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Bernard Samson #7
Faith
A BERNARD SAMSON NOVEL'The plotting is masterly, the atmospheric descriptions superb ... absolute bliss' Sunday TelegraphSummer 1987, the final years of the Cold War. Bernard Samson has been sent to East Germany to make contact with a KGB defector, codename VERDI, who claims to have access to top intelligence secrets. But something goes wrong, and Bernard must struggle to stay in the game. Fighting to keep his job and rebuild his shattered marriage, kept in the dark by London Central, he has no one he can trust, and nothing to depend on but his own faith. This is the first part of the 'Faith, Hope and Charity' trilogy.'A string of brilliantly mounted set-pieces ... superbly laconic wisecracks' The Times
311 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
160 people are currently reading
857 people want to read
About the author
Len Deighton
221 books927 followersDeighton was born in Marylebone, London, in 1929. His father was a chauffeur and mechanic, and his mother was a part-time cook. After leaving school, Deighton worked as a railway clerk before performing his National Service, which he spent as a photographer for the Royal Air Force's Special Investigation Branch. After discharge from the RAF, he studied at St Martin's School of Art in London in 1949, and in 1952 won a scholarship to the Royal College of Art, graduating in 1955.
Deighton worked as an airline steward with BOAC. Before he began his writing career he worked as an illustrator in New York and, in 1960, as an art director in a London advertising agency. He is credited with creating the first British cover for Jack Kerouac's On the Road. He has since used his drawing skills to illustrate a number of his own military history books.
Following the success of his first novels, Deighton became The Observer's cookery writer and produced illustrated cookbooks. In September 1967 he wrote an article in the Sunday Times Magazine about Operation Snowdrop - an SAS attack on Benghazi during World War II. The following year David Stirling would be awarded substantial damages in libel from the article.
He also wrote travel guides and became travel editor of Playboy, before becoming a film producer. After producing a film adaption of his 1968 novel Only When I Larf, Deighton and photographer Brian Duffy bought the film rights to Joan Littlewood and Theatre Workshop's stage musical Oh, What a Lovely War! He had his name removed from the credits of the film, however, which was a move that he later described as "stupid and infantile." That was his last involvement with the cinema.
Deighton left England in 1969. He briefly resided in Blackrock, County Louth in Ireland. He has not returned to England apart from some personal visits and very few media appearances, his last one since 1985 being a 2006 interview which formed part of a "Len Deighton Night" on BBC Four. He and his wife Ysabele divide their time between homes in Portugal and Guernsey.
Deighton worked as an airline steward with BOAC. Before he began his writing career he worked as an illustrator in New York and, in 1960, as an art director in a London advertising agency. He is credited with creating the first British cover for Jack Kerouac's On the Road. He has since used his drawing skills to illustrate a number of his own military history books.
Following the success of his first novels, Deighton became The Observer's cookery writer and produced illustrated cookbooks. In September 1967 he wrote an article in the Sunday Times Magazine about Operation Snowdrop - an SAS attack on Benghazi during World War II. The following year David Stirling would be awarded substantial damages in libel from the article.
He also wrote travel guides and became travel editor of Playboy, before becoming a film producer. After producing a film adaption of his 1968 novel Only When I Larf, Deighton and photographer Brian Duffy bought the film rights to Joan Littlewood and Theatre Workshop's stage musical Oh, What a Lovely War! He had his name removed from the credits of the film, however, which was a move that he later described as "stupid and infantile." That was his last involvement with the cinema.
Deighton left England in 1969. He briefly resided in Blackrock, County Louth in Ireland. He has not returned to England apart from some personal visits and very few media appearances, his last one since 1985 being a 2006 interview which formed part of a "Len Deighton Night" on BBC Four. He and his wife Ysabele divide their time between homes in Portugal and Guernsey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
May 14, 2022
”‘I’ve plenty of time,’ said Frank. Anyone who had dealings with the English knew that such a declaration was a polite way of saying that he was pressed for time.”
Ich habe eindeutig eine Schwäche für diese Spionromane, insbesondere für Len Deighton (und John Le Carré). Und wenn der Autor auch nach sieben, resp. acht Büchern noch nicht nachgelassen hat, dann habe ich besonders Freude.
Der Auftakt in die Schlussrunde der letzten Trilogie von Faith, Hope & Charity (nach Game, Set & Match und Hook, Line & Sinker und Winter) birgt nichts Neues. Es sind dieselben Charaktere, dieselben Irrungen und Wirrungen der Grenzgänger zwischen London, Checkpoint Charlie und Moskau, und wenn einem diese Pastellfarben nicht behagen, der hat bereits nach den ersten paar Büchern aufgegeben.
Bernard Samson ist nach wie vor der zynische Feldagent, dem eigentlich alle Türen in die höheren Gefilde offen stünden, wenn er denn nur endlich mal seinen Vorgesetzten etwas mehr Wasser nachtragen würde. Aber nein, auch hier muss er es wieder besser wissen und seine Loyalität zur Sache ist höher, als zu seiner eigenen Karriere oder derjenigen seiner Chefs.
Der Stil, die erzeugten Bilder, der britische Humor, die ausgeprägten Charaktere, die erwarteten und unerwarteten Twists, das regnerische Kalte Krieg Setting - all das erzeugt eine Stimmung, der ich verfallen bin. Das Ende ist wie gewohnt ein Cliffhanger in die nächste Episode (Hope) - da will ich nicht lange zuwarten.
”‘More coffee?’ It was a signal for me to depart.”
Ich habe eindeutig eine Schwäche für diese Spionromane, insbesondere für Len Deighton (und John Le Carré). Und wenn der Autor auch nach sieben, resp. acht Büchern noch nicht nachgelassen hat, dann habe ich besonders Freude.
Der Auftakt in die Schlussrunde der letzten Trilogie von Faith, Hope & Charity (nach Game, Set & Match und Hook, Line & Sinker und Winter) birgt nichts Neues. Es sind dieselben Charaktere, dieselben Irrungen und Wirrungen der Grenzgänger zwischen London, Checkpoint Charlie und Moskau, und wenn einem diese Pastellfarben nicht behagen, der hat bereits nach den ersten paar Büchern aufgegeben.
Bernard Samson ist nach wie vor der zynische Feldagent, dem eigentlich alle Türen in die höheren Gefilde offen stünden, wenn er denn nur endlich mal seinen Vorgesetzten etwas mehr Wasser nachtragen würde. Aber nein, auch hier muss er es wieder besser wissen und seine Loyalität zur Sache ist höher, als zu seiner eigenen Karriere oder derjenigen seiner Chefs.
Der Stil, die erzeugten Bilder, der britische Humor, die ausgeprägten Charaktere, die erwarteten und unerwarteten Twists, das regnerische Kalte Krieg Setting - all das erzeugt eine Stimmung, der ich verfallen bin. Das Ende ist wie gewohnt ein Cliffhanger in die nächste Episode (Hope) - da will ich nicht lange zuwarten.
”‘More coffee?’ It was a signal for me to depart.”
May 26, 2020
Book seven in the wonderful Bernard Samson series, and the start of the third and final trilogy. All the characters are like old friends and each of these books is a delight.
Bernard and Fiona Samson are back in London after the months of recovery in California, and the narrative picks up straight after the events of the previous book Spy Sinker.
The less you know about the plot the better, suffice to say there are the usual cock ups, political manoeuvering, and shifting sands.
It's superb. Of course.
Bring on Hope (Bernard Samson, #8) (1995)
4/5
Faith (1994) by Len Deighton
Bernard Samson is a fictional character created by Len Deighton. Samson is a middle-aged and somewhat jaded intelligence officer working for the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) – usually referred to as "the Department" in the novels. He is a central character in three trilogies written by Deighton, set in the years 1983–1988, with a large gap between 1984 and 1987. The first trilogy comprises the books Berlin Game, Mexico Set and London Match, the second comprises Spy Hook, Spy Line and Spy Sinker, and the third and final trilogy comprises Faith, Hope and Charity. The plot of the entire trilogy of trilogies revolves around Samson's wife Fiona, also an intelligence officer, and which side she is really working for, after she has defected to the East Germans in the first trilogy, leaving a distraught Bernard with their two children. Her defection also causes some of his superiors to question his loyalty.
Samson undergoes sacrifice in his duties and is often ignored by his superiors, being passed over for promotion or sent to Berlin during Christmas. This is especially true in the first trilogy. Like Deighton's earlier unnamed spy character ("Harry Palmer" in the film adaptations), Samson is cynical and has a disrespect for his superiors and any ambitious colleagues.
Faith is the first novel in the final trilogy of three about Bernard Samson, a middle-aged and somewhat jaded intelligence officer working for the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). Faith is part of the Faith, Hope and Charity trilogy, being followed by Hope and Charity. This trilogy is preceded by the Game, Set and Match and the Hook, Line and Sinker trilogies. Deighton's novel Winter (1987) is a prequel to the nine novels, covering the years 1900-1945 and providing the backstory to some of the characters.
The novel is set in 1987, when Soviet control of Eastern Europe is beginning to falter. It picks up the story from the end of Spy Line and Spy Sinker, with Fiona and Bernard Samson returning to London Central to rebuild their careers and marriage after recuperating with Bret Rensselaer in California.
Bernard and Fiona Samson are back in London after the months of recovery in California, and the narrative picks up straight after the events of the previous book Spy Sinker.
The less you know about the plot the better, suffice to say there are the usual cock ups, political manoeuvering, and shifting sands.
It's superb. Of course.
Bring on Hope (Bernard Samson, #8) (1995)
4/5
Faith (1994) by Len Deighton
Bernard Samson is a fictional character created by Len Deighton. Samson is a middle-aged and somewhat jaded intelligence officer working for the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) – usually referred to as "the Department" in the novels. He is a central character in three trilogies written by Deighton, set in the years 1983–1988, with a large gap between 1984 and 1987. The first trilogy comprises the books Berlin Game, Mexico Set and London Match, the second comprises Spy Hook, Spy Line and Spy Sinker, and the third and final trilogy comprises Faith, Hope and Charity. The plot of the entire trilogy of trilogies revolves around Samson's wife Fiona, also an intelligence officer, and which side she is really working for, after she has defected to the East Germans in the first trilogy, leaving a distraught Bernard with their two children. Her defection also causes some of his superiors to question his loyalty.
Samson undergoes sacrifice in his duties and is often ignored by his superiors, being passed over for promotion or sent to Berlin during Christmas. This is especially true in the first trilogy. Like Deighton's earlier unnamed spy character ("Harry Palmer" in the film adaptations), Samson is cynical and has a disrespect for his superiors and any ambitious colleagues.
Faith is the first novel in the final trilogy of three about Bernard Samson, a middle-aged and somewhat jaded intelligence officer working for the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). Faith is part of the Faith, Hope and Charity trilogy, being followed by Hope and Charity. This trilogy is preceded by the Game, Set and Match and the Hook, Line and Sinker trilogies. Deighton's novel Winter (1987) is a prequel to the nine novels, covering the years 1900-1945 and providing the backstory to some of the characters.
The novel is set in 1987, when Soviet control of Eastern Europe is beginning to falter. It picks up the story from the end of Spy Line and Spy Sinker, with Fiona and Bernard Samson returning to London Central to rebuild their careers and marriage after recuperating with Bret Rensselaer in California.
May 23, 2012
I read some else's review of Spy Sinker, which I admit was a bit of a disappointment because it was an eye of God tale, explaining much of what our hero Bernard Samson did not know, from the first five books. The review said that they would not bother to go on and read the last trilogy, Faith, Hope and Charity.
What a treat he or she missed. Bernard as usual is out on a limb, trying to find out what his brother-in-law George is doing, and getting an inside track on events in Central office from his friend Werner, and finally trying to extract VERDI a possible Russian defector from East Germany. As usual nothing goes as it should do, and as usual Bernard is always one step ahead of everyone else, despite the fact that his wife in now back in London and is working for his boss Dicky Cruyer.
Whether you have chosen to do what I have done, which is to read all the Samson books in order, or not, if you like spy novels, don't miss this one.
What a treat he or she missed. Bernard as usual is out on a limb, trying to find out what his brother-in-law George is doing, and getting an inside track on events in Central office from his friend Werner, and finally trying to extract VERDI a possible Russian defector from East Germany. As usual nothing goes as it should do, and as usual Bernard is always one step ahead of everyone else, despite the fact that his wife in now back in London and is working for his boss Dicky Cruyer.
Whether you have chosen to do what I have done, which is to read all the Samson books in order, or not, if you like spy novels, don't miss this one.
September 18, 2018
Originally published on my blog here in December 2004.
The third and final trilogy about Bernard Samson follos more or less straight on from the concluding moments of the preceding novels, skipping over only the months of recovery and debriefing on a remote Californian ranch that follow the escape of Bernard's wife Fiona from East Berlin where she has been a highly placed agent of the British Secret Service. (The setting is still in the days before the demolishing of the Wall.) The confusion left to be sorted out is immense - Bernard, for example, had been living with another woman, believing that Fiona was a defecting traitor; Fiona's sister Tess has apparently been killed in the fight on the autobahn linking Berlin to the West that was organised to cover Fiona's escape; rumours are flying round the Secret Service and no one has any idea what Fiona's role will be when and if she returns to work. Deighton left few loose ends at the end of London Match, the final novel in the first trilogy, but little is resolved in Spy Sinker, by contrast - it is much more obvious that the story would have to continue.
There are really two strands to Faith, one of which initially doesn't seem to be connected to the main narrative. This is a mission that Bernard is sent on to East Germany, to make contact with an officer who has secrets to sell to the West. The other is a private investigation into what happened on the night of the fight and to Tessa's body launched by her husband; this is clearly going to make waves by attempting to uncover secrets that others will want to keep hidden.
While the story naturally grows out of what has gone before, there are some changes of emphasis. We are back here with Bernard as a narrator, which works better than the third person used in Spy Sinker. More oddly, there has been an important change in emphasis which has been made without comment. Earlier, the point of the fight was to make it look as though Fiona had been killed, so that the East Germans and Russians don't know that she was working against them all this time. But now she and Bernard are openly living in the Mayfair flat that belonged to Tessa, and she is starting a high profile job in the London office - surely not something that will be overlooked by the Russian and East German agents still in London, no matter how much their respective countries are sliding into the economic chaos that was the penultimate stage in the fall of Soviet Communism.
Faith is one of the more downbeat Deighton novels, even in a series which focuses on betrayal. It is low key because, like Mexico Set in the first trilogy, it is about picking up the pieces after a trauma and starting again.
The third and final trilogy about Bernard Samson follos more or less straight on from the concluding moments of the preceding novels, skipping over only the months of recovery and debriefing on a remote Californian ranch that follow the escape of Bernard's wife Fiona from East Berlin where she has been a highly placed agent of the British Secret Service. (The setting is still in the days before the demolishing of the Wall.) The confusion left to be sorted out is immense - Bernard, for example, had been living with another woman, believing that Fiona was a defecting traitor; Fiona's sister Tess has apparently been killed in the fight on the autobahn linking Berlin to the West that was organised to cover Fiona's escape; rumours are flying round the Secret Service and no one has any idea what Fiona's role will be when and if she returns to work. Deighton left few loose ends at the end of London Match, the final novel in the first trilogy, but little is resolved in Spy Sinker, by contrast - it is much more obvious that the story would have to continue.
There are really two strands to Faith, one of which initially doesn't seem to be connected to the main narrative. This is a mission that Bernard is sent on to East Germany, to make contact with an officer who has secrets to sell to the West. The other is a private investigation into what happened on the night of the fight and to Tessa's body launched by her husband; this is clearly going to make waves by attempting to uncover secrets that others will want to keep hidden.
While the story naturally grows out of what has gone before, there are some changes of emphasis. We are back here with Bernard as a narrator, which works better than the third person used in Spy Sinker. More oddly, there has been an important change in emphasis which has been made without comment. Earlier, the point of the fight was to make it look as though Fiona had been killed, so that the East Germans and Russians don't know that she was working against them all this time. But now she and Bernard are openly living in the Mayfair flat that belonged to Tessa, and she is starting a high profile job in the London office - surely not something that will be overlooked by the Russian and East German agents still in London, no matter how much their respective countries are sliding into the economic chaos that was the penultimate stage in the fall of Soviet Communism.
Faith is one of the more downbeat Deighton novels, even in a series which focuses on betrayal. It is low key because, like Mexico Set in the first trilogy, it is about picking up the pieces after a trauma and starting again.
December 19, 2022
The Bernie Samson series is great, but I would have to suggest that this is the least of the books. It’s the first in the third trilogy, and it reads like it’s setting the scene for the windup more than a story in itself. Even though Deighton says he wrote each book so that it could be read as a standalone, you would definitely not want to do that with this one. Just read the series in order and you’ll be way better off.
December 3, 2014
This next book in the Bernard Samson series, sees him return to London following the debriefing of his wife and the death of his sister-in-law during the daring return of London's deepest spy in East Germany. And as usual, Samson is dealing with the major characters having their own personal agendas, and whilst at the same time he has to cope with the upheavals that the events of the past have wrought in both his professional and personal life.
The espionage angle is down beat cold war, where spying for England is the name of the game, and right and wrong seem very black and white. However, this book sees Samson's personal life driving much of the story, and as always Deighton handles it so well, deftly avoiding the predictable melodrama of a love triangle and allowing the characters to grow and react as the story progresses. Leaving as always at the beginning of a new trilogy more questions than answers and the reader hungry for more. Bring on the next book!
The espionage angle is down beat cold war, where spying for England is the name of the game, and right and wrong seem very black and white. However, this book sees Samson's personal life driving much of the story, and as always Deighton handles it so well, deftly avoiding the predictable melodrama of a love triangle and allowing the characters to grow and react as the story progresses. Leaving as always at the beginning of a new trilogy more questions than answers and the reader hungry for more. Bring on the next book!
June 14, 2018
BERLIN, the former commercial and entertainment center. BERLIN, the home to some of the most beautiful and busiest towns such as Friedrichstrasse and Schiffbauerdamm. BERLIN, one of the most prosperous and dazzling cities in the world. BERLIN, the controller of Europe. BERLIN, the capital of the German Democratic Republic. Unfortunately, that was the old BERLIN. After 1946, Germany became a police-state. It was divided into East Germany and West Germany. The Soviets controlled the East while England, America, and France had the West. A wall had been erected to separate one from the other whom the Soviets referred to as the “invalidenstrasse”. It was believed that whoever controlled Germany controlled Europe and both sides were hungry for control. They were at war and their aim was to bring down the wall. This is the story of how they did it.
Gorbachev and the USSR ensured that East Germany was firmly under the Communist dictatorship. They managed their affairs through the “Rezidentura”. On the other side were the Western allies. They had launched a secret war against the soviets. Frank Harrington was the head of the Berlin Field Unit while Dicky Cruyer was in charge of operations in London. Both were under the British. Together, their aim was to infiltrate and undermine the soviets by obtaining as much data about them as possible. They did this through their field agents and among them was Bernard Samson.
Bernard Samson was trained as an intelligence gatherer. Through him, the author tries to show us the picture of how things worked in the business of intelligence gathering. They would identify somebody who works with the enemy and use him or her to obtain as much information as possible. They developed various sophisticated methods of conducting the task such as the Tapping of Communication Services and using men whose handicraft could help penetrate the enemy lines. Mobilizing Churches was also a major part of the project. The Churchgoers of the East were very powerful and cohesive. They were people who deeply held onto their faith. Just like Joshua, they intended to bring down the wall using only the trumpets of the church. This book tells it all in a brilliant and superb manner.
Gorbachev and the USSR ensured that East Germany was firmly under the Communist dictatorship. They managed their affairs through the “Rezidentura”. On the other side were the Western allies. They had launched a secret war against the soviets. Frank Harrington was the head of the Berlin Field Unit while Dicky Cruyer was in charge of operations in London. Both were under the British. Together, their aim was to infiltrate and undermine the soviets by obtaining as much data about them as possible. They did this through their field agents and among them was Bernard Samson.
Bernard Samson was trained as an intelligence gatherer. Through him, the author tries to show us the picture of how things worked in the business of intelligence gathering. They would identify somebody who works with the enemy and use him or her to obtain as much information as possible. They developed various sophisticated methods of conducting the task such as the Tapping of Communication Services and using men whose handicraft could help penetrate the enemy lines. Mobilizing Churches was also a major part of the project. The Churchgoers of the East were very powerful and cohesive. They were people who deeply held onto their faith. Just like Joshua, they intended to bring down the wall using only the trumpets of the church. This book tells it all in a brilliant and superb manner.
January 16, 2020
I have truly enjoyed making my way, slowly but surely, through Deighton's trilogy of trilogies of Cold War espionage (is that even a thing?) about British spy Bernd (Bernard) Samson, his wife and also-an-agent Fiona, friend and fellow Berlin based agent-sometimes-employed-by-the-Brits Werner, and his vast collection of higher ups and occasional paramours. When you create 9 great books covering the same guy, you really give readers a voluminous amount of background and at this point I feel I could be Bernard's best man at his next wedding.
'Faith' begins with Bernard's mission to meet with a Stasi higher up in East Germany who wants to defect to the west. As usual, nothing goes as planned and Bernard finds himself back in London, trying to reestablish his relationship with his wife who has returned from the East after her successful double agent mission. He's walking a tightrope in a couple different ways: in his wife's absence he'd taken up with a young woman about half his age who works at his headquarters. She's still around as his wife returns. And Bernard is an outlier as an agent in that he gets things done but never to his many boss's satisfaction. After much political wrangling, mostly having to do with the people above Bernard trying to get ahead, he and his longtime friend Werner take another shot at extricating their defector. As usual, the 'funhouse mirror' seems to be present, as the Brits aren't sure if the defector is a double agent, if he knows anything, or even who exactly he is. Samson seems to know, though, makes contact, and after a typical amount of battering of his middle aged body he and his 'catch' make it back to London. But that's not the end of things and the book's conclusion nicely sets up the next installment.
As usual, Deighton's writing is superb. These novels are not fast paced, but they move quickly enough. There is sporadic action, some violence, a little romance, a lot of intrigue, and an incredible amount of backstabbing that makes one wonder how anything succeeded in that environment. 'Faith' is a great kickoff to the final trilogy.
'Faith' begins with Bernard's mission to meet with a Stasi higher up in East Germany who wants to defect to the west. As usual, nothing goes as planned and Bernard finds himself back in London, trying to reestablish his relationship with his wife who has returned from the East after her successful double agent mission. He's walking a tightrope in a couple different ways: in his wife's absence he'd taken up with a young woman about half his age who works at his headquarters. She's still around as his wife returns. And Bernard is an outlier as an agent in that he gets things done but never to his many boss's satisfaction. After much political wrangling, mostly having to do with the people above Bernard trying to get ahead, he and his longtime friend Werner take another shot at extricating their defector. As usual, the 'funhouse mirror' seems to be present, as the Brits aren't sure if the defector is a double agent, if he knows anything, or even who exactly he is. Samson seems to know, though, makes contact, and after a typical amount of battering of his middle aged body he and his 'catch' make it back to London. But that's not the end of things and the book's conclusion nicely sets up the next installment.
As usual, Deighton's writing is superb. These novels are not fast paced, but they move quickly enough. There is sporadic action, some violence, a little romance, a lot of intrigue, and an incredible amount of backstabbing that makes one wonder how anything succeeded in that environment. 'Faith' is a great kickoff to the final trilogy.
January 15, 2018
My feed is a tad messy as I have both the hardcover first edition & a paperback edition in my possession, but I actually read the hardcover.
Ah, what a breath of fresh air this one was after the slog of "Spy Sinker"! We are reunited with Bernard Samson & the usual cast of characters. The story revolves around Samson's attempting to restore his once unassailable reputation & involves the defection of a spy. I won't reveal any spoilers, but things go awry, as they are seemingly wont to do in these novels & things move quickly to their conclusion. I am requesting "Hope" from my local library, but in the interim, "Winter" is to be next.
Ah, what a breath of fresh air this one was after the slog of "Spy Sinker"! We are reunited with Bernard Samson & the usual cast of characters. The story revolves around Samson's attempting to restore his once unassailable reputation & involves the defection of a spy. I won't reveal any spoilers, but things go awry, as they are seemingly wont to do in these novels & things move quickly to their conclusion. I am requesting "Hope" from my local library, but in the interim, "Winter" is to be next.
March 17, 2017
Bernard Samson, British spy, the saga continues. Bernard's wife is back from being the double agent, why Bernard takes the wife back is the biggest mystery of all, as he is still in love with Gloria, who stood behind him for years and looked after his kids. Fiona the wife, turns bitchy and jealous, though there is no mention at all abut the affair she had, or even regrets on Fiona's part. She has navigated herself into a plumb position at the top, while Bernard has been put in the paper closet. Bernard, who is suppose to be brighter than anyone, continues to be walked over constantly by the uppers in British Intelligence, even though he is doing all the work. Also Werner, his best friend, who is constantly being betrayed by management, yet continues to work for them when asked, is always there for Bernie. Bernie continues to try and bring out spies from the other side, while constantly being betrayed by his own office. Why he continues to work for them is also a mystery. Affairs continue with different marriages, dolts get put in high places, and Bernie and Werner continue to try and clean up everyone's messes, only to be blamed for it all. The book finishes with having Faith, but can they. Fiona does not know the true story of her sisters death, and yet, the spy who was just assassinated, tells them Tess is still alive, but is she? Onto the next book, HOPE. What do I think, I think all the answers to what is wrong with British Intelligence lies in Bernard's fathers trunks in the room at the hotel in Berlin. For god-sake Bernard open these trunks! We have been teased about those unopened trunks in several books now.
February 18, 2021
David Barnes, renowned James Madison philanthropist and Student Union Director, less known as an official consultant for the Arizona Board of Regents, Nano Today, and the University of Kansas Men’s and Women’s Basketball Teams, originator of the quotation “When you find yourself in a hole, quit digging,” and a short list candidate as 2021 Yale School of Law commencement speaker, correctly foretold that Len Deighton would follow-up (marginal) Spy Sinker with a work more consistent with earlier volumes.
Well done, Mr. Barnes!
Well done, Mr. Barnes!
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November 14, 2020Bernie Samson returns to the narrator’s chair. Has he learned anything—at the very least about the limits of his own knowledge—or is he still rushing in where angels fear to even gesture? A bit of both. Werner Volkmann remains officially “outside” the department, supposedly married to Zeta once again; Bernard is trying to reconcile Fiona with Gloria; George (and Fiona) wants the truth about Tessa. Nobody gets all of what they want. Yet.
June 4, 2021
Spys get old and deal with feelings, just like normal people. That seems to be the key to this Bernard Sampson story by Deighton - cause the spycraft itself really takes a back seat. At one point the whole point of the book is over in a sentence (really) and I honestly didn't realize I had read it till like 4 sentences later....had to restart the page and then "yep, that was it". I usually like Deighton but this one seemed to wrap things up a bit too quick on numerous fronts while giving a long leash to interpersonal stories that never really went anywhere or really seemed believable.
Deighton's normal great writing style save the book from being a complete dud from me as the story and plot just were not up to par.
Deighton's normal great writing style save the book from being a complete dud from me as the story and plot just were not up to par.
January 29, 2025
Have really been enjoying the Bernard Samson trilogy. I believe I read these in college but can't be sure how many I have read. I was a huge Deighton fan back then (late 1980s and early 90's). Great characters and window into the Cold War from the British perspective.
November 28, 2025
I am at Mission Readiness Training Centre Bassingbourne (MRTC). I awake at 5:50 and my day is done by 17:00 (I eat at 17:15 in the boys cook house)
I am in an 8 man room with no mess facility.
So what?
I have read 8 spy books in the evening 🤣
I am in an 8 man room with no mess facility.
So what?
I have read 8 spy books in the evening 🤣
April 16, 2017
As typical, a well-written Bernard Samson story. As good as the Smiley novels by le Carre, perhaps better in a way, smoother story line.
June 7, 2012
Bernard Samson has his wife back. Fiona has returned from her years as a "defector" behind the Iron Curtain, and they're both back in London after being debriefed in California and given a chance to recover from the climactic events of Spy Sinker. But neither of them will be the same. Bernard's affair with Gloria, a coworker half his age, has to be addressed, and Fiona has to fit back in to the world of the top floor of the Service. Then there's the kids -- how will they deal with their mother's return after believing that for years she had defected to the Communists? Bernard too is busy trying to retrieve a Russian agent named Verdi who is anxious to come over to the West. But from the start, the operation does not go as planned…
I knew going in that this would not be able to reach the heights of Spy Sinker, which I loved, so that perhaps helped me enjoy it more than I might have. Bernard is in fine form here, with his always-apt descriptions and not shying away from his own weaknesses (at least when other people point them out). He's starting to feel his age, though; the young field agent he's partnered with on the initial operation judges him as "certainly not young," and his kids are now 14 and 12, no longer small enough to be given piggyback rides. He also has much narrower escapes than he would like from various enemies, making him think he's lost his touch. As a middle-aged spy Bernard is a realistic creation and an endearing one too. (Am I the only one who thinks it kind of adorable that he works for the Service just like his dad, and that he works with a lot of his father's old colleagues, some of whom keep an eye out for him because they promised his father that they would?)
The humour is also very much in evidence. I almost laughed out loud at Bernard's description of Bret's desk, which was compared to Bret's women: "ultra modern, with shiny legs, black drawers and see-through top." Much of Bernard's description has a wry edge, too. And I was quite amused by his son, Billy, wanting to be a curator at a gun museum. Or a car museum.
Overall I enjoyed this book, especially the fast-paced ending, and am looking forward to the next installment in the series.
I knew going in that this would not be able to reach the heights of Spy Sinker, which I loved, so that perhaps helped me enjoy it more than I might have. Bernard is in fine form here, with his always-apt descriptions and not shying away from his own weaknesses (at least when other people point them out). He's starting to feel his age, though; the young field agent he's partnered with on the initial operation judges him as "certainly not young," and his kids are now 14 and 12, no longer small enough to be given piggyback rides. He also has much narrower escapes than he would like from various enemies, making him think he's lost his touch. As a middle-aged spy Bernard is a realistic creation and an endearing one too. (Am I the only one who thinks it kind of adorable that he works for the Service just like his dad, and that he works with a lot of his father's old colleagues, some of whom keep an eye out for him because they promised his father that they would?)
The humour is also very much in evidence. I almost laughed out loud at Bernard's description of Bret's desk, which was compared to Bret's women: "ultra modern, with shiny legs, black drawers and see-through top." Much of Bernard's description has a wry edge, too. And I was quite amused by his son, Billy, wanting to be a curator at a gun museum. Or a car museum.
Overall I enjoyed this book, especially the fast-paced ending, and am looking forward to the next installment in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2014
The first book of the third Bernard Samson trilogy, in which London Central hatches a plan to enroll a KGB man (code name VERDI) who claims he can help them hack into the KGB’s computer network. And as usual, most of the major characters have their own agendas, and Samson has to deal with (and work around) all of them whilst at the same time cope with the upheavals that the events of the previous two books have wrought in both his professional and personal life. The espionage angle is fine, but it’s the latter aspect that drives much of the story, and Deighton handles it well, deftly avoiding the predictable melodrama I was expecting regarding the love triangle of Bernard, his wife Fiona and his girlfriend Gloria. On the downside, a few of the changes that happen between the previous trilogy and this one seem a little contrived, if not forced. Still, looking forward to the next installment.
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December 15, 2012Deighton is a master. I strongly recommend you to read the three trilogies and to read them in order. If possible, read Winter first. It's a long journey but it's worth every page, every sentence, every word.
November 21, 2008
Pretty good, but it's part of a long series, being volume one of the third Bernard Samson trilogy. Probably best for those committed to fully exploring the series.
December 13, 2011
Admirable continuation from Sinker, but also a set up (I hope) for Hope and Charity. Probably unintelligible if the previous novels have not been read.
November 27, 2018
I'm in the home stretch now: the final trilogy in Len Deighton's Bernard Samson enealogy. With most of the blanks about the treason drama filled in with Spy Sinker, Faith returns the perspective to Bernard Samson's first person and sees history repeat itself as he juggles a potentially phony defection, a wayward family member, a strained marriage and ever-present office politics.
Spoilers...
Faith is about the fallout of Fiona's return as felt by Bernard, both personally and professionally. At home, Bernard is stuck in a sort of mini Cold War with Fiona, as each is angry with the other but trying to mask their hurt with strained support. Meanwhile, Fiona's parents are keeping the kids with them, making things even more difficult for Bernard. Then there's Gloria, who is valiantly falling on her sword and stepping aside while Bernard tries to patch up his marriage. At first the choice seems simple for Bernard, but as he considers things, he comes to realize he still loves Gloria.
On the business front, Bernard is once again persona non grata with British Intelligence, getting the short end of the stick while his wife is promoted and offered every possible courtesy. Dicky Cruyer and, eventually, Bret Rensselaer, rise through the ranks once again while Bernard is overlooked and given more grunt work. What's more, Bernard finds his judgment may be compromised; he's seeing KGB spies when there are none, so paranoid is he after Fiona's betrayal.
Fiona is at the heart of the trouble in both aspects of Bernard's life. Perhaps more than even Spy Sinker, Faith really makes me hate Fiona. She threw her husband under the bus for her mission, wrecked his family, destroyed his career, and ensured he'd never trust hinself again, and she is completely unapologetic. She has the nerve to judge him for being with Gloria, acting like it was some sort of infidelity -- this coming from the woman who really was unfaithful; but, of course, that was really Bernard's fault too. (Brett Rensselaer acts the same way, and if I were Bernard I'd have choked the life out of him when he cast judgment on the relationship.) This time Bernard actually does defend himself, pointing out that Fiona's plot was contingent on him believing she was a real traitor and now she's mad at him because it worked. Fiona did a lot for her country and helped win the Cold War, but she's also despicable on a personal level and I hope Bernard eventually sees her for what she is and casts her aside for the woman he actually can trust.
George Kosinski makes a brief appearance too, but he plays an important part in the story. He's convinced Tessa was murdered and will stop at nothing to bring her killer to justice. The problem, as we know, is that the "good guys" at the top of British Intelligence had Tessa killed, and George is in danger if he tugs at this thread. Bernard tries to convince George to call off his investigation, but slowly he comes to realize maybe his brother-in-law is right. My favorite part of this storyline might be Werner Volkmann's role; he wasn't privy to everything that went down, but I get the feeling he's starting to suspect Tessa was murdered by the British and is making up for his betrayal of Bernard by putting him on the right track. (Werner is also, like Bernard, back with his miserable, unfaithful shrew of a wife at the expense of the woman who really loves him.)
And, once again, Bernard is embroiled in a Soviet defection plot by another KGB mirror image of himself. This time the defector promises a wealth of decoding information for MI6. Bernard enacts the plan to spirirt him away from East Berlin, it goes off without a hitch, but then the asset is killed while in a London safe house. The official story is that the Stasi eliminated him, but I think the British higher ups who arranged Tessa's murder are more likely suspects. Bernard warned Dicky that the safe house wasn't safe enough, and the asset had investigated Tessa's death before he left for the West. Are the DG and Silas Gaunt trying to protect themselves at the expense of the greater good? I wouldn't be surprised.
This makes the decision to kill off Thurkettle even more infurating, not to mention befuddling. With Bernard on the trail of Tessa's killer, he and Thurkettle would have been on a collision course had he not been so unceremoniously discarded a book ago. He's even name-dropped once or twice! Further, who would be better for the conspirators to have sent after the defector? It's kind of a drag seeing Bernard put on Thurkettle's tail while knowing it'll never come to anything.
Faith is still great, though. I hope Bernard finds out what really happened and is able to bring Tessa's killers to justice, and I'm looking forward to seeing if he's able to put his life back together again.
Spoilers...
Faith is about the fallout of Fiona's return as felt by Bernard, both personally and professionally. At home, Bernard is stuck in a sort of mini Cold War with Fiona, as each is angry with the other but trying to mask their hurt with strained support. Meanwhile, Fiona's parents are keeping the kids with them, making things even more difficult for Bernard. Then there's Gloria, who is valiantly falling on her sword and stepping aside while Bernard tries to patch up his marriage. At first the choice seems simple for Bernard, but as he considers things, he comes to realize he still loves Gloria.
On the business front, Bernard is once again persona non grata with British Intelligence, getting the short end of the stick while his wife is promoted and offered every possible courtesy. Dicky Cruyer and, eventually, Bret Rensselaer, rise through the ranks once again while Bernard is overlooked and given more grunt work. What's more, Bernard finds his judgment may be compromised; he's seeing KGB spies when there are none, so paranoid is he after Fiona's betrayal.
Fiona is at the heart of the trouble in both aspects of Bernard's life. Perhaps more than even Spy Sinker, Faith really makes me hate Fiona. She threw her husband under the bus for her mission, wrecked his family, destroyed his career, and ensured he'd never trust hinself again, and she is completely unapologetic. She has the nerve to judge him for being with Gloria, acting like it was some sort of infidelity -- this coming from the woman who really was unfaithful; but, of course, that was really Bernard's fault too. (Brett Rensselaer acts the same way, and if I were Bernard I'd have choked the life out of him when he cast judgment on the relationship.) This time Bernard actually does defend himself, pointing out that Fiona's plot was contingent on him believing she was a real traitor and now she's mad at him because it worked. Fiona did a lot for her country and helped win the Cold War, but she's also despicable on a personal level and I hope Bernard eventually sees her for what she is and casts her aside for the woman he actually can trust.
George Kosinski makes a brief appearance too, but he plays an important part in the story. He's convinced Tessa was murdered and will stop at nothing to bring her killer to justice. The problem, as we know, is that the "good guys" at the top of British Intelligence had Tessa killed, and George is in danger if he tugs at this thread. Bernard tries to convince George to call off his investigation, but slowly he comes to realize maybe his brother-in-law is right. My favorite part of this storyline might be Werner Volkmann's role; he wasn't privy to everything that went down, but I get the feeling he's starting to suspect Tessa was murdered by the British and is making up for his betrayal of Bernard by putting him on the right track. (Werner is also, like Bernard, back with his miserable, unfaithful shrew of a wife at the expense of the woman who really loves him.)
And, once again, Bernard is embroiled in a Soviet defection plot by another KGB mirror image of himself. This time the defector promises a wealth of decoding information for MI6. Bernard enacts the plan to spirirt him away from East Berlin, it goes off without a hitch, but then the asset is killed while in a London safe house. The official story is that the Stasi eliminated him, but I think the British higher ups who arranged Tessa's murder are more likely suspects. Bernard warned Dicky that the safe house wasn't safe enough, and the asset had investigated Tessa's death before he left for the West. Are the DG and Silas Gaunt trying to protect themselves at the expense of the greater good? I wouldn't be surprised.
This makes the decision to kill off Thurkettle even more infurating, not to mention befuddling. With Bernard on the trail of Tessa's killer, he and Thurkettle would have been on a collision course had he not been so unceremoniously discarded a book ago. He's even name-dropped once or twice! Further, who would be better for the conspirators to have sent after the defector? It's kind of a drag seeing Bernard put on Thurkettle's tail while knowing it'll never come to anything.
Faith is still great, though. I hope Bernard finds out what really happened and is able to bring Tessa's killers to justice, and I'm looking forward to seeing if he's able to put his life back together again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2021
Oh, thank goodness this book is over. For me, it was tedious, unfulfilling reading.
The author notes this book is a stand alone book, even though it is part of a series of books, and can “be read without reference to the other stories” (ix). However, there is so much going on, to have the background from the previous books would be most beneficial.
Even giving a book 2 stars, I can still find some little tidbits I want to save.
“This damned government have got no idea of what they are doing; they couldn’t run a fish and chips shop. I’m serious when I say that: they couldn’t run a fish and chips shop” (145). I have no faith or trust in our government, so…
“Suddenly I realized that they were so big that I would never again pick either of them up in my arms, throw Sally into the air or carry Billy pick-a-back and gallop upstairs with him. This realization gave me a pang, a deep and desperate feeling of loss” (148). Our youngest child is a Senior in high school this year. I grieve over the knowledge that I will never have another child dependent upon me and filling my home with playing and laughter. I miss my children being little. I miss a house full of children. My husband swears we will love being on our own, but I still feel sad…
“I hadn’t had a cigarette in over a month. But, sitting there with a cigarette in one hand and a lighter in the other, I found that in Europe it is not so easy to maintain such embargoes. Everyone smokes, and the air of every restaurant and cafe, every train compartment and every home, is hazy with tobacco smoke. I lit up and he placed the ashtray at my elbow” (198). My husband and I are going to Germany for three weeks next summer. He is worried about them not having his cigarettes. 🤪
The author notes this book is a stand alone book, even though it is part of a series of books, and can “be read without reference to the other stories” (ix). However, there is so much going on, to have the background from the previous books would be most beneficial.
Even giving a book 2 stars, I can still find some little tidbits I want to save.
“This damned government have got no idea of what they are doing; they couldn’t run a fish and chips shop. I’m serious when I say that: they couldn’t run a fish and chips shop” (145). I have no faith or trust in our government, so…
“Suddenly I realized that they were so big that I would never again pick either of them up in my arms, throw Sally into the air or carry Billy pick-a-back and gallop upstairs with him. This realization gave me a pang, a deep and desperate feeling of loss” (148). Our youngest child is a Senior in high school this year. I grieve over the knowledge that I will never have another child dependent upon me and filling my home with playing and laughter. I miss my children being little. I miss a house full of children. My husband swears we will love being on our own, but I still feel sad…
“I hadn’t had a cigarette in over a month. But, sitting there with a cigarette in one hand and a lighter in the other, I found that in Europe it is not so easy to maintain such embargoes. Everyone smokes, and the air of every restaurant and cafe, every train compartment and every home, is hazy with tobacco smoke. I lit up and he placed the ashtray at my elbow” (198). My husband and I are going to Germany for three weeks next summer. He is worried about them not having his cigarettes. 🤪
December 14, 2025
Bernard Samson is back, and so is his wife Fiona, and all is well...or is it? Indeed, it is not, as his bosses in British Intelligence once again need him to extract a supposed defector to the West, and the mystery of his sister-in-law's death lingers over Fiona and her family. And it all comes to a head when a force from Bernard's past comes back to London to help lead efforts at extraction of information.
"Faith" is the seventh novel of the Samson series, and a crackerjack return to form after the good-but-not-great "Spy Sinker." We're back with Bernard again, a son of Berlin and England respectively, as he goes back to work and runs into some old problems as well as a few new ones. Chief among them is the operation to extract an agent codenamed "Verdi," a Soviet official in East Germany who has something of value. An initial attempt goes wrong, and Bernard is unsure what might be achieved if he makes another effort, but his hands are tied by his bosses, including a returning Bret Rensselaer, who arrives on the scene after a long absence.
Also on Bernard's plate is his wife Fiona. Traumatized by her time behind the Iron Curtain, she struggles to reconnect with her children and her husband. And she's not too keen on Gloria, the woman who became Bernard's partner during her absence. It's a tense time, and not helped by Bernard's old pal Werner Volkmann taking up again with his devious ex-wife Zena. Bernard is faced on multiple fronts with uncertainty; he has to have faith that somehow, someway, he'll survive.
I really enjoyed "Faith," it's a great return to the Bernard Samson saga and I think it's given me hope that the next two books ("Hope" and "Charity") will live up to what has come before.
"Faith" is the seventh novel of the Samson series, and a crackerjack return to form after the good-but-not-great "Spy Sinker." We're back with Bernard again, a son of Berlin and England respectively, as he goes back to work and runs into some old problems as well as a few new ones. Chief among them is the operation to extract an agent codenamed "Verdi," a Soviet official in East Germany who has something of value. An initial attempt goes wrong, and Bernard is unsure what might be achieved if he makes another effort, but his hands are tied by his bosses, including a returning Bret Rensselaer, who arrives on the scene after a long absence.
Also on Bernard's plate is his wife Fiona. Traumatized by her time behind the Iron Curtain, she struggles to reconnect with her children and her husband. And she's not too keen on Gloria, the woman who became Bernard's partner during her absence. It's a tense time, and not helped by Bernard's old pal Werner Volkmann taking up again with his devious ex-wife Zena. Bernard is faced on multiple fronts with uncertainty; he has to have faith that somehow, someway, he'll survive.
I really enjoyed "Faith," it's a great return to the Bernard Samson saga and I think it's given me hope that the next two books ("Hope" and "Charity") will live up to what has come before.
February 26, 2018
„Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Wiara, która otwiera trzecią trylogię serialu z Bernardem Samsonem, ma różne konotacje. Jest nadal rok 1987. Nie wszyscy w londyńskiej Centrali wierzą, że berliński mur lada moment może upaść. Nie ma też zgody co do tego, czy Berlin rzeczywiście powinien być najważniejszym, kluczowym kierunkiem działań wywiadu, czy zbliżenie z luterańskim wschodnioniemieckim Kościołem, kiedy Fiona Samson działała tam jako podwójny agent, ma istotne znaczenie dla osłabienia reżimu, jak wreszcie reagować na ofertę człowieka o kryptonimie VERDI, który chce Brytyjczykom udostępnić ważne dokumenty Stasi. Bernard chciałby, ale nie bardzo wierzy, że jego rodzinne życie się ustabilizuje. Fiona z kolei, nie dosyć że zazdrosna o Glorię, za wszelką cenę pragnie rozwiązać zagadkę śmierci siostry, Tessy Kosinski. Tymczasem jej mąż coraz trudniej znosi relacje ze swoim przełożonym, Dickym Cruyerem.
Akcji jak na powieść szpiegowską jest niewiele, a ich opis, jak zwykle u Deightona, pozbawiony jest jakiegokolwiek efekciarstwa. Bernard Samson powraca do swej roli pierwszoosobowego narratora, co dzięki jego zmysłowi obserwacji, umiejętnościom analizy i oceny sytuacji oraz ciętemu językowi gwarantuje ciekawą lekturę. Szczególnie interesujące są sylwetki bohaterów, także tych drugo- i trzecioplanowych, których Bernard-narrator podsumowuje nie tylko pod kątem ich kompetencji i przydatności, także, na ogół złośliwie, charakteryzuje ich cechy zewnętrzne i przywary. Jednak atmosfera niepewności, żeby nie powiedzieć chaosu, potęgowanego wpadkami wywiadu lub co najmniej kontrowersyjnymi decyzjami jego szefów, sprawia przygnębiające wrażenie. Do tego stopnia, że chwilami chciałoby się powiedzieć: po co to wszystko.
Wiara, która otwiera trzecią trylogię serialu z Bernardem Samsonem, ma różne konotacje. Jest nadal rok 1987. Nie wszyscy w londyńskiej Centrali wierzą, że berliński mur lada moment może upaść. Nie ma też zgody co do tego, czy Berlin rzeczywiście powinien być najważniejszym, kluczowym kierunkiem działań wywiadu, czy zbliżenie z luterańskim wschodnioniemieckim Kościołem, kiedy Fiona Samson działała tam jako podwójny agent, ma istotne znaczenie dla osłabienia reżimu, jak wreszcie reagować na ofertę człowieka o kryptonimie VERDI, który chce Brytyjczykom udostępnić ważne dokumenty Stasi. Bernard chciałby, ale nie bardzo wierzy, że jego rodzinne życie się ustabilizuje. Fiona z kolei, nie dosyć że zazdrosna o Glorię, za wszelką cenę pragnie rozwiązać zagadkę śmierci siostry, Tessy Kosinski. Tymczasem jej mąż coraz trudniej znosi relacje ze swoim przełożonym, Dickym Cruyerem.
Akcji jak na powieść szpiegowską jest niewiele, a ich opis, jak zwykle u Deightona, pozbawiony jest jakiegokolwiek efekciarstwa. Bernard Samson powraca do swej roli pierwszoosobowego narratora, co dzięki jego zmysłowi obserwacji, umiejętnościom analizy i oceny sytuacji oraz ciętemu językowi gwarantuje ciekawą lekturę. Szczególnie interesujące są sylwetki bohaterów, także tych drugo- i trzecioplanowych, których Bernard-narrator podsumowuje nie tylko pod kątem ich kompetencji i przydatności, także, na ogół złośliwie, charakteryzuje ich cechy zewnętrzne i przywary. Jednak atmosfera niepewności, żeby nie powiedzieć chaosu, potęgowanego wpadkami wywiadu lub co najmniej kontrowersyjnymi decyzjami jego szefów, sprawia przygnębiające wrażenie. Do tego stopnia, że chwilami chciałoby się powiedzieć: po co to wszystko.
May 17, 2019
Counting "Winter" which is a prequel of sorts to the three trilogies that make up the Samson series, "Faith" is the seventh I have read. I continue to enjoy them very much, admiring Deighton's writing style, his plotting and his complex characters.
I'm afraid that if I were to try to explain the plot it would be 1) a bit of a spoiler, and 2) be too complicated at this point. So suffice to say that the intrigue surrounding experienced and fiercely independent field agent for British Intelligence, who does most of his work in the Berlin Germany area, his wife Fiona (also in the secret service - anything more I'd say would compromise her heh heh), Bernard's good friend Werner Folkmann (also frequent collaborator in Bernard's assignments), the senior management at London Central and others builds and builds, taking exciting and often unexpected twists and turns.
"Faith" doesn't seem to me to be a stand-alone novel, especially its ending, which keeps the reader in total suspense. My advice, if you enjoy good espionage literature - too many hacks out there for my taste) read the first novel in the series (meaning the first book of the first trilogy, "Berlin Game". if you get hooked, continue in order, placing "Winter" after you've finished the first trilogy, perhaps.
On the other hand, if you don't like the first one you're not likely to enjoy the others, so quite whilst you're only a tad behind.
I'm afraid that if I were to try to explain the plot it would be 1) a bit of a spoiler, and 2) be too complicated at this point. So suffice to say that the intrigue surrounding experienced and fiercely independent field agent for British Intelligence, who does most of his work in the Berlin Germany area, his wife Fiona (also in the secret service - anything more I'd say would compromise her heh heh), Bernard's good friend Werner Folkmann (also frequent collaborator in Bernard's assignments), the senior management at London Central and others builds and builds, taking exciting and often unexpected twists and turns.
"Faith" doesn't seem to me to be a stand-alone novel, especially its ending, which keeps the reader in total suspense. My advice, if you enjoy good espionage literature - too many hacks out there for my taste) read the first novel in the series (meaning the first book of the first trilogy, "Berlin Game". if you get hooked, continue in order, placing "Winter" after you've finished the first trilogy, perhaps.
On the other hand, if you don't like the first one you're not likely to enjoy the others, so quite whilst you're only a tad behind.
September 1, 2024
We are back in Bernards head, first person style, and Bernard and Fiona are at Bret's California retreat after the brutal exchange on the Berlin autobahn.
Meanwhile bumbling Dicky Cryer seems to have been pursuing a new operation which involves 'Verdi' a well placed east German stasi official with direct access to newly digitised records.
Bernard and Werner are given the job of bringing him out.
Bernard makes an attempt with a rookie operative travelling to Magdeburg deep in east Germany for a rendezvous with Verdi. In a very tense passage we discover an apparently murdered Verdi and then a chase and showdown when Bernard gets to show his grit.
We learn later on that Fiona, and her father and Tessa's widow, George, have been galvanised to find out what happened to Tessa. They employ former spy Timmerman to do some gumshoeing.
Eventually Bernard and Werner get Verdi out but are denied their preferred safe location and end up in a compromised safe house in Notting Hill, where Verdi is killed by a sniper. Before he died he reveals to them that Tessa is still alive and held in isolation awaiting a political decision.
At the office inquest presided over by Bret Bernard and Werner agree not to share this revelation...
Meanwhile bumbling Dicky Cryer seems to have been pursuing a new operation which involves 'Verdi' a well placed east German stasi official with direct access to newly digitised records.
Bernard and Werner are given the job of bringing him out.
Bernard makes an attempt with a rookie operative travelling to Magdeburg deep in east Germany for a rendezvous with Verdi. In a very tense passage we discover an apparently murdered Verdi and then a chase and showdown when Bernard gets to show his grit.
We learn later on that Fiona, and her father and Tessa's widow, George, have been galvanised to find out what happened to Tessa. They employ former spy Timmerman to do some gumshoeing.
Eventually Bernard and Werner get Verdi out but are denied their preferred safe location and end up in a compromised safe house in Notting Hill, where Verdi is killed by a sniper. Before he died he reveals to them that Tessa is still alive and held in isolation awaiting a political decision.
At the office inquest presided over by Bret Bernard and Werner agree not to share this revelation...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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June 6, 2022I read and re-read the entire triple trilogy again and again - getting more out of it each time. Bernard Sampson is blood and flesh to me - I care about each time he gets roughed up and faces danger. His constant questioning of his identity - Is he British or German? He would have a tough time answering that one. Betrayal and loyalty, judged by friends and foes alike. All happy to lecture, advise and point him in the direction that suits them. 'Berndt' treads his own path, makes his own decisions and his own mistakes.
His heroic deeds are tempered by a keen sense of self-preservation that has saved him over and over. Ask him to trust you and he will come up with his own back-up plan.
The only thing that trips Bernard up time after time - his blind spot and his folly?
Women!
Poor fella is caught in the middle of family, office politics. East and west Berlin, the Stazi and the Kremlin.
His heroic deeds are tempered by a keen sense of self-preservation that has saved him over and over. Ask him to trust you and he will come up with his own back-up plan.
The only thing that trips Bernard up time after time - his blind spot and his folly?
Women!
Poor fella is caught in the middle of family, office politics. East and west Berlin, the Stazi and the Kremlin.
July 16, 2024
Bernard Samson is back with a bang. He and his wife Fiona have returned from debriefing in California and are back working at MI6's London HQ. He is living with Fiona but yearning for Gloria. His despicable father-in-law has adopted Bernard's children and seems to go out of his way to make it hard for Bernard to see them. Bernard's best friend, Werner, is persona non grata with MI6 and is hiding in Zurich. And the shallow, public school Oxbridge educated Dicky Cruyer, the expert in office politics and blame avoidance, continues to grow his empire. In the middle of all this, Bernard is tasked with managing the defection of a KGB trained hood who claims to have access to the Stasi's new computer.
Fiona is determined to find out what happened to her sister as is Tessa's husband George, the latter taking the dubious step of hiring people to go to East Germany and find out.
As ever, Len Deighton writes a well paced story with fantastic characterisation.
Fiona is determined to find out what happened to her sister as is Tessa's husband George, the latter taking the dubious step of hiring people to go to East Germany and find out.
As ever, Len Deighton writes a well paced story with fantastic characterisation.
September 13, 2017
I have been very much enjoying the Mick Herron "spook" series about Slough House and the Slow Horses. On the cover of one of the books someone comments something like: "Herron's books fill a void left when Len Deighton retired...". So I thought that perhaps I should take at a look at a sample of Deighton's spook world. I chose this one more or less at random not realizing that it was the seventh of nine books in the Samson series.
I enjoyed the writing (not as much as I like Herron's — especially his sense of humor —but I did like it...) and — I think — mostly understood the twisty political motivations. The plot seemed a bit thin, but I suspect that was because I was missing six books worth of backstory. And we were left with much unresolved and hanging for the next book. I have checked out BERLIN GAME, the first in the series and will give it a go.
I enjoyed the writing (not as much as I like Herron's — especially his sense of humor —but I did like it...) and — I think — mostly understood the twisty political motivations. The plot seemed a bit thin, but I suspect that was because I was missing six books worth of backstory. And we were left with much unresolved and hanging for the next book. I have checked out BERLIN GAME, the first in the series and will give it a go.
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