Bride of a Bygone War

Bride of a Bygone War is the second book in Preston Fleming’s Beirut trilogy. The first book, Dynamite Fisherman, precedes this one and builds on the character of Conrad Prosser as well as the political state of Lebanon during this period. This book is about Walter Lukash, a spy who did a tour of duty here several years ago and is now asked to infiltrate the Lebanese Christian Phalange to assist them and report their activities back to Washington in order to facilitate the peace process between them and Syrian opposition forces. Although Bride of a Bygone War is a stand-alone novel, readers interested in the events of Beirut’s civil war of the 1980s should consider reading the books in sequence.

This is not an “airport novel.” show more Though the story is fiction, there is a lot of history and fact and it really isn’t light reading. I’d compare Fleming’s style to Martin Cruz Smith, Eliot Pattison or Graham Greene. The story is complex, intelligently written and takes the reader’s imagination to the ruins of what was once the Paris of the Middle East. It isn’t light reading, but it is good reading.

It’s clear that much of what Fleming writes about comes from his own experiences. The writing is impeccable – no flowery, clumsy sentences or unnecessary “filler.” Mystery, romance, espionage, suspense and action are all present, taking the reader on an intense ride through the violent streets of Beirut and the hills beyond. My only complaint is that it starts out a bit slowly, but it gradually builds momentum and by the time you’re a third of the way through it, you won’t want to put it down.

Fleming is a talented author who writes a good yarn and he makes you think. It won’t be long before he is discovered by a major publisher. I’m looking forward to reading the final book in the Beirut trilogy. show less

I received an advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. After reading Dynamite Fisherman I was very happy to receive this book. This is the second book by Preston Fleming about the war in Lebanon and it follows many of the same characters from Dynamite Fisherman. The main character has been sent back to Lebanon but this time he isn’t using an alias. Leading a secret life is dangerous and seems to make establishing and maintaining relationships in the personal lives of these agents very difficult. The author seems very knowledgeable of the culture of the people of Lebanon and the religious and political dynamics of the area. I found this book to be an intriguing spy thriller about American agents with very real show more and human character traits trying to figure out what is going on from information furnished by the locals. A very interesting and exciting book. I will be reading more books by Preston Fleming. show less

Beirut is not the typical location for a mystery, but it captures all the turbulence of the Middle East and the divided factions that compose the tension that fills the lives of all who live there. Walter Lukash is an American agent, required to fill in a short assignment before his return to Washington. His superiors don’t tell him but he is expected to stay for two years.

Walter has a history with the city. He left a wife and fled the country, leaving only the false identity he had used. The chance of being recognized could be as dangerous as much as the checkpoints manned by Christians or Muslims or other soldiers that were as often like criminals. A diplomatic passport was not enough to make it safe.

The assignment seemed simple show more enough. Set up in East Beirut and become the Liaison Officer to the Phalange. Be the source of information to the Phalange and extract information from them to assist the US government in their role in the peace process. It is an assignment that will put Walter in opposition to Syrian forces that would be equally interested in the information Walter collected. And if Walter was able to recruit a few people to assist in gathering information, his superiors would be well pleased.

Walter’s personal life is equally dynamic. If he is recognized as William Conklin, the alias he had used on his previous posting to Beirut, would his wife, Muna, or her family find out he was back in town? To further complicate things, Lorraine, his girlfriend of several years follows him to Beirut. Will he end up with either? Both are people that are unsuitable if he wishes to continue his career in the American foreign service. Walter’s superior wish him to break off with Lorraine the same as they did with his marriage to Muna. Her family would only like retribution for the way Walter treated her.

When Walter helps his new friends in the Phalange take delivery of American aid and pass it to a rebel group, it becomes a mystery of what is the purpose? Is it just a plot to draw out the rebels and prove that the Americans are helping rebel groups? Who will it gain? And who will lose? There are so many factions looking to score, and so many people trying to improve their positions.

Will Walter Lukash get out alive? You have to read the novel. It takes the reader on a visit to a place many will never see, in situations that most will never be involved it. It is a finely written story with more twists and turns than a modern roller coaster. It combines mystery, travel, romance and political intrigue in a novel that is difficult to put down. Preston Fleming is a master writer who has made this story become real. show less

Walter Lukash is caught in two worlds but doesn't see a way out of his situation either. Walter's girlfriend who happens to be married is chasing after him because she's a clingy bitch. Walter secretly married against policy now has to face the consequences of that choice as well. Walter is suppose to prevent The US from getting involved in another war. Walter's contacts have other ideas about his mandate. Can Walter get out of the crossfire? Will the girlfriend or wife find Walter? Your answers await you in Bride of a Bygone War.

Preston Fleming has created a wonderful world that centers around historical facts. He brings them to life by showing how the intelligence world really works not just the Hollywood version of the events, show more places, and people. Fleming never seems to fail at making historical facts into a captivation story. I look forward to more of this author in the future. show less

Wow, what an enthralling plot! I couldn't put it away. It kept me breathless and I was urged to go on until the very last page. Right from the start I was dipped into the explosive world of the Middle East around the time of the 80s. Beirut wasn't anymore the Paris from the East. The war has divided the city into west and east with a lot of checkpoints, military forces and several intelligence services which play each other off against each other. In the middle of this setting a CIA agent is not only trying to do the best for his intelligence service but also to solve his former love live and saving his currently one.
I can strongly recommend this story.

An engaging spy- thriller in Beirut, Lebanon during the Lebanese Civil War in the 70’s and 80’s. Anyone who has visited or lived in Beirut will recognize many of the street names and outlying environs and the interplay of cultural niceties and animosities. Walter Lukash, an experienced CIA agent, returns to Beirut for an undercover assignment that will put him in the middle of the warring factions and also lead to his entanglement in his own web of intrigue, infidelity, whore-mongering, and agency deceit. The Agency is not your mother. You are its tool. The pace is fast and the conclusion is a surprise. A good read…

Preston Fleming’s second book on the Lebanese Civil War is as interesting and intriguing as the first. In writing about American agents involved in the day to day handling and searching for information to keep their government up to speed on what is going on in a dangerous part of the world Fleming is able to make the agents interesting and real. There is no James Bond thrills or action, just ordinary Americans facing an almost impossible task of figuring out what is going on and using information from locals who hopefully will not lead them in the wrong direction or into a dangerous situation. I believe it gives a very good look at what the day to day work that the agents do and the problems that they face.

A very interesting and show more exciting read. Hopefully there will be more to follow. show less