Description:
This smartly plotted and smoothly written debut thriller by the pseudonymous Malcolm Bell (described only as "a former government employee" on the hardcover jacket) is a welcome throwback to the innocent days of Elleston Trevor and early Len Deighton. There's some healthy sex, but nothing kinky; a modicum of violence, but not much display of seriously nasty body parts. And as for the central threat--that San Diego will be destroyed by a nuclear weapon triggered by a deadly new substance called red mercury--well, only the CIA director really worries much about that. Most of the pleasure comes from watching Marcus Malone, a former CIA agent running a failing security agency, being convinced by the director and his earnest banker ally to let himself be exposed as a flashy criminal arms dealer and then to disappear into Eastern Europe--where the terrorist who wants the red mercury will hopefully contact him. And when Malone's new ladyfriend, a dauntless dental assistant, decides to join him in Prague, the fun and excitement increase to a level just begging to be filmed. --Dick Adler
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