Customer Reviews

London Match (Charnwood Library)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's one of those hall-of-mirrors British spy stories in which the puzzle is to figure out who is working for whom, and who is double-crossing whom.
I was rereading my Len Deightons, partly to see how much impact they still have post-cold war, and I picked this one up out of order. After the first few pages I remembered that this was third in the Bernard Samson series, set in the 1970's and 80's, but it has close affinities to the Harry Palmer series of the 60's, especially Funeral in Berlin. (This has a 1985 publication date). If you're completely new to Len Deighton I'd start with those, and of course you should read Berlin Game and Mexico Set before this.
Some people think Deighton deteriorated in the later spy books. They contain fewer wisecracks and less descriptive scene- setting. In compensation there's a lot of subtle humor in the portrayal of the Dilbert-like atmosphere of office politics, and the plots are more sharply focussed and draw naturally to a climax. The earlier books tend to jump from episode to episode with a tidying up of plot in the last chapter.

Previously, in two preceeding Bernard Samson books we found out that Fiona was a deep KGB plant in MI6. 'Game' went to her. Bernard, her husband was the one who exposed her and then got his own back at the KGB by helping with the defection of Fiona's deputy. 'Set' to Bernard. The concluding book in the trilogy and the decider of the 'match' is appropriately enough the most complex plot of the three.

It's bad enough that Bernard has not quite won back the full confidence of MI6, still smarting over Fiona's sting; they're naturally enough still suspicious of her husband. What's worse is that Bernard uncovers evidence that there is another 'mole' within MI6. Evidence points to Bret Rensselaer. It could not get more awkward for Bernard. Bret is his supervisor. Bernard suspects him of having had an affair with Fiona, and now that he is under investigation, Bret turns to Bernard as the only person who can clear him.

The book brilliantly puts all of this human emotion and drama into play as well as other domestic issues pressing in on Bernard. Fiona may try to take away their children, to live with her in East Berlin. Fiona's father, wealthy, better able to provide, and a doting grand-dad also wants the children and Bernard fears he may attempt a legal move. It's left to Bernard to deal with all of this and still find out who is the mole in MI6.

Bernard finaly confronts his betrayer over the fate of their children and the consequences of it show that the story of Bernard and Fiona Sampson is far from over. Don't read this unless you have read the two previous novels.

Moles abound.

The last book in this trilogy is probably not quite as good as the other two, you could call it a 3.75 if you like, but there is some entertaining commentary on what goes on in the spook office with the whole clueless management versus the footslogging hardworking spy in the field.

MI6 is still a bit worried about Benard because of his traitorous spouse, so when he finds out about what he thinks is yet another mole, he isn't looked on too favourably, particularly as it might just be one of the higher-ups.

People who like the others should still enjoy this.

This is the third of the Bernard Samson trilogy set in London, Berlin, Mexico and East Germany. I think that Mr. Deighton possibly felt that the first of the series was meant as a solo effort. Perhaps not. Both Berlin Game and Mexico Set stand on their own and could have been solo efforts; London Match is possibly the weaker of the three, but leaves us with that gritty taste in our mouths that recalls the anti-Bond stories of Harry Palmer, Bernard and the others.

The office wit characterized by working with management types unfamiliar with the "field" is not uncommon to many of us who spent time in the military or big corporations. We toil for those who have never experienced what they ask us to do. Hence Dickie Cruyer and Bret Rennselear. Of course for most all of us the result of the inequity of working for management is several antacid tablets; Bernard is quick to point out for him it may be death.

Len Deighton writes wonderful stories about the Cold War a long time ago. Or was it? 5 stars. Larry Scantlebury

This book can standalone as a good spy story, as can the others in this trilogy, but the storyline attains excellence when read in series - Berlin Game, Mexico Set, and London Match. The tension ebbs and flows throughout the trilogy, but it isn't until the climax of London Match that we see the full scope. I honestly think this is the best book of the three, but maybe that's just because all the threads finally come together. Highly recommended!

I would have to agree with many of the other reviewers in stating that this is one of the better Bernard Samson books. It is a good follow up and great end to this series. He pulled off a book that has a good deal of suspense through out. There is also a lot of human drama outside of the spy vs. spy game. If you are into espionage books this is a great set to send time with.

The grand-finale for the game-set-match trilogy. If you've read them all, try to read WINTER to see how it all started!

London Match by Len Deighton is a book about Benard Sampson, a spy working for London Central and his encounters and challenges as a spy living in the time of the Berlin Wall. It offered such a frightening outlook on the KGB and other secret services in Europe and Russia. I found myself being lost in the intensity and I found that I could not put the book down. There are so many suprising twists and turns that the reader is constantly surprised. After reading all of the other books in the trilagy, I had gotton to now Sampson very well. This book is very intriguing and is well written. London Match is ranked very high on my list of favorite books, along with all of his others novels.

The best of the game, set and match trilogy. Exciting, lean and suspenseful. Worth a read, this!