The Deceiver

Rating:
Summary: Forsyth can be fun!
Review: Forsyth has written some of the best spy-thrillers, in an universe filled with LeCarrés, Folletts, Deightons and so on. His earlier books, such as "The day of the Jackal" and "The Odessa file" are simply marvelous pieces of research and storytelling. This book, "The Deceiver", portraits what happens to a british spy when the Cold War is over: his superiors are trying to give him an early retirement, since he's no use in these peaceful days. Maybe Forsyth wrote the story ( I mean, the four stories ), thinking what was going to happen to HIM, and other writers alike, since their primary plot in the real world was shattered altogether with the Berlim Wall. And I guess Forsyth wasn't that much worried. The first story is the heaviest one, with a psychological side. As the book goes on, you get to know the hero, MacCready, not only as a spymaster, but mainly as a person, an individual. The last story is the best one, in a mood that resembles the Agatha Christie's Poirot's detective cases. Highly recommended to people who want to learn more about Forsyth himself.

Rating:
Summary: great Cold War espionage
Review: Frederick Forsyth delivers thrilling tales of Cold War espionage in The Deceiver. The book is a collection of novellas that revolve around the career of one of British intelligence's most effective operatives. Unfortunately for that operative, he is being sent by the new administration into quiet retirement on the eve of the end of the Cold War. Using a committee review of that operative's career to link the individual episodes, Forsyth provides another entertaining character in thrilling spy tales.

Rating:
Summary: Outstandingly good spy story.
Review: I've read a few spy novel by other authors, but this one has to be the best I've read to date. It's interesting how Forsyth managed to blend in the character of Sam Mcgeedy in all the four sub stories in one book. Particularly my favourite is the first two stories which involves a phony russian defections and Sam Mcgreedy involvement in a 'cross border exchange gone wrong' in Berlin. Highly intense!

The detail of the story on how the procedure are done in the intelligence community prooves his thorough research on the book. This is rewarded by an overwhelming attachment and sense of realism from the reader. It is really difficult to put this book down, once you started it. Highly recommended for those who seek realism and detailed process in espionage action story.

Rating:
Summary: Worthwhile Book
Review: This book comprises four short stories featuring spymaster Sam McCready.

Story #1 is a masterpiece of action; your heartbeat will confirm this as you turn page after page avidly. The way McCready has to kill the very friend he is there to save is pure drama. One of the best compositions by Forsyth ever -- teachers should assign it for children to read at school.

Story #2 is the state-of-the-art of psychological twist. Until the last page you will not know who is telling the truth or lying. Thank you Fred.

Story #3 does not take after the two previous ones; it is good but not as gripping as those are. You will not let unnoticed the vast research job Forsyth has done to describe places and situations in such a detailed manner. ...

Story #4 -- Forsyth not in his best; he was actually having a bad day.

Because of its fluent prose and intricate plots, I can recommend “The Deceiver” -- a really worthwhile book.

Rating:
Summary: This book is getting worst from one story to the other
Review: This book has 4 different stories, in all of them appear Spy McCready as a super hero, the book will keep you interested in the stories but is not exactly what I expected from Forsyth.

The first story has 4 stars.
The second story has 5 stars.
The third story has 3 stars.
Don't waste your time with the fourth one.