The Secret Agent

by Francine Mathews

Book Overview

In her acclaimed debut, The Cutout , former CIA analyst Francine Mathews defined a world of intrigue where only the savvy survive. Now, in The Secret Agent , Mathews propels us deep into the baffling... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553109138
• ISBN13: 9780553109139
• Release Date: June 2002
• Publisher: Bantam Books
• Length: 405 Pages
• Weight: 1.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

One Intense Ride

Run, do not walk, to your nearest bookstore and buy this book If you like action packed adventure and an intense interplay between personalities, geography and plot then you will find this a fine book as your ride a whirlwind of story telling that involves you in systems and power structures beyond your ability to control.A complicated, aggressive and risk-taking woman is drawn into an intricate plot that spans three continents, involves people willing to kill and a foreign culture in Thailand impenetrable by traditional western patterns.Francine Mathews worked for the CIA and has carried some of that knowledge with her as she develops exciting, dynamic ways of imagining a world and telling us about it. I hope she has a long career of writing novels and I look forward to her next one.

Engrossing and Fun

Jack Roderick was trained by the OSS, became a silk merchant in Thailand, collected beautiful art and was known to be a foreign spy. Then one night, he walked into the jungle and disappeared. Now his grandson Max, who is a world-class competitive skier, wants his father's Thai fortune, but governmental red tape is blocking his goal Max hires Krane & Associates, a security firm, to help him with his quest. And Krane assignes his newest employee Stefani Fogg, a rich, brilliant and beautiful daredevil, to help Max and together Max and Stefani find conspiracy, truth and a whole lot more in this five star well characterized, fast moving book.Reviewed by Vesta Irene

Intricate Plot, Colorful Characters

Mathews does a masterful job telling the story of Jack Roderick, a fictionalized version of the legendary American, Jim Thompson, who disappeared without a trace in 1967. This is a thriller with a thread of romance that pulls the reader through the book. The plot is as tightly woven as a bolt of Thai silk, and the characters equally colorful. Details of southeast asian culture and landscape rounded out this engaging story.

exciting complex twentieth century thriller

The "Legendary American" joined the OSS during World War II and remained with the espionage group when it was converted into the CIA. In 1945 Jack Roderick enters Bangkok. Over the next two decades he lives in Thailand rarely leaving the country and becomes known as "The Silk King" perhaps for his successful merchant business or as many locals claim as his cover for his work as a foreign spy. However, in 1967, Jack vanishes never to be seen again at about the same time that his son dies in Nam.Decades later, Jack's grandson, Olympic ski champion Max, demands that the Thai government turn over to him his grandfather's possessions including a spectacular house in Bangkok. Instead of owning a new home, Max finds himself embroiled in a deadly conspiracy. He turns to risk expert Oliver Krane and financial guru Stefani Fogg for help.When this historical fiction focuses on three generations of Rodericks, it is an exciting story that will electrify the audience who need to know what happened to Jack THE SECRET AGENT, desire to understand more about Rory, and want to see what will occur to Max. On the other hand, the Stefani subplot detours the story line away from its prime theme. Still, Francine Mathews provides an interesting novel filled with plenty of action and an intriguing look back at Southeast Asia during the Nam period that will excite fans of twentieth century thrillers.Harriet Klausner