Confessor [Hardcover]

John Gardner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1995

Herbie Kruger is called out of retirement to investigate the death of Gus Keene, one of the best inquistors ever employed by the British Secret Intelligence Service, and uncovers some disturbing facts about Keene's past and interest in magic. 35,000 first printing. Tour.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this second volume in Gardner's Last Kruger trilogy, Big Herbie Kruger?hero of an earlier trilogy?is called out of retirement to investigate the car-bomb assassination of Gus Keene, one of the most successful inquisitors ("confessors") ever to serve Her Majesty's spies. Herbie's old ties to Keene put his life in jeopardy as he uncovers sinister terrorists bombing European and American sites as a prelude to a scheme known only as "Magic Lightning." Herbie also learns that Keene had a second life as a world-class magician, and that he kept some of his spycraft very secret indeed; it's even possible that the master illusionist is still alive. Though Gardner provides the requisite treacheries and betrayals, a slow start and the often murky explanations of characters' complex relationships may deter some readers. In addition, while Kruger, with his mangled vocabulary and bulldoggedness, is affectionately drawn, supporting players rarely come to life. Still, readers who persevere will be rewarded when the plot's many dark secrets are finally revealed?appropriately enough, at a magician's conference in a besieged Washington, D.C. Author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

In intelligence jargon, a "confessor" is a specialist in breaking down suspected spies, informants, and defectors through relentless interrogation. Gus Keene was one of the best of the confessors in the business until terrorists blew up his car on a quiet rural road in the middle of the night. Gus' old friend Herbie Kruger has been called back from the alcoholic haze of his retirement to try to find out who killed Gus and why. Meanwhile, teams of Iraqi terrorists are making life hell in New York, Washington, London, and Paris. Using Gus' unfinished memoirs, Herbie discovers a connection between the Iraqis and a tiny splinter group of the IRA, a group Gus had nearly destroyed by using a clever bit of legerdemain to cover up a botched police raid. Gardner has an established audience, so his latest is certain to be popular, but like much of his work, it exhibits both the strengths and the weaknesses of the espionage novel at its lowest common denominator: plenty of suspense; an overabundance of gore and mayhem; and the demotion of all women characters to the roles of either sex toys or victims. Buy as demand dictates. George Needham

Product Details

• Hardcover: 394 pages
• Publisher: Otto Penzler Books; First Edition edition (April 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883402255
• ISBN-13: 978-1883402259
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,188,697 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A spy novel with a magic twist!, November 19, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Confessor (Hardcover)

Herbie Krueger must find out why Gus Keene was killed. Along the way, he finds out that his friend was a master magician and member of the Magic Circle. Why did he keep this hidden from all, and why did he take on another identity to perform? Herbie finds out that these answers directly tie in to Gus' death.

John Gardner is an Associate of the Inner Magic Circle and this book shows it. It gives incredibly detailed descriptions of some historical magic events, routines, and even an excerpt from the "Ceremony of the Broken Wand" from a magician's funeral. It's as informative as it is entertaining and I guarantee you'll find yourself bitten by the magic bug when you get through!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Now this is a spy novel!!, May 5, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Confessor (Mass Market Paperback)

Gus Keene is the British Secret Service's best confessor (interrogator). When his car is blown up, Herbie Kruger (the King of malapropisms)is brought out of retirement to find out whodunnit. He finds, instead, that Gus was one of the world's greatest magicians, and that he (Herbie) is in grave danger. Herbie moves through a maze of magic, I.R.A. plots, and Iraqi terrorism to find out what happened to poor old Gus. The answer is worth the read