What do you think?
Rate this book
Charlie Muffin #7
See Charlie Run
British secret service agent Charlie Muffin becomes involved in a triple-cross when he learns that a Russian agent is about to defect
275 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
34 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Brian Freemantle
107 books68 followersAka John Maxwell, Jonathan Evans, Jack Winchester, Harry Asher and Richard Gant.
Brian Freemantle [b. 1936] is one of Britain's most acclaimed authors of spy fiction. His novels have sold over ten million copies worldwide. Born in Southampton, Freemantle entered his career as a journalist, and began writing espionage thrillers in the late 1960s. Charlie M (1977) introduced the world to Charlie Muffin and won Freemantle international recognition—he would go on to publish fourteen titles in the series.
Freemantle has written dozens of other novels, including two featuring Sebastian Holmes, an illegitimate son of Sherlock Holmes, and the Cowley and Danilov series, about an American FBI agent and a Russian militia detective who work together to comabt organized crime in the post-Cold War world. Freemantle lives and works in London, Englad.
Brian Freemantle [b. 1936] is one of Britain's most acclaimed authors of spy fiction. His novels have sold over ten million copies worldwide. Born in Southampton, Freemantle entered his career as a journalist, and began writing espionage thrillers in the late 1960s. Charlie M (1977) introduced the world to Charlie Muffin and won Freemantle international recognition—he would go on to publish fourteen titles in the series.
Freemantle has written dozens of other novels, including two featuring Sebastian Holmes, an illegitimate son of Sherlock Holmes, and the Cowley and Danilov series, about an American FBI agent and a Russian militia detective who work together to comabt organized crime in the post-Cold War world. Freemantle lives and works in London, Englad.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 25, 2023
Has a good plot but, I think the narrative is not as captivating as it should. Some times were hard to read to be honest, we were having a good taste of action but then, all of a sudden, everything got kinda flat. Even though, Muffin's journey around the world is enjoyable, maybe 'cause Freemantle is a journalist, there are lots of details into it, which is great.
February 14, 2023
no one runs like Charlie
I just finished the seventh installment in this series and I am still glad I discovered Charlie. Charlie is always a lesson not judging a book by its cover. Slow and methodically like a Russian chess master Charlie assesses the board and acts precisely when the opportunity for another checkmate appears.
Brian Fremantle deserves to be considered the same light as British spy writers Deighton and LeCarre
I just finished the seventh installment in this series and I am still glad I discovered Charlie. Charlie is always a lesson not judging a book by its cover. Slow and methodically like a Russian chess master Charlie assesses the board and acts precisely when the opportunity for another checkmate appears.
Brian Fremantle deserves to be considered the same light as British spy writers Deighton and LeCarre
August 10, 2025
“See Charlie Run” is the 7th book in the series that is definitely one of the finest examples of the espionage genre. This episode is an extremely intelligent cat and mouse plot between British Intelligence and KGB in which Charlie Muffin for once gets outwitted a bit by his own.
Charlie Muffin was once the toughest agent in British intelligence. He wasn’t strong, fast, or charming, but he knew how to survive. When his agency branded him a traitor, he eluded their pursuit for years. After eventually proving his innocence, he’s invited back into The Firm. But only just. Consigned to a monotonous desk job, it takes months for Charlie to get a real assignment. A KGB agent in Tokyo wants to defect to the CIA, while his wife wants to defect to the British. Charlie’s role is to manage the wife’s defection and navigate the potential double crosses involved. But as Charlie has learned from all those evasive years, there’s never anything simple or safe about running away. Charlie is still lethally hated by both British Intelligence and the CIA. To understand the current scenario and the setup it is imperative for any reader to start this series from the very beginning.
Charlie doesn't have the full picture, of course, which is the way of espionage. He is given the assignment to learn as much as possible about the defector and also execute a seamless defection. It is extremely difficult to put down the book, citing its twists and turns and ability to keep the reader engaged until the very end. It is one of the better books in the series and a strong example of Freemantle's writing at its best specifically due to Mr. Freemantle’s ability to bring the Cold War and the life of a spy vividly to life through detailed narrative.
As usual, the novel is tightly plotted, crisply characterized, and blessed with Muffin/Freemantle repartee at its sharpest this is a mini-marvel of neat intrigue. This story has the signature battle of wits which we have come to love so much when it comes to Charlie M and his escapades. As usual this particular episode has its impeccable twists and turns and I must say, without revealing much, that the last page completely broke my heart.
The series continues to be a "fine wine" of the espionage genre that includes: The Cold War environment, the "old school spycraft" with zero technology and 100% brainwork, messages delivered with what's left unsaid, the information in the hidden layers of innuendos and suggestions, betrayals after betrayals, revenge, an underdog agent, internal politics at the highest levels of diplomatic rung, twists and turns, ambiguous personal attachments for deception leverage, etc. Mr. Freemantle's, Charlie M delivers all of the above as a signature style.
This seventh novel "See Charlie Run" continues to operate on the complex stage for everything that follows with its ingenious tale of how the deceptively scruffy Charlie Muffin delivers "the last laugh" to his adversaries. The 7th appearance of Charlie M stands out yet again with its crisp, dry wit and meticulous insights into how a good spy actually goes about his business. He's a self-lacerating loner, a passionate lover, and a vulnerable hero whose survival skills make him Charlie M.
This series is a MUST for anyone that loves old school espionage of the Cold War Era.
Charlie Muffin was once the toughest agent in British intelligence. He wasn’t strong, fast, or charming, but he knew how to survive. When his agency branded him a traitor, he eluded their pursuit for years. After eventually proving his innocence, he’s invited back into The Firm. But only just. Consigned to a monotonous desk job, it takes months for Charlie to get a real assignment. A KGB agent in Tokyo wants to defect to the CIA, while his wife wants to defect to the British. Charlie’s role is to manage the wife’s defection and navigate the potential double crosses involved. But as Charlie has learned from all those evasive years, there’s never anything simple or safe about running away. Charlie is still lethally hated by both British Intelligence and the CIA. To understand the current scenario and the setup it is imperative for any reader to start this series from the very beginning.
Charlie doesn't have the full picture, of course, which is the way of espionage. He is given the assignment to learn as much as possible about the defector and also execute a seamless defection. It is extremely difficult to put down the book, citing its twists and turns and ability to keep the reader engaged until the very end. It is one of the better books in the series and a strong example of Freemantle's writing at its best specifically due to Mr. Freemantle’s ability to bring the Cold War and the life of a spy vividly to life through detailed narrative.
As usual, the novel is tightly plotted, crisply characterized, and blessed with Muffin/Freemantle repartee at its sharpest this is a mini-marvel of neat intrigue. This story has the signature battle of wits which we have come to love so much when it comes to Charlie M and his escapades. As usual this particular episode has its impeccable twists and turns and I must say, without revealing much, that the last page completely broke my heart.
The series continues to be a "fine wine" of the espionage genre that includes: The Cold War environment, the "old school spycraft" with zero technology and 100% brainwork, messages delivered with what's left unsaid, the information in the hidden layers of innuendos and suggestions, betrayals after betrayals, revenge, an underdog agent, internal politics at the highest levels of diplomatic rung, twists and turns, ambiguous personal attachments for deception leverage, etc. Mr. Freemantle's, Charlie M delivers all of the above as a signature style.
This seventh novel "See Charlie Run" continues to operate on the complex stage for everything that follows with its ingenious tale of how the deceptively scruffy Charlie Muffin delivers "the last laugh" to his adversaries. The 7th appearance of Charlie M stands out yet again with its crisp, dry wit and meticulous insights into how a good spy actually goes about his business. He's a self-lacerating loner, a passionate lover, and a vulnerable hero whose survival skills make him Charlie M.
This series is a MUST for anyone that loves old school espionage of the Cold War Era.
November 3, 2024
I quite enjoyed this book just like I've enjoyed pretty much every other book in this series, though it's not my favourite.
Charlie is now back working for the British secret service and contines to be underestimated by most of his colleagues. He has to facilitate the defection of a Russian spy, similar to the first book.
My favourite aspect of this series is how Charlie is able to take the information at his disposal and find unique ways to turn the situation to his advantage and this definitely has that. I do wonder where the next few books will go as the books are close to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
It was interesting to read about Hong Kong just before it was returned to the Chinese and how people were preparing for the transfer.
Overall, a worthy entry to the series for me.
Charlie is now back working for the British secret service and contines to be underestimated by most of his colleagues. He has to facilitate the defection of a Russian spy, similar to the first book.
My favourite aspect of this series is how Charlie is able to take the information at his disposal and find unique ways to turn the situation to his advantage and this definitely has that. I do wonder where the next few books will go as the books are close to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
It was interesting to read about Hong Kong just before it was returned to the Chinese and how people were preparing for the transfer.
Overall, a worthy entry to the series for me.
January 24, 2019
I accidentally read this one out of order, erroneously believing it to be the next in the series. However since the stories are quite, though not entirely, standalone, with limited reference to prior events, the damage was minimal. I have now ordered the previous book, "Charlie Muffin and Russian Rose," and am looking forward to it. Anyway, to this book, this was a welcome return to a traditional espionage thriller format, chock full of intricate plot twists and turns and Charlie's trademark acerbic wit. If you enjoy Freemantle's Charlie Muffin series (and who couldn't?) you'll enjoy this book.
January 18, 2021
Brian Freemantle is a sort of hit & miss type of author, both by book (the debut novel was very good, the second quite not so) and even within the same book.
See Charlie Run is the 7th instalment of the series and its first part is excellent: a serious build up of tension in the context of the purest cold war espionage à la John Le Carré or Len Deightom; then in the second half it falls into a little melodrama which partially wastes the good built so far.
Nevertheless, the novel remains quite gripping and enjoyable, among the best of the series.
See Charlie Run is the 7th instalment of the series and its first part is excellent: a serious build up of tension in the context of the purest cold war espionage à la John Le Carré or Len Deightom; then in the second half it falls into a little melodrama which partially wastes the good built so far.
Nevertheless, the novel remains quite gripping and enjoyable, among the best of the series.
June 2, 2021
Another really great read in this series. I think I've said it before, but I didn't love the first few Charlie Muffin books, but starting with book #4, I really can't put them down. I sat and read for almost three hours tonight just because I couldn't wait to see what happened next. I love getting that caught up in a great book.
October 26, 2025
Nice short read i found from a little free library. This was part of a series but pretty much fine as a standalone book! Cool spy vibes and an interesting story line, main character was pretty compelling which made it enjoyable, would be interested in reading more in the series
May 10, 2020
Charlie at his best.
June 4, 2025
A shake up of the structure of book 1, and while maybe not quite as fun, it reads more sure of itself and is willing to challenge the audience with mature complexity.
July 23, 2021
The language is more coarse than in the previous ones. I hope the next one is more mild.
First of the Charlie Muffin Survival Rules was always secure an escape route, before discovering what it was necessary to escape from.
'...The deal—Kozlov’s deal—is that he’ll go over to the Americans and the wife comes over to us.’
‘Why?’ demanded Charlie, even more confused.
‘He’s openly told the Americans he doesn’t expect them to keep the promises they’re making, in their eagerness to get them over,’ took up Harkness. ‘The Americans have treated defectors badly in the past: milked them dry and then dumped them. And he knows it. Kozlov is taking out insurance, to see he gets everything. There’s to be no complete re-union until they’ve got all they’re asking for. Which would seem to be quite a lot…’ The neat man coughed, finishing his tea and placing it on the edge of the Director’s desk. ‘If they both went across to the Americans,’ resumed Harkness, ‘they’d only be guaranteed one income. Kozlov is demanding separate payments and pension arrangements, his from the Americans, his wife’s from us…’
First of the Charlie Muffin Survival Rules was always secure an escape route, before discovering what it was necessary to escape from.
'...The deal—Kozlov’s deal—is that he’ll go over to the Americans and the wife comes over to us.’
‘Why?’ demanded Charlie, even more confused.
‘He’s openly told the Americans he doesn’t expect them to keep the promises they’re making, in their eagerness to get them over,’ took up Harkness. ‘The Americans have treated defectors badly in the past: milked them dry and then dumped them. And he knows it. Kozlov is taking out insurance, to see he gets everything. There’s to be no complete re-union until they’ve got all they’re asking for. Which would seem to be quite a lot…’ The neat man coughed, finishing his tea and placing it on the edge of the Director’s desk. ‘If they both went across to the Americans,’ resumed Harkness, ‘they’d only be guaranteed one income. Kozlov is demanding separate payments and pension arrangements, his from the Americans, his wife’s from us…’
June 24, 2013
This is the second book of this series that I have read. I think it was a better book than the first one.
I don't particularly find Charlie Muffin to be a sympathetic character, although I suppose he is a better representation of a spy than the glamorous people that we so often see. I think the spy-craft notes are interesting and enjoyable. A unique feature of the book is that the author builds tension while still acknowledging that sometimes the game is all about waiting, and luck. It is not a game of a ticking clock with an explosive end, but rather a game of psychological will-they or won't-they, and that is nice.
I don't particularly find Charlie Muffin to be a sympathetic character, although I suppose he is a better representation of a spy than the glamorous people that we so often see. I think the spy-craft notes are interesting and enjoyable. A unique feature of the book is that the author builds tension while still acknowledging that sometimes the game is all about waiting, and luck. It is not a game of a ticking clock with an explosive end, but rather a game of psychological will-they or won't-they, and that is nice.
September 19, 2016
Disheveled, dishonest and decidedly ingenious, Charlie continues to amaze and annoy the powers that be. Always confounding his betters, the opposition and other spy services, especially the Americans, he manages to succeed in highly dangerous missions. An original, often humorous and always interesting character; Charlie is addicting.
Read
August 7, 2011Cold War thriller (1987) as scruffy British spy Charlie Muffin heads to Tokyo to lift a Soviet defector to help out the CIA. Complications and double-crosses (naturally) ensue from everyone.
Read
February 15, 2013Fantastic fun spy genre stuff
August 29, 2015
Solid story-line with a satisfying twist or two at the end. The books in this series aren't great literature, but they are fun, well-written, and never disappoint.
October 2, 2016
This is a British spy novel with Charlie Muffin on center stage. A light bit of fluff, entertaining but not gripping.
March 19, 2024
It's definetely the best from the whole series.
Captivating, lots of action, plot twists. Thrilling from start to the end.
Captivating, lots of action, plot twists. Thrilling from start to the end.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews