Skydancer

by Geoffrey Archer

Project Skydancer was the brainchild of the Ministry of Defence. Beautiful and terrifying in its simplicity, DS29 had designed new warheads for Polaris missiles, warheads that with consummate ease could evade the new batteries of anti-ballistic missiles the Russians had set up around their prime military targets. For Aldermaston scientist Peter Joyce, it was the pinnacle of his career. Until his documents from the project turned up one chilly October morning on Parliament Hill, and the Ministry's prime suspect committed suicide leaving him with only two alternatives: write off a billion-pound project, or approve tests which could give Russia the power to wipe out the West at the touch of a button-.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller

293 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Geoffrey Archer is a fiction writer from London. He specialises in military adventures and spy thrillers and created the character Sam Packer.

Reviews

[Secret Agent Fan · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Skydancer" by Geoffrey Archer reminds me of the Tom Swift Jr. books that I used to read as a kid. Like "Tom Swift and His Flying Lab" and its many sequels. Archer writes in the same basic, easy-to-read style of the Tom Swift books. He has his characters “exclaim” things and he overuses adverbs. In the space of 10 pages, his characters grumble “quietly,” smile “encouragingly,” stare “blankly,” raise an eyebrow “warningly,” and stare “forlornly.”

While reading "Skydancer" I couldn’t help but think of the Tom Swifty puns that were popular at one time, for example:

“Get to the back of the ship!” Tom said sternly.

The plot of "Skydancer" is also straight out of Tom Swift. Plans for the super-secret Skydancer invention may have been stolen by agents of an enemy power. The genius behind Skydancer, Peter Joyce, must somehow foil the enemy power.

Of course, "Skydancer" has elements that you wouldn’t find in a Tom Swift book. Characters having llicit love affairs, drinking alcohol and swearing. We also get some political arguments about nuclear disarmament. Archer seems to have particular disdain for the radical, lesbian, feminist nuclear disarmament movement of the late ’80s. I didn’t think those protests were particularly radical, lesbian, or feminist, but Archer must know what he’s talking about. After all, he’s the expert.

To fill the pages and keep the cliches coming we get a suicide that may be a murder; a mole at the Ministry of Defense being blackmailed due to a gay liaison; a cat-and-mouse chase between a Russian and British submarine; and an exchange at the border between East and West Berlin.

If you’ve never read a spy thriller before, "Skydancer" might be an adequate introduction to the genre. Otherwise it’s skippable.

[Paul Adler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a spy thriller written during the cold war. Of I not normally read spy novels but I had heard Geoffrey Archer wrote good spy thrillers.

This is the 1st Geoffrey Archer novel I have read. I enjoyed the plot based on actual fact. This book is Typical of the Cold War era. If you enjoy spy novels this may be the book for you. I quite enjoyed it and will read another.

[Mohammed Malik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read

The usual Archer stuff, totally gripping and very difficult to put down. A good story line that had me finish this novel in one session. If you like spy thrillers, then this is for you.

[Nishant Pappireddi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good plot, with multiple relevant subplots, but the ending did not close up all the loose strands.

[Robert Dow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read.

As a spy type book, it was a good read that will appeal to a certain group. Probably those that enjoy a mystery thrillerj

[raymond burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

always a good read from Geoffrey Archer

You know when you have read a Geoffrey book.So easy to believe and hard to put down.Did enjoy this book .

[Colin Reid · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really. Attitude to procedures?!

The whole book is poorly considered as it shows no one following any security procedures and then doing it again.
It is interesting to look back at a book written before faxes the Internet mobiles or the falling wall.

[JM · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe before Tom Clancy came on the scene, this was considered gripping and suspenseful, but I'm hesitant to even think that.

Ruskies vs. Tommies vs. Yanks in nuclear espionage land. If you have another option, I'd read that first.

[Bob Levine · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were enough plots and sub plots to keep in entertaining. The trouble I had was keeping up with all the characters. It wrapped up to quickly in the end. It was enjoyable, just wish it was longer.

[Alison Clifford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good overall story - I did enjoy it. Was left unsatisfied by the ending.

[Louise Brummer · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok not what I would choose but when you dont have anything else to read this is good!!