Gayle Lynds

“The Book of Spies” by Gayle Lynds

As a lover of books about libraries, lost books and the struggle between good and evil, or greed and giving, this was an enjoyable book for me to read. There was action, suspicion and plenty of connected sub plots woven across settings in different countries. There was also the usual hint of romance or at least intrigue. From the soldiers and traitors in Afghanistan, to the CIA with searching for the inside leaks, this was a book packed with adventure show more and twists and turns. Between the self indulgent and extremely wealthy Library of Gold members drinking their fine wines and testing out their own and the librarians intellectual literary abilities and the men fighting for their lives, the suspicion, mysteries and plot continued to build to the end.

I find that many of the books written about illuminated manuscripts that have been well researched, have given me glimpses of history that I might not have been aware. The theme of control, greed and the struggle for power are all too common in daily life as well as history. We might not be fighting over a book covered in diamonds and gold but still today we fight over control and power in politics, religion and personal freedoms. I particularly like the fact that some of the history regarding the Library of Gold was directly discussed in the epilogue. This added a depth and cumulation to the entire novel. I would recommend this book and give it a 4 stars. show less

I only wanted to read the Jack Reacher story in Matchup, but the Rambo story caught my eye. It evidently was the first new Rambo in over thirty years. Of course he was killed at the end of the novel First Blood in 1972 which would mean he'd been dead for 45 by that point. That point is confirmed within the story itself in case the reader hadn't read the original (I had). Short story long (so-to-speak) it's a bait-and-switch. David Morrell may have had something to do with the story, but show more Rambo really doesn't. Okay until the ridiculous ending. show less

For years now, I've heard nothing but good things about the work of Gayle Lynds. So much so that I've purchased several novels, but never got around to reading any until now. I'm sorry to report that as introductions go, The Book of Spies was a real disappointment.

Where to start? How about with the excellent first sentence: A library could be a dangerous place. This is proven quickly enough by the murder of a librarian on the third page. This, incidentally, is our introduction to the show more novel's antagonist, amusingly named Doug Preston. Unlike his namesake, he's not a pleasant man.

Rapidly after the opening murder, we're introduced to manuscript conservator Eva Blake. Eva, we learn, is about to be jailed for her role in the drunk driving death of her husband Charles. Next, two years later we're in the head of CIA operative Tucker Anderson. Just before an old friend can spill the beans about a possible terrorist plot, he's assassinated right there in downtown DC. And so begins what truly felt like a very worn plot. An international cat and mouse game, a hunt for a fabled treasure--in this case the Library of Gold--and a side plot concerning Middle Eastern politics.

Here are a few things I DID learn in The Book of Spies:

• It is totally believable for a scholar of illuminated manuscripts to also be an expert pickpocket and a black belt in karate.

• If you are an academician, it is totally natural for you to pepper your dialog with pithy Latin quotations, no matter how tense or volatile the situation you may be in.

• Even though I can never seem to find a colleague in the same office, while being hunted by bad guys through the major cities of Europe, you'll run into each other by accident time and time again.

• An anklet is an excellent way to track a missing CIA asset when necessary, and it will never cause a delay at airport security.

• No matter how good the disguise, any individual can be identified by any stalker by their gait.

• These days you don't just have to be rich and white to be part of a secret, villainous cabal, you also have to be at least six feet tall. It's mentioned more than once.

Snarkiness aside, that's just the tip of the iceberg of what bugged me in this book. I wanted to get caught up in the action, and I tried, I really tried, to just ignore the sloppy writing and ridiculous plot contrivances, but I couldn't. I spoke to a respected friend who had also read this book, and he enjoyed it and wasn't bothered by anything I was. So, perhaps I was just in a vile mood, but I couldn't see past what were to me glaring faults. That said, Ms. Lynds knows a thing or two about writing an action sequence. Also, even I enjoyed the character known as "the Carnivore." He was just pure fun, and I'd love to see a novel built around him.

My friend, who has read several of Ms. Lynds' novels told me that The Book of Spies isn't typical of her work. He acknowledged that it's the most poorly written, but the most commercial. And so it goes. I predict a best-seller. show less

Gayle Lynds is an author I'd definitely heard of, but I'd never read any of her nine novels until I picked up The Book of Spies.

I'm glad I finally did! And how could I not - there was a library at the centre of things - the legendary Library of Gold - Ivan the Terrible's collection of lost works. And the opening line of the book? " A library could be a dangerous place." Hooked! One of those books - The Book of Spies has been stolen and has come to light. The secret cabal that controls the show more library desperately wants it back and is willing to do anything. The CIA is brought in when a connection between the owners of the fabled library and terrorism is uncovered. Book curator Eva Blake and CIA operative Judd Ryder scramble to find the book and stay ahead of those that want them dead.

Generally the world of espionage/spy thrillers seems to be dominated by men. Lynds is referred to as the Queen of Espioage and rightly so. The Book of Spies is action packed, the plotting is tight, the historical detail is fascinating, the characters are engaging.... shall I go on? There are a few coincidences near the end that seemed a bit too neat, but did not detract from my overall enjoyement of the book. The name of the game here is action.

And I loved this library quote near the end of the book....

"Don't give me the cold tomb of a museum, but the fire-breathing world of words and ideas. Give me a library."

Lynds has included author's notes at the end regarding the history used in her book - quite fascinating.

If you enjoy Dan Brown and Robert Ludlum, then you would really enjoy Gayle Lynds. I would definitely read her again. show less