‘A Game of Deceit’ by Tim Glister.

Published by Point Blank,
5 May 2023.
ISBN 978-0-86154-171-3 (PBO)

The prologue to this story introduces Barend Visser, a young merchant seaman working on a ship travelling from Rotterdam to the east via Gibraltar and the Suez Canal.  This is the longest journey of his career and, keen to do well, he reports a discrepancy in the cargo, a discrepancy which is later rectified.  And then he is murdered.

It’s June 1967 and, in London, Richard Knox is trailing one of Britain’s most celebrated molecular biologists, Dr Hamish Rabe, with the aim of keeping him safe.  MI5 has picked up conversations between members of the international security services about a number of unexplained deaths and disappearances within their scientific communities, but no links have yet been identified.  No incidents had been reported in Britain, and MI5 wants to it to stay that way.  So, while they continue to investigate, Knox and his colleagues are on clandestine protection duty.  Unfortunately, Rabe spots him and, in the subsequent chase, falls under a tube train.  Knox wonders whether the fact that Rabe fled means that some scientists are aware of what is happening.

Rabe survives, but a subsequent search of his flat raises concerns.  Then Knox’s boss, Holland, reveals that the MI5 building has been bugged.  And a contact at the Russian embassy has indicated that they have been having similar problems.  The various countries, security services and individual agents involved mean that any investigations by MI5 have to be undertaken without offending colleagues, friends and, indeed, enemies.  There is some concern that China, currently experiencing Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution, might be the source of concern and, in order to get what information he can, Knox is sent to Hong Kong, with the cover story of bringing home a UK citizen in trouble.  Then the action really begins. 

This is the second in the Richard Knox series and the author continues to mine the fascinating Cold War period, creating an intriguing and pacey story based on a frightening premise.  He is adept at running multiple plot lines, some fast-moving and others continuing from the previous book and, eventually, the reader learns why Barrend Visser died. 
------
Reviewer: Jo Hesslewood
Other books by this author:  Red Corona (the first in the Richard Knox series)

Tim Glister is a Creative Director working in advertising. He's worked for a range of famous and infamous brands, including eighteen months at the controversial political communications agency Cambridge Analytica. He lives in London, and Red Corona was his first novel.

www.timglister.com

 
Jo Hesslewood.  Crime fiction has been my favourite reading material since as a teenager I first spotted Agatha Christie on the library bookshelves.  For twenty-five years the commute to and from London provided plenty of reading time.  I am fortunate to live in Cambridge, where my local crime fiction book club, Crimecrackers, meets at Heffers Bookshop .  I enjoy attending crime fiction events and currently organise events for the Margery Allingham Society.