A Duty of Care

by Gerald Seymour

Jonas Merrick - a legendary intelligence analyst for MI5 - has been banished to the Post Room of Thames House. There, he is expected to pass his remaining days before inevitable retirement.

In a Russian gulag, an MI6 agent has developed an unlikely passion for a prisoner and has come up with an ingenious plan to free her. The a ruthless Albanian gang laundering the dirty money of the Russian elite.
Merrick, the only agent with the experience to help, is brought back once again to intercept the Albanian courier until an exchange is organised by the Russians.

But when it transpires that the courier is the heir of the criminal gang's leader, the danger mounts, and Merrick once again finds himself in a situation spiralling towards a bloody confrontation.

Frighteningly topical and intensely plotted, Jonas Merrick - one of the great figures of modern spy fiction - returns

Genres: Thriller

400 pages, Paperback

Published July 3, 2025

About the author

Gerald 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.

Reviews

[lysareading · Rating 1 out of 5]

I dnf this book because the storyline didn’t gripped me enough from the start. The pacing was extremely slow with the author taking too much time to build the characters and setting. And, I couldn't get along with his writing.

Plus, I can't ignore the author unclear stance on supporting Palestine. From his profile and so-called achievements as a journalist, it seems clear that he ultimately stands with the country that should not be named. You can google: The Munich Olympics massacre.

However, if you're wondering what book is this: it was a crime thriller novel - another installment in the Jonas Merrick series. Gerald Seymour is famous for his espionage and geopolitical thrillers that built on his real-world journalistic experience.

So, maybe you can already grasp the idea with every of his books.

[Will Rowbottom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just love the Jonas Merrick character, an apparently harmless mediocre MI5 man , with the uncanny ability to pick up a lead from random intelligence and put together effective hard hitting operations.

The book starts gently with Seymour’s dry style of writing, but quickly becomes unputdownable. Whenever you think you’re outguessing the plot, you’re proved wrong. Towards the end quite emotional as well as interesting and exciting.

Would thoroughly recommend.

[BrianC75 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just amazingly good!! Thank providence for Gerald Seymour and Mick Herron. They’re both highly original, have created two wonderfully different anti-heroes and both write ‘EXCEEDINGLY GOOD BOOKS’ and are so consistent in their excellence. Had to make this a dual review as I revere both writers so much and often for the same underlying reasons. Two of my favourite authors. WOW!

[Chantel Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thrillers one one genre in which I normally enjoy, however this was an exception. I found it quite hard to follow and it took me far too long to get into the book. Moreover, it should be noted that this is the first book I read in the series

[Philip Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author's Jonas Merrick books are getting better and better. After four previous outings, we have come to love the curmudgeonly old spy master. James Bond he ain't: instead of an Aston Martin he has a caravan. And it leaks. He is rude, dogged and rather brilliant. In this novel he starts to get a bit cocky but is soon set right by his long-suffering wife Vera. Even Olaf the cat gives him the cold shoulder.
Undercutting the domesticity is the customary topical tale of Russian money laundering, Albanian gangsters and some recurring characters (eg. Frank the defector from "The Foot Soldiers"). Tension is ratcheted up to a truly gripping finale and the author keeps us in suspense as to the fate of key characters. The ending is wholly satisfying and merits the slow-burn build up.
There are some uncharacteristic typos (eg. Ingham sub-machine gun instead of Ingram) and the clipped sparse style can sometimes be confusing. But I am being picky. Another fantastic thriller from the master. Like at the end of the old Bond films, it's nice to know that "Jonas Merrick will return in The Irregular"

[Oundle Crime · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Gerald Seymour’s Jonas Merrick series, and this is the latest instalment. At the end of the last novel, I worried that the series might be over after Merrick had alienated all his bosses and was facing a disciplinary hearing. Things didn't look good! But he obviously survived all that because now he resurfaces, although he's been banished to work in the basement Post Room of MI5’s Thames House. Here he embarks on another of his semi-private investigations, completely against the wishes or knowledge of his bosses. It’s a complicated operation, involving the release of a prisoner from a Russian gulag and a plan to destroy the finances of the Russian elite. A key target is the young Albanian courier, working for his gangster grandfather, and essential to Russian money laundering efforts. Merrick is ruthless in the way he moves to bring down the villains and despite a rather choppy writing style, these books are clever, entertaining and surprisingly topical.
Review by Cornish Eskimo, Oundle Crime

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook ARC of A Duty of Care by Gerald Seymour. A clever, well-paced addition to the Jonas Merrick series. Banished to MI5’s Post Room after stepping on too many toes, Merrick gets drawn into a covert mission involving a Russian gulag, an Albanian courier, and a plan to sabotage elite money laundering networks. The narration was strong, bringing real clarity to the complex plot and giving depth to each character. Merrick is as sharp and driven as ever, and the story feels timely and well researched. A solid, intelligent thriller from Seymour—I’ll definitely be back for the next.

[Andy Yule · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book - it had an interesting premiss and the story developed in a manner that kept me wanting to find out what would happen.
However, having not read any previous books was an issue from time-to-time as past events kept being referred to.
More of an issue was that Jonas (the "hero") was clearly supposed to be a genius who could arrange things others wouldn't even think of, but how/why/what was hardly touched on, let alone how/why his relationship with his wife functioned.
As a result, it's a real (and inexplicable) jolt when he suddenly switches from complete disinterest in the fate of one character to leading a rescue mission.

[Tom - Reader of Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jonas Merrick returns, this time organising a team to snatch an Albanian courier who is part of a gang laundering money for a powerful Russian. It’s very very run of the mill ‘Russia is bad’ spycraft but it’s not entirely appealing or convincingly written.

There are patches and it’s again saved by Merrick who remains a flawed but likeable character. Some of the action scenes were admittedly quite good and therefore saved it from being boring but I’d hope for a bit more high stakes in any future endeavours Merrick gets involved in.

[Jak60 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Frankly unreadable (needless to say, very subjective opinion). This was representative of my experience with Mr Seymour: some of his books I genuinely enjoyed while some others I just couldn’t get through.
This was one of those cases: I found the plot choppy, at times a little silly and with some logic loopholes, the prose quite difficult to follow with lengthy digressions.
With all due respect, I didn’t feel the “per aspera ad astra” would apply to Mr Seymour.
I gave up at one third.

[lee adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took me ages to get into this book till about a third in I had no idea what was going on . It’s first I’ve read of this author - not helped as no chapters or paragraphs so it jumps from one section to another completely unrelated . Also very bad editing missing words incorrect words etc I did like the characters and second half I enjoyed

[Andy Blanche · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Gerald’s work, have read everything of his and recommend him very highly. This Jonas Merrick series needs to be read in sequence and is a very different take on the espionage novel, at which he excels.

[Craig Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

another cracker

Such beautifully crafted characters, thrown headlong into a funnel toward chaos. Love how Seymour drags into the inevitable collision of people and events. And Jonas Merrick has become one of the great espionage characters.

[Mike Sampson]

l would give it six stars if l could, an absorbing read, the latest in the Jonas Merrick series and possibly the best so far. An extremely well crafted tale with convincing characters that hold your attention throughout.

[Galit Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

My father in law adores Gerald Seymour and has been on at me to read one so he loaned me this as he had particularly enjoyed it.

Not for me. Slow, confusing, scene setting was poor and characters were no appealing at all.

Don’t get the fuss at all.

[Judy O'Gorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always know what you will get with Gerard Seymour , this is the latest in the Jonas Merrick books.
Seymour sets out all the stands at the beginning and then gradually pulls them all together as the pace quickens up.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one.

[Steven Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Jmfriedmanyahoo.Com · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of his best--and that's saying something for me.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely great and might have beem (sic) 5* if it hadn't beem (sic) for all the poor subediting apparent in the public library edition I had borrowed.

[William. P. Knill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gerald Seymour at his best "again"

The drawn out profiles of even minor characters
Gerald Seymours name would be enough of a recommendation to. his aficianados

[Peter Brickwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stellar as always. A boon in old age to read an old author writing about an old hero.

[Karen]

Not for me. I can do gruesome etc but found the beginning where there was a disturbed “evil?” child too much.

[Barb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe if I had started earlier in the series? Made me wish I'd stopped reading it, the style was not my cup of tea, and I found it hard to care about most of the characters.

[Mike Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonas Merrick does it again!

Another wonderful book from Gerald Seymour. A cracking story where Jonas Merrick, the ultimate anti hero wins again. Most enjoyable page turner.

[Charlie Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the best Jonas novel to date. He’s naughtier, braver and there’s a little more humanity in there. Mr Seymour certainly knows how to twist and turn, and the ending? Well, you won’t be disappointed. I definitely recommend it!

[Guy Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The yardstick frequently used to measure the perfect espionage novel is usually John Le Carre, Gerald Seymour has been writing brilliant books for decades, Harrys game etc.Recently he created a series with a superb character called Jonas Merrick , who I think surpasses George Smiley.
This latest book as usual incorporates current affairs (Russian sanctions) and an engrossing intelligence operation , with Merrick exiled to MI5's post room and creating a devious plot to hurt the Russian elite by way of their hidden billions.
Once again various characters who have appeared in earlier books are involved including Kate , now languishing in a gulag it is a delightful sub plot, as is the Albanian mafia clan.
There are wonderful insights into Merrick's mind set (Don't strut, it is unbecoming)
This is an incredibly satisfying novel, beautifully written by John Le Carre equal or dare I say better.

[Rob Twinem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jonas Merrick, may be a legendary intelligence officer but forced towards his retirement by working in the postroom does not sit well. Equally having to holiday with his long suffering wife, Vera is enough to drive our antihero to the edge of reason……thank goodness for Russian oligarchs, albanian gang money launderers, execution squads and a child killer whose principle weapon is a pair of rusty garden shears….ouch I hear you squirm! Having said all that my review refers to the audio book and although I found the story not to my taste, the narration by Ben Allen was superb, his interpretation of the languages on offer was astounding and made the whole experience a visual and edge of the seat treat, a real showcase of how good the audio experience can be and how important the choice of narrator is…brilliant!

[Kevin McMahon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a while to get with the writing style, but I enjoyed this one and kept the suspense going to the end. Unfortunately, I hadn't realised that this was book 4 and I'd missed out Book 3 so a few references meant nothing to me. This slip didn't spoil my enjoyment.

[darkplotclub · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve DNF this audiobook at 15%, honestly I feel so bad for doing this but I couldn’t get into the story, I couldn’t focus on what was happening, it didn’t grip me from the start. It is also a long audiobook and it feels overwhelming.