high, and the premise was fun. I enjoyed Lindsey's world building of Harry Strand's various spy connections. I enjoyed watching him work his way through a list of contacts in an attempt to get a one-up on the criminal overlord coming after him. However, I must object to two things. First, the deaths felt kind of random--a character would be introduced and then as soon as they were a little developed, would die. Not a great way to establish meaningful stakes. Second, the ending leaves you with the impression that if Harry Strand had just holed up at a safe house for a few weeks with Mara (and possibly Meret? I don't know if he would have thought to protect her in time), things would have gone pretty much the same way, if not better. Not that I don't love Corsier, but when your thriller protagonist doesn't achieve anything but an existential crisis and a lot of conversations, maybe you should be writing a literary novel instead? Just an idea.
Third, as a romance: Everything about Strand and Mara's relationship is kind of meh. I do believe they would get together in this situation, because she was literally honeypotting him. Do I believe she would fall in love with him? Maybe. Her love life is a mess, after all. But am I invested in the relationship? Ehh. They have a lot of talks about their relationship, but it's hard for me to see the chemistry. This is too bad bc Mara/Strand is one of the few arcs of the plot that actually goes somewhere.
Anyways it was a good birthday present but not an amazing book.
Second, as a thriller: Not bad. The tension was fairly high, and the premise was fun. I enjoyed Lindsey's world building of Harry Strand's various spy connections. I enjoyed watching him work his way through a list of contacts in an attempt to get a one-up on the criminal overlord coming after him. However, I must object to two things. First, the deaths felt kind of random--a character would be introduced and then as soon as they were a little developed, would die. Not a great way to establish meaningful stakes. Second, the ending leaves you with the impression that if Harry Strand had just holed up at a safe house for a few weeks with Mara (and possibly Meret? I don't know if he would have thought to protect her in time), things would have gone pretty much the same way, if not better. Not that I don't love Corsier, but when your thriller protagonist doesn't achieve anything but an existential crisis and a lot of conversations, maybe you should be writing a literary novel instead? Just an idea.
Third, as a romance: Everything about Strand and Mara's relationship is kind of meh. I do believe they would get together in this situation, because she was literally honeypotting him. Do I believe she would fall in love with him? Maybe. Her love life is a mess, after all. But am I invested in the relationship? Ehh. They have a lot of talks about their relationship, but it's hard for me to see the chemistry. This is too bad bc Mara/Strand is one of the few arcs of the plot that actually goes somewhere.
Anyways it was a good birthday present but not an amazing book.
April 3, 2023
This is the first novel I read from American author David L. Lindsey, which falls in the category of spy thriller, category I haven't read in a very long time. The story is about former spies during the Cold war, who had to reinvent themselves after the end of that era in the civilian world, but their pasts come back to haunt them in a big way. The story is set mostly in Europe during the mid-90's. Besides the thriller and action aspects of the story, the author depicts the various personnal and professionnal dilemnas these spies suffered:
- such as how to live a new "normal life" despite its pasts and training received;
- the bad things they witnessed, but couldn't do anything about it,
- the deaths caused to their colleagues or entourage they couldn't prevent and never can forget.
It is a good story that could be seen in a movie.
- such as how to live a new "normal life" despite its pasts and training received;
- the bad things they witnessed, but couldn't do anything about it,
- the deaths caused to their colleagues or entourage they couldn't prevent and never can forget.
It is a good story that could be seen in a movie.
February 7, 2020
This spy thriller has a bit of everything woven through the storyline: a secret past for the main character, tragedy, romance, high stakes robbery, double crossing, a cruel, merciless, hated, greedy villain, intrigue, the art world, international intelligence and the list goes on.
Harry Strand is a likeable main character with an interesting career in brokering art deals. The process of authenticating original art was very interesting to learn, while reading this book. Not every character is who they seem and this adds twists throughout the story. Harry has started down a path he seems unable to return from. How far can he go?
An enjoyable book.
Harry Strand is a likeable main character with an interesting career in brokering art deals. The process of authenticating original art was very interesting to learn, while reading this book. Not every character is who they seem and this adds twists throughout the story. Harry has started down a path he seems unable to return from. How far can he go?
An enjoyable book.
December 21, 2021
David Lindsey has written two types of books. One type is a series about a Houston police detective and the other is like this one. I like the series but these others are so very special. They are like sitting down to a fine meal that looks as wonderful as it tastes with every bite as special an event as the meal itself. Harry Strand had been a spy. His cover had been art dealer. When he retired he turned into a real art dealer. But after several peaceful years, his past comes back to him and he's forced to dip a toe back into the world of intrigue to save himself and those he treasures. It's a great story.
June 8, 2020
A spy thriller with so many twists and deceptions. Harry Strand is a spy with a conscious who is also an art dealer and expert. He is part of the intelligence agency formed to hunt the criminal nexus which came up after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The spies mingle with the smugglers and mafias and a lot of money is siphoned off. So we have a confusing array of one group wanting to eliminate the other.
It's a patchy read, required concentration to finish the book.
An average reading experience.
The spies mingle with the smugglers and mafias and a lot of money is siphoned off. So we have a confusing array of one group wanting to eliminate the other.
It's a patchy read, required concentration to finish the book.
An average reading experience.
Read
June 14, 2019Harry Strand and Mara Song meet at the pool and off you go across Europe with intrigue and double crosses at every corner. A good story across the board, with many interesting characters. Can you go back again? Can anything you do cost you nothing in the end? Choices you make can affect everyone around you in both good and bad ways. Are people really who they say they are? If you like spy novels and the good old doublecross- then this is the book you need to read next.
April 1, 2020
A thriller about a former intelligence officer, Harry Strand, who still mourns for his wife killed in an automobile accident. He starts a new career as an art dealer, and meets Mara Song, an Asian art dealer too passionate to resist. When Harry finds a tape in Mara's VCR that shows his wife's death, only the past secrets he'd hoped would stay buried forever can answer his discovery.
February 1, 2025
I could not finish it. It's a spy thriller.. so not my style. I think it was well written and intriguing, but I get lost with too many characters, and job descriptions. Some people would definitely enjoy. I tried.
August 19, 2021
Read in 1999. Former intelligence officer is called back in to duty.
December 18, 2019
(Audible; Paul Hecht, narrator).
February 5, 2009
David Lindsey is a spy story from a different angle. Harry, Ariane, and Claude are all ex-foreign intelligence officers. With the demise of communism and the fall of the Wall, they realize that their way of life will go the way of the Wall, so they make plans to preserve a source of revenue. They very cleverly rip off a very wealthy man in such a manner that he will never know. Claude disappears suddenly and the two remaining discover that their victim has learned the truth and is exacting vengeance. The plot is satisfyingly complicated, integrating a beautiful woman (of course) ex-spies, forged works of art, and two plots that simultaneously lead to attempts to kill the killer. The result is accomplish ed, but with an unexpected conclusion. A real page-turner.
March 16, 2008
I enjoy novels in the suspense genre. Sort of like candy for the brain. This novel easily held my interest. Involving a group of agents manipulating intelligence in Europe and the Soviet bloc through a ruthless businessman, set against a background of art, I found it complex and involving. That it also gave me a brief introduction to the world of art appreciation was a welcome bit because that was never part of my formal education. This novel took a few unexpected twists (like many in the genre often do), but for some reason they were more surprising for me here.
February 24, 2015
A non-series thriller I picked up to accompany a long commute. I had no expectations but wound up really enjoying it.
Thriller - Recording - Harry Strand, a Houston art dealer, has a secret past. He was formerly an agent for an intelligence agency where he dealt with Schrade, an international criminal, and helped rob a fortune from him. Now Strand's life is collapsing with those close to him being killed and all signs pointing to Schrade.
Thriller - Recording - Harry Strand, a Houston art dealer, has a secret past. He was formerly an agent for an intelligence agency where he dealt with Schrade, an international criminal, and helped rob a fortune from him. Now Strand's life is collapsing with those close to him being killed and all signs pointing to Schrade.
April 11, 2011
This story is in the same vein as Jeffrey Archer's "False Impression" but much better. The main character is a former spy who stole millions from an international bad guy and is now having his life destroyed by said bad guy. His emotions and reactions are well described and realistic. A good read.
April 9, 2016
When a former intelligence agent discovers that his old life is coming back to haunt him, he launches a complicated plot to rid himself of his arch-enemy once and for all. The plot involves valuable art works -- both real and forged -- as well as spy/counter-spy overtones in which no one is completely what he or she seems to be.
November 29, 2010
I love spy novels and this one did not disappoint in that regard. The author, however, tends to be rather long-winded, using tons of adjectives that I feel do not add to the plot. Good read, though.
January 24, 2016
First read of this author. Really enjoyed it. A slow beginning that really took off in the middle to a great ending. Kept my interest throughout as the character interaction and development was perfect.
October 30, 2016
This is not my type of book. I thought I'd like the spies and secret services and missions but i don't like how this jumps all over the place. Only made it about half way thru before i had to put it down
November 15, 2010
Eh. Kinda obvious, not that well-written. WHEN WILL I FINISH THESE FREAKING LIBRARY BOOK SALE BOOKS????
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November 16, 2010Boring.
March 3, 2012
It was pretty good, kept my interest!
March 9, 2012
Better than average spy, international intrigue, story. Lindsey is not one of my favorite authors but he does all right with this one. Recommended for spy/thriller enthusiasts.
December 8, 2012
Lindsey provides a pace that's legitimate to the Clancyish/Ludlumish genre, but achieves a rank only below them.http://michaelprager.com/david-lindse...
April 2, 2013
Good solid spy read. Twisty & Turn-y enough to have to pay attention. Satisfying ending.
October 4, 2019
Phenomenal spy thriller. Outstanding.
December 24, 2013
Dragged a little at times, but different concept for a thriller. Will try another of his books as comparison.
January 2, 2016
Beautiful book. Well written and so many twists and turns. Couldn't put it down Classic David Lindsey. Kudos!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2010
Ex spy, Harry Strand, is attacked by an ex associate and now plans to assassinate him.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews