Ride a Pale Horse

by Helen MacInnes

When Karen Cornell, a beautiful journalist on assignment in Czechoslovakia, agrees to help a would-be defector by carrying top-secret documents to Washington, she is pulled into an astonishing web of terrorism, political assassination, blackmail, espionage, and treason in the highest levels of both superpowers. One false move could cost Karen her life -- and throw the world into violent war.

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

369 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Helen MacInnes was a Scottish-American author of espionage novels. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in Scotland in 1928 with a degree in French and German. A librarian, she married Professor Gilbert Highet in 1932 and moved with her husband to New York in 1937 so he could teach classics at Columbia University. She wrote her first novel, Above Suspicion, in 1939. She wrote many bestselling suspense novels and became an American citizen in 1951.

Reviews

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good cold war espionage thriller by Ms. MacInnes. Well written with a good plot. To those who think it is outdated please try to remember it was published in 1984 when there was no such thing as e-mail and the internet was not active. The only problem I had with the book was that the lead characters fell in love just a little too quickly. Recommended to anyone who likes espionage tales.

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

But what about language as it was used, what about history as it was being made? What about distortions that could end as apparent facts, be accepted as established truth? There had always been that danger: the victors wrote the history books. But today—with the far reach of television and radio, of instant news—future victors wouldn't even need to win a war before they wrote the history books. They'd manipulate minds and emotions, outsmart an unwitting world.

It's a bit surreal to read MacInnes at this particular moment in time. One has to take her plots with a grain of salt for portraying the American and British intelligence agencies as always unquestionably lily-white good guys, but she certainly knows how the machinery works. The names of the players and the locations of the action may have changed, but some of the abstract commentary on communism, terrorism, and disinformation still sounds startlingly relevant.

On a purely literary level, a solid, page-turning spy novel.

[Gerald Kinro · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author’s final work, the only one with a heroine, happens to be my favorite. A respected journalist is invited to a Soviet propaganda conference. Not her cup of tea, but she learns that she may have access to a very special interview. However, she, instead, is approached by a high-level KGB officer, who wants her help in defecting to the US. She is then plunged into the world of espionage and danger. Things snowball into another dangerous assignment, a possible attempt on her life. Is it the Russians trying to stop her from helping the defector? Or is something else going on? Enter Peter Briscoe of the CIA who is charged with finding the mole within his organization and with protecting the reporter with whom he falls in love with.

As in other works by McInnes, there are twists and turns in the story. It is fast-paced with suspense. The heroine fits McInnes. Too bad she had only one book of the sort.

[Melanie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite Helen MacInnes (well, okay tied with The Salzburg Connection). This is another author whose books are not yet available in e-format. Hope they come over soon. My paperbacks are getting tattered.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never read MacInnes before but she is quite prolific with the spy books. "Highly literate suspense novels" is how her books are described. This one was written in 1984 and so in some ways it is very dated - no cell phones, using her typewriter, going to pay phones, etc. And yet the story is eerily not. Terrorists, espionage, bombings, all too current scary events. The story definitely kept my attention and held it while I was reading the book.

[Mike Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tale of spies and counterspies in the late Cold War era is well plotted and fast paced. Unlike many of its genre, it is almost believable: there's none of the James Bond flamboyance about the good guys, and the bad guys are fallible humans, not monsters. Of course, it's dated, dealing with things as they were in the heyday of the Soviet Union. But I enjoyed it for what it is: a page-turner that maintains the reader's interest to the last page.

[Eleanor Jethro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Helen MacInnes' book that I have read - Really enjoyed it - couldn't put it down. Intrigue, romance,a little bit of everything. Who would think that a journalist on the job would get involved with a defector and put her life in jeopardy. A must read. Will look for more of Helen MacInnes' books in the future

[Judio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd read this sometime in 1992 or so. When I registered it on Goodreads, I couldn't remember the story but knew I'd liked it. I rated it a 3. I'm making it a 4. This is a brilliant story from MacInnes. I've read a few of her books and each one has been gripping, fast-paced and thoroughly enjoyable.

[Liz V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second MacInnes book revolving around Communist controlled Czechoslovakia--the first being The Snare of The Hunter, about the crushing of the Prague Spring.

In Ride A Pale Horse, MacInnes looks at the Communist speciality of disinformation.

[Susan Quillan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helen MacInnes is a terrific spy/espionage writer. This book was set in the Cold War. A good book, but in my opinion not her best. I think her best works were those written in the 1940's about and during WW2. I highly recc. her to you.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read Helen MacInnes when I was in high school and haven't read her in decades. I picked this up at the library and now remember why I loved her books. I definitely will read more of her books.

[Karlyne Landrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a lover of spies or their novels, but Helen MacInnes makes them readable. Would I have read this if I hadn't been at loose ends and this was given to me? Probably not, but I ended up liking it. 3.5 stars

[janis louthis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read.

Wonderful read. She builds slowly, but then there's no stopping her. Perfect balance. I'm not usually a fan of spy novels but she hooked me. I'll read more of her books.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felt like I was watching an old James Bond movie. This book is clearly dated but still an enjoyable thriller!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit outdated but an entertaining espionage adventure.

[Melody Klink · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easier to read than While Still we Live. Call me old fashioned, but I enjoy reading these older books.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting, lots of action and danger.

[ChrisGA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intricate plot, likeable characters,great suspense

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good depiction of the difficulty of unearthing moles and double agents. Not as much character revealing as in The Venetian Affair or some of her best works.

[David Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not her absolute best but that’s nit-picking. What I like about Helen MacInnes thrillers is the pace that events move through real places - usually quite glamorous ones in Europe. This story starts promisingly enough with Washington Spectator (a weekly magazine) journalist, Karen Cornell, covering a peace conference in early 1980’s Cold War Prague. She’s approached by a prospective defector whose gives her some papers to deliver to the CIA back home - but “only to Peter Bristow.” She stops off in Vienna (Sachertorte - yum) where she has previously arranged an interview but she encounters a dodgy former colleague, whom she beat to her current job. Back in DC she arranges to pass the papers but it all goes a bit messily and she’s glad to head off to Rome (more glamour) to meet an Italian journalist who has arranged for her to sit in on an interview with recently-imprisoned Red Brigade terrorists.
Bristow (divorced) discovers that the defector is also in Rome and that Karen (beautiful, intelligent, widowed) could need protection. Things spiral uncontrollably as the CIA seem to find it very difficult to stop widespread murder and mayhem abroad (understandably) and at Langley (unforgivably they can’t even hang on to a couple of C90 cassettes without somebody dressed as a spy nicking them).
This is where it all gets a bit bogged down (although the deaths increase) and I fell to wondering why on Earth the CIA should decide to try and protect the vulnerable in a Washington house over a shop known to the KGB and not in some remote Idaho farmstead where, at least, they’d be able to see the bad guys approaching from a reasonable distance. See, what I would actually do is change their names and send them off on a package holiday someplace where no one would be able to keep track of them for a fortnight. Maybe a Caribbean cruise as a Mr and Mrs O’Callaghan from Dublin. Or a caravan holiday as alias Mr Smith and Mrs Jones in Prestatyn. Just saying.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book by Helen MacInnes. Ms. MacInnes, having being married into the Intelligence community, had a good idea of the spy business, and she uses her talent to weave a very good story.

Karen Cornell, who is a journalist is sent on an assignment to Czechoslovakia. She is approached by someone who wants to defect. Along the way she is set up. Her life is constantly in danger, and several attempts, throughout the story are made on her life.

The American spy network has been compromised, but who is the traitor? Too many people have infiltrated the system so deep, it is hard to figure out who is the good guy, and who is the bad. Along the way, there is a love story, as well as deep deception. Suspense in every chapter.

[Sewingdervish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite A shocking scene of unsisterly misogyny and fat phobia, I REALLY enjoyed this one which surprised me as the later MacInnes novels usually flat for me. Czechs, spies, defectors, assassination, listening devices, lots of gadgets, and love.

[Rodger Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

In many ways, this is a typical MacInnes spy novel. I liked the early 1980s setting as the global politics of that time is still fresh in my memory. I was a student who followed US-Soviet relations fairly closely because of my areas of study -- and because of college debate research.

In any case, this book is not bad, though the romance moves VERY fast and some aspects of the intrigue seem over-the-top. I'm not sure the assassinations mentioned in the letters are especially plausible reasons to trigger the events outlined in the book. Still, I enjoyed the story and read it fairly quickly.

It's probably a 3.5 star book for me.

[Dee]

I don't what took so long to sit and read this book, but what a good mystery I was missing. The story kept you wondering what was coming up next.

[Irene · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked up this spy novel from 30 years ago because I am struggling with a bit of insomnia and needed something to help me get to sleep. It was exactly what I needed. The plot was predictable, the characters thin, the reading level primary. It had so little suspense that there was no danger that I would read late into the night. When I did fall asleep while reading, I did not have to worry about finding my place the next day because I could open on any page and figure out what was happening. This is James Bond written for a Hardy Boys audience. The extremely good looking, smart, strong CIA agent foils the bad Russians that no one else can catch, survives all the bombs and gun fire that kills lesser agents and gets the beautiful and independent reporter who melts into a helpless, housekeeper after looking into his eyes and kissing his lips. I found myself comparing this book to my childhood fascination with Nancy Drew mysteries. There is more suspense, sophisticated dialogue and credible characters on the title page of any Nancy Drew story than in this entire book.

[Allison IG: RNs_booknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read this book again recently. My Mom introduced me to this author when I was a teenager and every once in awhile I love to revisit her books. Ride a Pale Horse is one of my favorites and unfortunately, the author's last novel before she died. She writes espionage thrillers, mostly WW2 settings but a few of her books are placed during the Cold War. Her husband was an actual MI6 British intelligence agent so she definitely has some solid experience and knowledge that she includes in her writing. I found it interesting that one of her books was actually considered REQUIRED reading by agents that were being sent to work with the French Resistance against the Nazi's. She is such a wonderful author and definitely worth checking out if you like that type of genre.

[Marina McCulloch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't remember what convoluted way I found this title on Goodreads, but I'm so glad I did.

I haven't read a spy novel in ages and ages, and who did them better than the 1980's??

Other reviewers thought this book was outdated. Maybe it's because of the current times, or maybe I just didn't notice, but I didn't get distracted by the 80's references at all. Really, there were very few of them. The KGB and the Soviet Union, of course. No mention of any handheld technology, obviously, so that probably made it easier too.

I enjoyed the main characters immensely. I wish Karen had a larger role in the second half though. She's sharp, intuitive and no weakling. Peter, well. *fans self* I enjoyed Peter very much.

A fun spy read, and I'll look into her other, older works.

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first novel by MacInnes that I've read, and it was only after I finished reading it that I learned she'd passed away in 1985. That explains the "quaintness" of the prose -- not in a bad way. I found myself thinking, as I read, that some of the characters spoke with a slight "old-timeyness" for want of a better way to explain it. It's not exactly clear when the novel is set, but I am guessing the early 1970s based on the (lack of) technology, so I attributed the quaintness to that.

However, it was an enjoyable and intriguing read, with clever plot twists and likeable main characters. If you like espionage novels, particularly historical ones, I'd recommend it.

[Ginger Weirich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished "Ride a Pale Horse" by Helen MacInnes. This book is of the suspense/spy type and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. Written very skillfully, Ms. MacInnes kept the characters crisp and the action heart-stopping with just enough "lull" to allow you to catch your breath every once in a while. It ended well with enough left up in the air for you to come to your own conclusions. Helen MacInnes is a new author for me, but judging from the list of her books in the front, she has been at it for a while. I will be adding her books to my must-read list.

[Peggyzbooksnmusic · Rating 2 out of 5]

Helen MacInnes is one of my "guilty pleasure" authors such as Nora Roberts. This is the 1st time I have read one of her books since the 70's. I always enjoy her books but her characters don't seem like "real" people. But then again I know nothing about espionage and she was evidently married to a man who worked in that field.

I found this book at a library sale so I only paid $1 but doubt if I'd read it again, so I'll donate it back to the library so they can re-sell it :)