Inside Enemy

Charles Thoroughgood #4

by Alan Judd

Charles Thoroughgood is now the recently-appointed chief of a reconstituted MI6, married to his predecessor's widow and tasked with halting the increasingly disruptive cyber attacks on Britain, which are threatening government itself and all the normal transactions of daily life - not to mention a missing nuclear missile-carrying submarine. At the same time another aspect of Charles Thoroughgood's past emerges with the murder of one of his former agents and the escape from prison of a former colleague turned traitor, whom Charles Thoroughgood had helped convict. Charles Thoroughgood ploughs a lonely furrow in Whitehall in his belief that all these elements are connected, a theory which dramatically gains credibility when his wife, Sarah, is kidnapped.

Genres: Espionage, Fiction

336 pages, Hardcover

First published June 5, 2014

About the author

Alan Judd is a pseudonym used by Alan Edwin Petty.

Born in 1946, he graduated from Oxford University and served as a British Army officer in Northern Ireland during 'The Troubles', before later joining the Foreign Office; he currently works as a security analyst. He regularly contributes articles to a number of publications, including The Daily Telegraph, and The Spectator as its motoring correspondent. His books include both fiction and non-fiction titles, with his novels often drawing on his military background.

He lives in Sussex with his wife and daughter.

Reviews

[Linda Boa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hugely enjoyable and realistic spy thriller, involving a man from our newly wed hero Charles Thoroughgood's past coming back for revenge, just as Charles is given a very responsible and high profile job. Great mixture of a dodgy Russian businessman and woman; a spy escaped from jail ready to wreak revenge - with Charles and his new wife Sarah targets; and a hacking scheme which could theoretically shut the UK down, leaving it with no internet or electricity. There couldn't possibly be any link between them, could there? Altogether it makes for a highly polished up-to-date thriller, without one dull page. Alan Judd is indeed a master when it comes to the modern espionage thriller. If you're a Charles Cumming fan - although I enjoyed this more than any Cumming - this is sure to please. Also, it's a fast, tight read, not overstating it's welcome unlike so many books, coming in at an ideal 300-odd pages. Highly recommended.

Full review appearing soon on https://crimeworm.wordpress.com/

[Wilde Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

The head of the secret service investigates a plot.

The characters were reasonable, but the plot (which had too many strands) and writing were a bit clunky.

Overall rating 2.5

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appointed the new chief of MI6 and newly married to his predecessor's widow, his university sweetheart Sarah, Charles Thoroughgood promptly has a wealth of problems on his hands. There's the wave of cyber attacks plagueing the country, including its government and intelligence services, a missing submarine, and an unwelcome blast from the past: A former agent Charles was about to talk to about the cyber problem has been murdered and a former friend and colleague turned traitor, whom Charles helped to convict many years ago, has escaped from prison. While Charles is busy trying to put all those pieces together, he receives the news that Sarah has been kidnapped.

Better than the previous one IMO, an engaging multi-layered spy thriller I didn't put down once.

[Philip Peters · Rating 2 out of 5]

The front cover of this novel featured a quote from a British newspaper review mentioning the author, Alan Judd, in the same sentence as le Carré. Being a big fan of the latter, I was sold and dived enthusiastically into the book. After a few pages, I was puzzled, and returned to the cover: on a more careful reading it turned out the critic said that both le Carré and Judd have "inside experience of government".

And that's about all they have in common. Judd's book is very average: the plot weak, the characters of little interest, and the writing pedestrian. Don't waste your time with this; go straight to le Carré.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I love Alan Judd's Charles Thoroughgood series, the character and his writng,
this book didn't get 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟because of the anoying chronological back and forth, sometimes
downright confusing. Looking forward to the next one.

[Charlie Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting if not formulaic spy book, an interesting read if not a great example of the genre.
I will add that I have read a lot about MI5 and MI6 so it's lack of accuracy is probably more noticeable when you've read the official historys of the MI5 /6.
Others may find it more interesting.

[Bob Burch · Rating 1 out of 5]

My first Alan Judd novel. Probably will also be the last. Plot too simple and unlikely

[Adz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pacey, enjoyable spy thriller, with believable characters.

[Sarah Kerslake · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn't my sort of book to read, but I stuck with it. I found it difficult to follow - jumped all over the place for me.
I has to skim read the ending as I was so bored.

[Steve Dempsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A laid back spy thriller in the style of John Le Carre

[M C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ebook. Solid mi5 thriller. Dry humor

[Victor S Southern · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had not read an Alan Judd book before. It is unlikely that I shall ever read another. The principal characters appear to be universally unfit for the positions held and we are a half-century on from the chummy clubbable world of espionage portrayed. Or, if we aren't we are in serious trouble.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Government computer systems and the nation's critical infrastructure are being subjected to disruptive cyber attacks. Newly appointed head of MI6 Charles Thoroughgood is tasked with finding their source.

Inside Enemy is a blend of leCarre-style Whitehall manoeuvring and modern techno-thriller. The pace moves smartly along as a part of Thoroughgood's past begins to catch up with him and he starts to realise that this is connected with other events.

I noticed one glaring homophone error but otherwise the writing is strong and the characters believable.

This is the first time I've read one of Alan Judd's novels and I'll definitely seek out others.

[Eric Grounds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alan Judd is always easy to read and enjoy. Sadly I managed to read three of his books in the wrong order, which removed some of the thrill of the chase from the ones which were chronologically earlier. But each is a good tale on its own. Much enjoyed