Deep Blue

by Alan Judd

From the author of Legacy , now a major BBC Film, comes a brilliant new novel for fans of le Carre, Graham Greene and Charles Cumming.During a time of political disruption and rising anti-nuclear sentiment, MI5 discovers that an extremist fringe group, Action Against Austerity, appears to have links to an established political party while planning sabotage using something or someone called Deep Blue. Banned from investigating British political parties, the head of MI5 seeks advice from Charles Thoroughgood, his opposite number in MI6. Agreeing to help unofficially with the case, Charles must delve deep into his own past, to an unresolved Cold War case linked to his private life. Using the past as key to the present, he soon finds himself in a race against time to prevent a plot which is politically nuclear … Authoritative and packed with in-depth knowledge, Deep Blue is a gripping new spy thriller from a master of the genre.‘Judd infuses his writing with insider knowledge’ New Statesman

Genres: Espionage, Thriller

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 12, 2017

About the author

Alan 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.

Reviews

[Mads LC · Rating 4 out of 5]

moved on from the kindle to the 2 physical books i bought (major weight)

[Elite Group · Rating 4 out of 5]

Difficult to put down.

Possibly one of the good things about not feeling 100% and being confined to bed for a couple of days, apart from catching up on lost sleep, is the ability to snuggle up to a good book and read without interruption. Deep Blue is just that – a good book – which once picked up is difficult to put down.

Parallels will inevitably be made with Le Carre which is a compliment to the author but this spy thriller is slightly less formal and injects a tone of self deprecating humour which sits well on the shoulders of the main character, head of MI6 Charles Thoroughgood.

Charles is a bit of a maverick but has worked his way up the rungs of the spy services ladder despite having blotted his copybook on several occasions on the way. The fact that he makes mistakes makes his character more human and believable and one to whom the reader can relate.

The story is written in the present although Charles has to delve back into his own past to the 80s when his dealings with one Russian official led nowhere at the time but now hold the key to solving what may be a sinister plot to disrupt the government’s nuclear plans.

A chance comment between the heads of MI5 and MI6 sets off a train of thought and an investigation into old files which leads to a chase against time. What or who is Deep Blue? Is it a serious threat? All will be revealed.

mr zorg

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.

[Nigel Pinkus · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, it started of quite well with plenty of information on the back of the book to help the reader along but, that was where the problems seem to lay. Judd's grasp of MI5 and MI6 was outstanding and the chatter between the two agencies was absorbing as was the flashbacks to the cold war days, but given what was on the back of the book and on the front cover, it wasn't too hard to figure out what was going to happen, well before the end. Also, the story had a 'false' finish to it which, if anything, only seem to deflate it. Incredulously, this reader then found an MI6 agent floundering in the water who had to get outside help to complete his case. After reading plenty of Len Deighton as a young lad, and you could add Le Carre, Ted Allbeury and Graham Greene to the list, it seemed absolutely preposterous that a competent agent would get help from a civilian source in the way that transpired. It reminded me of Dieghton's, "A Funeral in Berlin" where the agent was the one that ended up on the coffin and that's where are main character, Charles, should have ended up. If you want to read something new where the cover illustrates, but doesn't give away the story then try Gerald Seymour's, "A Damned serious Business" (2016). Alternatively, try any of Len Deighton's cold war spy stories; Ted Allbeury's fantastic , "The Line Crosser" (1992); Le Carre's contemporary, "A Most Wanted Man" or Alan Furst's, thrilling, "The Polish Officer" set in WW2 , but not this one. 2 Stars.

[Ryan Barretto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over time, I have come to like thrillers that are fast paced and action filled.

This one started slow, and the switches across dates made the going tedious since not much was happening. Past the halfway mark, it picked up and really started moving. It took me 4 days to finish.

The tension increased slowly and steadily. The characters are interesting and have depth. The dialogues aren't snappy but they're not a drudge to wade through.

Will I read another book by this author? Yes. Will I buy it soon? No, cos I have many more books to read.

[John Sklar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great story but parts were tedious and at one point I longed for the end. Compelling story but possibly too small a story for a book. Characters were thin and could have been so much more interesting. At times they seemed like comics. I'd like to see the movie because its hard to believe the story could be presented seriously. The bad guys are just plain stupid and the good guys are driven by so many bureaucratic imperatives as to be almost frozen. Not one I'd recommend.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charles Thorougood, head of a depleted MI6 uncovers a cold war plot involving the mysterious 'Deep Blue' being revived by a modern day anarchist group.

What starts out as a LeCarre-esqe trawl through a cold case involving old Soviet spies turns into more of an action thriller towards the end. The former part works better as the latter begins to stretch credulity a little, but nonetheless a book that keeps you hooked to the end.

[Arun · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wish I had not picked this book up on a vacation. The plot builds up slowly, but never reaches a crescendo. The ending is hurried, in an insanely stupid manner. It’s a bummer to be honest. Strongly recommended not to read

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is something different to my usual reads and I totally enjoyed it. I didn't see the surprise at the end, which was all the better for the enjoyment. Will definitely read more of this authors work.

[Mike Barber · Rating 1 out of 5]

Started off ok but by half way I was wondering why I was continuing. Simplistic in the extreme, ridiculous plot with one coincidence after another. I shan't be reading another book by this author.

[Steve Dempsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent if slightly predictable spy come politics novel. It relies on brains rather than brawn for a fast paced thriller

[Greg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Anticlimactic. Predictable ending. Mercifully short. Not great, don't bother.

[Alice Horoshev · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chase scene in the end was very fascinating and thrilling. Liked the part about the "old school" agents.

[Paul Shepherd]

Not my kind of book, so couldn't even get started

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as some of his, but still entertaining.

[M C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ebook. Solid mi5 thriller. Such office politics

[Wilde Sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

The head of MI6 investigates a potential terrorist plot.

The first half of this book was really good but then the plot became too far fetched (too many co-incidences) and didn't have any real logic.

[Philip Garside · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable book. Reminiscent of some John Le Carre stories, with deft handling of shifting the narrative between past and present.