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Kate Henderson #3
Triple Cross
From the ITV News at Ten Anchor'Bradby has the talent of a reporter but the heart of a storyteller' Daily Mail___________________________Attempting to rebuild her shattered life in the South of France, former MI6 operative Kate Henderson receives an unexpected and most unwelcome visit from an old the UK Prime Minister. He has an extraordinary story to tell - and he needs her help.A Russian agent has come forward with news that the PM has been the victim of the greatest misinformation play in the history of MI6. It's run out of a special KGB unit that exists for one purpose to process the intelligence from 'Agent Dante', a mole right at the heart of MI6 in London.Against her better judgement, Kate is forced back into the fray in a top-secret, deeply flawed and dangerous investigation. But now she's damaged goods. Her one-time allies no longer trust her. And neither do her enemies.With the stakes this high, can the truth ever come out? Or is the cost of uncovering it a price that no one, least of all Kate, can afford to pay?With a bonus extract of Tom Bradby's latest book, Yesterday's Spy___________________________Praise for the Tom 'Cracking' Financial Times'A gripping thriller' Sunday Times'An all-too-plausible premise' Observer'Enthralling and fast-moving' Daily Mail'Teems with twists ... imaginative and unexpected' The Times
361 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 7, 2021
187 people are currently reading
454 people want to read
About the author
Tom Bradby
18 books292 followersTom Bradby is a British journalist and novelist. He has been political editor for ITV News since July 2005.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
April 10, 2021
The final book in the Kate Henderson trilogy, is another cracking read, and as spy thrillers go, it’s right up there.
Having left MI6, Kate Henderson has relocated to the South of France with her family, but we all know she’s not going to spend the rest of her days, pottering in the garden, and when the British Prime Minister makes contact, asking for her help, to prove he’s not a Russian agent, (as has been alleged), she’s drawn firmly back into the highly dangerous world of espionage.
Kate is playing a very dangerous and unpredictable game - pretty much piggy in the middle, between the British and the Russians, striving to discover the identity of a mole at the heart of British Intelligence. Is it the Prime Minister, or someone else entirely?
This is another great read from accomplished author Tom Bradby. Well written and well researched, the storyline was complex but gripping, with excellent use of smoke and mirrors, and I have to say, the concluding chapter left me breathless, with its non stop action - as for the mole - I guessed correctly, despite the red herrings, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
*I was invited to read Triple Cross by the publisher, and have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
Having left MI6, Kate Henderson has relocated to the South of France with her family, but we all know she’s not going to spend the rest of her days, pottering in the garden, and when the British Prime Minister makes contact, asking for her help, to prove he’s not a Russian agent, (as has been alleged), she’s drawn firmly back into the highly dangerous world of espionage.
Kate is playing a very dangerous and unpredictable game - pretty much piggy in the middle, between the British and the Russians, striving to discover the identity of a mole at the heart of British Intelligence. Is it the Prime Minister, or someone else entirely?
This is another great read from accomplished author Tom Bradby. Well written and well researched, the storyline was complex but gripping, with excellent use of smoke and mirrors, and I have to say, the concluding chapter left me breathless, with its non stop action - as for the mole - I guessed correctly, despite the red herrings, but I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
*I was invited to read Triple Cross by the publisher, and have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *
May 11, 2021
Book 3 in the Trilogy, the first 2 being ‘Secret Service’ and ‘Double Agent’ and I would say it’s best to read them in order, you could start with this one but you would be missing out on the first 2 that lead to this dramatic and explosive ending
Tom Bradby is an awesome story teller, with his obvious knowledge and research all things ‘spy’ become accessible to us and he tells a incluisve, easy to read yet thorough and immersive story
I love everything about the books, the double and treble crossing, the suspicions, the planning and the execution of operations, the travel and descriptions of the places, the dodgy diplomacy and most of all the characters, I believe in Kate and her family and associates and all the goodies and baddies she encounters, I invested in her and it so paid off
I genuinely did not want this book to end and even more so the series but the way it ended was satisfying after a sharp shock and WOW moment
It’s such a complex world the author writes about and so it could be heavy and pompous and unreachable for readers but its the opposite
I love this authors books and love this series and really look forward to his next book
10/10
5 big Stars
Tom Bradby is an awesome story teller, with his obvious knowledge and research all things ‘spy’ become accessible to us and he tells a incluisve, easy to read yet thorough and immersive story
I love everything about the books, the double and treble crossing, the suspicions, the planning and the execution of operations, the travel and descriptions of the places, the dodgy diplomacy and most of all the characters, I believe in Kate and her family and associates and all the goodies and baddies she encounters, I invested in her and it so paid off
I genuinely did not want this book to end and even more so the series but the way it ended was satisfying after a sharp shock and WOW moment
It’s such a complex world the author writes about and so it could be heavy and pompous and unreachable for readers but its the opposite
I love this authors books and love this series and really look forward to his next book
10/10
5 big Stars
June 24, 2021
Attempting to rebuild her shattered life in the South of France, former MI6 operative Kate Henderson receives an unexpected and most unwelcome visit from an old adversary: the UK Prime Minister. He has an extraordinary story to tell - and he needs her help.
This is the third book in the series about Kate Henderson, an MI6 operative. The series have been improving book by book and this is by far the best in the series. Kate Henderson is such a strong and interesting character. The story is a smart plotted spy thriller that relies heavily on the events in the previous two books, so I recommend starting from the beginning. I truly hope there will be more books in this series and there's a strong hint in the end that Kate's story will continue.
I highly recommend this book and thanks to the author, Grove/Atlantic and Edelweiss for this advanced copy.
This is the third book in the series about Kate Henderson, an MI6 operative. The series have been improving book by book and this is by far the best in the series. Kate Henderson is such a strong and interesting character. The story is a smart plotted spy thriller that relies heavily on the events in the previous two books, so I recommend starting from the beginning. I truly hope there will be more books in this series and there's a strong hint in the end that Kate's story will continue.
I highly recommend this book and thanks to the author, Grove/Atlantic and Edelweiss for this advanced copy.
April 25, 2021
Wow, absolutely loved the third instalment to this series. A brilliant British political espionage spy thriller that does not disappoint. Loads of twists and turns and had to keep reading this in to the early hours.
Kate, having now left MI6, gets coerced back on a special mission to clear the Prime Minister's name and help prove that he's not a Russian agent. So many things go on in this book it's very action packed and a thrill to read.
You really must read the series in order for full enjoyment and to fully understand the back history and all the all the characters, but well worth the read
I'll definitely be on the lookout for anything by Tom Bradby in the future
Thank you so much to Netgalley, and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for the opportunity to review this book. I only hope the author, Tom Bradby, writes more like this. Thoroughly enjoyable series.
Kate, having now left MI6, gets coerced back on a special mission to clear the Prime Minister's name and help prove that he's not a Russian agent. So many things go on in this book it's very action packed and a thrill to read.
You really must read the series in order for full enjoyment and to fully understand the back history and all the all the characters, but well worth the read
I'll definitely be on the lookout for anything by Tom Bradby in the future
Thank you so much to Netgalley, and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for the opportunity to review this book. I only hope the author, Tom Bradby, writes more like this. Thoroughly enjoyable series.
June 13, 2021
An ideal summer read.
Kate Henderson returns. Life after retirement?
Kate is a modern woman and also a brilliant, resourceful, “kick-ass” spy. You don’t need to have read the previous two books in this collection where she demonstrated her spy-craft and unique abilities to take up her story here.
What a great read. Such a pleasure to read a strong female lead in this often male dominated genre. Not that she’s a female Jason Bourne in a figure hugging stab vest or a girlie Harry Palmer with a better choice of designer specs.
Kate Henderson is a fully envisioned character, driven, brave and loyal at the heart of Britain’s secret service.
In this third instalment the story remains much as before. Kate has been sidelined and pensioned off as her standing has been compromised by a failed assignment, the death of agents and losing the diplomatic kudos to the Russians. Her position has not been helped by an adulterous husband who has been giving secrets to the Russians. Her resolve to leave also came about for personal reasons after her children were abducted and threatened with death if she didn’t comply with their wishes and end her investigation.
When the PM approaches her with a special assignment outside the powers and influence of the secret service she is conflicted but believes she can redeem the situation. The damaged PM needs his name to be finally exonerated and who better than by his biggest critic who was /(is) Kate.
Time for a refreshment of the plots of books 1 and 2.
Pulling together these narratives without appearing to retell the stories or divulge new information Bradby brings his readers up to speed with an clear resumé of past events. You quickly see how many loose ends remain despite the range and depth of these first two captivating novels.
These are spy novels we traditionally love to read. Fast-paced, contemporary and bringing an immediate and constant threat of danger to the principle characters.
Kate is a wonderful protagonist to take this journey with as the books unfold. We agonise over her problematic parent, her unresolved relationship with the father of her kids and see the dangers for her returning to this secret and manipulative world where others may be looking to set her up as a scapegoat.
Her investigation to clear the PM’s name and find the mole in MI6 is not welcome by everyone and with the truth remaining elusive, time running out and no convincing proof she shows signs of great stress. She is forced to take increasing risks to reveal Russia’s malevolent influence.
Warning. If you pack this book as your Summer read to enjoy on the plane (Ha!) or by the pool (Ha! Ha!) even on our staycation getaways-Beware!!
It reads quickly and is all consuming. It has a will of its own that does not allow itself to be put down and ignored even if it has stopped raining. Should you take all three books in this series they will only last a few days, a week at most.
This is a cracking spy thriller. Mr Tom Brady reads the news so well but in my opinion his writing elevates him to that of ‘classic spy author’.
What is perhaps most pertinent in all the thrills, action and misadventures of Kate that assail her is that they have a ring of truth - like news headlines Tom has yet to read.
When fact and fiction seem to fuse together you have a sure fire hit.
Kate Henderson returns. Life after retirement?
Kate is a modern woman and also a brilliant, resourceful, “kick-ass” spy. You don’t need to have read the previous two books in this collection where she demonstrated her spy-craft and unique abilities to take up her story here.
What a great read. Such a pleasure to read a strong female lead in this often male dominated genre. Not that she’s a female Jason Bourne in a figure hugging stab vest or a girlie Harry Palmer with a better choice of designer specs.
Kate Henderson is a fully envisioned character, driven, brave and loyal at the heart of Britain’s secret service.
In this third instalment the story remains much as before. Kate has been sidelined and pensioned off as her standing has been compromised by a failed assignment, the death of agents and losing the diplomatic kudos to the Russians. Her position has not been helped by an adulterous husband who has been giving secrets to the Russians. Her resolve to leave also came about for personal reasons after her children were abducted and threatened with death if she didn’t comply with their wishes and end her investigation.
When the PM approaches her with a special assignment outside the powers and influence of the secret service she is conflicted but believes she can redeem the situation. The damaged PM needs his name to be finally exonerated and who better than by his biggest critic who was /(is) Kate.
Time for a refreshment of the plots of books 1 and 2.
Pulling together these narratives without appearing to retell the stories or divulge new information Bradby brings his readers up to speed with an clear resumé of past events. You quickly see how many loose ends remain despite the range and depth of these first two captivating novels.
These are spy novels we traditionally love to read. Fast-paced, contemporary and bringing an immediate and constant threat of danger to the principle characters.
Kate is a wonderful protagonist to take this journey with as the books unfold. We agonise over her problematic parent, her unresolved relationship with the father of her kids and see the dangers for her returning to this secret and manipulative world where others may be looking to set her up as a scapegoat.
Her investigation to clear the PM’s name and find the mole in MI6 is not welcome by everyone and with the truth remaining elusive, time running out and no convincing proof she shows signs of great stress. She is forced to take increasing risks to reveal Russia’s malevolent influence.
Warning. If you pack this book as your Summer read to enjoy on the plane (Ha!) or by the pool (Ha! Ha!) even on our staycation getaways-Beware!!
It reads quickly and is all consuming. It has a will of its own that does not allow itself to be put down and ignored even if it has stopped raining. Should you take all three books in this series they will only last a few days, a week at most.
This is a cracking spy thriller. Mr Tom Brady reads the news so well but in my opinion his writing elevates him to that of ‘classic spy author’.
What is perhaps most pertinent in all the thrills, action and misadventures of Kate that assail her is that they have a ring of truth - like news headlines Tom has yet to read.
When fact and fiction seem to fuse together you have a sure fire hit.
June 19, 2021
The third and final book in the author’s current spy series.
The recurring theme is that the British Prime Minister might be a Russian spy and that there may be a high level mole in the U.K. intelligence service.
Our main character is an interesting one, a married, middle aged female. Smart and ambitious, but by the time we get to this book she has left the Intelligence Service after her last mission went horribly wrong. At the personal request of the Prime Minister she is brought back in to try and clear his name.
So Kate once again enters the murky world of Intelligence and the games within games. Finding the mole becomes a priority and a quest that could cost her everything, including the family she lives…
The author writes his characters well, especially Kate Henderson, and also gets the politics and relationships. But I was underwhelmed by this, I was pretty sure who the mole was by half way through the book (I think you would be too) and that kind of spoiled the book for me. Just needed this to be a bit cleverer to reward the effort of reading the trilogy.
The recurring theme is that the British Prime Minister might be a Russian spy and that there may be a high level mole in the U.K. intelligence service.
Our main character is an interesting one, a married, middle aged female. Smart and ambitious, but by the time we get to this book she has left the Intelligence Service after her last mission went horribly wrong. At the personal request of the Prime Minister she is brought back in to try and clear his name.
So Kate once again enters the murky world of Intelligence and the games within games. Finding the mole becomes a priority and a quest that could cost her everything, including the family she lives…
The author writes his characters well, especially Kate Henderson, and also gets the politics and relationships. But I was underwhelmed by this, I was pretty sure who the mole was by half way through the book (I think you would be too) and that kind of spoiled the book for me. Just needed this to be a bit cleverer to reward the effort of reading the trilogy.
May 3, 2021
I loved the first two books in this trilogy of spy thrillers, featuring Kate Henderson (M16 operative) and her family. In this conclusion, the loose ends are tied. Regrettably, I didn't enjoy this novel as much as the preceding two. Much of the energy has gone and the plotting seemed inevitable, as did the denouement. The big reveal is, I think, disappointing and raises more questions about the preceding novels than it answers. I also found the characters dislikable this time, especially Kate, whose attitude towards her ailing mother turned me cold (I do realise I'm especially sensitive to this). Her relationship to her whole family is rather odd. I listened to the audiobook read by Juliet Aubrey, a fine actress, but who seems to struggle with this.
February 26, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up to 5
A wonderful ending to this trilogy. There were plenty of twists and turns and it kept me guessing throughout the story.
A wonderful ending to this trilogy. There were plenty of twists and turns and it kept me guessing throughout the story.
July 27, 2023
Triple Cross is the last book in a trilogy about British Secret Intelligence Service agent Kate Henderson. I haven’t read the first two (Secret Service & Double Agent) - it came to me from Book Club, and while I generally hate reading series out of order, I didn’t want to have to buy them when I haven’t tried the author before. Other reviews suggested it could work as a stand-alone, and I tend to agree - you get enough backstory to understand the characters and what’s going on; if anything, it sounds like this is the weakest of the three, so may have been more of a disappointment if I had read the previous books first. As it was, I enjoyed it as a tense spy thriller but felt the reveal and ending were weak and too obvious. Note this review will contain spoilers for the previous books.
Kate has left the service in disgrace after discovering that her husband Stuart was a Russian mole. Attempting a reconciliation for the sake of her teenage children, she is brought back into the espionage world for one last mission by a Prime Minister desperate to prove his innocence and restore his reputation - uncover the mastermind hiding within the service who is behind the whole conspiracy to undermine him.
I started off quite liking Kate as a character, but her increasing hypocrisy and recklessness towards other people in pursuit of her goal put me off. The book is well paced and the central mystery - who is Dante? - kept me reading, but then it turned out to be the person I suspected all along, for reasons that made little sense - there really weren’t enough other suspects. I didn’t understand Kate’s loyalty to or faith in the PM, perhaps this would’ve made more sense if I had read the earlier books. While it seems that this is supposed to be a trilogy, the ending does leave things open for more adventures and it would be better if certain arcs were more definitively wrapped up. 3.5 rounded down - I’d certainly consider reading this author again.
Kate has left the service in disgrace after discovering that her husband Stuart was a Russian mole. Attempting a reconciliation for the sake of her teenage children, she is brought back into the espionage world for one last mission by a Prime Minister desperate to prove his innocence and restore his reputation - uncover the mastermind hiding within the service who is behind the whole conspiracy to undermine him.
I started off quite liking Kate as a character, but her increasing hypocrisy and recklessness towards other people in pursuit of her goal put me off. The book is well paced and the central mystery - who is Dante? - kept me reading, but then it turned out to be the person I suspected all along, for reasons that made little sense - there really weren’t enough other suspects. I didn’t understand Kate’s loyalty to or faith in the PM, perhaps this would’ve made more sense if I had read the earlier books. While it seems that this is supposed to be a trilogy, the ending does leave things open for more adventures and it would be better if certain arcs were more definitively wrapped up. 3.5 rounded down - I’d certainly consider reading this author again.
March 11, 2021
Triple Cross, like its two predecessors, is a decent spy thriller but I do have my reservations. I would suggest that you read Secret Service and Double Agent before this one as there is a lot of back story and it will make far better sense.
Having left MI6 ignominiously, Kate Henderson is dragged back into spying to try to identify a mole at the heart of British Intelligence and to prove whether or not the Prime Minister is a Russian agent. This involves a lot of soul searching and examination of her priorities, along with some active espionage work in London, Prague and Moscow and it’s pretty well done in general. There are some good action sequences and a comprehensible plot, so it makes a decent read much of the time.
Tom Bradby writes pretty well and the cliché count is considerably reduced in this instalment, I’m glad to say. I did find some of the travelogue aspects very drawn out (OK, Tom, I get it – you’ve been to Prague and done your research!) and there are a couple of wholly gratuitous sex scenes which I could have done without. I also found that the considerable time devoted to Kate’s personal life became rather tedious, partly because I don’t find Bradby’s characters – including Kate – entirely convincing. I had also suspected the Shocking Denouement for some time before it was revealed.
Nonetheless, this is a very acceptable holiday read and I have rounded 3.5 stars up to 4 because 3 would be churlish and a little unfair.
Having left MI6 ignominiously, Kate Henderson is dragged back into spying to try to identify a mole at the heart of British Intelligence and to prove whether or not the Prime Minister is a Russian agent. This involves a lot of soul searching and examination of her priorities, along with some active espionage work in London, Prague and Moscow and it’s pretty well done in general. There are some good action sequences and a comprehensible plot, so it makes a decent read much of the time.
Tom Bradby writes pretty well and the cliché count is considerably reduced in this instalment, I’m glad to say. I did find some of the travelogue aspects very drawn out (OK, Tom, I get it – you’ve been to Prague and done your research!) and there are a couple of wholly gratuitous sex scenes which I could have done without. I also found that the considerable time devoted to Kate’s personal life became rather tedious, partly because I don’t find Bradby’s characters – including Kate – entirely convincing. I had also suspected the Shocking Denouement for some time before it was revealed.
Nonetheless, this is a very acceptable holiday read and I have rounded 3.5 stars up to 4 because 3 would be churlish and a little unfair.
May 13, 2021
Having not read the previous books, I took a gamble as usually you can pick up the story in subsequent books, this one was similar and I could work out the previous stories. I did enjoy the audio, the narrator was very good and had a very rich self assured voice that was easy to listen to. I did guess the protagonist early on in the story, but it didn't detract from the tangled web of lies. I was a bit disappointed in the usual politicians misdemeanours. All in all a reasonably solid audiobook
May 18, 2021
The first two books in Tom Bradby’s terrific trilogy about MI6 agent Kate Henderson, Double Agent and Secret Service, were among my favourite spy reads of the past few years. The third entry in the series, Triple Cross, is just as good and powers the trilogy to a thrilling conclusion.
Triple Cross opens with Kate retired from MI6 and trying to rebuild her shattered life, following the events in Double Agent, in the South of France. The pleasure of time with her family, however, is shattered by the arrival of the British Prime Minister and a request to re-enter the fray to determine once and for all, whether there is really a Russian mole, known as ‘Agent Dante’, at the heart of British Intelligence. Kate reluctantly accepts the task, for good reasons related to the earlier books, and finds herself commencing a dangerous investigation, which no one wants to succeed.
This is an exquisitely plotted spy thriller that relies heavily on the events in the previous two books. It is difficult to go into more detail about the plot of Triple Cross without ruining the many surprises in Secret Service and Double Agent for those who have not read them. Suffice to say that it follows up on the various revelations and betrayals in the earlier books in a credible way and sets the reader down an exciting new path.
Triple Cross is probably a more considered spy novel than its predecessors and there is a lot of to-ing and fro-ing about the mole’s identity and whether there is even a mole. The book, however, steadily builds in suspense, with some well-written and suspenseful set-pieces, and a terrific chase climax, which is as exciting as anything I have read in recent years. The final revelation of the truth behind ‘Agent Dante’ is well worked out and reasonably surprising, although there are clues in the final stages.
As with the earlier books, Bradby excels in his portrayal of the interplay of personal and professional relationships in the secret service, reminding me of Len Deighton’s Bernard Samson novels. The details of the investigation are well handled and convincing, and the characters are carefully wrought and interesting. Bradby’s depiction of Kate’s deteriorating emotional state and her questioning of her earlier conclusions is particularly well done and powerful.
Finally, the contemporary geopolitical detail and the locations also rings true. Bradby has a fine journalist’s eye for the telling detail, and he paints simple, but evocative, descriptions of the various locales from the South of France to London to Prague to the Russian/Georgian border. He gives his book a good patina of credibility and it is easy to sit back and enjoy it.
In all, Triple Cross is a very good spy novel, with a powerful conclusion.
Triple Cross opens with Kate retired from MI6 and trying to rebuild her shattered life, following the events in Double Agent, in the South of France. The pleasure of time with her family, however, is shattered by the arrival of the British Prime Minister and a request to re-enter the fray to determine once and for all, whether there is really a Russian mole, known as ‘Agent Dante’, at the heart of British Intelligence. Kate reluctantly accepts the task, for good reasons related to the earlier books, and finds herself commencing a dangerous investigation, which no one wants to succeed.
This is an exquisitely plotted spy thriller that relies heavily on the events in the previous two books. It is difficult to go into more detail about the plot of Triple Cross without ruining the many surprises in Secret Service and Double Agent for those who have not read them. Suffice to say that it follows up on the various revelations and betrayals in the earlier books in a credible way and sets the reader down an exciting new path.
Triple Cross is probably a more considered spy novel than its predecessors and there is a lot of to-ing and fro-ing about the mole’s identity and whether there is even a mole. The book, however, steadily builds in suspense, with some well-written and suspenseful set-pieces, and a terrific chase climax, which is as exciting as anything I have read in recent years. The final revelation of the truth behind ‘Agent Dante’ is well worked out and reasonably surprising, although there are clues in the final stages.
As with the earlier books, Bradby excels in his portrayal of the interplay of personal and professional relationships in the secret service, reminding me of Len Deighton’s Bernard Samson novels. The details of the investigation are well handled and convincing, and the characters are carefully wrought and interesting. Bradby’s depiction of Kate’s deteriorating emotional state and her questioning of her earlier conclusions is particularly well done and powerful.
Finally, the contemporary geopolitical detail and the locations also rings true. Bradby has a fine journalist’s eye for the telling detail, and he paints simple, but evocative, descriptions of the various locales from the South of France to London to Prague to the Russian/Georgian border. He gives his book a good patina of credibility and it is easy to sit back and enjoy it.
In all, Triple Cross is a very good spy novel, with a powerful conclusion.
March 29, 2021
Another blockbuster from Tom Bradby that completes the Kate Henderson trilogy and what a breathtaking read this is as Kate is dragged back into the world of espionage that she thought she had left for good when she resigned from the SIS and relocated her family to France to live the quiet life. Or so she hoped. Until the UK Prime Minister turns up on her doorstep with the story that he had been set up by a preposterous Russian allegation about his alleged corruption. That he was agent Danté, a top level spy in MI6. He coerces Kate to prove his innocence and uses the future welfare of her husband Stuart (a convicted traitor) to enrol her help. The race is on to identify the spy amongst the highest ranks of the British secret service. And the final reveal took me completely by surprise...
A cracking read as Kate puts herself in harm's way and risks everything to protect her family.
Brilliant, Tom. A most satisfying conclusion.
A cracking read as Kate puts herself in harm's way and risks everything to protect her family.
Brilliant, Tom. A most satisfying conclusion.
July 28, 2021
After her breakdown Kate Henderson no longer works for SIS and is contemplating her future prospects when she is called up by the Prime Minister to identify a double agent who has been in place for several decades and who has manipulated recent events. The shortlist is Kate's ex-boss, her mentor and even Kate herself. The hunt for the double agent takes Kate from London to Prague and finally to Moscow but the answer is much closer to home.
Bradby writes very accessible and relatively straightforward espionage thrillers which are entertaining without being to complex. Here the story picks up from the end of the last book and the plot is suitably interesting with a few topical slants (paedophile billionaires with private islands etc). The identity of 'Dante' was easy to guess, I had it barely half-way through the book but the lead-up is fun.
Bradby writes very accessible and relatively straightforward espionage thrillers which are entertaining without being to complex. Here the story picks up from the end of the last book and the plot is suitably interesting with a few topical slants (paedophile billionaires with private islands etc). The identity of 'Dante' was easy to guess, I had it barely half-way through the book but the lead-up is fun.
January 20, 2023
I was less thrilled with this one than the previous two, possibly because I read them too close together and familiarity with an author's MO breeds... eye-rolling?
In order to inject the thrillz, Bradby tends to have Kate put herself (and her family, unfortunately) in harm's way. Only her 'ambition' is offered in justification for this, which makes me like her less.
Am I being sexist here? Would this be perfectly acceptable in a male protagonist? I mean, we're meant to identify with her because she supposedly has more heart than... some man in the same situation.
But, aside from all this, it's really an awful lot like the kids in a slasher movie insisting on exploring the creepy abandoned house in the middle of the night.
And I felt the ending was both rushed and unsatisfying, because it left too many loose ends unaccounted for.
However, please do read this book anyway, because it really is quite good in spite of all the above criticisms
In order to inject the thrillz, Bradby tends to have Kate put herself (and her family, unfortunately) in harm's way. Only her 'ambition' is offered in justification for this, which makes me like her less.
Am I being sexist here? Would this be perfectly acceptable in a male protagonist? I mean, we're meant to identify with her because she supposedly has more heart than... some man in the same situation.
But, aside from all this, it's really an awful lot like the kids in a slasher movie insisting on exploring the creepy abandoned house in the middle of the night.
And I felt the ending was both rushed and unsatisfying, because it left too many loose ends unaccounted for.
However, please do read this book anyway, because it really is quite good in spite of all the above criticisms
May 6, 2021
3rd book in this exciting series. You really need to read the first 2 to relate to the main characters and storyline. The Prime Minister is on the ropes unless Kate Henderson can find the mole in MI6. There is many twists and turns and a exciting ride than leads to the heart of Russia. This story has the legs to reach the finish line in style.
I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was given an arc of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 2, 2022
The 3rd and final book in the Kate Henderson series. If you have not read the others I would strongly recommend reading the other 2 before this.
I enjoyed the first 2 and this was okay, but I just found this one a bit predictable (I guessed who Dante was fairly early on) and not enough was really happening throughout. Considering the book was a spy thriller, it just seemed to plod along so just an average 3 for me.
I enjoyed the first 2 and this was okay, but I just found this one a bit predictable (I guessed who Dante was fairly early on) and not enough was really happening throughout. Considering the book was a spy thriller, it just seemed to plod along so just an average 3 for me.
November 14, 2023
3.75 stars
May 14, 2023
Tom Bradby writes a really good spy thriller.
March 6, 2021
Well I can't say I was expecting a 3rd book by Tom Bradby but OMG what an absolute cracker it is! I won't spoil it by saying too much about the plot other than it had me hooked from the off right until the very last chapter with all its twists and turns.
As this is the 3rd book, I really do feel that to get the most out of it you need to have read the other 2 books but you could attempt to read this as a standalone.
As this is the 3rd book, I really do feel that to get the most out of it you need to have read the other 2 books but you could attempt to read this as a standalone.
September 25, 2021
5 *
This is the third book from Tom Bradby's trilogy featuring Kate Henderson, an operative MI6 agent specialist of Russia. The first two were "Secret service " and "Double agent". Triple cross is, in my point of view, the best one.
In this episode, Agent Kate has demonstrated all her talent to lead a difficult investigation and to resolve the enigma of who was Dante, a traitor and russian agent operating for years in the heart of English government.The first suspect is the Prime Minister himself and Kate agreed again to conduct the investigation to unmask the culprit. She has also tidied up her private life and got closer to her children.
Tom Bradby shows in this book all his talent as a storyteller. He gave us a story full of suspense and twists. He also showed his mastery of current global geopolitical and strategic issues in the world.
I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend it.
Read: September, 2021
Source: NetGalley and the Publisher - Grove Atlantic, Atlantic Monthly Press
This is the third book from Tom Bradby's trilogy featuring Kate Henderson, an operative MI6 agent specialist of Russia. The first two were "Secret service " and "Double agent". Triple cross is, in my point of view, the best one.
In this episode, Agent Kate has demonstrated all her talent to lead a difficult investigation and to resolve the enigma of who was Dante, a traitor and russian agent operating for years in the heart of English government.The first suspect is the Prime Minister himself and Kate agreed again to conduct the investigation to unmask the culprit. She has also tidied up her private life and got closer to her children.
Tom Bradby shows in this book all his talent as a storyteller. He gave us a story full of suspense and twists. He also showed his mastery of current global geopolitical and strategic issues in the world.
I enjoyed reading this book and I recommend it.
Read: September, 2021
Source: NetGalley and the Publisher - Grove Atlantic, Atlantic Monthly Press
August 25, 2021
The whole trilogy is superbly rounded off by this novel. The pace ebbs & flows to set the correct narrative. I worked out Dante after a while but the motive was a real curve ball.
June 8, 2025
This review is for the whole series, not just the last book. These books were a struggle.
The actual premise was good and I enjoyed all the operational elements and clandestine activities of an MI6 agent and her team. The sense of doubt the author built up about the validity of the information they were collecting was excellent, and believable in this day and age. The first two books had pretty decent endings but with enough questions to make me curious enough to keep reading for the answers.
There were however a few too many negatives throughout. Firstly with the central plot, the idea that Kate wouldn’t question the validity of her initial intelligence is laughable and completely undermines the foundation of her character being ‘one of our best MI6 officers’. If she’d been any good at her job, and listened to her boss, the whole series could have ended after a couple of chapters. In fact her incompetence and arrogance directly resulted in the deaths of several characters throughout the series. It could be argued that she was the bad guy in this series as she caused more damage than any other character.
Secondly, the twist at the end was obvious but still didn’t really make sense. If you go back to the first book, I just don’t see how they could have known what Dante needed to know, or done what Dante needed to do in order for the story to make sense.
Thirdly, there was just a lack of jeopardy. Yeah, cool having a Russian agent at a senior level of MI6 or government is clearly bad, but there was no part of the story that amplified that and made the main character’s efforts feel urgent enough to be truly hooked into the narrative. They touched on it a bit in the second book where the PM was a bit relaxed about a potential Russian invasion of one of their neighbouring countries (can’t remember which) but by the end it really didn’t feel like it mattered if he was a Russian agent or not. And it didn’t feel like it mattered whether agent Dante existed or not either. I feel the book could have benefited with an additional storyline to run along side the main story to complement it. ‘Wouldn’t that have made the story too long?’ You ask… well that leads me to my final point.
There was far too much of the book dedicated to Kate’s personal life. Chapter after chapter of our mentally ill and blatantly alcoholic main character hanging out at home or at her aunt’s house. Shagging her husband, shagging an old friend, shagging a team mate, struggling to sleep, struggling to parent, struggling to be discreet about her most sensitive ongoing operation (her teenage daughter’s boyfriend knew she was a spy, wtf!). All that content served to do was a) bore the reader, and b) undermine Kate’s credibility as a Jane Bond style character.
As often happens when I write a review and reflect on a book, I realise just how stupid it was and reduce the original rating I gave it. Two stars for the series from me, it was a nice idea but poorly executed.
The actual premise was good and I enjoyed all the operational elements and clandestine activities of an MI6 agent and her team. The sense of doubt the author built up about the validity of the information they were collecting was excellent, and believable in this day and age. The first two books had pretty decent endings but with enough questions to make me curious enough to keep reading for the answers.
There were however a few too many negatives throughout. Firstly with the central plot, the idea that Kate wouldn’t question the validity of her initial intelligence is laughable and completely undermines the foundation of her character being ‘one of our best MI6 officers’. If she’d been any good at her job, and listened to her boss, the whole series could have ended after a couple of chapters. In fact her incompetence and arrogance directly resulted in the deaths of several characters throughout the series. It could be argued that she was the bad guy in this series as she caused more damage than any other character.
Secondly, the twist at the end was obvious but still didn’t really make sense. If you go back to the first book, I just don’t see how they could have known what Dante needed to know, or done what Dante needed to do in order for the story to make sense.
Thirdly, there was just a lack of jeopardy. Yeah, cool having a Russian agent at a senior level of MI6 or government is clearly bad, but there was no part of the story that amplified that and made the main character’s efforts feel urgent enough to be truly hooked into the narrative. They touched on it a bit in the second book where the PM was a bit relaxed about a potential Russian invasion of one of their neighbouring countries (can’t remember which) but by the end it really didn’t feel like it mattered if he was a Russian agent or not. And it didn’t feel like it mattered whether agent Dante existed or not either. I feel the book could have benefited with an additional storyline to run along side the main story to complement it. ‘Wouldn’t that have made the story too long?’ You ask… well that leads me to my final point.
There was far too much of the book dedicated to Kate’s personal life. Chapter after chapter of our mentally ill and blatantly alcoholic main character hanging out at home or at her aunt’s house. Shagging her husband, shagging an old friend, shagging a team mate, struggling to sleep, struggling to parent, struggling to be discreet about her most sensitive ongoing operation (her teenage daughter’s boyfriend knew she was a spy, wtf!). All that content served to do was a) bore the reader, and b) undermine Kate’s credibility as a Jane Bond style character.
As often happens when I write a review and reflect on a book, I realise just how stupid it was and reduce the original rating I gave it. Two stars for the series from me, it was a nice idea but poorly executed.
May 25, 2021
Lots of loose ends tied up.
This is the last in the trilogy featuring the life and work of Kate Henderson. It is thoroughly recommended that anyone should read the first two before tackling this thriller as it is a continuation of “Secret Service” and “Double Agent” and therefore could not be described as a stand-alone novel.
Kate has left her role at MI6 under somewhat of a cloud and is trying to rebuild her life in France where she is living with her two children, with whom she needs to reconnect. Everything she had in life has been turned upside down including losing her husband from whom she is now separated. Therefore, the last thing she wants is for the British Prime Minister to turn up unannounced on her doorstep. His reputation is at stake, largely due to Kate’s investigations in the previous novel in the series and he has come with an unbelievable story which he asks her to investigate. If true, it will clear his name and hopefully uncover a mole (Dante) who allegedly holds a senior position in the echelons of MI6. Against her better judgement and with a lot of bribery and arm-twisting, Kate accepts the challenges and leaves her children to work with her old team on an independent investigation sanctioned by the PM himself.
Maybe it is the benefit of having read the first two novels but in “Triple Cross” the characters seemed more fleshed out and 3D. The action runs smoothly from one chapter to the next at a varied pace which adds tension to the plot. The plot itself is easier to follow than the previous books in the series and seems to follow a more logical sequence. Again, this may well be due to the familiarity with the characters and their backgrounds.
On the downside, it could be argued that some of the scene-setting and descriptions were over-long, but it all added flavour and gave the reader an opportunity to draw breath. The ending was tense whilst not being over-dramatic and it was also totally logical and well planned. Many of the loose ends were tied up satisfactorily and “Triple Cross” is, therefore, a worthy conclusion to an interesting trilogy that is a worthwhile read.
mr zorg
Elite Reviewing group received a copy of the book to review.
This is the last in the trilogy featuring the life and work of Kate Henderson. It is thoroughly recommended that anyone should read the first two before tackling this thriller as it is a continuation of “Secret Service” and “Double Agent” and therefore could not be described as a stand-alone novel.
Kate has left her role at MI6 under somewhat of a cloud and is trying to rebuild her life in France where she is living with her two children, with whom she needs to reconnect. Everything she had in life has been turned upside down including losing her husband from whom she is now separated. Therefore, the last thing she wants is for the British Prime Minister to turn up unannounced on her doorstep. His reputation is at stake, largely due to Kate’s investigations in the previous novel in the series and he has come with an unbelievable story which he asks her to investigate. If true, it will clear his name and hopefully uncover a mole (Dante) who allegedly holds a senior position in the echelons of MI6. Against her better judgement and with a lot of bribery and arm-twisting, Kate accepts the challenges and leaves her children to work with her old team on an independent investigation sanctioned by the PM himself.
Maybe it is the benefit of having read the first two novels but in “Triple Cross” the characters seemed more fleshed out and 3D. The action runs smoothly from one chapter to the next at a varied pace which adds tension to the plot. The plot itself is easier to follow than the previous books in the series and seems to follow a more logical sequence. Again, this may well be due to the familiarity with the characters and their backgrounds.
On the downside, it could be argued that some of the scene-setting and descriptions were over-long, but it all added flavour and gave the reader an opportunity to draw breath. The ending was tense whilst not being over-dramatic and it was also totally logical and well planned. Many of the loose ends were tied up satisfactorily and “Triple Cross” is, therefore, a worthy conclusion to an interesting trilogy that is a worthwhile read.
mr zorg
Elite Reviewing group received a copy of the book to review.
May 7, 2021
‘What do you think I should do?’
Kate Henderson has left MI6 and is attempting to rebuild her life in the south of France with her children, Fiona, and Gus, who are hoping to see her reunite with their father Stuart. A visit from the British Prime Minister changes her plans.
A Russian agent has come forward with news that the Prime Minister has been set up, that there is a special KGB unit with a single purpose. This unit exists to process intelligence provided by ‘Agent Dante’. And the information that Agent Dante provides clearly has come from senior levels within MI6. If it isn’t the Prime Minister, who is it?
The Prime Minister wants her help (again) to prove that he is not a Russian agent. Kate wants to say no, but he makes her an offer that she cannot refuse.
Once again, Kate is drawn back into the high stakes, dangerous world of espionage. There is a Russian agent at the heart of British Intelligence, and there are a couple of possibilities. It could be the Prime Minister, it could be the current head of MI6 or his predecessor, or is it someone else? Kate has both limited time and limited resources to try to find the agent. The Prime Minister’s position is under threat, as are the lives of those who try to help Kate.
Another fine novel from Mr Bradby, with more than enough red herrings to keep the reader busy. While it is possible to make sense of this novel as a standalone, I recommend reading the three books of the series in order, for the character development and the action.
I finished the novel, took a deep breath, and wondered: is this really the end?
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Transworld Publishers for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Kate Henderson has left MI6 and is attempting to rebuild her life in the south of France with her children, Fiona, and Gus, who are hoping to see her reunite with their father Stuart. A visit from the British Prime Minister changes her plans.
A Russian agent has come forward with news that the Prime Minister has been set up, that there is a special KGB unit with a single purpose. This unit exists to process intelligence provided by ‘Agent Dante’. And the information that Agent Dante provides clearly has come from senior levels within MI6. If it isn’t the Prime Minister, who is it?
The Prime Minister wants her help (again) to prove that he is not a Russian agent. Kate wants to say no, but he makes her an offer that she cannot refuse.
Once again, Kate is drawn back into the high stakes, dangerous world of espionage. There is a Russian agent at the heart of British Intelligence, and there are a couple of possibilities. It could be the Prime Minister, it could be the current head of MI6 or his predecessor, or is it someone else? Kate has both limited time and limited resources to try to find the agent. The Prime Minister’s position is under threat, as are the lives of those who try to help Kate.
Another fine novel from Mr Bradby, with more than enough red herrings to keep the reader busy. While it is possible to make sense of this novel as a standalone, I recommend reading the three books of the series in order, for the character development and the action.
I finished the novel, took a deep breath, and wondered: is this really the end?
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Transworld Publishers for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
May 22, 2021
This is the third of a trilogy of suspenseful spy stories about a Russian mole embedded at the highest level in the British SIS. There has been speculation that the current British prime minister James Ryan is the mole, although there are other candidates. In this finale to the trilogy, Kate Henderson, a former SIS senior executive is tasked by Ryan to finally unmask the traitor in order to clear the PM. Her reward would be permission for her estranged husband Stuart to return to the UK. He was previously uncovered as a Russian spy and exiled to Moscow without ready access to his children. Kate is driven to agree to help the PM for their children's sake.
The story begins in the south of France where Kate and the children are having a clandestine meeting with Stuart. Then it really gets underway in Istanbul, and moves on to London, Prague and finally Moscow. There's a spectacular denouement to the story as Kate and Stuart race to the Russian border crossing to escape capture. After that, there's the shocking and devastating revelation of the mole's identity. It's a pitch perfect ending.
There's plenty of strong women characters supported by several weak men. Kate is the strongest of all, which makes the revelation of the mole's identity all the more poignant. There's a strong hint that Kate's story will continue.
I agree with the author that this book can be read as a standalone without too much difficulty. However, the previous two books in the trilogy are excellent reads and should not be missed. Tom Bradby is a talented and skillful storyteller.
Grove Atlantic the publisher gave me a complementary advance reading copy of the eBook via Netgalley for my independent review. The comments about it are my own.
The story begins in the south of France where Kate and the children are having a clandestine meeting with Stuart. Then it really gets underway in Istanbul, and moves on to London, Prague and finally Moscow. There's a spectacular denouement to the story as Kate and Stuart race to the Russian border crossing to escape capture. After that, there's the shocking and devastating revelation of the mole's identity. It's a pitch perfect ending.
There's plenty of strong women characters supported by several weak men. Kate is the strongest of all, which makes the revelation of the mole's identity all the more poignant. There's a strong hint that Kate's story will continue.
I agree with the author that this book can be read as a standalone without too much difficulty. However, the previous two books in the trilogy are excellent reads and should not be missed. Tom Bradby is a talented and skillful storyteller.
Grove Atlantic the publisher gave me a complementary advance reading copy of the eBook via Netgalley for my independent review. The comments about it are my own.
May 15, 2021
My thanks to Random House U.K./Transworld Publishers and Penguin Random House U.K. Audio for an eARC and unabridged audiobook edition via NetGalley of ‘Triple Cross’ by Tom Bradby in exchange for an honest review. The audiobook is narrated by Juliet Aubrey and has a running time of 10 hours, 19 minutes at 1x speed.
This is the final book in Bradby’s trilogy of spy thrillers featuring MI6 operative Kate Henderson. While some background details are provided, this is a trilogy with a storyline that runs through all three books. As a result I won’t give plot details in order to avoid spoilers for those who have not read the others yet.
As I wrote previously these books are closer to George Smiley’s world to that of James Bond. There is still plenty of action along with the kind of twists and revelations that are integral to well written espionage fiction.
I have enjoyed this trilogy very much. It is tightly plotted with Kate Henderson continuing to be a strong lead. All three novels have been five-star reads for me.
With respect to the audiobook, Juliet Aubrey is an established British actor of theatre, film and television. While she has only narrated a select number of titles, she has been the narrator for all of the Kate Henderson trilogy. Her voice is crystal clear and a pleasure to listen to.
‘Triple Cross’ was an excellent finale, bringing together all outstanding plot threads. I certainly will be seeking out Tom Bradby’s other titles and will keep a lookout for his future projects.
This is the final book in Bradby’s trilogy of spy thrillers featuring MI6 operative Kate Henderson. While some background details are provided, this is a trilogy with a storyline that runs through all three books. As a result I won’t give plot details in order to avoid spoilers for those who have not read the others yet.
As I wrote previously these books are closer to George Smiley’s world to that of James Bond. There is still plenty of action along with the kind of twists and revelations that are integral to well written espionage fiction.
I have enjoyed this trilogy very much. It is tightly plotted with Kate Henderson continuing to be a strong lead. All three novels have been five-star reads for me.
With respect to the audiobook, Juliet Aubrey is an established British actor of theatre, film and television. While she has only narrated a select number of titles, she has been the narrator for all of the Kate Henderson trilogy. Her voice is crystal clear and a pleasure to listen to.
‘Triple Cross’ was an excellent finale, bringing together all outstanding plot threads. I certainly will be seeking out Tom Bradby’s other titles and will keep a lookout for his future projects.
September 6, 2021
I don't think it would be possible to fully appreciate this novel and the complexity of the betrayal that will finally be revealed without having read the earlier installments so those who enjoy well done complicated tales should pick up the first one first and then the second and then finally this. Kate Henderson is just starting to get her life back track when she finds herself sucked into another investigation of Russian espionage at the highest levels of the UK government at the request of the PM. Who is Dante, the penetration of SIS who has been pulling strings for Moscow within the UK? The perfidy of this individual stretches back years. Kate and her team of Julie and Callum, along with the estimable Grove in spots, find themselves digging deep in the archives and revisiting old SIS operations. And then they launch their own ops. I've liked this series for the realistic view of both espionage and counterespionage. I can't overemphasize how much I appreciate that they run surveillance detection routes and the meticulous planning that goes into agent meetings (which is why I was shocked that Kate used her personal cell phone in Istanbul to contact her kids-no just no). There is a bit of repetition In spots but that's useful. And, Bradby's inserted a topical problem for the PM to face this time. This runs at a headlong pace near the end and I find it hard to level a final judgement on certain things without spoilers. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. This is a terrific read.
May 13, 2021
Kate back for her third adventure with Julie and some of her old colleagues and nemesis, she thought she was free from the agency but the Prime Minister is in trouble so as close as begging as a PM gets Kate finds herself busy again. If you've not read any of the others no problem you can read it as a standalone but if your looking for a holiday read get them all I promise you won't be disappointed. Well there is a lot of politicians involved and my promises are more reliable than most of them,. Obviously if your a politician reading this then you are one whose word is reliable I'm sure, and I think you'll love this as well.
The plot is to find the mole or is it a rat the twist will leave you guessing all the way through and the suspension is there all the way through as well. Its hard to put down like the others have been but I think this ones the best or is it that I've just read it whatever the answer it was a fantastic read.
So I've given this 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'s because it ticks the boxes gripping don't want to put it down and happy to miss a meal to read the next bit, the characters are great and it's hard to predict i did guess but the plot kept me doubtful that I had it right but not till i was well in to the book before it crossed my mind to any level. I felt yes but I often thought I was wrong so the question kept coming, think you get what I mean, or I hope you do. So yes I recommend this and hope you enjoy it as much as I did
The plot is to find the mole or is it a rat the twist will leave you guessing all the way through and the suspension is there all the way through as well. Its hard to put down like the others have been but I think this ones the best or is it that I've just read it whatever the answer it was a fantastic read.
So I've given this 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'s because it ticks the boxes gripping don't want to put it down and happy to miss a meal to read the next bit, the characters are great and it's hard to predict i did guess but the plot kept me doubtful that I had it right but not till i was well in to the book before it crossed my mind to any level. I felt yes but I often thought I was wrong so the question kept coming, think you get what I mean, or I hope you do. So yes I recommend this and hope you enjoy it as much as I did
September 30, 2021
I read this at one go, on a cross-Atlantic flight, and what a great ending to a fantastic trilogy.
Kate Henderson is out of MI6, this time for good, after the events of the past two books that have severely damaged her and shattered her family. She is trying to rebuild what she can, but the past has a funny way of creeping into the present. The UK Prime Minister has found out that the accusations of espionage against him (from the first two stories) were all the work of a Russian mole in MI6, only known as "Agent Dante". He needs an outsider who has no interest in clearing him to come in and discover who this mole is, and Kate is his best opportunity to do that. Although she refuses, a little bit of good old fashioned blackmail does the trick - her ex-husband (and Russian spy) will be banned from traveling to the West if she doesn't cooperate.
Trying to preserve what little progress has been made with her family, off Kate goes. Everything seems to be falling into place for her, pushing her in certain directions, a little too neatly. Is she being set up to reach a false conclusion? Is she being set up to take the fall as a Russian mole? Can she play the Russians into letting her husband go? Kate has a lot of masters, a lot of information, and she's playing several dangerous games at once, as she tries to close this chapter once and for all.
A dynamite ending to a very smart trilogy.
Kate Henderson is out of MI6, this time for good, after the events of the past two books that have severely damaged her and shattered her family. She is trying to rebuild what she can, but the past has a funny way of creeping into the present. The UK Prime Minister has found out that the accusations of espionage against him (from the first two stories) were all the work of a Russian mole in MI6, only known as "Agent Dante". He needs an outsider who has no interest in clearing him to come in and discover who this mole is, and Kate is his best opportunity to do that. Although she refuses, a little bit of good old fashioned blackmail does the trick - her ex-husband (and Russian spy) will be banned from traveling to the West if she doesn't cooperate.
Trying to preserve what little progress has been made with her family, off Kate goes. Everything seems to be falling into place for her, pushing her in certain directions, a little too neatly. Is she being set up to reach a false conclusion? Is she being set up to take the fall as a Russian mole? Can she play the Russians into letting her husband go? Kate has a lot of masters, a lot of information, and she's playing several dangerous games at once, as she tries to close this chapter once and for all.
A dynamite ending to a very smart trilogy.
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