Present Danger

Liz Carlyle #5

by Stella Rimington

MI5 intelligence officer Liz Carlyle has just been despatched to Northern Ireland. It's a promotion, and she'll be running agents - her favourite activity - but it also means being separated from Charles Wetherby, her old boss, recently widowed and a very close friend. Attachments in the Intelligence Services are not encouraged: it seems her superiors know more about Liz's life than she thinks. In Belfast, Liz and her team are monitoring the brutal breakaway Republican groups who never accepted the peace process and want to continue their 'war'. Intelligence is focused on the shady Fraternity, with links to drug-running, arms-dealing and organised crime. With some help from Special Branch and a volunteer informant who seems to be legit, the Fraternity's leader is identified as a cold, calculating and ruthless American, hijacking the Cause for his own financial ends. It is a perilous group to become involved with. Especially if your informant turns tail…

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Espionage, Mystery, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook

326 pages, Hardcover

First published October 29, 2009

About the author

Dame Stella Rimington was a British author and Director General of MI5, a position she held from 1992 to 1996. She was the first female DG of MI5, and the first DG whose name was publicised on appointment. In 1993, Rimington became the first DG of MI5 to pose openly for cameras at the launch of a brochure outlining the organisation's activities.

Reviews

[Karl Jorgenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only author I sought out because of the author's life is Stella Rimington, who was the real-life head of MI-5. This informs my take on her fiction. Here, Liz Carlyle is assigned to Northern Ireland where a cease-fire is holding, perhaps for good. But MI-5 is picking up intel that some of the usual suspects don't want peace and are working themselves up to renewed violence. The resulting novel is interesting, but not the rip-roaring-civilization-at-stake thriller we might expect from other terrorism/counter-terrorism writers. My guess is Rimington is working to keep her plot within realistic boundaries, something she would know best. Good characterization carries the story, especially disagreeable bureaucrats who impede investigation and then blame underlings when things go wrong. Rimington clearly knows these stuffed shirts; undoubtedly part of her real experience.

[Jeff Crosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liz Carlyle is now in Northern Ireland, working against splinter groups who threaten the fragile peace. The procedural nature of the novel is well paced, revealing each detail in a timely fashion. There is never any frustration level between what the reader knows and what the protagonists learn. The solid plot is fleshed out with believable characters. The lone exception is the central villan--a cypher who turns out to be more of a plot device than an individual. For my money, this is the strongest entry in the series to date.

[David Medcalf · Rating 2 out of 5]

This isn't my usual sort of book, but I was intrigued by a spy book written by an ex-spymaster.
I'm afraid it disappointed - it was interesting in places, but full of clichéed characters [the good looking heroine, the impetuous sub-hero, the cold calculating villain, the incompetent boss], and 'lucky coincidences' to enable the plot to move clunkily forward.
The end scene was rather "is that it?" - one had the feeling that the author had reached her required word-count and just wanted to get finished.
I don't think I'll bother with any more in the series.

[Jacki (Julia Flyte) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Stella Rimington's fifth novel featuring the clever and resourceful MI5 intelligence officer Liz Carlyle. While it's a stand alone novel, you'll probably enjoy it more if you've read some of her other books as many of the characters have made previous appearances.

At the start of the book, Liz Carlyle is transferred to Northern Ireland to take charge of MI5's agent runners division. Unbeknownst to her, the Director General is aware of her closeness to the recently widowed Charles Wetherby and wants to avert any potential inter-office romance. She expects to find that Northern Ireland is a backwater, but she soon discovers that there is a breakaway terrorist cell of former IRA members who want to continue the struggle by targeting policemen and members of MI5. When one of her colleagues comes under threat, she needs to quickly find answers.

As a thriller it's good but not outstanding. It's a well written and enjoyable read, but the tension never builds sufficiently to put it in the "can't put down" category. The villain is also devoid of any strong motivation or believability. On the other hand, what Rimington has going for her is credibility. As the former head of MI5, she knows the details that make the story feel authentic and knowing her pedigree definitely adds to the book. For example there is one early scene when an MI5 officer is meeting with his contact and the MI5 team are providing back up surveillance. Had I read this scene in another book, I might have thought: "well it wouldn't happen that way". Knowing Rimington's background, instead I could think: "oh, so that's how they'd do it". Fascinating.

I really like the way that Liz's character is developing and I thought this was one of Rimington's best yet. The romantic tension between Liz and Charles Wetherby is an ongoing sub-plot that didn't intrude on the main story but added a pleasing extra dimension. The ending wraps up the plot neatly, but leaves enough threads hanging to make it obvious that there will be another installment. I'm already looking forward to it.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

MI5 officer Liz Carlyle is transferred to Belfast which, in the era of power sharing, should be a relatively uneventful posting. However, dissident terrorist groups threaten to disrupt the peace and Liz is soon involved in uncovering a deadly plot.

You'd expect an ex-head of MI5 to know her stuff in this field and Rimington's description of spycraft is impeccable. The book feels a little slow at the start though as it fills in a lot of backstory. The pace picks up in the middle but the ending seems a little too easily resolved. There's also a romantic interest that seemed rather tacked on.

This is the first time I've read one of Stella Rimington's novels and it's a decent enough thriller but lacks the 'wow factor' needed to make it stand out.

[Judie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Present Danger is an entertaining thriller but found myself losing interest after the mystery is solved and we slog through the "catch the bad guys" phase. All of Ms Rimington's books so far are written in this form and I find the last quarter of the books to be an anti-climax. I do recommend this series because I am enjoying it, despite the long endings.

[Mal Warwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

John le Carré. Eric Ambler. Graham Greene. Ian Fleming. Len Deighton. Frederick Forsyth. Somerset Maugham. Charles Cumming. Ken Follett. Alex Gerlis. Philip Kerr. Is that enough names to make the case that the best spy novels come from Britain? (Okay, maybe just in the English language.)

Not that America hasn't also contributed a fair number of top-flight espionage novelists. Joseph Kanon, Alan Furst, Alex Berenson, Martin Cruz Smith, David Ignatius, Robert Ludlum, Olen Steinhauer, and Tom Clancy all come to mind. But the sheer abundance of compelling British espionage novels presents a high bar. Perhaps the fact that the British live on small islands so vulnerable to the world around them helps to explain their evident preoccupation with danger from the outside world.

Although most of the best-known British spy novelists did their best work from the 1930s to the 1980s, some are currently writing at the top of their game. Charles Cumming, Alex Gerlis, and Philip Kerr, for example. But isn't it curious that all the names I've mentioned so far, both British and American, are men? Search online for "women spy novelists," and you'll turn up a number of names, of course. Some are well known, but not for their espionage fiction. Most of the others rarely if ever make the bestseller lists.

Stella Rimington is an exception. That's Dame Stella Rimington, if you please. Rimington was the first female Director General of Britain's Security Service, MI5. It's sometimes thought of as the equivalent of the FBI, but its remit (to use the British term for mission) is domestic intelligence, not criminal investigation. Rimington served as DG for five years in the 1990s. Since 2004, she has published what are now nine novels to date featuring MI5 spycatcher Liz Carlyle. To my mind, Rimington's work stacks up with that of other top spy novelists writing today.

Present Danger is the fifth novel in the Liz Carlyle series. The title slyly refers to the threat posed by breakaway factions from the IRA intent on sabotaging the Ulster peace deal. (The agreement was confirmed in 1998 by referenda in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland; the book is set several years later.)

MI5 has posted Liz to Belfast for what she assumes will be an uneventful time away from her work in counterterrorism and counterespionage in England. However, shortly after she arrives a police officer she'd worked with in the past is attacked outside his home by a gunman. One of several breakaway Republican groups is suspected. That suspicion is confirmed when an anonymous tipster contacts Dave Armstrong, one of the officers working for Liz. An American expatriate running one of those factions has sworn to kill a police officer and an official with MI5 in hopes of undermining the peace deal. Then Dave disappears, apparently kidnapped. Liz spearheads the investigation to rescue Dave and take down the American. The case takes her to Paris and the South of France, where she teams up with a French intelligence officer.

Rimington writes with a sure hand. Her prose is unadorned but unfailingly logical and easy to read. The novel steadily gains momentum, creating suspense all along the way. Present Danger is convincing and enjoyable. Individually, Present Danger doesn't rank among the best spy novels of the last half-century. Collectively, however, the Liz Carlyle series deserves serious consideration.

[Toby Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set before the peace process was eventually signed, Liz Carlyle an MI5 officer arrives in Belfast. A colleague goes missing. Perhaps, not unexpectedly, the writing is intuitive and draws the reader into an ever increasing underworld of deceit and duplicity.

[Esther Turnbull · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read

[Phil Hodgkiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read, though the storyline, is similar to other books by this author.

[Ingo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started December 21st, 2013.
Interesting turn of events from the settings and personal relationship developments in the last book.
To stop something the powers that be decide to post Liz to Ireland, which could be a boring job after peace treaty is signed.
But it is not, old IRA resentments and long held grudged (justified or not) lead to the discovery of a plan to disrupt the peace process.
Mistakes are made, people die, but is not entirely gripping or fast-paced enough to justify 5 stars.
No stretch of to much personal developments either, so I settle for 4 stars.
As usual very good, very British English, recommended.

[george burns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conventional But Good

Conventional But Good

The author, a former head of MI5, is knowledgeable and writes well. Refreshingly, her protagonist, Liz Carlyle is strong and capable without any pretense of being wonder woman. The story moves along briskly and predictably. The book suffers from the weaknesses of the genre: the villain, described as brilliant and calculating, is emotional and stupid. Characters who know they are in danger are careless and gullible. Nevertheless, if you are looking for thrillers to read, this one should be on your short list.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars. I liked just about everything here with no issues with the storytelling (quite good) or the writing. So while there's some good beach or fireplace espionage reading here, there's nothing above average either. I certainly wouldn't think twice about going back to Rimington when I was in the mood for some good MI-5 fiction again. The Belfast and, even more, southern France coastal settings are very well drawn.

[Judith Cranswick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stella Rimington's writing has improved as the series has gone on. It doesn't achieve the tension or page-turning quality of the great British crime writers, and her characters are not sufficiently developed to make one empathise to any great degree. However, I do enjoy the MI5 elements of the story which is my main motive for reading her novels.

[Sam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lowest score I've given a book on here, and feel a little bad about that. But...

I have the first five of the books in this series, of which this is the fifth. I bought them years ago for my nan who wanted to read them, until she passed away.

So far, they've been ok, nothing particularly special, some stuff that you have to hope has a bit of authenticity to it, considering.

I'm pretty happy to be stopping here, though. When I saw it was based around Northern Ireland, I was kind of expecting something that would be one-sided politically, again considering the author's previous role.

But it never even really gets into politics, presumably because we are largely getting stuck into which of the various male characters are daydreaming about Liz and who she has decided she fancies this time around. It's like husband-shopping, while one of your colleagues is potentially going to be murdered.

Even with this silliness, which has grown book by book, a decent story would make it survive. But there's so many ridiculous things about it that it's just... daft.

A list of some of my faves:

The character who twice is written about being unable to understand what a Frenchman's surname is - with the anonymous letter he sends someone else in which he spells it perfectly in between.

The Director General of MI5 - and his number 2 - taking huge pains to notice that two subordinates sort of fancy each other and therefore will need to be separated.

The guy running MI5 in BELFAST of all places becoming completely undone by the first hint of a crisis.

The incredibly cardboard cutout icy, super-brainy villain who... completely loses his rag and suddenly is all over the place.

The wonderful moment where one of the bad guys remarks that he finally has time to stop and think about what recently... just after he finishes a SIX DAY journey by ship. No time for reflection there, obviously.

The MI5 agent who throws absolutely all the rules out the book and goes off putting himself into danger because... his girlfriend might have sort of broken up with him.

That's before we get to the many uber-coincidences, such as random characters having been at school together just to crowbar them into the book, and the hilariousness of the villains burying a body on their own property with his mobile still in his pocket, so they can then track the number that called him. Come on now.

Fortunately, this required so little concentration that I read it within a day and a half. It won't take that long to forget I ever read them, to be honest.

[Jamad · Rating 1 out of 5]

A Dull Shadow of Its Former Self: “Present Danger” by Stella Rimington

Stella Rimington’s debut in the Liz Carlyle series, At Risk, promised a gripping blend of authenticity and intrigue, bolstered by Rimington’s career as a former MI5 director. Sadly, her latest installment, Present Danger, marks a precipitous decline, as if the author has exhausted both creative steam and the compelling energy that once set her apart in the crowded spy fiction genre.

What made At Risk such a success was Rimington’s ability to weave realistic intelligence work into a taut, suspenseful narrative. In Present Danger, however, the plot feels like a pale imitation of earlier efforts, weighed down by clichés and lifeless prose. The story meanders through uninspired subplots and tepid twists, lacking the sharpness and complexity that one expects from the series.

Worse, Liz Carlyle—once a dynamic and engaging protagonist—has been reduced to a formulaic caricature. Her motivations feel tired, her decisions predictable, and her once-compelling depth has given way to an uninspired going-through-the-motions attitude. It’s as if Rimington no longer knows her own character.

The pacing is equally problematic, bogged down by needless exposition and sluggish dialogue. The thrilling authenticity of Rimington’s earlier work is all but absent, replaced by generic scenarios and forgettable secondary characters. The stakes, which should feel urgent and immediate, barely register as more than a mild inconvenience.

It’s a disappointment to see an author of Rimington’s pedigree fall into such a rut. While At Risk showcased the potential for a fresh, grounded take on the espionage genre, Present Danger reads like a phoned-in effort, more concerned with meeting publishing deadlines than delivering a compelling story.

Unless you’re a die-hard fan of the series, it’s hard to recommend Present Danger. Stella Rimington may have once been a trailblazer, but this book feels like the tired effort of someone who has long since run out of creative steam.

Time to retire the series for me.

[Becky Motew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liz Carlyle in Belfast! Renegade IRA veterans try to throw a wrench into the peace process and Liz is on their trail. The ancillary characters are familiar by now and welcome, including the reckless Dave Armstrong who gets himself kidnapped.

I always love the tradecraft and especially the A4 team. This book has a memorable plot line with the Irish cleaning lady who works for Liz and for Judith Spratt.

If you get kidnapped on Liz's watch, she will come to rescue you no matter which remote French island has been chosen for your demise.

Frenchman Martin Seurat is the latest to fall for Liz and she seems to reciprocate. Sort of. Poor Charles Wetherby may be losing out but we will have to see.

[Corinna Vahtera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trovärdig och realistisk berättelse, bra flyt. Jag hade uppskattat mera bakgrundsinformation om "The troubles" men det var intressant att följa med hur de personer som genomlevt perioden hade anammat olika strategier då läget förändrats. Lite väl många personer att hålla reda på, men trots korta beskrivningar fick man grepp om dem och deras sinnesstämningar. Berättelsen ändrade karaktär då den övergick i ett kidnappningsdrama. Den första delen var mera varierande och därför mera spännande. Den andra delen kändes delvis som en manual för hur MI5 arbetar, med få utsvävningar. Det här var enligt min åsikt den näst bästa boken hittills, men inte riktigt i klass med den första boken, som var mycket bra. Ser fram emot att följa med Liz och hur hennes personliga och professionella liv utvecklas.

[Si Straw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Present Danger is the fifth of Stella Rimington's thrillers about the exploits of MI5 officer Liz Carlyle. As a former Director General of MI5, this a world that Rimington knows well, combining pacey action with the detailed portral of spycraft at work. Set in Belfast, Carlyle fights to protect the fragile peace against a murky world of suspicion and the threat of double cross.

The book moves from a steady start building to a well written conclusion. The story is fairly conventional, so is likely to be most enjoyed by those familiar to earlier works in the series. Nevertheless. this is a good read that continues the overall arc well: a good tale worth a read.

[Brigid Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liz Carlyle has been moved to Northern Ireland in Present Danger, the fifth in Stella Rimington's series. Although the move was designed to prevent any further attachment with her recently widowed colleague Charles Wetherby, Liz still gets a "soupcon" of romance from a new suitor.
Despite the peace process, this new posting is incredibly challenging with a renegade former IRA group plotting against intelligence operatives and security forces. The plot is masterly as always keeping readers guessing the outcome until the end.
If you are a fan of espionage thrillers you will not be disappointed.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 starts
I purchased this one and kinda wish I had just skipped it. Felt like I had to read them in order and was hoping for some more development of Liz and Charles relationship and a different kind of case.
Was disappointed in silly mistakes Dave, Judith and even Liz made. Forgot to turn on phone, deletes all messages, doesn't vet a nanny, etc. The familiar story plot devices are being used again- angry man who is out for revenge for wrongs against his family, etc.
Will try book #6, but maybe after a different genre or two.

[Christine Ottaway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though I have read this book before, it was some time ago and I am now enjoying rereading the Liz Carlyle books in order.

I hardly recalled the plot of this one but the main characters are all there with the exception of Geoffrey Fane who is given a rest in this story. The Irish setting means that occasionally the plot strays into stereotypes. Unfortunately Irish history and names are very predictable so the story runs along well oiled lines. Republican fanaticism and bitterness at the British 'occupation' of Norther Ireland provide the backbone to the plot.

The finale in the south of France didn't end with Liz in pieces though she showed her usual coolness and courage under fire and all ends are neatly tied. Her new relationships are well lined up for sequels.

[Helen O'Toole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading these out of order but this one was a definite delight, set as it was in Northern Ireland & France. I do enjoy the characters Stella Rimington creates and especially her Liz Carlyle. This one had everything: aggrieved IRA operatives, Irish Americans all set for revenge, wonderful French secret service folk including one man seemingly destined to be Liz’s French lover, Martin Seurat . The details of how MI5 operates are fascinating & I guess the retired head of MI5 would know a thing or two.

[Scott Sharp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good installment of this series. I'd been uncertain whether I'd continue after book 4. I'm glad i kept on. A good thriller. Different enough in plot and setting to stand out from the previous books. I have a few very minor complaints - one seems to be Dame Rimington's penchant for convenient coincidences to move a plot along. That is present again in this book, but in a more acceptable way than book 4. I'm sure ill finish the series now and be sad when it's done.

[Diamond Lil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great espionage with the added bonus of excellent character development, and a subtle and intelligent unpacking of gender relations in senior executive management albeit the unique world of intelligence. Remington delves not only into international terrorism and state security, but also into relationships, hierarchy and the way that men and women work together.

[Mike Eccles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever twists and turns

Despite feeling that the story started a little slowly, I was soon enveloped in the twists and turns of intrigue supported by the authors knowledge of the world of MI5. I liked the detailed descriptions of roads and places, excellent research. A tense ending emerged!

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced plot, lots of action. Also lots of secondary characters - i found myself taking notes in case I needed to make connections later on (and it did come in handy!) Not sure how I feel about the Seurat development at the very end. And - spoiler alert! - I totally suspected Mrs Ryan was not to be trusted from the get-go.

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid read in the series but nothing exceptional stands out. It all proceeds in an evenly paced manner with basic straight forward writing. Our heroine Liz is a good girl spy and the other women are competent too. I did like the Northern Ireland setting - war is never really over for the people in it. It provides some insight into spycraft, but not a lot.

[Steve Hawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liz Carlyle series by Stella Rimington is excellent.

Yet another great read from Stella Rimington with Liz Carlyle in Present Danger is espionage at its best. The backdrop of the IRA activities rekindled gives Present Danger a change to the earlier books in the Liz Carlyle series but equally readable and gripping from the first to the last chapter!

[theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping storyline

Couldn't leave this book down. Just like Stella's other books once I start to read them I can't leave them down. They are so thrilling and with twists & turns it makes them more exciting. Would recommend this to anyone.