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Kenneth Aubrey and Patrick Hyde #1
Η κατάρα των λύκων
TRIGGER OF VENGEANCE For almost half a lifetime ex-agent Richard Gardiner has buried his searing memories of treachery and torture, of that nightmare time in the bloody cellars of the Gestapo and the hideous sick double-cross that followed when freedom appeared to be within his grasp. The killing-ground is among old friends and enemies. The search is for the man who always betrayed and murdered by proxy. The man known as WOLF...
410 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
About the author
Craig Thomas
82 books94 followersDavid Craig Owen Thomas was a Welsh author of thrillers, most notably the Mitchell Gant series.
The son of the Western Mail rugby union writer, JBG Thomas, Craig was educated at Cardiff High School. He graduated from University College, Cardiff in 1967, obtaining his M.A. after completing a thesis on Thomas Hardy. Thomas became an English Teacher, working in various grammar schools in the West Midlands, and was Head of English at the Shire Oak School, Walsall Wood.
After unsuccessfully trying script writing for radio, Thomas wrote part-time, with his wife as editor, in two fields: philosophical thoughts in books of essays; and techno-thriller genre, which although invention is often attributed to the better-known Tom Clancy, many feel that Thomas was its true originator. Most of Thomas's novels are set within MI.6 and feature the characters of Sir Kenneth Aubrey and Patrick Hyde.
His best-known novel which brought him to global prominence, Firefox became a successful Hollywood film, both directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. After writing his third novel, 1960s Cold War espionage thriller Wolfsbane, he left teaching altogether in 1977. His later books include Snow Falcon and A Different War. Shortly before his death he finished a two-volume commentary on German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche.
Thomas and his wife Jill had lived near Lichfield, Staffordshire, but moved to Somerset in 2010. He died on April 4, 2011 from pneumonia, following a short battle with acute myeloid leukemia. He was 68.
The son of the Western Mail rugby union writer, JBG Thomas, Craig was educated at Cardiff High School. He graduated from University College, Cardiff in 1967, obtaining his M.A. after completing a thesis on Thomas Hardy. Thomas became an English Teacher, working in various grammar schools in the West Midlands, and was Head of English at the Shire Oak School, Walsall Wood.
After unsuccessfully trying script writing for radio, Thomas wrote part-time, with his wife as editor, in two fields: philosophical thoughts in books of essays; and techno-thriller genre, which although invention is often attributed to the better-known Tom Clancy, many feel that Thomas was its true originator. Most of Thomas's novels are set within MI.6 and feature the characters of Sir Kenneth Aubrey and Patrick Hyde.
His best-known novel which brought him to global prominence, Firefox became a successful Hollywood film, both directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. After writing his third novel, 1960s Cold War espionage thriller Wolfsbane, he left teaching altogether in 1977. His later books include Snow Falcon and A Different War. Shortly before his death he finished a two-volume commentary on German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche.
Thomas and his wife Jill had lived near Lichfield, Staffordshire, but moved to Somerset in 2010. He died on April 4, 2011 from pneumonia, following a short battle with acute myeloid leukemia. He was 68.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
September 10, 2022
Δεν είναι άσχημο αλλά η κακή μετάφραση και η δύσκολη σύνταξη το κάνουν κουραστικό. Old school κατασκοπική περιπέτεια που θα μπορούσε να κάνει καλή ταινία και με μερικά δείγματα ιδιαίτερα καλής πρόζας που δεν συναντάς εύκολα.
June 7, 2019
Ugh. This was a struggle to slog through. It's not clear who the main character is supposed to be. You'd think it would be the former resistance operative seeking revenge, but there are many distracting side characters with their own issues that muddy the whole thing. Too much time spent with the government officials and their problems to be a decent spy novel. Several crosses and double crosses which get tiresome. Little to do with WWII, despite the swastika on the cover and descriptions of Gestapo capture. The story takes place 20 years after the war, and is just plain dull. Annoying, and twice as long as it needs to be.
July 23, 2020
Read in 1979. A soldier tortured by the Gestapo must relive his past to solve a murder.
May 14, 2026
4,3/5
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, the story of Gardiner's revenge against his former colleagues-of-sort was captivating and had me hooked very early on in the story. The tension was palpable on most pages and the cliffhangers were incredibly effective in preventing you from putting the book down, the choice to have the reader discover Gardiner's personality and character as he relearns what he was is employed well although I would have enjoyed reading more of his past (save the torture) with his friends where we only see part of them in the main story and most of their history is kept vague and down to the reader's imagination. Although this fog around Gardiner works it almost works too effectively and at times where he breaks down into himself, specifically the talk with Hausmann, further light and attention spent on war time Gardiner might've helped to explain his actions now compared to the violence driven, vengeance seeking, killer we read about.
Additionally, the almost excess of side characters with no real background, save "war time colleague" does get frustrating after a while. I understand the mystery of Gardiner as "Achilles" during the war helps to elevate his character to a legendary status amongst those working the same field, but withholding those stories limits the connection and deeper understanding we can make with Gardiner's character. Especially given that half of the book is spent discussing his rage and lust to kill and dominate, not exploring this further prevents me from rating this book any higher. This would've been better discussed and explored in the sections of this book that are filled with needless and suffocating political discussion, the Russian mole side-plot is interesting and is tied in extremely well at the end of the book but I feel the unnecessary politico jargon that consumed broad parts of the book could have instead been spent on deepening the side characters of Aubrey and Latymer given that they play a more than crucial role not only to the plot but on Gardiner's sanity. Having them be quasi "main characters" and the most we learn is that Aubrey's wife is ill and later dies and they work a desk job breaks down the foundations that the book is trying to build examining Gardiner's revenge plot.
Overall, the book is good and if you are a fan of the spy genre I would recommend this. I have not yet read the rest of this series so perhaps my judgements are "addressed" later on in the series. Alas, the action and animosity of Richard Gardiner's character is admittedly addicting and exciting and I very much enjoyed reading this book.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, the story of Gardiner's revenge against his former colleagues-of-sort was captivating and had me hooked very early on in the story. The tension was palpable on most pages and the cliffhangers were incredibly effective in preventing you from putting the book down, the choice to have the reader discover Gardiner's personality and character as he relearns what he was is employed well although I would have enjoyed reading more of his past (save the torture) with his friends where we only see part of them in the main story and most of their history is kept vague and down to the reader's imagination. Although this fog around Gardiner works it almost works too effectively and at times where he breaks down into himself, specifically the talk with Hausmann, further light and attention spent on war time Gardiner might've helped to explain his actions now compared to the violence driven, vengeance seeking, killer we read about.
Additionally, the almost excess of side characters with no real background, save "war time colleague" does get frustrating after a while. I understand the mystery of Gardiner as "Achilles" during the war helps to elevate his character to a legendary status amongst those working the same field, but withholding those stories limits the connection and deeper understanding we can make with Gardiner's character. Especially given that half of the book is spent discussing his rage and lust to kill and dominate, not exploring this further prevents me from rating this book any higher. This would've been better discussed and explored in the sections of this book that are filled with needless and suffocating political discussion, the Russian mole side-plot is interesting and is tied in extremely well at the end of the book but I feel the unnecessary politico jargon that consumed broad parts of the book could have instead been spent on deepening the side characters of Aubrey and Latymer given that they play a more than crucial role not only to the plot but on Gardiner's sanity. Having them be quasi "main characters" and the most we learn is that Aubrey's wife is ill and later dies and they work a desk job breaks down the foundations that the book is trying to build examining Gardiner's revenge plot.
Overall, the book is good and if you are a fan of the spy genre I would recommend this. I have not yet read the rest of this series so perhaps my judgements are "addressed" later on in the series. Alas, the action and animosity of Richard Gardiner's character is admittedly addicting and exciting and I very much enjoyed reading this book.
March 5, 2018
I'm revisiting the author and this seemed a good starting point, the first novel to feature Aubrey, his longstanding spy chief. This was a fine thriller with a classic revenger's tale plot; Richard Gardiner, SOE agent in France, was betrayed in the war. Jump to 1963 and he's manipulated into pursuing a vendatta, shedding his old life along with his wife, 2 kids and legal career. Despite being a ruthless killer we're pretty much on Gardiner's side due to his victims being wrong 'uns (they sure have it coming). There are thrilling chases (especially one set in rush hour Paris) and double crosses galore - nice.
Three stars feels a bit mean but the style was too florid for me. Every character's thoughts are described in depth as we proceed, maybe the writer finding his feet (this was only his 3rd book I think). Gardiner's son turns up in "All The Grey Cats" but that's a long way off yet. Seventies plane hijacking next up in "Rat Trap".
PS. Great "Sphere" paperback with classy, if misleading, Chris Moore cover of V1 bomb in flight: the dreaded 'doodlebugs' don't feature in the story and only get a brief passing mention early on.
Three stars feels a bit mean but the style was too florid for me. Every character's thoughts are described in depth as we proceed, maybe the writer finding his feet (this was only his 3rd book I think). Gardiner's son turns up in "All The Grey Cats" but that's a long way off yet. Seventies plane hijacking next up in "Rat Trap".
PS. Great "Sphere" paperback with classy, if misleading, Chris Moore cover of V1 bomb in flight: the dreaded 'doodlebugs' don't feature in the story and only get a brief passing mention early on.
January 4, 2021
Moves along at a good pace. Quite a gripping thriller somewhat a mix between a Ludlum and LeCarre. The book really picks up pace towards the end. The only hassle is that the action scenes are a little knee jerk with sudden shift of scenery.
June 8, 2026
High three starts. Thomas' first purely spy story, as the first two were military/spy hybrids. It's okay, not the same level of detail as I am used to with the usual suspects, but nice nonetheless. Being short helps too.
January 26, 2026
3.4/5.
Picked up (which I didn’t realise at the time) the 5th book in this series in a bookshop in Thailand and am happy to continue through as I really enjoyed The Bear’s Tears.
Picked up (which I didn’t realise at the time) the 5th book in this series in a bookshop in Thailand and am happy to continue through as I really enjoyed The Bear’s Tears.
August 4, 2019
Kudos to the late Craig Thomas for penning this razor-sharp, multilayered, two-fisted espionage yarn. Had me hooked from the get-go. Highly recommended.
July 26, 2016
This is an excellent novel of political intrigue in the style of LeCarre. The story starts out simple enough but like an onion being peeled the plot becomes more complex and intriguing with each chapter. Intelligence agencies from Britain, France, Russia and America are involved and trying to guess who will double cross who is half the fun. The Ricard Gardiner character should appeal to anyone who favors the anti-hero.
March 22, 2024
A great thriller of a read
I recently bought all the Craig Thomas books on Kindle by Canelo publisher as I remembered these books from the early 1980's especially Firefox book.
So naturally I am on a bing read to read all his books. This book is encapsulated brilliant and well written and construct with lots of twists and turns in the novel.
Overall a great read of a book. Best wishes Sean
I recently bought all the Craig Thomas books on Kindle by Canelo publisher as I remembered these books from the early 1980's especially Firefox book.
So naturally I am on a bing read to read all his books. This book is encapsulated brilliant and well written and construct with lots of twists and turns in the novel.
Overall a great read of a book. Best wishes Sean
July 25, 2011
Avery good story that keeps connecting a WWII story line with events playing out in 1963. Craig Thomas uses familiar characters like Kenneth Aubrey and Hilary Latyer. The story if well written and shows some of the elements that later books involving Patrick Hyde contain. Good book to read once you have completed the Patrick Hyde series.
February 12, 2017
A story of the French resistance leader "Achilles" and the after effects of WWII. Achilles continues his normal life after the war, but after spotting a traitor from his past he gets sucked back into it. From that point on he must force the issue and find the truth no matter what the consequences.
July 20, 2015
richard is a little bit too nervous for things
but definitely the best thriller
also thumbs up for SS-BG
but definitely the best thriller
also thumbs up for SS-BG
February 23, 2016
I thought the ending was weak.
December 14, 2016
A tense, gripping, engaging, action-packed WWII/Cold War spy thriller and story of betrayal & revenge.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews