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Richard Knox #2
A Loyal Traitor
Duty or honour. Which would you betray?
It's 1966. London is swinging, and the Cold War is spiralling.
Clear cut lines have faded to grey areas. Whispers of conspiracies are everywhere. Spies on both sides of the iron curtain are running in circles, chasing constant plots and counterplots. And MI5 agent Richard Knox is tired of all of it.
But when Abey Bennett, his CIA comrade in arms, appears in London with a ghost from Knox's past and a terrifying warning that could change the balance of power in the Cold War for good, he has to fight to save the future.
It's 1966. London is swinging, and the Cold War is spiralling.
Clear cut lines have faded to grey areas. Whispers of conspiracies are everywhere. Spies on both sides of the iron curtain are running in circles, chasing constant plots and counterplots. And MI5 agent Richard Knox is tired of all of it.
But when Abey Bennett, his CIA comrade in arms, appears in London with a ghost from Knox's past and a terrifying warning that could change the balance of power in the Cold War for good, he has to fight to save the future.
312 pages, Hardcover
Published February 10, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 30, 2022
Tim Glister returns with this superb espionage thriller, a sequel to Red Corona, featuring MI5 agent Richard Knox, feeling numb and disengaged with the tasks assigned to him by the MI5 Director-General James Holland as he returns from Canada. It's 1966, the dangerous Cold War era of paranoia and conspiracies, the Vietnam War is still raging, there is strong anti-communist fervour in the US, and the Soviets are looking to tip the balance of power in their favour by plotting and engaging in an audacious exercise in deception. Rhodesia under Ian Smith has declared its independence, leaving the UK unhappy. In the Caribbean the US military and CIA are involved in underhand black ops and torture, physical and psychological, actions which have CIA agent Abey Bennett questioning her trust and belief in them.
When Bennett turns up in London and meets Knox, she is accompanied by a ghost from his past, Jack Williams, a close friend and agent he had believed to have been dead for 7 years, leaving him with an enduring and inescapable sense of guilt. Where had Jack been and what on earth had happened to him? The man is psychologically damaged, with obvious signs of extreme torture evident on his body, volatile and fragile, claiming there is a threat but unable to remember details, his mind an utterly fragmented mess. When Knox learns of the CIA's mistreatment of him, a rift develops between him and Bennett. There is nothing Knox will not do to help Jack and help him heal, facts that will result in divided loyalties. There are assassins, abductions, secret KGB divisions, plots, machinations and rivalries, hidden submarines, and a summit in the UK with the USSR's Aleksei Kosygin that have MI5 worried.
Glister writes a complex and multilayered action packed 1960s espionage story, a story that he lays out piece by piece, like a jigsaw puzzle, where it takes some time to work out how it all fits and connects. Whilst this is a thrilling tale of espionage of its era, it is simultaneously a story of loyalty to country and towards friends and the consequences when the two meet head on, what happens then? We see this with Knox, and at the same time, his friend, Bennett, needs to resolve what she needs to do when she doesn't agree with the direction of her CIA bosses and the orders she is given. This is an outstanding read and sequel, so well written and plotted that I could see it making a wonderful movie. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
When Bennett turns up in London and meets Knox, she is accompanied by a ghost from his past, Jack Williams, a close friend and agent he had believed to have been dead for 7 years, leaving him with an enduring and inescapable sense of guilt. Where had Jack been and what on earth had happened to him? The man is psychologically damaged, with obvious signs of extreme torture evident on his body, volatile and fragile, claiming there is a threat but unable to remember details, his mind an utterly fragmented mess. When Knox learns of the CIA's mistreatment of him, a rift develops between him and Bennett. There is nothing Knox will not do to help Jack and help him heal, facts that will result in divided loyalties. There are assassins, abductions, secret KGB divisions, plots, machinations and rivalries, hidden submarines, and a summit in the UK with the USSR's Aleksei Kosygin that have MI5 worried.
Glister writes a complex and multilayered action packed 1960s espionage story, a story that he lays out piece by piece, like a jigsaw puzzle, where it takes some time to work out how it all fits and connects. Whilst this is a thrilling tale of espionage of its era, it is simultaneously a story of loyalty to country and towards friends and the consequences when the two meet head on, what happens then? We see this with Knox, and at the same time, his friend, Bennett, needs to resolve what she needs to do when she doesn't agree with the direction of her CIA bosses and the orders she is given. This is an outstanding read and sequel, so well written and plotted that I could see it making a wonderful movie. Highly recommended. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
January 17, 2022
This is the follow up to Red Corona, in which MI5 agent Richard Knox is reunited with his CIA colleague Abey Bennett who arrives in London bringing with her a friend from his past who he believed was dead.
The action moves from a prisoner exchange in Haiti to Moscow where an assassin murders an entire family.
As Knox tries to prevent the Soviets from gaining the upper hand in the Cold War, the story unfolds against the backdrop of hawks and doves battling for power in the USSR and USA.
The author Tim Glister effortlessly captures the mood of the 1960's following the crisis of Rhodesia's
Unilateral Declaration of Independence and America's escalation of the war in Vietnam. Once again Glister melds fact with fiction to provide a gripping spy thriller.
The action moves from a prisoner exchange in Haiti to Moscow where an assassin murders an entire family.
As Knox tries to prevent the Soviets from gaining the upper hand in the Cold War, the story unfolds against the backdrop of hawks and doves battling for power in the USSR and USA.
The author Tim Glister effortlessly captures the mood of the 1960's following the crisis of Rhodesia's
Unilateral Declaration of Independence and America's escalation of the war in Vietnam. Once again Glister melds fact with fiction to provide a gripping spy thriller.
January 11, 2022
The plotting is intricate, there are several separate strands running in the early chapters which at first appear to be unconnected. Then around the halfway point the jigsaw pieces start to fit together and the reader starts to make sense of it all, although the endgame is not what it first appears to be. The reward for the reader sticking with it is tale of plots, counter plots, internal politicking and ultimately loyalty.
Real people are referred to but only to set the historical context rather than a full insertion into the storyline. Some of the brutal psychological torture practices of the time are included, such as the MKULTRA experimentation, as the superpowers battled to get an advantage, but without going into great detail.
The 1960s setting allows for a certain aesthetic style throughout which hasn’t been overplayed by too many contemporary cultural references. This is an era when the hero wears suits or roll neck sweaters, when smoking is still ‘cool’, the classic Jaguar is a must and it was still possible to drive around London with some purpose.
The writing is straightforward and pared back in the third person in the style of modern thrillers, rather than the dense prose of some espionage works. The pacing is quite breezy, it’s not a long novel and there is a lot of incident so it cannot get bogged down. The killings are dealt with dispassionately, after all these are professional killers, and the action scenes skilfully handled.
The characters are well drawn and don’t fall into the trap of being too stereotypical. The characterisations take the form of the interpersonal relationships, between Knox and Williams and Knox and Bennett. Knox cannot decide in whom to place his trust, his mentor Holland, his friend and colleague Williams or the dispassionate CIA agent Bennett. In the end the question that Knox faces becomes one of loyalty between colleagues or to one’s country the sort of choice we cannot be sure of our answer until we are placed in that predicament.
A Loyal Traitor is a tremendous espionage thriller with a nice balance of action and intrigue which cuts its own furrow and asks difficult questions.
I would like to thank Net Galley, the author and the publisher for allowing me access to a pdf review copy in exchange for a fair review.
Real people are referred to but only to set the historical context rather than a full insertion into the storyline. Some of the brutal psychological torture practices of the time are included, such as the MKULTRA experimentation, as the superpowers battled to get an advantage, but without going into great detail.
The 1960s setting allows for a certain aesthetic style throughout which hasn’t been overplayed by too many contemporary cultural references. This is an era when the hero wears suits or roll neck sweaters, when smoking is still ‘cool’, the classic Jaguar is a must and it was still possible to drive around London with some purpose.
The writing is straightforward and pared back in the third person in the style of modern thrillers, rather than the dense prose of some espionage works. The pacing is quite breezy, it’s not a long novel and there is a lot of incident so it cannot get bogged down. The killings are dealt with dispassionately, after all these are professional killers, and the action scenes skilfully handled.
The characters are well drawn and don’t fall into the trap of being too stereotypical. The characterisations take the form of the interpersonal relationships, between Knox and Williams and Knox and Bennett. Knox cannot decide in whom to place his trust, his mentor Holland, his friend and colleague Williams or the dispassionate CIA agent Bennett. In the end the question that Knox faces becomes one of loyalty between colleagues or to one’s country the sort of choice we cannot be sure of our answer until we are placed in that predicament.
A Loyal Traitor is a tremendous espionage thriller with a nice balance of action and intrigue which cuts its own furrow and asks difficult questions.
I would like to thank Net Galley, the author and the publisher for allowing me access to a pdf review copy in exchange for a fair review.
February 27, 2022
This is the second novel following MI5 agent Richard Knox, although I haven’t read the first one I was able to follow this one. I will be reading the first one at some point though.
I really enjoyed this book once I got past the first few chapters then I was keen to find out what was going to happen next.
If you like a good spy thriller then you should definitely give this a try.
I really enjoyed this book once I got past the first few chapters then I was keen to find out what was going to happen next.
If you like a good spy thriller then you should definitely give this a try.
January 24, 2023
This was awful. Can’t believe I read it.
February 17, 2022
I loved Tim Glister's debut novel, Red Corona and said at the end of my review that I thought he would be an author to watch. I'm delighted to be proven right because A Loyal Traitor, the second book in his Richard Knox historical spy thriller series, is even better.
The book is set in 1966, five years after the events in Red Corona and can easily be read as a standalone, although returning readers will recognise a few names and enjoy welcoming back some of the characters who featured in the first book. As the West fears the spread of Communism beyond Eastern Europe and through Asia and Africa, the end of the British Empire and the Vietnam War are the major concerns of the Governments of the day as they seek to limit the influence of the Soviet Union. Meanwhile, the uneasy troika of Brezhnev, Kosygin and Podgorny are conspiring against one another in post-Stalinist Russia. This might have been the Swinging Sixties but it's a sobering reminder that the era was characterised by immense political upheaval too.
Richard Knox has become jaded by the endless subterfuge and has perhaps even lost the sharp, intuitive edge that a spy needs to stay alive. At the start of the book he is sent to Canada but soon returns to London where his increasing lassitude even leads to him beginning to question whether he needs to consider walking away from MI5. The characterisation throughout A Loyal Traitor is superb but perhaps never more so than with Knox. Having joined MI5 as a young man still just in his teens, the middle-aged spy has been almost entirely shaped by his experiences; both the successes and failures. If he leaves, he risks losing who he is but if he stays, he may become dangerously complacent. It's an intriguing dilemma and a thoughtful exploration of what it must be like for the people who spend years involved in clandestine intelligence. What does it do to a person who lives a life built on mistrust, misdirection and betrayal.
The welcome return of Abey Bennett, who made such an impression in Red Corona consolidates the exploration of the personal cost of working for the security services. Though still ambitious, she too has become more cynical, often due to her altercations with her superiors who still don't recognise her full potential. She is now stationed in the Dominican Republic and has realised that her Native American heritage gives her some degree of freedom there that her fellow Americans don't share. After a tense handover ends badly and she has another run-in with a senior intelligence officer, Abey drowns her sorrows but then comes face to face with somebody who she eventually realises is a significant figure, especially for Knox.
The murky, paranoid world in which Knox and Bennett operate becomes even more opaque in this cleverly sophisticated thriller where it becomes increasingly obvious that being allies or enemies matters little and nobody really knows who can be trusted. The sense of foreboding this engenders becomes almost palpable and as they find themselves having to make decisions which could have catastrophic consequences, this wonderfully intricate novel is complicated still further by a frighteningly proficient assassin, the strange orders issued to a new Russian submarine and Kosygin's vital visit to London.
A Loyal Traitor is a dark, emotional thriller and although the nail-biting action scenes and nerve-wracking tension that looms over proceedings throughout are rendered superbly, it's the chilling reminders of what governments and some who represent them were – and perhaps still are – prepared to do in the name of national security that is most disturbing, both in terms of the physical and psychological damage inflicted on people and what it implies about the moral conscience of a nation. There are no first-hand scenes of torture and coercion here but the despicable methods that both sides employed are acknowledged to devastating effect.
Tim Glister evokes a rich sense of time and place which is a delight throughout the book and the truly global workplace of spies and assassins as they work with and against each other, is simultaneously exciting and terrifying. With its thoughtful, complex and surprisingly poignant plot, A Loyal Traitor is an absolute treat for anybody who enjoys intelligent, authentic and utterly compelling thrillers. Very highly recommended.
The book is set in 1966, five years after the events in Red Corona and can easily be read as a standalone, although returning readers will recognise a few names and enjoy welcoming back some of the characters who featured in the first book. As the West fears the spread of Communism beyond Eastern Europe and through Asia and Africa, the end of the British Empire and the Vietnam War are the major concerns of the Governments of the day as they seek to limit the influence of the Soviet Union. Meanwhile, the uneasy troika of Brezhnev, Kosygin and Podgorny are conspiring against one another in post-Stalinist Russia. This might have been the Swinging Sixties but it's a sobering reminder that the era was characterised by immense political upheaval too.
Richard Knox has become jaded by the endless subterfuge and has perhaps even lost the sharp, intuitive edge that a spy needs to stay alive. At the start of the book he is sent to Canada but soon returns to London where his increasing lassitude even leads to him beginning to question whether he needs to consider walking away from MI5. The characterisation throughout A Loyal Traitor is superb but perhaps never more so than with Knox. Having joined MI5 as a young man still just in his teens, the middle-aged spy has been almost entirely shaped by his experiences; both the successes and failures. If he leaves, he risks losing who he is but if he stays, he may become dangerously complacent. It's an intriguing dilemma and a thoughtful exploration of what it must be like for the people who spend years involved in clandestine intelligence. What does it do to a person who lives a life built on mistrust, misdirection and betrayal.
The welcome return of Abey Bennett, who made such an impression in Red Corona consolidates the exploration of the personal cost of working for the security services. Though still ambitious, she too has become more cynical, often due to her altercations with her superiors who still don't recognise her full potential. She is now stationed in the Dominican Republic and has realised that her Native American heritage gives her some degree of freedom there that her fellow Americans don't share. After a tense handover ends badly and she has another run-in with a senior intelligence officer, Abey drowns her sorrows but then comes face to face with somebody who she eventually realises is a significant figure, especially for Knox.
The murky, paranoid world in which Knox and Bennett operate becomes even more opaque in this cleverly sophisticated thriller where it becomes increasingly obvious that being allies or enemies matters little and nobody really knows who can be trusted. The sense of foreboding this engenders becomes almost palpable and as they find themselves having to make decisions which could have catastrophic consequences, this wonderfully intricate novel is complicated still further by a frighteningly proficient assassin, the strange orders issued to a new Russian submarine and Kosygin's vital visit to London.
A Loyal Traitor is a dark, emotional thriller and although the nail-biting action scenes and nerve-wracking tension that looms over proceedings throughout are rendered superbly, it's the chilling reminders of what governments and some who represent them were – and perhaps still are – prepared to do in the name of national security that is most disturbing, both in terms of the physical and psychological damage inflicted on people and what it implies about the moral conscience of a nation. There are no first-hand scenes of torture and coercion here but the despicable methods that both sides employed are acknowledged to devastating effect.
Tim Glister evokes a rich sense of time and place which is a delight throughout the book and the truly global workplace of spies and assassins as they work with and against each other, is simultaneously exciting and terrifying. With its thoughtful, complex and surprisingly poignant plot, A Loyal Traitor is an absolute treat for anybody who enjoys intelligent, authentic and utterly compelling thrillers. Very highly recommended.
February 13, 2022
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed Red Corona, one of last years standout reads, I was eagerly looking forward to the follow up A Loyal Traitor, I hesitate to say this but for me this is a step forward an outstanding spy thriller.
As I was reading I was reminded of early Le Carre and Deighton and all that entails, it just gives off that feeling, the whole tone of the book and the writing, it’s a masterpiece of spy fiction writing.
Spoiler free, it is fair to say that plot of the book is wonderfully constructed and put together, your never quite sure which direction it will take, which side people are on, it’s like a game of chess played out on the page. Multilayered and whilst on the face of it it may seem complex, the way it is written you never have that sense of being lost or blurred by the plot. The cold war is in full swing and the author has come up with an original piece of plotting with a strong narrative
There is something I particularly enjoy about books set before the modern technological world, the pace, having to use ones ingenuity and actually think through the situation to arrive at a conclusion.
I have really grown to like the character of Richard Knox but know there is more to learn about the man, a man seemingly bound by honour and duty to his country, there is a wonderful interplay of cat and mouse between Knox and the central characters, just who can you trust. The way the author has written the characters its gives them all that sense of believe ability
The plotting and pacing of the story is fast paced and story keeps moving as the main action takes places in a short time frame
To some degree the book is about country, loyalty and duty, but also friendship and you can see a genuine bond between Knox and Williams
The author has combined both a wonderfully knitted plot, with characters that just fit and bring everything to life in a glorious read, one of those where you don’t really want it to end
Just let yourself be transported back and revel in a classic espionage thriller, I was hooked from the opening pages, it is a story that keeps the reader gripped and the pages turning as your never quite sure what will happen, but one you can be certain of is that you can feel yourself there feeling the tension and watching the drama unfold
Another standout read for the year and one I would highly recommend , it would be fair to say the spy thriller is in safe hands with writers of the quality of Tim Glister on the scene
As I was reading I was reminded of early Le Carre and Deighton and all that entails, it just gives off that feeling, the whole tone of the book and the writing, it’s a masterpiece of spy fiction writing.
Spoiler free, it is fair to say that plot of the book is wonderfully constructed and put together, your never quite sure which direction it will take, which side people are on, it’s like a game of chess played out on the page. Multilayered and whilst on the face of it it may seem complex, the way it is written you never have that sense of being lost or blurred by the plot. The cold war is in full swing and the author has come up with an original piece of plotting with a strong narrative
There is something I particularly enjoy about books set before the modern technological world, the pace, having to use ones ingenuity and actually think through the situation to arrive at a conclusion.
I have really grown to like the character of Richard Knox but know there is more to learn about the man, a man seemingly bound by honour and duty to his country, there is a wonderful interplay of cat and mouse between Knox and the central characters, just who can you trust. The way the author has written the characters its gives them all that sense of believe ability
The plotting and pacing of the story is fast paced and story keeps moving as the main action takes places in a short time frame
To some degree the book is about country, loyalty and duty, but also friendship and you can see a genuine bond between Knox and Williams
The author has combined both a wonderfully knitted plot, with characters that just fit and bring everything to life in a glorious read, one of those where you don’t really want it to end
Just let yourself be transported back and revel in a classic espionage thriller, I was hooked from the opening pages, it is a story that keeps the reader gripped and the pages turning as your never quite sure what will happen, but one you can be certain of is that you can feel yourself there feeling the tension and watching the drama unfold
Another standout read for the year and one I would highly recommend , it would be fair to say the spy thriller is in safe hands with writers of the quality of Tim Glister on the scene
February 20, 2022
All traitors pretend to be loyal to something or someone. Loyalty is just a matter of perspective or desillusion - or rather denial.
As a historian and political scientist that happened to get acquainted with the Cold War more than I wanted to, book set during those times may stir a bit of memories but also look like a familiar place. There are names and circumstances I´ve heard about since my early childhood, although my nostalgia has nothing to do with being happy to be brought again during those - largely unpleasant - times. I am just curious to read interpretations of familiar loci.
A Loyal Traitor by Tim Glister was for me an interesting read from many points of view. The book is Glister´s second. Characters from Red Corona, his debut, may be present in both books, but personally did not feel any impediment in getting into the story without reading the debut novel.
The action is set at the end of the 1960s, 13 years after the death of Stalin. The world is about to spin around and around, with Vietnam War just around the corner, and many other conflicts skillfully introduced into the story. Importantly, there are many more details added to the general context, compared to the usual spy novels based during those years. The characters - belonging the usual triad requested by the narrative: USA, Soviet Union and UK - do move a lot alongside the conflict lines of the period: in Rhodesia, during the conflict between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, in the separatist movement in Canada. Finally, there is more geographical diversity on the Cold War literary map.
Another aspect of the book that I loved is the fact that the spies do behave like normal people do, all of them, including the KGB Major Rykov, which goes beyond the relative void of humanity of other spies from other, many of them, books on similar topics. Rykov has a sense of humour which does not make him a better person but just a human one. Russians not only have children too, but can be funny in the most genuine way, even if they coordinate a very secretive line of work within the KGB. I consider such an approach more genuine and realistic.
What I really found a bit anachronical was the part regarding the mind-control secret program of the West side of the Cold War - particularly UK and US. First, I´ve thought it makes a lot of sense and the story looked attractive at the first and second sight until I realized that, in fact, we are talking about a novel set at the end of the 1960s. The problems and approach though do resonate more with our video surveillance topics that those of the time. Historically, there were concerns and a program in this respect, the MK-ULTRA, but from the literary point of view, I´ve noticed more than once a familiarity that has to do more with some current era kind of comfort.
As for the story in itself, there is a fast pace and mysterious - in the very politically-intelligent sense of it - encounters having to do with the mind control and other Cold War related experiments, and there is the super Russian spy The Wolf whose presence moves the story forward.
A Loyal Traitor satisfies both the modern history buff and the political thriller lover and I can only be happy when there is so much to choose from in terms of likeability and literary skills.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Disclaimer: Book offered as part of a book tour, but the opinions are, as usual, my own
As a historian and political scientist that happened to get acquainted with the Cold War more than I wanted to, book set during those times may stir a bit of memories but also look like a familiar place. There are names and circumstances I´ve heard about since my early childhood, although my nostalgia has nothing to do with being happy to be brought again during those - largely unpleasant - times. I am just curious to read interpretations of familiar loci.
A Loyal Traitor by Tim Glister was for me an interesting read from many points of view. The book is Glister´s second. Characters from Red Corona, his debut, may be present in both books, but personally did not feel any impediment in getting into the story without reading the debut novel.
The action is set at the end of the 1960s, 13 years after the death of Stalin. The world is about to spin around and around, with Vietnam War just around the corner, and many other conflicts skillfully introduced into the story. Importantly, there are many more details added to the general context, compared to the usual spy novels based during those years. The characters - belonging the usual triad requested by the narrative: USA, Soviet Union and UK - do move a lot alongside the conflict lines of the period: in Rhodesia, during the conflict between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, in the separatist movement in Canada. Finally, there is more geographical diversity on the Cold War literary map.
Another aspect of the book that I loved is the fact that the spies do behave like normal people do, all of them, including the KGB Major Rykov, which goes beyond the relative void of humanity of other spies from other, many of them, books on similar topics. Rykov has a sense of humour which does not make him a better person but just a human one. Russians not only have children too, but can be funny in the most genuine way, even if they coordinate a very secretive line of work within the KGB. I consider such an approach more genuine and realistic.
What I really found a bit anachronical was the part regarding the mind-control secret program of the West side of the Cold War - particularly UK and US. First, I´ve thought it makes a lot of sense and the story looked attractive at the first and second sight until I realized that, in fact, we are talking about a novel set at the end of the 1960s. The problems and approach though do resonate more with our video surveillance topics that those of the time. Historically, there were concerns and a program in this respect, the MK-ULTRA, but from the literary point of view, I´ve noticed more than once a familiarity that has to do more with some current era kind of comfort.
As for the story in itself, there is a fast pace and mysterious - in the very politically-intelligent sense of it - encounters having to do with the mind control and other Cold War related experiments, and there is the super Russian spy The Wolf whose presence moves the story forward.
A Loyal Traitor satisfies both the modern history buff and the political thriller lover and I can only be happy when there is so much to choose from in terms of likeability and literary skills.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Disclaimer: Book offered as part of a book tour, but the opinions are, as usual, my own
February 5, 2022
When I was at school in the 1960’s, books were categorised as Boys, Girls and free readers. This is an old fashioned boys book, in that the beginning is absolutely stuffed with details about Wars, places, people and the historical and political environment of those times that we knew as The Cold War. It seemed that the World was shaking itself apart, so many different elements were combining to make life difficult for all the people, the threat of conflict was very great. Russian submarines were seen in the English Channel, there were spies in London and Moscow, Political prisoners and exchanges happening in all corners of the globe, America was heavily involved in the Vietnam War, and rumours of torture and special ops were everywhere!! So, not too different from today, but there was less in the Press to read then news was censored.
Richard Knox has come back from Canada, a very disillusioned man. He is still regretful about losing an agent, Jack Williams, who was one of his best friends in an operation that went bad.
When he learns of an attack being planned for London, and hears rumours of an agent exchange being performed, Richard becomes involved in a way he never anticipated, and his feelings of loyalty and unquestioning obedience comes to challenge him. What is most important, friends or country?
A marvellous read, really fast paced action and strong, well formed characters. There are many time lines and plenty of overlapping and inter lapping plots that all come together in a very satisfying conclusion. Richards question is answered to our relief, and this makes us wonder what we would do under such circumstances. There is nothing that a thrilling car chase and copious use of guns cannot solve.!
The question of whether psychological torture should ever be applied is mentioned, but no definitive answer is given. It makes for harrowing reading in some places.
This will make a fantastic film, it is so well written and the characters really convey the feelings of those times. I really enjoyed this book once I got past the first few chapters, I found I preferred those that had greater personal insights and connections, human emotions of fear, abandonment and sheer bloody mindedness, you could relate to those experiences better than too many clinical explanation’s of who was doing what to whom and why. Perhaps I read too many Girls books at school!! I would certainly like to read the first book in the series, and I will look out for it.
Richard Knox has come back from Canada, a very disillusioned man. He is still regretful about losing an agent, Jack Williams, who was one of his best friends in an operation that went bad.
When he learns of an attack being planned for London, and hears rumours of an agent exchange being performed, Richard becomes involved in a way he never anticipated, and his feelings of loyalty and unquestioning obedience comes to challenge him. What is most important, friends or country?
A marvellous read, really fast paced action and strong, well formed characters. There are many time lines and plenty of overlapping and inter lapping plots that all come together in a very satisfying conclusion. Richards question is answered to our relief, and this makes us wonder what we would do under such circumstances. There is nothing that a thrilling car chase and copious use of guns cannot solve.!
The question of whether psychological torture should ever be applied is mentioned, but no definitive answer is given. It makes for harrowing reading in some places.
This will make a fantastic film, it is so well written and the characters really convey the feelings of those times. I really enjoyed this book once I got past the first few chapters, I found I preferred those that had greater personal insights and connections, human emotions of fear, abandonment and sheer bloody mindedness, you could relate to those experiences better than too many clinical explanation’s of who was doing what to whom and why. Perhaps I read too many Girls books at school!! I would certainly like to read the first book in the series, and I will look out for it.
April 28, 2022
I don’t read many spy thrillers these days as I found too many of them were becoming tales of dry, political manoeuvres with clever writing but not much by way of thrills. But A Loyal Traitor may well bring me back to books about the Cold War as this is an exciting, engaging and exceedingly well told story which I absolutely loved.
Tim Glister takes us inside MI5 where lead character Richard Knox works. Knox will cross paths with CIA agent Abey Bennett who appears in London in the company of someone Knox never expected to see again who will thrust Knox and Bennett into a high stakes adventure.
On the opposing side there are deadly threats being dispatched with an unknown mission to keep the readers guessing. A prototype Russian submarine is lurking off the English coastline. The Brits are aware there is something out there but they don’t appear able to get a good trace on it – the Ghost Submarine is causing real concern to MI5. Also a deadly assissin is making their way around Europe, taking out people identified as threats to Russia and the KGB agents. Both sides in this covert conflict are brilliantly represented and the readers get to see how West and East are moving their players around the story. You never quite know what’s going to unfold but Tim Glister makes it clear everything is building up to an explosive conclusion – it really didn’t disappoint.
The characters feel very much like they could just step off the page from the 1960s and the authenticity they bring to the blog story got me very invested in their success (and hope they survive the experience).
A Loyal Traitor is wonderfully paced, never felt unlikely or had me suspending disbelief which really helped my immersion in the story. More of these would be very welcome.
Tim Glister takes us inside MI5 where lead character Richard Knox works. Knox will cross paths with CIA agent Abey Bennett who appears in London in the company of someone Knox never expected to see again who will thrust Knox and Bennett into a high stakes adventure.
On the opposing side there are deadly threats being dispatched with an unknown mission to keep the readers guessing. A prototype Russian submarine is lurking off the English coastline. The Brits are aware there is something out there but they don’t appear able to get a good trace on it – the Ghost Submarine is causing real concern to MI5. Also a deadly assissin is making their way around Europe, taking out people identified as threats to Russia and the KGB agents. Both sides in this covert conflict are brilliantly represented and the readers get to see how West and East are moving their players around the story. You never quite know what’s going to unfold but Tim Glister makes it clear everything is building up to an explosive conclusion – it really didn’t disappoint.
The characters feel very much like they could just step off the page from the 1960s and the authenticity they bring to the blog story got me very invested in their success (and hope they survive the experience).
A Loyal Traitor is wonderfully paced, never felt unlikely or had me suspending disbelief which really helped my immersion in the story. More of these would be very welcome.
March 24, 2022
🌟🌟🌟🌟
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#aloyaltraitor
This is the first book I’ve read from this author so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
The quality of writing I found to be great with fantastic pace and a complicated and intricate plot development that slowly starts to come together and it all makes sense.
The characters are described well with the various relationships going through all manners of trust and loyalty.
This was an easy and pleasurable read and I would definitely like to read more from this author
Duty or loyalty. Which would you choose?
It's 1966. London is swinging, and the Cold War is spiralling. Clear cut lines have faded to grey areas. Whispers of conspiracy are everywhere. Spies on both sides of the Iron Curtain are running in circles, in a deadly game of double-cross and subterfuge. And MI5 agent Richard Knox is tired of it all.
But when Abey Bennett, his CIA comrade in arms, appears in London with a ghost from Knox's past, and a terrifying warning that could tip the balance of power in the Cold War for ever, he has to fight to save the future. And face an agonising choice: who to trust and who to betray - his duty to his country or his loyalty to his friends?
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#bookreview #booktour
#aloyaltraitor
This is the first book I’ve read from this author so I wasn’t sure what to expect.
The quality of writing I found to be great with fantastic pace and a complicated and intricate plot development that slowly starts to come together and it all makes sense.
The characters are described well with the various relationships going through all manners of trust and loyalty.
This was an easy and pleasurable read and I would definitely like to read more from this author
Duty or loyalty. Which would you choose?
It's 1966. London is swinging, and the Cold War is spiralling. Clear cut lines have faded to grey areas. Whispers of conspiracy are everywhere. Spies on both sides of the Iron Curtain are running in circles, in a deadly game of double-cross and subterfuge. And MI5 agent Richard Knox is tired of it all.
But when Abey Bennett, his CIA comrade in arms, appears in London with a ghost from Knox's past, and a terrifying warning that could tip the balance of power in the Cold War for ever, he has to fight to save the future. And face an agonising choice: who to trust and who to betray - his duty to his country or his loyalty to his friends?
#bookblog #bookreadersofinstagram #bookcommunity #bookaddict #bookworm #booksbooksbooks #nursesthatread #scottishreader #bookmail #bookgeek #bookreviewer #bookreviewersofinstagram #bookobsessed #scottishbookstagrammer #bookaholic #whatiread #readerssupportingauthors #pageturners #booklife #themagicofbooks #bookwormsunited #readinggoals #newreleasebooks #bookobsessed #bookishcommunity #bookaddicted #freebookreviews #fortheloveofliterature
February 25, 2022
‘The Loyal Traitor’ was a complex, multifaceted plot that gripped, enticed and excited me as a reader right from the start! From the humid jungles of the Dominican Republic to the bright lights of London, this was an action-packed spy thriller that had me riveted.
This is the follow up to the first Richard Knox thriller ‘Red Corona’ but you can definitely read this one as a standalone! I haven't read the first one and I found that I wasn't missing any plot points etc. However, ‘Red Corona’ sounds so good I am going to make sure I read it soon!
What I really enjoyed about this book was how the author built layers of the narrative without you noticing and then when things started to click into place, you were suddenly wrong and it was something else altogether! I do love it when an author manages to surprise you as it means the book has been written expertly! The exploration of themes like growing old in the intelligence community was something I haven't read before and I was intrigued by this. When do you give up as a spy? Is there a retirement age?! Or are you just benched at your desk when you get past it?!
‘A Loyal Traitor’ is a mix of Le Carre and Killing Eve in my head and that is a good combination when you are writing a spy thriller! Plus the author gets all the historical details of the era correct and it helps create a realistic world for the reader. The inclusion of actual historical political and social figures helps make the story believable and feel true.
Let me know if you pick this one up!
This is the follow up to the first Richard Knox thriller ‘Red Corona’ but you can definitely read this one as a standalone! I haven't read the first one and I found that I wasn't missing any plot points etc. However, ‘Red Corona’ sounds so good I am going to make sure I read it soon!
What I really enjoyed about this book was how the author built layers of the narrative without you noticing and then when things started to click into place, you were suddenly wrong and it was something else altogether! I do love it when an author manages to surprise you as it means the book has been written expertly! The exploration of themes like growing old in the intelligence community was something I haven't read before and I was intrigued by this. When do you give up as a spy? Is there a retirement age?! Or are you just benched at your desk when you get past it?!
‘A Loyal Traitor’ is a mix of Le Carre and Killing Eve in my head and that is a good combination when you are writing a spy thriller! Plus the author gets all the historical details of the era correct and it helps create a realistic world for the reader. The inclusion of actual historical political and social figures helps make the story believable and feel true.
Let me know if you pick this one up!
February 21, 2022
The writing was very detailed and descriptive, and had a good pace to it. There was a good balance of storytelling and conversation between the characters, which kept the story moving. I did get a bit confused at times and had to re read bits (it was a complicated story set over a time period that I am not overly familiar with), but I got there in the end.
The chapters were short which meant that you could cover more storylines. Some of the longer chapters were clearly split so that you could see different points of view, which I quite liked. There was so much detail packed into just a few pages so you didn't feel rushed.
The characters were excellent and had their own chapters dedicated to them. They were all believable and their personalities helped to add suspense and questions to the story. You never knew who you could trust!
Lastly, whilst there were a number of different settings they were only briefly mentioned as the focus was really on the characters and what they were doing.
Overall I enjoyed this book. It took me longer to get into than normal, but once I got into it, it was a good read.
✨For a longer review see my book blog✨ https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/
The chapters were short which meant that you could cover more storylines. Some of the longer chapters were clearly split so that you could see different points of view, which I quite liked. There was so much detail packed into just a few pages so you didn't feel rushed.
The characters were excellent and had their own chapters dedicated to them. They were all believable and their personalities helped to add suspense and questions to the story. You never knew who you could trust!
Lastly, whilst there were a number of different settings they were only briefly mentioned as the focus was really on the characters and what they were doing.
Overall I enjoyed this book. It took me longer to get into than normal, but once I got into it, it was a good read.
✨For a longer review see my book blog✨ https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/
November 3, 2022
I enjoyed Tim Glister’s first novel, Red Corona, which introduced the character of Richard Knox, an established officer in the higher ranks of MIO5 in London in the early 1960s. At that time, the Cold War seemed to be at its height, with the Berlin Wall having recently been constructed, and the world somehow navigating a way through the Cuban missiles crisis.
This book is set a few years later. Knox is still at MI5, where he is one of the most senior figures. He is rocked when confronted with a character from his past, whom he had believed to have been dead for several years. An unnecessarily complicated and essentially unsatisfying plot ensues.
I found this novel very disappointing. The characters were poorly drawn – I think that to call them two-dimensional might be to lavish too much praise – the plot was risible, and the writing style was halting. Apart from that, it was not too bad!
This book is set a few years later. Knox is still at MI5, where he is one of the most senior figures. He is rocked when confronted with a character from his past, whom he had believed to have been dead for several years. An unnecessarily complicated and essentially unsatisfying plot ensues.
I found this novel very disappointing. The characters were poorly drawn – I think that to call them two-dimensional might be to lavish too much praise – the plot was risible, and the writing style was halting. Apart from that, it was not too bad!
April 15, 2024
2.5 stars. The character development in this novel is poor, and when the author tries developing a character, he does it in an inconsistent manner. For instance, Abey Bennett is described as rigidly moral at the beginning of the novel to only be accused of and assumed to be the opposite a 100 pages later for no real reason. The plotting also seems contrived and inconsistent with pace picking up and slowing down. The dialogue and actions scenes save the novel despite the obvious Manchurian Candidate ripoff employed by the novel; just mentioning the ripoff in the novel does not make it any less of a ripoff. While I liked Red Corona enough to read this book, I think I'm tapping out on this series after this book. It's an empty calories spy thriller like I expected but not enough tasty empty calories to keep me going.
March 3, 2022
A Loyal Traitor is another impressive Cold War thriller by Tim Glister, set in the mid-60s featuring M15 agent Richard Knox who has returned from an uninspiring assignment to become involved in the security of a visiting Russian leader. Things however escalate very quickly.
Glister's version of the activities of the KGB sub-divisions reveal a disjointed, obviously secretive but also a ruthlessly competitive organisation. Relations between CIA and MI5 are also strained to breaking point in this reimagining of events.
This is a highly enjoyable and entertaining read with a few different locations, characters and threads to keep track of which provide the necessary material for the ultimate twist.
Glister's version of the activities of the KGB sub-divisions reveal a disjointed, obviously secretive but also a ruthlessly competitive organisation. Relations between CIA and MI5 are also strained to breaking point in this reimagining of events.
This is a highly enjoyable and entertaining read with a few different locations, characters and threads to keep track of which provide the necessary material for the ultimate twist.
March 22, 2022
A atmospheric spy novel, reminiscent of John Le Carre (aren't they all) set in the early 1960's, with the villains suitably devious, mind altering experiments and alluring female assassin psychopath working for the KGB, a smattering of historical fact coupled with artistic licence to add gravitas to the story along with real historical people being portrayed,Roger Hollis the late chief of MI5 at the time is a central character, although his wife in this novel is fictionalised.
Knox makes an interesting hero, but his conflicts between duty and friendship seemed rather contrived, but it is a good spy novel, and thoroughly enjoyable.
Knox makes an interesting hero, but his conflicts between duty and friendship seemed rather contrived, but it is a good spy novel, and thoroughly enjoyable.
October 13, 2022
4.5 stars for a thoroughly enjoyable cold war espionage thriller with a relentlessly propulsive plotline, a trawlerful of red herrings and an entirely satisfying climax. Highly recommended for fans of the genre.
July 6, 2023
I really wasn't a fan of this book. I struggled with the motivation to pick it up and listen to it. It was nice as something to listen to whilst doing things but the story and plot didn't have me intrigued at all.
September 26, 2022
It's an enjoyable read - bit obvious where it's going, but there is an interesting twist in how it gets there. A fun, easy read.
January 6, 2024
builds to predictable climax. character development lacking, didn't care about the characters. Insufficient tension in first half.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2022
I was lucky enough to read Tim Glister’s debut novel, Red Corona, last year and with A Loyal Traitor the Richard Knox series is getting better and better.
Knox is back in what the movies would have you believe is ‘Swinging London’, but in fact is still a mass of bombsites and building sites. This comes across really well, giving the whole book a dark atmosphere and, actually, Tim Glister uses place really well throughout the book to enhance the action – bad things happen on isolated country roads and you really get a sense of that from the descriptions of the scenery.
Red Corona and A Loyal Traitor both feel exactly like a spy thriller should. There is political manoeuvring on both sides, but it is backed up with fast-paced action and lots of twists and turns, plenty of research has gone in to making it accurate but it never overwhelms the story. Above all, it’s difficult to tell who are friends and who are enemies – even Knox’s relationship with Abey Bennett is up for debate. Cold War allies they may be, but no-one is above a double cross!
This is a really gripping book, perfectly paced and with mysterious elements introduced at just the right time. I would highly recommend both books in this series.
Knox is back in what the movies would have you believe is ‘Swinging London’, but in fact is still a mass of bombsites and building sites. This comes across really well, giving the whole book a dark atmosphere and, actually, Tim Glister uses place really well throughout the book to enhance the action – bad things happen on isolated country roads and you really get a sense of that from the descriptions of the scenery.
Red Corona and A Loyal Traitor both feel exactly like a spy thriller should. There is political manoeuvring on both sides, but it is backed up with fast-paced action and lots of twists and turns, plenty of research has gone in to making it accurate but it never overwhelms the story. Above all, it’s difficult to tell who are friends and who are enemies – even Knox’s relationship with Abey Bennett is up for debate. Cold War allies they may be, but no-one is above a double cross!
This is a really gripping book, perfectly paced and with mysterious elements introduced at just the right time. I would highly recommend both books in this series.
April 9, 2023
An excellent spy novel. Looking forward to more from Tim Glister.
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