FalseFlags

Spies Lie #10

by D.S. Kane

After hacker Ann Sashakovich marries her longtime boyfriend and former Mossad spy Jon Sommers, the two look forward to a romantic honeymoon in London to relax and connect. But while there, Avram Shimmel, Jon’s best friend and former boss, is recalled to the Mossad after Avram’s wife is among the two-hundred government officials killed by a terrorist bomb in Galilee. Appointed the new head of the Mossad and anguished by the loss of his wife, Avram only wants revenge against the murderers. The only clue to who is responsible are a set of stolen blueprints for a warfare device that seems patently impossible to produce. The plans will be dropped off for a spy handler on the Scottish coast in Islay and Mossad needs to get them first. Avram recalls Jon to the Mossad and asks Ann to join as a hacker before sending the honeymooning couple on a guided whiskey tour of Islay to see if they can retrieve the plans. But Jon and Ann aren’t the only spies looking to intercept the blueprints. With tourists on their bus trip dying off one-by-one, it looks like Jon and Ann are in over their heads. And when Ann turns for help to the rogue AI she built during the DARPA hackathon, she discovers things are far worse than she and Jon believed. Now the question is: can they survive long enough to secure the plan? Can they survive this honeymoon at all?

283 pages, Paperback

Published December 11, 2019

About the author

DS Kane is the name I've chosen to write under. I worked in the field of covert intelligence for over a decade. During that time, my cover was my real name, and I was on the faculty of NYU's Stern Graduate School of Business. I traveled globally for clients including government and military agencies, the largest banks, and Fortune 100 corporations, and while in-country, I did side jobs for our government. One of the banks I investigated housed the banking assets of many of the world's intelligence agencies and secret police forces, including the CIA and NSA. Much of my work product was pure but believable fiction, lies I told, and truths I concealed. Secrets that—if revealed—might have gotten me killed. When my cover got blown, I fled the field and moved 3,000 miles.

Now, I'm a former spy, still writing fiction. Through my novels, I expose the way intelligence agencies craft fiction for sale to sway their countries and manipulate their national policy, driving countries into dangerous conflicts.

I've been published under my real name many times in financial trade journals on topics including global banking, computer fraud and countermeasures, financial forecasting, global electronic-funds transfer networks, and corporate finance, including one book on finance published by a major publisher. I've been a featured speaker at financial conferences and conventions. My children's book, A Teenager's Guide to Money, Banking and Finance, was published in 1987 by Simon & Schuster. I was once the CEO of an ebook publishing company.

I've been adjunct faculty at the Whidbey Island MFA program, and also teach a course at the Muse Online Writers Conference entitled Covert Training and Covert Operations for Fiction Writers, and taught one on a similar topic at California libraries, funded by a federal grant. I've taught a thriller-writing course at the Pikes Peak Writers Conference and was a featured speaker at a dinner meeting of the California Writers Club. I taught finance at the Stern Graduate Business School of New York University for over ten years, and am one of the co-founders of ActFourWriters.com, a unique email-based novelists' critique group.

Reviews

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book. Full of surprises , with plenty of espionage to keep you guessing A short but fabulous story. Ready for the next.

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

FalseFlags: Book 10 of the Spies Lie Series by DS Kane is a great story that I have read. This is book number ten in this great series that I have enjoyed reading very much. I recommend this story to everyone.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

False Flags was a high speed and engaging spy novel that is the 10th and final book in a series. I had not read any of the previous installments but that did not prove to be an issue with this book The reader is introduced to Ann Sashakovich and her fiance', Jon Sommers, early in the book. We also learn out about a previous AI competition that has gone awry for Ann and her Stanford classmates that has left two AI's battling each other and trying to influence the espionage world.

The initial setup of the plot involves Ann and her classmates, Glen Sarkov, Dave Nordman, Laura Hunter, and Samantha Trout and their interactions while interviewing for jobs post college. Many of the interviews are with intelligence agencies which we find out are no strangers to many of the characters as they have family members in the business working for different nationalities.

This is actually one of the few issues I had with the book, there were often too many characters referenced and their relationships with the other characters discussed. It was hard to follow and I found myself lost and having to flip back for clarity. I wished while I was reading for a character chart, which I found at the conclusion of the book- which would have been easier to discover if I had been reading a physical book.

Overall the action and the story line were quite engaging. There were many interlinking subplots which the author tied together quite well. I appreciated the author's final chapters where Jon told what happened in the ensuing years to many of the key characters. I would like to have found out what happened further with the AI and the havoc it was attempting to reek on the world. We were left hanging on that one aspect.

All in all I can recommend this book

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.

While I found this story to be a bit complicated getting started, it soon evolved into an exciting spy drama. The inclusion of DD was a twist that was a level above the average spy novel. I would have, however, liked to see more of DD. I hope to see more of him in future books. It is a fascinating addition. If this is truly the end of the series, it will be disappointing.

But, the story of Ann and Jon is a great story of how two people can get pulled into the hidden world of lies and spies. While on their honeymoon, the couple are asked to help find a possible secret drop that may hold information about an up coming super weapon. In Israel, while a politician is in the process of running to be prime minister, he is to make an announcement to his more than 200 guests. Instead, he blows up himself and his guests. One of the guests is the wife of Avram Shimmel, who is Joh’s best friend.

Avram then asks for help from Jon, who, even though on his honeymoon, is willing to help. But that help will cost him dearly. And under all the human efforts to stop terrorism and murder, lies a secret even more deadly than what the family of spies suspect.

Want to know more? Grab this book and enjoy!

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first time in reading this author with the storyline the lure that tempted me to open the pages. Seeing I received this during the holidays it at first got lost in the shuffle until I discovered it again and open it up. Since I have been reading alot of mystery and suspense along with thrillers, this fit right in to squeeze in. It would seem the characters in this Jon and Ann whom have quite the colorful occupations think they are going to have a honeymoon. Murder and mayhem occur with them being called in to do a mission that will have you hot on its tail right along with them. Something bigger is happening with bodies dropping. Oh and a AI makes it even spicier. There is some much going on you have to pay attention so not to be a casualty yourself. I had to see though does this couple get a honeymoon at all? So a thrilling read to keep your blood flowing that is for sure.

[Judy Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy and elect to leave my honest review. There are no spoilers in this review. This was an exciting spy thriller that although took a little bit to get into, turned into a real page-turner! I admittedly haven't read all the books (just a couple) before this one, but that didn't take away from getting into the story and the characters. Well well developed in both areas, it was easy to follow and enjoy and can easily be enjoyed on its own. Action-packed, you get the suspense and drama you expect in a book promising a riveting story and a wild ride. Includes the involvement of spy agencies all over the world. I enjoyed this book enough where I am going to go back and read the ones I've missed.

[LooseBoots · Rating 5 out of 5]

For once I am at a loss on how to review this and I’ll try to explain.
It was just an ending to a first rate fast paced spy thriller that I simply wasn’t expecting. It left me feeling a little sad.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a must read cracking story with such solid characters.
I think I will have to list a few pointers ( no spoilers).
Was I entertained- yes.
Was it well written- yes
Do I recommend this- most definitely YES.
Did I fall for the fact it could be real- yes.

So in conclusion the author has done his job.

It’s always a double edged sword when you get to the end of a series but this has been one of the best.

[Jay Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book may be number 10 in the series, but it is entirely great as a standalone. I have not read the other books, but still enjoyed the characters and the plot. Ann and Jon interrupt their honeymoon on an assignment for Mossad. Their search brings them into Scotland where the suspense grows as it appears others are also looking for the same set of plans. The story includes emotion and human nature as well as the spy action. The writing is clear and easy to read, and the book quickly draws you in. The mental images it creates are so good it is like being in the action.

[Martin Pingree · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this the 10th and final book of the “Spies Lie” series we come to the end of a really wild ride. A sentient AI is controlling world events behind the scenes and no one knows it. A top secret invention gets two rival countries to work together to get their hands on it. Spies, spies and more spies. Murder, mayhem, mossad, mi6 and others are all a part of this finale. Always a great cast of a characters, always non stop action and now a story line bringing it all to a conclusion.

[Liza · Rating 5 out of 5]

You expect the tricks and cheats of a spy v spy story. I have to admit that I wasn't expecting the back story to the investigations (very well done).
I'd rather a book that just finishes, though -telling me what happens in the character's future lives takes something away. I don't need everything tied with a bow.

[Jim Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good spy thriller with a decent storyline and excellent characters. Contains plenty of suspense and lots of action. The ending to this book for this incredible series was cut quite short. I still highly recommend this book and series for some quite enjoyable reading time.

[Michel Lambert · Rating 4 out of 5]

D.S. Kane books

I read all 10 books in a week. Plots are good but chapters at the end are short a bit. Too much information take up portions of chapters at the end. Overall good reading, hard to put down.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced nail biter of a thriller. The action is non stop and will keep you on pins and needles to the last page. I would highly recommend this book.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 10th and final book in the Spies Lie Series by D. S. Kane was a whirlwind of action, suspense, drama, death, and destruction, to name a few aspects in the story. The story also took the reader on an almost overwhelming look at the multitude of intelligence gathering agencies in the world, and each of their potential roles should a global event occur. And, it left the reader wondering not only whether this could happen, but more importantly, what would happen after it occurred. It was also a conclusion of the romance between Ann and Jon which started several books ago. Finally, I am saddened as this was truly the end of this very entertaining and enjoyable series about spies in the words of a former spy. This is a voluntary review of an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Hidden Gems Books.

[Elouise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting book. In this book, we have a wedding, Jon was a spy for a while and enjoyed the intrigue of the job. His bride, 10 years his junior, was the adopted daughter of a pair of spies. Ann was involved with Artificial Intelligence during her college years. Their wedding started a bizarre spy action story with an AI creation ( Ann worked on that), spies from England, Russia, China and Israel, subterfuge, murders, secret plans, and mayhem. The honeymoon wasn't quite what they had planned. Action filled story, lots of plot twists and turns, and even some proper tourism bits. Difficult to put down as things just kept on happening. Loved it.