From the Publisher
Pomegranate. For British spymaster David Jardine, the mention of his beautiful Lebanese double agent's code name conjures up a wealth of memories: days spent teaching her the essentials of tradecraft...nights spent entwined in her supple limbs...the priceless information about Arab terrorist groups that she has funneled to him over the years. Now, from the Middle East, Pomegranate has sent a distress signal. Jardine willingly abandons a dreary Washington, D.C., conference, part of his new liaison work since a "promotion" by his envious Secret Intelligence Service boss, to race to Beirut - straight into an ambush by the Mossad, Israel's intelligence service, who reveal that Pomegranate, aka Alisha Abdul-Fetteh, is their agent. Jardine learns from the Mossad that their ex-agent Danny Davidov, expelled in disgrace for embezzlement, has retaliated with dazzling computer frauds and counterfeit schemes all over the world. Working with a partner rumored to be an ex-KGB agent, Davidov has pulled off eight flawless capers, finally cleaning out the Mafia's own bank in Palermo - providing untold millions to finance his next move. Now Davidov and his elusive cohort are going after the jackpot: the U.S. Treasury. Although being kidnapped does not normally charm Jardine, he is tantalized by the Mossad's brazen, desperate plea for help in catching Davidov. Mindful that the whole tale could be a trap - in the ever-shifting world order, who knows what reasons Israel might have for wanting to embarrass the SIS - he decides nevertheless to trust his instincts and chase down Davidov's partner. As a wave of violence spreads from Palermo to Washington and beyond, Jardine pays a disorienting visit to the new, democratic Moscow. There, in an afternoon tryst with the sultry ex-wife of ousted KGB colonel Nikolai Kolosov, he begins to unravel a shocking plot. A right-wing, anti-Yeltsin party seeking to restore the "old" Russia plans to do more than rock the U.S. dollar and collect an obs
From The Critics
Publishers Weekly
Even though this far-flung, fast-moving second novel features a higher body count and more betrayals than most Jacobean melodramas, Smith's control of his narrative remains impeccable throughout. The SIS's David Jardine, returning from the author's first spy thriller (Devil's Juggler) but newly plucked from the field and relegated to a desk job, is called to Beirut by his top agent there, only to be kidnapped by the Mossad. The Israelis tip him to two ex-agents (Mossad and KGB) who are running ever more grandiose financial scams with the ultimate goal of wrecking a major world currency. Complicating matters are some betrayals: Jardine's agent (and former lover) Alisha Abdul-Fetteh is doubling for the Israelis, and his boss, Sir Steven McCrae, wants to sack him. The plot focuses alternately on Jardine (who travels to Russia and New York) and the criminal masterminds (who visit St. Petersburg, Sicily, Washington, Fort Knox and New York), with the action climaxing in a bloody cliffhanger set in a Manhattan loft. In the shadows are the Mossad, the KGB, the new Russian mafia and a group of old Communist hardliners, each with its own agenda and each portrayed as vividly as are the scenic backdrops. Even minor characters have terrific bios here; one British spy who aids Jardine is described as ``Renfield, to Jardine's Count Dracula.'' Other touches of humor add to the satisfying fun, but the compelling and appealing center of this very fine thriller remains Jardine, a bit of a scamp but suave, brave, ruthless and smart-just what 007 would like to be if he ever grew up.
Pomegranate. For British spymaster David Jardine, the mention of his beautiful Lebanese double agent's code name conjures up a wealth of memories: days spent teaching her the essentials of tradecraft...nights spent entwined in her supple limbs...the priceless information about Arab terrorist groups that she has funneled to him over the years. Now, from the Middle East, Pomegranate has sent a distress signal. Jardine willingly abandons a dreary Washington, D.C., conference, part of his new liaison work since a "promotion" by his envious Secret Intelligence Service boss, to race to Beirut - straight into an ambush by the Mossad, Israel's intelligence service, who reveal that Pomegranate, aka Alisha Abdul-Fetteh, is their agent. Jardine learns from the Mossad that their ex-agent Danny Davidov, expelled in disgrace for embezzlement, has retaliated with dazzling computer frauds and counterfeit schemes all over the world. Working with a partner rumored to be an ex-KGB agent, Davidov has pulled off eight flawless capers, finally cleaning out the Mafia's own bank in Palermo - providing untold millions to finance his next move. Now Davidov and his elusive cohort are going after the jackpot: the U.S. Treasury. Although being kidnapped does not normally charm Jardine, he is tantalized by the Mossad's brazen, desperate plea for help in catching Davidov. Mindful that the whole tale could be a trap - in the ever-shifting world order, who knows what reasons Israel might have for wanting to embarrass the SIS - he decides nevertheless to trust his instincts and chase down Davidov's partner. As a wave of violence spreads from Palermo to Washington and beyond, Jardine pays a disorienting visit to the new, democratic Moscow. There, in an afternoon tryst with the sultry ex-wife of ousted KGB colonel Nikolai Kolosov, he begins to unravel a shocking plot. A right-wing, anti-Yeltsin party seeking to restore the "old" Russia plans to do more than rock the U.S. dollar and collect an obs
From The Critics
Publishers Weekly
Even though this far-flung, fast-moving second novel features a higher body count and more betrayals than most Jacobean melodramas, Smith's control of his narrative remains impeccable throughout. The SIS's David Jardine, returning from the author's first spy thriller (Devil's Juggler) but newly plucked from the field and relegated to a desk job, is called to Beirut by his top agent there, only to be kidnapped by the Mossad. The Israelis tip him to two ex-agents (Mossad and KGB) who are running ever more grandiose financial scams with the ultimate goal of wrecking a major world currency. Complicating matters are some betrayals: Jardine's agent (and former lover) Alisha Abdul-Fetteh is doubling for the Israelis, and his boss, Sir Steven McCrae, wants to sack him. The plot focuses alternately on Jardine (who travels to Russia and New York) and the criminal masterminds (who visit St. Petersburg, Sicily, Washington, Fort Knox and New York), with the action climaxing in a bloody cliffhanger set in a Manhattan loft. In the shadows are the Mossad, the KGB, the new Russian mafia and a group of old Communist hardliners, each with its own agenda and each portrayed as vividly as are the scenic backdrops. Even minor characters have terrific bios here; one British spy who aids Jardine is described as ``Renfield, to Jardine's Count Dracula.'' Other touches of humor add to the satisfying fun, but the compelling and appealing center of this very fine thriller remains Jardine, a bit of a scamp but suave, brave, ruthless and smart-just what 007 would like to be if he ever grew up.
Pomegranate. For British spymaster David Jardine,the mention of his beautiful Lebanese double agent's code name conjures up a wealth of memories: days spent teaching her the essential s of tradecraft... nights spent entwined in her supple limbs... the priceless information she's funneled him about Arab terrorists Now, from the Middle East, she's sent a distress signal, and Jardine races to Beirut-straight into an ambush by the Mossad, Is rail's intelligence service, who revealed that Pomegranate is their agent.
The Mossasd kidnaps Jardine because they need his help in Moscow. Their ex-aga4nt Danny Davidov, working with a partner rumored to be a former CIA agent, has pulled off a series of counterfeit schemes, around the world, ultimately cleaning out the Mafia's own bank inf Palermo--providing millions to finance their next move Target: the US Treasury, Mission: government crashing down . From a war room in New York, Jardine must out maneuver Davidov in a breathtaking game of winner take all...
The Mossasd kidnaps Jardine because they need his help in Moscow. Their ex-aga4nt Danny Davidov, working with a partner rumored to be a former CIA agent, has pulled off a series of counterfeit schemes, around the world, ultimately cleaning out the Mafia's own bank inf Palermo--providing millions to finance their next move Target: the US Treasury, Mission: government crashing down . From a war room in New York, Jardine must out maneuver Davidov in a breathtaking game of winner take all...
