Undertow of Loyalty

by M.D. Davies

The Problem

Neil Henberlin somehow became a spy. He had agreed to help Canada’s Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) trap a foreign government in the process of stealing his company’s new super-computer technology. His part was simple: pretend to be seduced by a Chinese double agent and make it look like he was passing secrets. The real spies would take care of the rest.

The Complication

He couldn’t tell his wife of his activities. Without knowing the truth, Leyna believed the affair with the beautiful Chinese girl was real. After all, she’d followed them to a downtown apartment. What else could she think? Making matters worse, the girl was a potential buyer of the new super-computer, and they would be spending plenty of time together.

The Confusion

When Neil returns to work after a romantic weekend with his wife, he discovers that something has taken place in his secret apartment.

Something that will tilt the undulating balance of his life.

285 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2017

Reviews

[Monnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

All things considered, this is a good choice for those interested in espionage and high technology with a few twists added in. Getting the most enjoyment out of it, though, requires buying into the notion that jealousy has a place in a marriage and that otherwise reprehensible behavior performed while under the influence of that emotion can be rationalized as acceptable. For better or worse I do not and cannot, thus making it impossible for me to empathize (or sympathize) with either of the two main characters.

One of them is Neil Henberlin (a.k.a. Neo Henbrin, for no apparent reason); he's in the business of sales for a company called R.E.S., which manufactures some kind of super-secret processor/work station/software related to the oil and gas industry. Unbenownst to anyone except his handler, he's also a Canada Security Intellilgence Service spy, helping his country by pretending to have an affair with, and providing secret information to, the beautiful Chinese double agent Yanmei Albin during meetings in Neil's secret apartment.

But early on, the second character, Neil's wife Leyna - a woman who is unable to deal with no longer being the apple of her successful politician father's eye (and being a media darling) - discovers the existence of both Yanmei and the apartment. Immediately, she concludes that her husband and Yanmei are having an affair, thus adding another facet to her emotional misery.

Of course, Neil fiercely denies any romantic liaisons; but he is under orders to not reveal his spy status or the real reason for his meetings with Yanmei. Leyna takes no comfort from her husband's denial, and her imagination grows wilder by the minute. And then, something terrible happens in the secret apartment that puts Neil between a rock and a hard place - in trouble with his R.E.S. family, his CSIS handler, Yanmei's elderly but powerful father and yes, his wife. To whom does he owe the most loyalty? Can he keep the government's secrets safe, resolve all the issues and satisfy everyone concerned without someone getting killed or put in jail?

If you want to find out, you'll just have to read the book. As for me, I thank the author for providing a copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Réal Laplaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Undertow of Loyalty by M.D. Davies is a crime thriller that reads, in many aspects, like a real-crime documentary. Neil Henberlin arrives to work one day to find his desk cleared, his things packed away and the confused looks of his peers. He soon discovers that he is supposed to be dead, at least according to the police, who arrive to inform him that they have found the body of his client. Suspected of having an affair with the woman, Neil comes under scrutiny, and the plot thickens as he begins to unravel who is really behind it all and the true murderer surfaces. Written with attention to detail, following a linear trail of leads, Undertow of Loyalty is an interesting read for crime-novel enthusiasts.

[Bonnie Dale Keck · Rating 5 out of 5]

kindle unlimited, saw this on elite AuthorX but couldn't wait to read it so put in for review copy but then saw it was on kindle unlimited so yeah there are some days just luv having ku.... This is another of the I wish amazon had 1/2 stars because didn't 'love' it but it wasn't as 'bad' just 'like' it, so a 4 1/2, but since they don't have that, gave it a 5, and really glad make habit of not reading blurb and/or reviews, because the blurb below would have told me more, all at once, than what the story told as it unfolded but at the same time think it would have taken away some of the suspense and all {I know, somewhat contradictory}

The Problem Neil Henberlin somehow became a spy. He had agreed to help Canada’s Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) trap a foreign government in the process of stealing his company’s new super-computer technology. His part was simple: pretend to be seduced by a Chinese double agent and make it look like he was passing secrets. The real spies would take care of the rest.

The Complication He couldn’t tell his wife of his activities. Without knowing the truth, Leyna believed the affair with the beautiful Chinese girl was real. After all, she’d followed them to a downtown apartment. What else could she think? Making matters worse, the girl was a potential buyer of the new super-computer, and they would be spending plenty of time together.

The Confusion When Neil returns to work after a romantic weekend with his wife, he discovers that something has taken place in his secret apartment. Something that will tilt the undulating balance of his life.

[Bob Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book. What follows, as always, is an honest review.

While I had read the advertising blurb for this book, when I started reading it I forgot all about it. I am glad that I did. There were so many twist and turns in the first half of the book that I was a little bit shocked by each reveal.

Neil Henberlin comes to work after a weekend with his wife in another city to find his office empty and everyone looking at him strange. As a salesman for computer systems used in the oil field, it appears that the person he was working with on a big sale is dead, and he is also declared dead next to her, in an apartment he has kept on the side. Obviously he is not dead, and the mystery starts. Who was it next to her and what is his involvement?

Since the blurb for the book tells you that he is a spy, then it is not a spoiler, but again, that is revealed a few chapters later and it took me by surprise. This is one of the many twists and turns of the first half of the book. At this point, Neil is living three lives and trying to keep each one straight.

The second half of the book, after the killer is revealed, is more of a suspense story. Will the killer be caught and brought to justice? What was the frame of mind of the killer? I will confess, the reveal of the killer wound up being a surprise to me.

Good suspenseful story. Due to the graphic nature of the murders in the book, I would recommend for older teens through adults. It would be recommended to those who like a good mystery/thriller book.

[Denise Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Undertow of Loyalty written by M.D. Davies is a wonderful mystery/suspense novel. M. D. Davies has taken your classic spy/espionage story and twisted it into a unique tale that any reader will find themselves enthralled by. Neil Henberlin, our leading character, has become a spy overnight by agreeing to help the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). Neil is to help CSIS by pretending to be seduced by a female double agent, but how does a married business man juggle not only his married life, but also his new life as a spy? This story is wonderfully written and keeps the reader entertained from beginning to end. I liked how relatable the characters were and how believable the story was. Overall this book is entertaining, provides suspense and mystery, and is wonderfully written. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy stories involving spies, but to those who also enjoy suspense and mystery. The conclusion to this book will not leave you hanging and provides a great close to the story. Highly recommended!

[Julius Blitzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Times are getting more and more unusual, we come to the point where we assume we had witnessed everything, and then something else happens and completely blows that statement, the same can be applied to types of books, right? And this is certainly an unexpected twist and engaging story I was not ready to read.
Neil, a newly spy have no idea what he is getting into, when he is send to do a simple job to be seduced by an incredible attractive woman, everything will be put in danger. First, his wife starts suspecting on him and thinks he is cheating on her, and doubt after doubt, not only his ‘real’ life will be in serious trouble.
These were serious level of excitement and impatience while reading this book, chapter after chapter, I didn’t know what to expect, and every angle, every possibility, every theory became more and more real and this is an excellent book about espionage that everyone should read.

[Mar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great twist on the traditional spy story we are all used to reading. In this book, we face an untrained spy that has to deal with the problems that doing that kind of job has. He is completely sucked into that life and it affects deeply his relationship with his wife that has no idea what is going on. Things keep getting messier and messier and Neil Henberlin, our main character, really has to step up his game to survive and protect his previous life.
M. D. Davies has a great piece here. He truly mastered the art of suspense and the story offers a consistent pace with lots of unexpected twists. I didn’t know the author before so I was blown away by the work presented here. The storyline is great, very consistent. Dialogues offer a great way to know the characters and they are strong. A great suspense/mystery book that you can’t take your hands off.

[Valery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Undertow of Loyalty by M.D. Davies is a good example of suspense, thriller, and the unrelenting unease that it takes to create a strong enough plot to keep you reading until the end. Neil, the requisite spy, takes a romantic weekend with his wife, only to find upon his return, that something is not quite right. His secret loft has been infiltrated and not in a good way. There is a good balance to this novel between a man's need to manage and maintain his marriage, while trying to successfully do his job. Plenty of twists throughout keep the pace fast, while the dialogue reads quite well in a realistic manner. This is a not to be missed spy thriller with an interesting and fallible protagonist. Highly recommend for a compelling and dynamic read.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took us on the journey of untrained spy Neil whose life is reduced to shambles when he tries to help his country. The old saying the road to hell is paved with good intentions, I think that sums up Neil’s story quite well. He’s asked to rent an apartment and pretend to have an affair in the hopes of trapping a foreign spy. So many terrible things happen because of that one small act. His wife loses faith in him, there are multiple murders, he’s arested and jailed and so much more. This book reminds me a bit of Burn Notice but with a darker more Pattersonesque feel. Overall a really good read. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.

[Kate Brackett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Becoming a spy has its own problems that emerge with this line of work. Not only does Neil agree to become an untrained spy that leads to a whole plethora of issues, but his home life his simultaneously suffering. I enjoyed this book. Neil definitely goes through some difficult items as he tries to find the balance between his work and the secrets he has to keep from his wife-who already suspects the worst. The story was intriguing and kept me interested the entire read, and I was pleasantly surprised. I found myself cheering Neil on as he faced adversity in all corners of his life. A great character and a great read.

[Jimmy Jefferson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good suspense thrill.

This is a good story with several twists to the plot that will keep the reader guessing what is going to happen next. Our spy Neil has taken a weekend away with his wife and returns to discover something has occurred in his secret loft. Filled with mystery and suspense, our story teller does a great job of leading us on a roller coaster adventure through the twists and turns of a good spy novel. Good characters with a well developed story line. I would recommend this one to all the readers who like action and mystery.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A suspenseful, most irresistible page-turner, this book totally hooked me from the beginning.

Full of twist and surprises, and wonderfully written, you should be sure of beginning this one in a time when you aren't expected to be doing anything else because you won't be able to stop reading it until you reach the end.

Very recommended.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Neil agrees to become an untrained spy for Canada’s Security Intelligence Service is just the beginning of his problems. He has to do something that really doesn't sit well with his wife, and then his own apartment is violated, well that puts things in a new light. Can Neil make everyone happy and still survive? Read the book to find out.

[Maria-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gladly make this a five star because it is well written and you really get into the story.You keep wandering if Neil is going to manage to get himself out of the predicament he is in. He is constantly torn between trying to take care of his wife and justice.
Highly recommend reading this book.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a story about Espionage and Spys. This is for you! Neil Henberlin is the main character he has definitely put himself in the arms of Danger. Disaster after disaster keeps happening to him putting his personal life in crisis mode. A Suspenseful action packed page turner. Twists and turns to keep you guessing what will happen next !!! I received this book for free from Ebook Discovery. I volunteered to review and this is my honest review.

[Sharon Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the oil company/computer lingo to be very technical and exhausting. Once you get past that, the story becomes very engrossing. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.