The Secret Agent: A Novel

by Francine Mathews

Former CIA analyst Francine Mathews, author of "The Cutout, " explodes back onto the espionage map with the immediacy of a sniper's strike. Restless, impatient, ruthless, and ambitious, Stefani Fogg's career and credibility is in ruins as she's lured on a deadly mission that leads her to a mystery surrounding the disappearance of a man they call the Silk King.

Genres: Mystery, Espionage, Fiction

528 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Francine Mathews was born in Binghamton, NY in 1963, the last of six girls. Her father was a retired general in the Air Force, her mother a beautiful woman who loved to dance. The family spent their summers on Cape Cod, where two of the Barron girls now live with their families; Francine's passion for Nantucket and the New England shoreline dates from her earliest memories. She grew up in Washington, D.C., and attended Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, a two hundred year-old Catholic school for girls that shares a wall with Georgetown University. Her father died of a heart attack during her freshman year.

In 1981, she started college at Princeton – one of the most formative experiences of her life. There she fenced for the club varsity team and learned to write news stories for The Daily Princetonian – a hobby that led to two part-time jobs as a journalist for The Miami Herald and The San Jose Mercury News. Francine majored in European History, studying Napoleonic France, and won an Arthur W. Mellon Foundation Fellowship in the Humanities in her senior year. But the course she remembers most vividly from her time at Princeton is "The Literature of Fact," taught by John McPhee, the Pulitzer Prize winning author and staff writer for The New Yorker. John influenced Francine's writing more than even she knows and certainly more than she is able to say.

Francine spent three years at Stanford pursuing a doctorate in history; she failed to write her dissertation (on the Brazilian Bar Association under authoritarianism; can you blame her?) and left with a Masters. She applied to the CIA, spent a year temping in Northern Virginia while the FBI asked inconvenient questions of everyone she had ever known, passed a polygraph test on her twenty-sixth birthday, and was immediately thrown into the Career Trainee program: Boot Camp for the Agency's Best and Brightest. Four years as an intelligence analyst at the CIA were profoundly fulfilling, the highlights being Francine's work on the Counter terrorism Center's investigation into the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988, and sleeping on a horsehair mattress in a Spectre-era casino in the middle of Bratislava.

Another peak moment was her chance to debrief ex-President George Bush in Houston in 1993. But what she remembers most about the place are the extraordinary intelligence and dedication of most of the staff – many of them women – many of whom cannot be named.

She wrote her first book in 1992 and left the Agency a year later. Fifteen books have followed, along with sundry children, dogs, and houses. When she's not writing, she likes to ski, garden, needlepoint, and buy art.

Reviews

[Dan Downing · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a sweeping display of mixed genres, Mathews takes us from the clutches of an early version of Red Reddington (The Black List) to ice cutting ski adventure in the French Alps to Southeast Asia, where we watch a drama of intrigue, mayhem and corruption unfold over a 60 year period.
Interspersed with touches of improbable but satisfying romance, this story is based in the hard realities of life in ancient societies struggling to emerge into the 20th century. A stellar effort. Five, in fact.
Recommended.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense, and as usual for anything by Stephanie Barron/Francine Mathews, well-researched, well-written and gripping.

[Laura Roden · Rating 4 out of 5]

The best thing about this book is that it is partially based on the real life of Thai silk magnate Jim Thompson, a legend in the silk world. Appreciated learning more about how his empire came to be; also appreciated the very well written prose. Aside from that, it's a passable spy story, some parts overdramatized as if anticipating sale of the movie rights, some weaknesses in plot points, but fine beach read.

[Suz L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great suspense novel

definitely recommend this book. I would call it somewhat a historical novel. great characters, great story, great writing! Mathews brings it altogether in this story.

[Jannelies (living between hope and fear) · Rating 4 out of 5]

De zijdekoning is een boek voor de liefhebbers van het 'echte' spionageboek. Gebaseerd op een ware gebeurtenis vertelt Matthews met vaart en gevoel het verhaal van Stefani Fogg en de familie Roderick. In 1945 komt de jonge geheim agent Jack Roderick aan in Bangkok. Hij besluit er te blijven. In de loop der jaren bouwt hij een heel imperium op: Roderick Silk. In 1969, tijdens de Vietnam-oorlog, verdwijnt hij spoorloos. Zijn enige zoon Rory wordt enkele weken later opgepakt en doodgemaakt. Gelukkig heeft ook Rory kans gezien om nog net een zoon te verwekken: Max. Deze Max is het die Stefani Fogg, steenrijke jonge vrouw, moet gaan helpen zijn erfenis uit Thaise handen te krijgen. Het huis van zijn grootvader Jack staat nog steeds in Bangkok, maar is in gebruik als museum. Stefani krijgt haar opdracht van ene Oliver, een geheimzinnige en eigenaardige figuur.

Zoals ik al zei, het verhaal is neergezet met spanning en gevoel. We springen heen en weer tussen de gebeurtenissen in 1945, 1969 en de huidige tijd. Langzamerhand zien we het verhaal zich ontwikkelen. Dit alles wordt gelardeerd met informatie over de politieke toestand in de wereld in de desbetreffende tijd. Dat is natuurlijk wel nodig, want wie heeft dat nu allemaal onthouden? Wat blijft is wel het besef dat de wereld toen al net zo´n akelig politiek broeinest was als nu. Er is helaas niets veranderd…

Francine Mathews werkte jarenlang voor de CIA. Grappig is wel dat ze in haar dankwoord vermeld dat de censuurcommissie van de CIA het boek heeft gelezen voor het werd ingeleverd bij de uitgever. Ahem, je zou er bijna wat van gaan denken.

Ik heb het boek met veel genoegen gelezen. Wat het plezier wel bedierf is het enorme aantal fouten dat ik aantrof. Het is werkelijk stuitend. Waarschijnlijk was de corrector op vakantie toen dit boek ter perse moest gaan, want het is om te huilen. Er zitten verschrikkelijke inconsequenties in: iemand gaat dood en laat aan persoon A een wijnkelder na. Enkele pagina´s later blijkt die wijnkelder blijkbaar van persoon B te zijn. Het boek bestaat uit verschillende delen, en deel 2 is verkeerd genummerd. Ik kwam verder ook nog vreselijke dingen tegen als: 'het meisje die'. Om beroerd van te worden! Het héle boek zit vol met dit soort dingen. Ik heb een mailtje gestuurd aan de uitgever.

Van de verantwoordelijk redacteur van die uitgeverij kreeg ik een allervriendelijkste mail terug. Zij verzekert mij dat het voor haar - en de desbetreffende uitgeverij - bijzonder belangrijk is dat er zo weinig mogelijk fouten in een boek zitten. Ik ben heel blij met deze reactie! Het laat zien dat het niet allemaal kommer en kwel is in uitgeversland. Dit geeft hoop voor de toekomst.

[Robert Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stefani Fogg is roped into a seemingly impossible job by Oliver Krane because she is bored as the manager of an international finance fund. She is assigned the task of getting information from Max Roderick a famous champion ski racer that has retired and is living in the French Alps. After several attempts on his life/or hers his spine is fractured and with her help he is sent to an exclusive private clinic for surgery and rehab. He sends her away although she has fallen in love with him. She travels the far east trying to trace his claim to the assets of the grandfather Jack Roderick and is stymied by the Thai government in the form of the minister of culture Sompong Suwannathat. Stefani is caught in the intrigues of Bangkok and is not sure that OK is on her side nor whom else she can trust.

[Travis Kendall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loosely based on the exploits and disappearance of American spy/silk king Jim Thompson, The Secret Agent moves between modern day and 1945-67. The portion deaking with the 1945-67 is infinitely more interesting and better written. The story is far more involved and the characters are far more interesting and complex (maybe because they are based on real people). The modern day part is filled with stock characters, cheesy dialogue, and annoying Dan-Brownish plot twists. If this had just been the Jack Roderick story it would have faired better. On the whole, kind of average.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a real "sleeper," with so few reviews & mediocre ratings. Part semi-historical fiction, part espionage thriller, it held my attention right up until an interesting ending. After finishing it, I was compelled to read more about Mathews' research on the disappearance of Jim Thompson. And then one thing led to another...Thailand's history surrounding WWII, the murder of Rama the 8th & on & on. I feel as though I've just taken a crash course in Asian history, but without the worry of an exam:>

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in a while that I didn't want to put down. It's not so much an espionage thriller the title implies, but the layers of personal, financial and political intrigue hooked me. The story develops over two time lines with a family link. Matthews does great job put you in the time an place of her characters.

[Kathy kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was action packed. It started out slowly and was a bit confusing as some of the characters were hard to keep track of as the names were similiar. Story of 3 generations of men in South East Asia from WW2 to early 21st century. Lots of commentary on political environment at the time. A good read.

[D · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating story with a strong female character:) The action primarily takes place in Southeast Asia. Francine Mathews, the author, does an excellent job with character development. The pace gradually increases to the point that you cannot put the book down. So very envious of Stefani and the exciting life that she leads!

[Martha Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, 3.75 stars. Francine Mathews redeems herself with this tale of Southeast Asia from the end of WWII through the Vietnam War and up to the end of the 20th century. The plot skips among 3 time periods and has lots of characters that are sometimes hard to keep straight, but, overall, a very good story.

[Jenney · Rating 4 out of 5]

the action was swift and compelling, to the point i did not want to put the book down. however, i found the story-line of Jack Brodrick much more interesting than the Max/Stephanie chapters. the descriptions of life in bangkok was right on the money.

[Eric Pollard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elements of the plot were a bit, okay more than a bit, far-fetched, but I did like the description of post-WWII Bangkok. In that sense, I felt the flash back portion of the book was much stronger, almost as if the modern thriller was bolted onto a decent piece of historical fiction.

[Debbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring.... I really had trouble in the "Jack" section. One somewhat irrelevant chapter of Jack spliced with one somewhat irrelevant chapter about Stafani. This is an old editors trick to create suspense and liven up a dull plot. I kept hoping it would get better, but it did not.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stephanie Fog is recruited as an agent by a private security firm and becomes embroiled in a story going back to Vietnam War. Set in Geneva, Bangkok and New York. A page turner following the quest to retrieve the inheritance of Max Roderick grandson of the silk king

[LuAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story - made me want to learn more about Jim Thompson. I struggled at times with keeping the different story lines and characters separate with the constant switch between past and present. Overall a pretty good book and story although I was NOT surprised by the ending.

[Krishne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books which kept me hooked but only after a certain point. I would've rated it five stars if it wasn't for the unnecessary details in the last part of the book. A great book with the perfect ending.

[Lani · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun summer read. A step up from a regular spy book. It's semi-historical fiction. This would be really great to read in Thailand or before you go. I learned a lot about post World War 2 and how Thailand fit into the geopolitical landscape between WWII and Vietnam.

[Margaret Stickland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I knew of Jim Thompson and the Silk trade. Bought a card with one of his designs. So I didn't know that this book was a romp around with his life. I gave it three stars probably deserved 2, too many characters and flashbacks. All a bit messy.

[Cara]

J. Pulcino recommendation

[Joanna Wilde · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a four star book!?!? I remember liking it. It's been awhile though, so I couldn't promise you I'm completely accurate.

[Chani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by a former CIA analyst. Exciting thriller. Takes place in SEA, trying to find Jim Thompson.

Read this one on a rainy evening!

[Alison Valtin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written and engaging, but it outlasted its welcome. Too long, too many characters to tie in. It was fun to read her take on the whole Jim Thompson thing before we hit Thailand, though.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. If you like espionage with a twist....

[Joanna Kirtley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read if you're into spies or thailand or both. Jump's between present day and vietnam war-era...I preferred the present day plot but of course it all was intertwined.

[Patrick Schultheis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written. Good characters. Plot pulled me along.

[False · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were times I thought I was reading Le Carre, this was so good. She covers three generations of men, and their intertwined, yet removed, lives.

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

First book by this author. It was a decent story line and good book overall.

[Tom Anichini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rich story.

You have got to listen to Bernadette Dunne's narration. Utterly compelling.