ICARUS 17

A former lover draws a veteran British spy into a dangerous rescue.

Cumming’s Box 88 series is notable for its focus on both the professional and personal life of its protagonist, agent Lachlan Kite, and for its strong impression of authenticity. The author dives deep into the complexities of the spy game, relating it to the current international geopolitical situation. This fourth outing, which is no exception, opens in Istanbul in 2018 before jumping to present-day Sweden and finally settling on Kite in London. His reunion with Martha Raine, a lover from the 1990s, is interrupted by a distressed call from a colleague about a shooting near his home in Sweden—where his wife, Isobel, and their young daughter, Ingrid, are at home. As Kite strives to unpack the motive for this traumatic incident, Martha contacts him with a special request: Locate and, if necessary, rescue her son, Max Radinsky, who’s gone missing in Greece along with his girlfriend, Yasmine Bizri. The duplicitous Yasmine’s true identity and intentions become a major focus of Kite’s probe. Though Cumming sets the table with introductory scenes that introduce major villains and other players, the story soon settles into a chase thriller on two alternating fronts: Kite’s accelerating rescue mission and Max and Yasmine’s efforts to escape. The plot is intricate and its incidents satisfyingly interconnected, each small development fitting into a tapestry of espionage and international relations. Helpfully included are an Index of Characters and Lachlan Kite: Historical Timeline.

A subtle international thriller that offers simmering suspense and political insight.