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Agents of Darkness
In international bestselling author Campbell Armstrong’s thrilling, sophisticated tale of espionage, an assassin’s vengeance triggers the exposure of a lethal conspiracy at the heart of the US government
The director of the CIA lies unconscious and close to death in a private clinic, and his likely successor waits on his Pennsylvania estate while the power brokers in Washington, DC, do their deals. In the meantime, a man in Dallas is murdered. And on the other side of the globe, in Manila, a nondescript American is killed in his lover’s back-alley apartment.
Hard-drinking Scotsman Charlie Galloway, who has been suspended from his job in the LAPD, unofficially looks into the murder of a Filipino woman. Step by step, his investigation leads him to the nation’s capital, where a shocking conspiracy reaches deep into the heart of government.
[Reviews]
The director of the CIA lies unconscious and close to death in a private clinic, and his likely successor waits on his Pennsylvania estate while the power brokers in Washington, DC, do their deals. In the meantime, a man in Dallas is murdered. And on the other side of the globe, in Manila, a nondescript American is killed in his lover’s back-alley apartment.
Hard-drinking Scotsman Charlie Galloway, who has been suspended from his job in the LAPD, unofficially looks into the murder of a Filipino woman. Step by step, his investigation leads him to the nation’s capital, where a shocking conspiracy reaches deep into the heart of government.
[Reviews]
448 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1991
19 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Campbell Armstrong
43 books20 followersaka Thomas Altman, Campbell Black, Jeffrey Campbell (with Jeffrey Caine), Thomas Weldon
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Campbell Armstrong got a degree in philosophy before taking a position teaching creating writing. After his excellent series about counterterrorism expert Frank Pagan, Mr. Armstrong has written several compelling novels of crime and life in his native Glasgow.
Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Campbell Armstrong got a degree in philosophy before taking a position teaching creating writing. After his excellent series about counterterrorism expert Frank Pagan, Mr. Armstrong has written several compelling novels of crime and life in his native Glasgow.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 17, 2021
Starker Thriller mit verschiedenen Facetten: US-amerikanischer Imperialismus auf den Philippinen, der schmutzige US-Politikbetrieb und das letzte Aufbäumen eines Alkoholikers um die eigene Selbstachtung.
April 23, 2012
Please indulge my digression to start the review:
There's a review on this site that was largely unfavourable to this novel, apparently due to the author's (apparently) low opinion of the U.S., which seems to have poisoned the reviewer completely on the novel.
It's an interesting, if far from objective, or correct, viewpoint. Armstrong writes parts of this novel from the perspective of Armando Teng, a young man from the slums of Manila. His life has been rather negatively affected by the actions of Americans. Considering that, how else would you expect one to view America?
Point being, if you expect (and demand) a healthy portion of Kate Smith and flag waving from Campbell Armstrong, you've picked up the wrong book, try Tom Clancy.
In any case, our anti-hero is expat Scot Charlie Galloway, former high flyer with the LAPD, now suspended and separated from his wife, floating aimlessly through the next bar.
Charlie gets his interest piqued by the murder of Ella Nazarena, the woman who tended his house.
Ultimately, it's a pretty well-woven story from Armstrong. If you're squeamish about either violence or language, this is probably one to avoid. The characters are well built and flawed, with a generous sampling of the Seven Deadly Sins on display.
It's not a perfect novel, but it's certainly entertaining. I'd also highly recommend Armstrong's "Jig," which was as enthralling of a thriller as I've read.
There's a review on this site that was largely unfavourable to this novel, apparently due to the author's (apparently) low opinion of the U.S., which seems to have poisoned the reviewer completely on the novel.
It's an interesting, if far from objective, or correct, viewpoint. Armstrong writes parts of this novel from the perspective of Armando Teng, a young man from the slums of Manila. His life has been rather negatively affected by the actions of Americans. Considering that, how else would you expect one to view America?
Point being, if you expect (and demand) a healthy portion of Kate Smith and flag waving from Campbell Armstrong, you've picked up the wrong book, try Tom Clancy.
In any case, our anti-hero is expat Scot Charlie Galloway, former high flyer with the LAPD, now suspended and separated from his wife, floating aimlessly through the next bar.
Charlie gets his interest piqued by the murder of Ella Nazarena, the woman who tended his house.
Ultimately, it's a pretty well-woven story from Armstrong. If you're squeamish about either violence or language, this is probably one to avoid. The characters are well built and flawed, with a generous sampling of the Seven Deadly Sins on display.
It's not a perfect novel, but it's certainly entertaining. I'd also highly recommend Armstrong's "Jig," which was as enthralling of a thriller as I've read.
September 24, 2024
Charlie Galloway, an alcoholic cop whose personal life and professional life are in shambles discovers that his Filipino housekeeper is murdered. Now Charlie is determined to find out who killed her and why. As he battles with his own demons, Charlie uncovers an intricate plot involving, the FBI, the CIA, and the Oval office in a nefarious coverup. Charlie has but one chance to redeem himself, and he's going to take it.
September 16, 2024
The story south was pretty good, but there was a lot in here that I just didn’t need to know too much verbose
October 7, 2016
Somewhat difficult to get into. An American in Manila is murdered by a Philippine, an ominous figure with a cause. Charley Galloway has been suspended from duty with LAPD for drinking. Charley's wife has left him because of his drinking. His good friend from the department, Clarence Wylie, picks up after him in his drunken state.
Then one day his Philippine housekeeper of many years, Mrs. Nazarene, is murdered. She was troubled with a personal situation, but finally had decided to speak with Charley about it. They agreed to meet at her house, apparently on the east side of the major LAX runway. As Charley approached her house he noted that the door screen and the front door were both open and the house appeared to be filled with wild dogs from the neighborhood.
Then one day his Philippine housekeeper of many years, Mrs. Nazarene, is murdered. She was troubled with a personal situation, but finally had decided to speak with Charley about it. They agreed to meet at her house, apparently on the east side of the major LAX runway. As Charley approached her house he noted that the door screen and the front door were both open and the house appeared to be filled with wild dogs from the neighborhood.
February 28, 2012
This author does not think much of the United States. He seems
to know a lot about being a drunk, and thinks everyone in the
United States is greedy, stupid, and devious. Must not have spent
much time with the people I know. The story is not that interesting, and the end even less.
to know a lot about being a drunk, and thinks everyone in the
United States is greedy, stupid, and devious. Must not have spent
much time with the people I know. The story is not that interesting, and the end even less.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews