Customer Reviews

The Secret Agent

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

 

 

The whole world is divided into two types of people: those who divide things into two groups and those who do not..

..seriously, Ms. Matthews book oscillates wildly between "chick flick" material and the obligitory, leader-of-the-pack, head-of-the class, "high lift, low-drag" (thank you, Harry Coyle) heroine and characters that occupy the pages of this spy/CIA/former OSS agent genre. The flashbacks to post World War II Siam save the book, in my humble opinion, but she could come off a little better if she softened the hardened-bitch-longing-for-a-relationship-to-restore-a-loveless-past schtick engaged in by Ms. Fogg. (a relative of that other world-traveler, Phineas?) She could also redo the character of Oliver Kane and lose some of that too-cute dialog he is always spouting at the other end of the pay phone, ducky. Entertaining at times and *definitely* better than Finder's "Extraordinary Powers" -- but then, almost every work of fiction is (he said, gratiuitously). Still there is this indulgence in brand-name-dropping and labels. Why do we need to know *every* brand of caviar, liquor, skis, etc. Is this some kind of product placement deal?

*sigh*

She may be a former CIA agent, but that does not make her an interesting writer of spy fiction. Bored-to-tears through page 50 at which point the book was tossed into the "give to the Red Cross" bag. Good spy books are supposed to be heavy on the plot and setting, not all that deep on character. Just enough to outline the players with out being overbearing. There is plenty of character development (too much) that leads to nothing. I'm a former military intel guy. Tradecraft isn't all that interesting to me but storyline is. If you enjoy Littell, Deighton or LeCarre, avoid this book. Maybe the "beach book" readers will find it interesting. That's the worst thing that I could say about any espionage book.

I have seen some of the reviews of this book, especially Newt's. It was his that made me buy it. Perhaps I am not enough of an "insider" to appreciate this story, but I found it compelling at times, boring at times and the flipping back and forth between the present and the past at the least, distracting.
So, I would say, for a paperback price it may be worth your reading.

The "Legendary American" joined the OSS during World War II and remained with the espionage group when it was converted into the CIA. In 1945 Jack Roderick enters Bangkok. Over the next two decades he lives in Thailand rarely leaving the country and becomes known as "The Silk King" perhaps for his successful merchant business or as many locals claim as his cover for his work as a foreign spy. However, in 1967, Jack vanishes never to be seen again at about the same time that his son dies in Nam.

Decades later, Jack's grandson, Olympic ski champion Max, demands that the Thai government turn over to him his grandfather's possessions including a spectacular house in Bangkok. Instead of owning a new home, Max finds himself embroiled in a deadly conspiracy. He turns to risk expert Oliver Krane and financial guru Stefani Fogg for help.

When this historical fiction focuses on three generations of Rodericks, it is an exciting story that will electrify the audience who need to know what happened to Jack THE SECRET AGENT, desire to understand more about Rory, and want to see what will occur to Max. On the other hand, the Stefani subplot detours the story line away from its prime theme. Still, Francine Mathews provides an interesting novel filled with plenty of action and an intriguing look back at Southeast Asia during the Nam period that will excite fans of twentieth century thrillers.

Harriet Klausner

I found this on a recommended shelf of a bookstore I frequent. It wasn't one I would recommend, nor one I would avoid. There were stretches in the story I was really drawn in, but it never became one 'I just couldn't put down'... which I did a couple times reading something else instead, but I did come back to the novel after a while wanting to know a little more of what was going on and what had gone on.
There is a current story, and a history that is also being revealled that is the imputus of the current story, and that worked for me. I just didn't have an attachment to the main character. Other readers DID.

Francine Mathews is a gifted, intelligent writer! I really enjoyed her writing, but the "timing" between the two story lines, fell short.

The story begins with a bored, highly energized women on Wall Street. Stefani Fogg, who happens to be a Portfolio Manager, decides to throw away her career for a life of James Bond type excitement. Mathews does a great job in this book, showing how the "green" Ms. Fogg is "used" by her superiors and her enemies. The book follows two stories, the story of Stefani's adventure with Max Roderick and his Grandfather, Jack Roderick (portraying the real life CIA agent, Jim Thompson).

The story starts by concentrating on Stefani's adventure and then...boom, right when you can't wait to get to the next page, the story backtracks to the life of Jack Roderick. This is where I find fault with this book. The story tends to pull away from the most interesting and exciting parts, at the wrong time!

As the book continues, we are introduced to many characters, so much, that it takes away from the drama. At times, I found myself struggling to get through some of Jack's life (which is interesting, but I want to get back to Stefani!!). As Mathews lays out the foundation for each story line, the clutter of characters, the unnecessary or extra chapters of Jack's life, takes away from the drama in Stefani's new world.

In conclusion, the challanges of being an agent and the inexperiecne of Stefani Fogg, the (frequent) flashbacks to Jack Rodericks daily and CIA life, along with multiple characters, makes this book difficult. I understand that Mathews did intensive research on Jim Thompsons life, but I have to question the choice of such an inexperienced character to unravel one of the most complex mysteries to date.?

Francine Mathews has the talent for a 5 star book, but in honesty, this book missing that mark~!

It was a freebee - so why waste another minute on something less than mediocre. Last night I re-watched the Magnificent Seven - haven't seen it in 20+ years. I like the horse one better than the sword version. Anyhow, this waste of paper is not anywhere near that category. Don't bother.

Run, do not walk, to your nearest bookstore and buy this book

If you like action packed adventure and an intense interplay between personalities, geography and plot then you will find this a fine book as your ride a whirlwind of story telling that involves you in systems and power structures beyond your ability to control.

A complicated, aggressive and risk-taking woman is drawn into an intricate plot that spans three continents, involves people willing to kill and a foreign culture in Thailand impenetrable by traditional western patterns.

Francine Mathews worked for the CIA and has carried some of that knowledge with her as she develops exciting, dynamic ways of imagining a world and telling us about it. I hope she has a long career of writing novels and I look forward to her next one.

I enjoyed this book for the most part, especially the thinly veiled speculation about the dissapearance of Jim Thompson. The only thing that really soured me from time to time is how the male characters are written. They seem like a woman's version of a man.

Mathews does a masterful job telling the story of Jack Roderick, a fictionalized version of the legendary American, Jim Thompson, who disappeared without a trace in 1967. This is a thriller with a thread of romance that pulls the reader through the book. The plot is as tightly woven as a bolt of Thai silk, and the characters equally colorful. Details of southeast asian culture and landscape rounded out this engaging story.