Mediocre spy novel, slandering Iran, not as good as some of this author. ( )

Back in the late 90s, I picked up my first book from David Ignatius while running through an airport. On a hop from New Jersey to Cleveland, I devoured most of it. I got a second and a third - but then my airplane commuting stopped and I lost interest in the genre of 'cold war fiction'. Coming back to Mr. Ignatius' work again has rekindled my passion for the spy thriller.

I was apprehensive: no longer the mystery of the big, bad Soviet Bear, there's now a new player with the secrets of the Iranian government being just as seductive and the security services of the US and UK back into play fighting the 'bad guys'. If, like me, you gave up on that whole LeCarre genre, I'd urge you to give this work a try. You won't be disappointed - and it may rekindle a lost pleasure as it has with me. ( )

This is a very enjoyable book. The timing of this book good not be better, given the insight it gives the reader into life and politics in Iran.

From Tehran to Washington and back. Ripping good spy novel. Believable charactors and actions. Honest interpersonal relationships and the nuance of volitile Iran and its people are just outstanding. ( )

Iran. Mention that country to most Americans and the word that comes to their minds is “nuclear.” The new international thriller by David Ignatius takes that fear and spins it into a fascinating novel – one that at times seems more probable than impossible.

At the heart of the book is CIA man extraordinaire Harry Pappas (Ignatius readers will remember him from BODY OF LIES). This time Harry is playing the spy game with a broken heart having lost his only son in the current Iraq War. It sets the stage in unique ways as he attempts to discern the validity of an encrypted message from an Iranian nuclear scientist who is willing to share the country’s bomb secrets in return for safe harbor.

With help from the British (and the “Increment” a special SAS team) Harry must decide if and how the young scientist can be retrieved from Iran.

The author takes a sideswipe at American politicians eager to believe anything about Iran’s nuclear capability and thus use the country for target practice. Seems trigger happy politicos really exist in D.C. - shoot now and ask questions later mentality. Ignatius builds a novel about finding truth in a maze and where the answers lead to more puzzles. He walks a fine line between his novel and the news.

It is rare to find humanity in a spy thriller but Ignatius captures Harry’s heart, which gives the reader one more reason to keep turning the pages and reach the stunning conclusion. ( )