What do you think?
Rate this book
Charles Thoroughgood #2
Legacy
From award-winning author Alan Judd comes a gripping espionage novel set during the height of the Cold War. Capturing the tenor of 1970s London with assuredness on par with that of the genre's greats, Judd has crafted an extraordinary story about a young spy who discovers some shocking truths about his family.
Fresh out of the army, Charles Thoroughgood has barely begun his training in Britain's secret intelligence service, MI6, when his college association with a Soviet diplomat lands him on a case. The diplomat, Viktor Koslov, has been working in London and is behaving in ways that may suggest he's turnable. Charlie's higher-ups hope to exploit Viktor for their own purposes. But when Charlie makes contact, Viktor reveals certain information about Charlie’s family that he would rather not believe. Charlie soon finds his desire to learn the truth to be at odds with the goals of MI6. Caught at the intersection of the professional and the personal, he sets out to untangle the story within a story--all the while navigating a dangerous web of crosses and double-crosses that draw him deeper and deeper into the vortex of the international intelligence machinery.
Fresh out of the army, Charles Thoroughgood has barely begun his training in Britain's secret intelligence service, MI6, when his college association with a Soviet diplomat lands him on a case. The diplomat, Viktor Koslov, has been working in London and is behaving in ways that may suggest he's turnable. Charlie's higher-ups hope to exploit Viktor for their own purposes. But when Charlie makes contact, Viktor reveals certain information about Charlie’s family that he would rather not believe. Charlie soon finds his desire to learn the truth to be at odds with the goals of MI6. Caught at the intersection of the professional and the personal, he sets out to untangle the story within a story--all the while navigating a dangerous web of crosses and double-crosses that draw him deeper and deeper into the vortex of the international intelligence machinery.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
28 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Alan Judd
34 books63 followersAlan 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 3, 2009
We are in John le Carre territory in this Cold War spy story set in 1970s London. Charles Thoroughgood, whose name describes his character, has left the British army and joined the Secret Service as a trainee. By coincidence, a Russian acquaintance from university days shows up as a Soviet diplomat with a weakness for a particular London postitute. Charles is taken out of his training course and told to approach his former classmate. When he does so, the Russian turns the tables on him by revealing that Charles's own father, now deceased, was a long-standing Soviet agent.
There is lots of interesting tradecraft in this novel. The author clearly knows what he's talking about. Also, some quirky British characters in the best tradition of the cast of eccentrics created by le Carre.
Judd differs from le Carre in that he sees no more equivalence between the British and the Soviets. Whereas Le Carre regards his characters as players in a game in which both sides observe the same rules more or less, Judd has no such scruples. He clearly sees the Brits as morally superior and the Soviets as utterly evil.
There are some surprises in this book which are not altogether surprising and the depiction of England circa 1970 seems more like the 1950s to me than the actual England I remember. Judd clearly brings out the upper class nature of the secret service, still the realm of public school boys and a few women from the "right" families and universities. His women are not convincing and the subject of sexual desire is handled as if it were an embarrassing social faux pas.
Still this is an entertaining and interesting book.
There is lots of interesting tradecraft in this novel. The author clearly knows what he's talking about. Also, some quirky British characters in the best tradition of the cast of eccentrics created by le Carre.
Judd differs from le Carre in that he sees no more equivalence between the British and the Soviets. Whereas Le Carre regards his characters as players in a game in which both sides observe the same rules more or less, Judd has no such scruples. He clearly sees the Brits as morally superior and the Soviets as utterly evil.
There are some surprises in this book which are not altogether surprising and the depiction of England circa 1970 seems more like the 1950s to me than the actual England I remember. Judd clearly brings out the upper class nature of the secret service, still the realm of public school boys and a few women from the "right" families and universities. His women are not convincing and the subject of sexual desire is handled as if it were an embarrassing social faux pas.
Still this is an entertaining and interesting book.
July 25, 2020
A New Author To Me - definitely one to follow
I had never come across Alan Judd before, but now I have, I find I have a lot to catch up on. I love espionage novels, particularly those of the “Le Carre” sub-genre, which is right where this slots in. Good characters, lots of excellent trade craft, and great storytelling. Highly recommended!
I had never come across Alan Judd before, but now I have, I find I have a lot to catch up on. I love espionage novels, particularly those of the “Le Carre” sub-genre, which is right where this slots in. Good characters, lots of excellent trade craft, and great storytelling. Highly recommended!
August 27, 2017
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A wise friend recommend Alan Judd's novels with Charles Throughgood as protagonist. She also recommended I read them chronologically so I searched and found A Breed of Heroes. I found it OK, and learned a lot about the British army and Belfast, but then what do I know since it was nominated for a Booker Prize.
Legacy's pace is altogehter different. In the time between both books the author's writing became sharp as a saber. I loved everything about this book and luckily, have two more to read right here at home, but becoming anxious about not having more in my stash. Please Mr. Judd, keep feeding my new addiction.
A wise friend recommend Alan Judd's novels with Charles Throughgood as protagonist. She also recommended I read them chronologically so I searched and found A Breed of Heroes. I found it OK, and learned a lot about the British army and Belfast, but then what do I know since it was nominated for a Booker Prize.
Legacy's pace is altogehter different. In the time between both books the author's writing became sharp as a saber. I loved everything about this book and luckily, have two more to read right here at home, but becoming anxious about not having more in my stash. Please Mr. Judd, keep feeding my new addiction.
October 17, 2021
I’m afraid this was just not a book for me despite loving spy thrillers. I found the writing convoluted with sentences and chapters too long to make for an easy read. On many occasions I found myself lost by a situation being over-described that I had to re-read the paragraph to remind me of what was happening. The plot was overall rather simplistic with many scenarios stretching credibility.
Might have worked better as a short story, a quarter the length of the novel.
As evident by the time it has taken me to read this book it was one I found difficult to pick up rather than hard to put down.
Might have worked better as a short story, a quarter the length of the novel.
As evident by the time it has taken me to read this book it was one I found difficult to pick up rather than hard to put down.
January 27, 2020
Authentic feeling
Quietly evocative of the period ,well drawn characters and a plot that keeps you guessing. A read that makes you look forward to the next
Quietly evocative of the period ,well drawn characters and a plot that keeps you guessing. A read that makes you look forward to the next
November 25, 2022
An intelligent espionage novel without the glamour of Bond.
May 8, 2024
Oh joy!
So pleased to discover Alan Judd and know there are many more in the series. Recommended by Mick Herron no less, to whom I'm very grateful.
So pleased to discover Alan Judd and know there are many more in the series. Recommended by Mick Herron no less, to whom I'm very grateful.
September 3, 2025
Brilliantly written, excellent, clever story. Really enjoyed this.
It isn't a mega spy epic, more low key, felt very realistic. Will definitely read more from Alan Judd
It isn't a mega spy epic, more low key, felt very realistic. Will definitely read more from Alan Judd
November 18, 2025
Libby book. Start of mi5 series
June 18, 2014
John Le Carre fans, rejoice. A worthy successor exists. Alan Judd- a former MI6 officer (outed by disgruntled fellow traveler Richard Tomlinson, in his book "The Big Breach") brings us a believable, intricate and compelling espionage story. Fans of spy fiction generally judge a book on how authentic the tradecraft feels and Judd doesn't disapoint. He delivers that aspect with the ease and familiarity of an insider. The main character is Charles Thoroughgood, fresh out of the Army and in training to be in his country's clandestine service. Judd first introduced Thoroughgood in "A Breed of Heroes", as a Para officer (like Judd had been)cutting his teeth in Northern Ireland. "Legacy" shows character development for both the author and his alter ego. Judd wrote "A Breed of Heroes" in the satirical, cynical and absurd vein of Evelyn Waugh, with Thoroughgood as an unsure neophyte. "Legacy" was written 20 years after "Breed", and is independent of Waugh's style. Additionally, Thoroughgood arrives in this novel as a more confident and sophisticated adult. I won't bore you with a synopsis of "Legacy". It's a thoroughly enjoyable "old-school" 70's-era Cold War tale- though if you aren't invested in the main character things don't pick up until after the first 70-odd pages. I couldn't put it down past that point. Well done.
October 13, 2020
This was an interesting read, totally surprising me. Good. Thrilling ride giving me a much needed and pleasant distraction.
Read
November 21, 2013We are in Le Carre territory, as we were with Uncommon Enemy. This time Alan Judd is concerned with posing moral dilemmas and with portraying the characters who are recruited into the word of espionage. These he does well - Hookey, the Chief, is splendidly drawn and so are the foibles of bureaucracy - but the actual events are less convincing. The need for an open ending so that Charles Thoroughgood can reappear next time has a somewhat arbitrary feel, loos ends left just a little too loose.
The period evocation flirts with the usual dangers - "in the loop" has too much of a modern feel, and I doubt if the Park Lane Intercontinental existed then - but Alan Judd is good value.
The period evocation flirts with the usual dangers - "in the loop" has too much of a modern feel, and I doubt if the Park Lane Intercontinental existed then - but Alan Judd is good value.
November 18, 2014
If you enjoy well written "Spy Stories," Alan Judd's book "Legacy" will capture your attention and be a fun read. Well written with a fast moving plot, Judd's book is set at the beginning of the Cold War after World War II. It is an excellent tale of conflicting values within the British Intelligence Community. Alan Judd's understanding of how MI5 and MI6 work together and in competition, brings insights into the complexity of "Human Nature" when intelliegent services are seeking to gain the upperhand. Add in the KGB and this truly becomes an entertaining, engrossing and enjoyable book. A wonderful book to take on your next "Road Trip."
August 29, 2007
Half spy novel, half psychological exploration of family issues. The spy stuff is all fun - set in the 50s with details on how spies were trained and contacted each other, etc. Has some fun surprises. Full of very British stuff so Anglophiles should enjoy.
February 19, 2013
This was an excellent spy thriller, though I'm not sure it's up to the "successor to John le Carre" standard. Good though, with a lot of authentic seeming detail about the bureaucracy of MI6, and interesting and well-drawn characters.
December 22, 2012
Had some good moments of zippy dialogue, but overall it moved slowly. I should have known, since the book jacket described it as a "historical spy procedural."
May 13, 2015
I read this one second and by chance it fitted in with the sequence. A fun series
April 11, 2016
Very British spy thriller. Highly recommended especially for those fond of the genre.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews