Customer Reviews

The Damascus Letter: A Spy Novel

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When I was a boy, there was a rumor going around that Tom Clancy had been taken into custody by the CIA because his novels about the US military were so accurate, the CIA figured he must be part of some kind of spy network.

When I read _The Damascus Letter_, I had the same feeling I used to get from Clancy novels. It's not just that DL is compelling. It's not just that I was biting my nails while I read it. It's that Dick moves with such confidence around the most private rooms and inner politics of the CIA that I kept wondering if the CIA was going to take him into custody and ask him how he knew so damn much.

But as much as I admire the detail of the book, what's most impressive is how relentlessly it deals with the ethics of its subject. I don't mean that the novel gets up on a soapbox and preaches about the necessity or evil of, um, harsh interrogation techniques. I mean it's a book driven by Americans who are themselves tortured on a daily basis over the competing needs for information, national safety, the moral high ground, and the ability to go to sleep at night knowing they acted like decent human beings. What I admire most about the book is the deep, honest struggle the book makes with questions of utter relevance to today. The book reminds me of _24_ when that show is having its rarest, best moments--the big difference being that Dick's novel can take its time showing how much these decisions cost its characters.

The ethics of Dick's book are as messy as its storytelling is clear. It's a smart, powerful book.

This first novel by Daniel Dick is both predictable and a tad trite. Every move but the final one by the hero will be a moment too late. The appointed head of the Agency is an overbearing idiot. The supporting character heroine is stunning, hungry and a super cop with morals.

That said, the basic threat was real enough and threatening enough to sustain interest and some of the techniques for smuggling were original. One major flaw in the plot is the pure and unexplained happenstance of the first critical clue. That past, the rest of the tale flows logically and the gimmick of getting the Iranian and American secret services on the same side was quite clever. Daniel Dick may yet write a very good spy novel, but this was not it.

This is my first venture into spy novels and it wasn't a bad start for DD.

What I didn't like:
There were times where things fell together too well within the plot impacting the believability. That said, other parts were good enough to overlook.
I was worried the end would get wrapped up too quickly when I hit the 90% mark. Unfortunately, it did end too quickly without explanation on some points that perhaps DD could have further explained. Perhaps this is a set up for future books starring Akil Hassan.

What I liked:
It seemed very pertinent to today's environment with respect to middle east tensions and the exposure we have domestically.
The plot is something I have often thought of regarding terrorist targets...I won't spoil it for you.
Fast moving for the most part
Very realistic perspectives from the side of the terrorists and their motives.

Loved the story. Only problem: details were either lacking or inconsistent. At the end of the book, when Bill and Akil are to meet. The time is supposed to be 7:00 based upon the code, but it has the meeting at 8:00. Also, when Ms. Martin and Akil are in Cairo, Ms. Martin is called "Ms. Martin" an not Mrs. Black by one at the prison. Only two of a number of inconsistencies that was frustrating for someone who had just finished 6 of Clancy's novels.

This writer caught my attention and keep me interested. I will look for more books in the future from Daniel and I gave him three stars. The ending was a little quick for me but not bad.

I enjoy reading debut authors, and this one was a fun read. I will look for future books from this author.
Fast paced, good characters and all around fun read.

All too often the lives of many rest in the hands of one. "The Damascus Letter" tells the tale of Akil Hassan, a CIA agent in the Middle East who doesn't have the highest reverence for the rule of espionage. But on his second chance, he finds that breaking the rules is not something that should always be condemned, ad his maverick actions may lead to him being the savior against nefarious plots. "The Damascus Letter" is a fine read for those who enjoy good spy fiction.