Rating: 
Summary: A good book, but easy to decipher
Review: The Prodigal Spy is well written, hooking the reader to the end. However, the plot is paper thin, and like most of the other reviewers, I knew what the conclusion would look like. My major concern is that there is a major loophole in the story, concerning the location of a certain object, and how Nikku knew it would be there. If anyone can enlighten me personally as to where in the book Nikku finds out that the object would be hidden there, then please email me and let me know. On the whole, I'd recommend the book, as it stands apart from most spy books, though not as good as le carre. Good book, shame about the obvious plot.
Rating: 
Summary: Great reading from Page 1 to the end
Review: The Prodigal Spy was a gift to me. After reading it I immediately bought Los Alamos. Can't wait for Kanon's next book.
Rating:
Summary: Kind of different but interresting
Review: This book is more about love than intelligence. Joseph Kanon is extremely good as writing what's in the head of a boy and to describe prague during the soviet occupation. This is the story of Nick Koltar a man who saw his father leaving him and his mother because he was accused of beeing a spy. As I said, it's more about Nick's relationship with his father than a real spy book but it's still a page turner. For those who love mystery but still wants to see sentimental character.
Rating:
Summary: Fun, light weight read--nothing more
Review: This book is one of those great summer reads. Nothing too deep but still enough twists and turns to keep it exciting. I found the HUAC stuff and descriptions of life in a communist country in the late sixties to be fascinating. Yeah, I agree with everyone else that picking out the villian is way to easy but who cares? This is not a great work of fiction but a FUN one.
Rating:
Summary: A gripping tale, Kanon might possibly be the next Ludlum
Review: This book takes you around the globe in a thrilling tale of power and decption. From the Mcarthy days in Washington to present day eastern Europe, You'll be kept at the edge of your seat. Lookout Ludlum
Rating: 
Summary: A quick read, but a marginal story at best
Review: This was another novel that was hyped quite a bit in media circles when it was released in hardcover. Yet once again, it fails to live up to its hype. The premise of the story, revolving loosely around the Communist witch-hunting of the 1950's and the distrustful mindset of the late '60's, was promising. Mr. Kanon's portrayal of Nick Kotlar's inner conflict was also great. However, the story fails to deliver on much else. There was so much that could have been done with the premise and historical setting that Mr. Kanon did not achieve. The plot was also very, in the words of a previous reviewer, "transparent"; you could literally figure out who did what about 200 pages or less into the novel. And even then, the outcome was very unsatisfying. Also, a nagging problem for me was the numerous historical inaccuracies. A couple have been listed in prior reviews; the notable one I caught revolved around the Order Of Lenin medal. Given recent historical works surrounding the KGB, the Order of Lenin was indeed awarded to non-Soviet spies (i.e. Kim Philby). However, those who were awarded it were not allowed to keep it beyond their award presentation, much less be able to travel abroad with it. Therefore, I could not get past the fact that Kotlar's father was supposedly living in Czechoslovakia with it. Inaccuracies in the spy genre are very near to mortal sins, especially with authors such as Clancy, Ludlum, and DeMille as competitors in the field. A weak, easily solved plot and inability to make the most of a historical setting and premise that is ripe for the picking are also huge gaffes. It is a quick read, but very disappointing. I can't help but believe that if another, more able writer were given this type of story to work with, it would be a far better and more enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: Intelligent and Engaging
Review: This was one of the most intelligent and engaging espionage novels I have read. I rate this as highly as I would Ludlum's Bourne Identity. If the McCarthy era intrigues you, I think you will enjoy this story.
Rating: 
Summary: This Cold War spy story kept me reading till 4 am
Review: This well-crafted story opens with a State Department man in the hot seat during the 1950s Communism hearings. Much to his wife and son's amazement he defects to Russia -- a clear statement of his guilt to all concerned. Years later he contrives a rendezvous with his now grown son to whom he reveals that it wasn't really as simple as all that. Would love to give it all away, but will resist.The spy story is super. Nice surprises. Nifty double crosses. Good suspense. My only hesitation on recommending this book are two to three pages of very detailed gratuitous sex. Certainly not necessary for the storyline, and sure to offend some readers.
Rating:
Summary: Definitely a Home Run
Review: When I read Walter Kanon's first novel, "Los Alamos," I felt that we had a new thriller writer with real potential on our hands. That book didn't quite work, with the author spending too much time on atmosphere and the characters and not enough time on the plot. After all, in my book you read a thriller for the plot - if you want great characters and atmosphere, read Flaubert or Bellow. With "The Prodigal Spy," however, Mr. Kanon has definitely hit a home run. The characters are truly vivid, and the atmosphere of 1969 Prague is very well done indeed. But it is the plot that will stay in my mind, enthralling in its detail, complexity and surprises; all elements of the story are expertly balanced, making for a very enjoyable experience. This tale of a young man travelling behind the Iron Curtain to meet his long-lost defector father and then returning to the United States to uncover an even more important mole is worthy of comparison with le Carre, Greene and even Eric Ambler himself. I thought the denoument rather predictable, but that didn't spoil "a cracking good read." Bravo!
Rating:
Summary: Definitely a Home Run
Review: When I read Walter Kanon's first novel, "Los Alamos," I felt that we had a new thriller writer with real potential on our hands. That book didn't quite work, with the author spending too much time on atmosphere and the characters and not enough time on the plot. After all, in my book you read a thriller for the plot - if you want great characters and atmosphere, read Flaubert or Bellow. With "The Prodigal Spy," however, Mr. Kanon has definitely hit a home run. The characters are truly vivid, and the atmosphere of 1969 Prague is very well done indeed. But it is the plot that will stay in my mind, enthralling in its detail, complexity and surprises; all elements of the story are expertly balanced, making for a very enjoyable experience. This tale of a young man travelling behind the Iron Curtain to meet his long-lost defector father and then returning to the United States to uncover an even more important mole is worthy of comparison with le Carre, Greene and even Eric Ambler himself. I thought the denoument rather predictable, but that didn't spoil "a cracking good read." Bravo!
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