What do you think?
Rate this book
Agent 21 #5
Under Cover
Ricky has lived on the streets for a while now. Life is tough, but he's sharp and quick, and he gets by.
Until he steals from the wrong people...
Luckily for him he is rescued by a stranger who makes him an offer he can't refuse: a flat and money in exchange for learning certain skills - surveillance techniques and hand-to-hand combat.
But what is this all for?
Ricky is about to find out...
Until he steals from the wrong people...
Luckily for him he is rescued by a stranger who makes him an offer he can't refuse: a flat and money in exchange for learning certain skills - surveillance techniques and hand-to-hand combat.
But what is this all for?
Ricky is about to find out...
308 pages, Paperback
First published February 26, 2015
56 people are currently reading
502 people want to read
About the author
Chris Ryan
342 books1,019 followersColin Armstrong (b. 1961), usually known by the pen-name Chris Ryan, is a British author, television presenter, security consultant and former Special Air Service sergeant.
After the publication of fellow patrol member Andy McNab's Bravo Two Zero in 1993, Ryan published his own account of his experiences during the Bravo Two Zero mission in 1995, entitled The One That Got Away. Since retiring from the British Army Ryan has published several fiction and non-fiction books, including Strike Back, which was subsequently adapted into a television series for Sky 1, and co-created the ITV action series Ultimate Force. He has also presented or appeared in numerous television documentaries connected to the military or law enforcement.
After the publication of fellow patrol member Andy McNab's Bravo Two Zero in 1993, Ryan published his own account of his experiences during the Bravo Two Zero mission in 1995, entitled The One That Got Away. Since retiring from the British Army Ryan has published several fiction and non-fiction books, including Strike Back, which was subsequently adapted into a television series for Sky 1, and co-created the ITV action series Ultimate Force. He has also presented or appeared in numerous television documentaries connected to the military or law enforcement.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 9, 2025
2025 52 Book Challenge - 9) Genre Four: Set In Winter
I remember reading this book when I was younger, and absolutely hating it because I found Ricky so annoying and I just wanted to read about the characters from the previous books in the series.
However, on this read through, I did find it to be a better read. Possibly because I know that Ricky is important for the next/last book in the series, so it feel like less of a waste of time reading about characters that I don't really care about.
I did like how Ricky was shown to develop over the course of the book, how he was willing to learn from Felix but also not compromise his own morals. I did think it was interesting seeing how somebody other than Zak became an agent, and how he and Zak come to the situation in different ways. In that regard, it was also pretty cool seeing Zak from an outside point of view at the end of the novel.
I also liked Felix. He was involved in the novel but didn't give much away about himself, but I found him to be more interesting and open than Michael is with Zak.
I remember reading this book when I was younger, and absolutely hating it because I found Ricky so annoying and I just wanted to read about the characters from the previous books in the series.
However, on this read through, I did find it to be a better read. Possibly because I know that Ricky is important for the next/last book in the series, so it feel like less of a waste of time reading about characters that I don't really care about.
I did like how Ricky was shown to develop over the course of the book, how he was willing to learn from Felix but also not compromise his own morals. I did think it was interesting seeing how somebody other than Zak became an agent, and how he and Zak come to the situation in different ways. In that regard, it was also pretty cool seeing Zak from an outside point of view at the end of the novel.
I also liked Felix. He was involved in the novel but didn't give much away about himself, but I found him to be more interesting and open than Michael is with Zak.
May 5, 2018
Can't be let down by this series. As good as Alex rider.
June 25, 2015
I love it! But I really was looking forward to more of Agent 21, especially after Deadfall. I was anticipating a 'legitimate' collaboration of Zak and Malcolm, though I must say Ricky is pretty awesome.
Welcome aboard, Agent 22.
Welcome aboard, Agent 22.
September 26, 2023
The characters don’t have that much personality compared to the previous books. For example, Felix seems much more dialled down than in the previous books. The book has a rather typical plot where the Russians are the bad guys and they are chasing after nuclear weapons, I would have liked something a bit more unique.
It does present an interesting take on how a young boy pickpocketing strangers can become a spy. The ending was not much of a cliff hanger, and it does not have a very satisfying ending, I would have expected a bit more of Ivy.
On the subject of Ivy, for being a main character she did not appear the appropriate amount if times a main character should. Overall, it’s a good book just pick up and read, you could read this book without reading the previous 4 book which is a plus. I wouldn’t reread this so I would give this book 3 stars.
It does present an interesting take on how a young boy pickpocketing strangers can become a spy. The ending was not much of a cliff hanger, and it does not have a very satisfying ending, I would have expected a bit more of Ivy.
On the subject of Ivy, for being a main character she did not appear the appropriate amount if times a main character should. Overall, it’s a good book just pick up and read, you could read this book without reading the previous 4 book which is a plus. I wouldn’t reread this so I would give this book 3 stars.
September 4, 2022
Hmm. Felix ist noch gruseliger als Michael es anfangs war, und Ricky wird noch schlimmer seelisch misshandelt als Zak. Bei Agent 21 und seinen "Schutzengeln" hat sich nach und nach eine soziale Struktur herausgebildet, Ricky ist wieder irgendwie nur ein Werkzeug des Geheimdienstes und laut Felix ausdrücklich "schon lange kein Kind mehr". Der CHERUB-Campus ist mir immer noch lieber.
July 10, 2017
Thrilling adventure! with homeless Ricky from London, he picks pockets for money, until he gets caught by a strange old man who gives him an offer he can't say no to in return for a job and being taught skills...
July 9, 2018
really good book
November 11, 2018
A different Agent 21 book which helps the series along... Not just the usual fair.
August 11, 2019
No interest at all. First few pages suck. Blurb awful.
January 24, 2020
Really well write and page turning readit in a day! An amazing twist
September 18, 2021
A teen book - I picked it up by mistake - easy read ti pass the time
January 19, 2022
Fantastic book, but I had borrowed it from the library, and the LAST PAGE WAS RIPPED OUT! Other than that, a great spy read.
March 16, 2023
just don't like the story
July 10, 2025
Dived right into this one, thrilling
May 25, 2015
This is the new book, number 5 in the Agent 21 series. It offers the same interesting characters and there is plenty of action in this new adventure for the reader. Zak, Agent 21, does appear in the story but he has only a small part. This can be read as a stand alone story in the series.
Ricky is a teenager, alone and on the streets, is trying to stay away from trouble and the social welfare people. Things go wrong when Ricky tries to steal from an easy mark. This mark is far more aware than Ricky knows and he cannot get away from him without learning a lesson first. Later Ricky is saved from a vicious gang and this mysterious man introduces himself as Felix.
Felix makes Ricky a very appealing offer, that of a flat and a hundred pounds a week. The catch is that he will need to agree to being trained by Felix. Not sure of the reasoning behind the training Ricky nevertheless agrees and begins a rigorous training regime that teaches him surveillance techniques, how to make himself invisible in a crowd and hand-to-hand combat. Things only become slightly clearer when Ricky is given his first mission.
Ricky is a teenager, alone and on the streets, is trying to stay away from trouble and the social welfare people. Things go wrong when Ricky tries to steal from an easy mark. This mark is far more aware than Ricky knows and he cannot get away from him without learning a lesson first. Later Ricky is saved from a vicious gang and this mysterious man introduces himself as Felix.
Felix makes Ricky a very appealing offer, that of a flat and a hundred pounds a week. The catch is that he will need to agree to being trained by Felix. Not sure of the reasoning behind the training Ricky nevertheless agrees and begins a rigorous training regime that teaches him surveillance techniques, how to make himself invisible in a crowd and hand-to-hand combat. Things only become slightly clearer when Ricky is given his first mission.
June 1, 2015
I really love these YA books from Chris Ryan - they are always so much fun.
I didn't realise at first that this was an Agent 21 series as there was nothing on the cover to indicate it and this time rather than Agent 21 Zac Darke you had a new character Ricky and it wasn't for a bit that i realised where it was leading.
It was really an enjoyable fast read and I loved it! The story was good and you got a little cameo in the end from Zac and his Guardian Angels. It was a good edition to the series and I look forward to more adventures from Ricky.
I didn't realise at first that this was an Agent 21 series as there was nothing on the cover to indicate it and this time rather than Agent 21 Zac Darke you had a new character Ricky and it wasn't for a bit that i realised where it was leading.
It was really an enjoyable fast read and I loved it! The story was good and you got a little cameo in the end from Zac and his Guardian Angels. It was a good edition to the series and I look forward to more adventures from Ricky.
October 14, 2015
Much better than the fourth book. It wasn't about Zak, but Zak isn't really all that great. I liked Ricky well enough, but he can be just as annoying as Zak sometimes. Still, the story was interesting and it flowed well.
February 4, 2017
Ok, this book is the best out of the first four. it's the kind of book in the middle of the series where there is the new character, but the original one is mentioned and appears briefly. And that's what I love. Zak and Ricky are the perfect team, and I cannot wait for the last book.
March 14, 2015
Fun read with lots of action. Ricky might just get a little help from Zac... Or not! ;)
March 31, 2015
A great addition to the series. More Please!
June 3, 2016
Not bad
A bit immature for an adult reader but would be a good enough choice for a teenager perhaps. If you're older than 18 I wouldn't shell out money for it.
A bit immature for an adult reader but would be a good enough choice for a teenager perhaps. If you're older than 18 I wouldn't shell out money for it.
January 25, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed the tale of this smart London street kid making the grade as a junior secret agent. Made me want to read the rest of Chris Ryan's "Agent 21" series—though as it turned out, none of them captured my imagination as much as this first one I read. (See further comments in my review of the last book of the series, "Endgame".)
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews