Title: The Unlikely Spy
Author: Daniel Silva
First published December 24, 1996
752 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780451209306 (ISBN10: 0451209303)
Rating: 4.25
Overview
“In the midst of war, secrets are currency and deception is key,” said an anonymous intelligence officer. In Daniel Silva’s gripping novel, The Unlikely Spy, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
With the fate of the Allied forces hanging in the balance, British counterintelligence is forced to recruit an unlikely agent – a mild-mannered history professor named Alfred Vicary. But as Vicary delves deeper into the operation, he discovers that the enemy has also chosen an unlikely agent of their own: Catherine Blake, a beautiful widow and volunteer nurse who is secretly a Nazi spy.
With D-Day looming, the race is on to expose the traitor and prevent a devastating outcome. Silva’s thrilling tale is a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling, with twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.”
About the Author
Daniel Silva, a Michigan native, was born in 1960 and raised in California. He earned his BA from Fresno State and launched his writing career as a journalist for United Press International (UPI).
While working for UPI, he traveled extensively in the Middle East, covering political conflicts, terrorism and the Iran-Iraq war. Eventually, he transitioned to CNN where he served as executive producer of Washington-based public policy programming.
In 1994, Silva embarked on his first novel, The Unlikely Spy, which became a surprise bestseller and garnered critical acclaim. By 1997, he had shifted his focus to writing full-time, and all of his subsequent books have become New York Times and national bestsellers, translated into 25 languages and published throughout the world.
Today, Silva calls Washington, D.C. home.
Editoral Review
Book Review: The Unlikely Spy by Daniel Silva
Daniel Silva’s debut novel, The Unlikely Spy, is a thrilling historical fiction spy novel that takes place during World War II. Published on December 24, 1996, the novel is set in London and Berlin and explores the themes of espionage, loyalty, and betrayal.
The story centers around Alfred Vicary, a history professor turned British intelligence officer, who is tasked with stopping a Nazi spy from infiltrating the British war effort. Along the way, he enlists the help of Catherine Blake, a widowed mother and secretary at the American embassy in London.
As they work together to uncover the spy’s identity, they find themselves in a race against time to stop a devastating attack on the Allied forces.
Silva’s writing style is both engaging and descriptive, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the world of espionage and wartime London. The characters are well-developed and complex, with their motivations and loyalties constantly shifting throughout the story.
One of the strengths of The Unlikely Spy is its attention to historical detail. Silva accurately portrays the political climate of the time and incorporates real-life historical figures into the story, such as Winston Churchill and Adolf Hitler.
This historical accuracy adds depth and complexity to the novel, making it more than just a simple spy thriller.
Another strength of the novel is its pacing. Silva expertly builds tension and suspense throughout the story, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
The plot twists and turns, with unexpected revelations and betrayals that will leave readers guessing until the very end.
However, one limitation of the novel is its predictability. While there are some surprises and twists, the overall plot is fairly straightforward and follows a typical spy novel formula.
Additionally, some readers may find the ending to be a bit too neat and tidy.
Overall, The Unlikely Spy is a well-written and engaging historical fiction novel that will appeal to fans of spy thrillers and World War II fiction. It is a great introduction to Daniel Silva’s writing and sets the stage for his future novels.
I give this book a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
