Spy Sinker [Hardcover]

Len Deighton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 3, 1992

The long-awaited reissue of the final part of the classic spy trilogy, HOOK, LINE and SINKER, when the Berlin Wall divided not just a city but a world. Bernard Samson is surrounded by puzzles and none more complex than Fiona, his wife and the mother of his children. But as a mystery, she is by no means alone. Can a man love two women at the same time? Can a man serve two masters? Tessa Kosinski, Bernard's socialite sister-in-law, is not the 'other woman'. She is as faithful to Bernard and Fiona as she is unfaithful to her doting husband. But she is vulnerable, and slowly she is drawn from the bright lights of London to the murkiest and bizarre corners of Berlin.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The final volume in Deighton's hook, line and sinker espionage trilogy will likely disappoint even his staunchest fans with its passionless, unsuspenseful scenario for explaining the political liberation of Eastern Europe at the end of the '80s. Bernard Sampson, protagonist of the earlier books, here steps backstage as his wife, Fiona, defects to East Germany after being groomed as a double agent. In place, Fiona is set to implement a plan facilitating the westward defection of East German professionals, leaving a gap in the economic structure which is expected to defeat the Communist regime. Fiona's abandonment of her husband and two young children occurs with little drama or conflict, and is a move no more convincing than the doubts Deighton later visits upon her. The plan conceived by Bret Rensselaer, deputy controller of European economics for Britain's SIS, to dismantle the Wall is intriguing and plausible, but its fictional execution is without force. At his best with action scenes, Deighton gives us too few; only those that begin and end his tale ring with excitement and suspense. 250,000 first printing; $250,000 ad/promo.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

'All done with the chilling competence we expect from Mr Deighton! No padding, no slowing of pace, and writing is crisp and brutal' Daily Telegraph 'Dazzling ingenuity and cleverness' Independent 'A remarkable feat' Sunday Express --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Random House Value Publishing (March 3, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517080613
• ISBN-13: 978-0517080610
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,888,273 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Great Explanation, November 25, 2001

By 

Helen (Cambridge, UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spy Sinker (Hardcover)

Sinker is the sixth book in Deighton's series starring the middle aged and "past it" British spy Bernard Samson. However, this book is different from the other five in that it is written in the third person rather than the first. This allows the reader a greater insight into the doings of other members of the cast, particularly Brett, and makes us realise how Bernard has been used as a pawn in the bigger picture. Previously we were encouraged to believe that Bernard knew everything, that he was the professional in this game played out by amateurs behind their desks in London.

Sinker lets us into the world of Fiona, Bernard's estranged wife who defected to the other side and works for the Stasi in East Berlin. Deighton examines Fiona's life and her fears thoughtfully and realistically, but once again showing how she too is little more than a pawn in what is and also has been a man's game based on old promises, betrayal and the old school tie system.

Unlike many other spy mystery authors, Deighton ensures that the characters are the most important and well developed part of the book. We know their loves and their innermost thoughts, but we are also left with the feeling that we do not quite know everything. It is this air of mystery which keeps the reader hooked until the dramatic conclusion of this book.

Overall, Sinker is essential reading but for absolute enjoyment should be read in conjunction with the preceding five books and the following trilogy.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Winter, April 18, 2003

By 

Dr. H. W. Mergler (Ft. Myers, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spy Sinker (Hook, Line and Sinker Trilogy, Vol 3) (Audio Cassette)

To really enjoy any of the nine books in the three triologies,
Berlin Game, Mexico Set, and London Match- Spy Hook, Spy Line, and Spy Sinker - Faith, Hope, and Charity one should begin with Deighton's Winter. This books traces the story of the German family named Winter from New Years, 1900 through the close of the Second World War and in the process introduces most of the principal characters that appear in the subsequent trilogies. I have recently reread the ten books, starting with Winter and my enjoyment was multiplied many times over the first readings.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wrapping up the last five books, October 13, 2010

By 

TChris (Tzer Island) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: Spy Sinker (Hook, Line and Sinker Trilogy, Vol 3) (Audio Cassette)

Spy Sinker retells the Samson saga (as developed in the Game, Set, and Match trilogy and in the first two books of the Hook, Line, and Sinker trilogy) from the points of view of players other than Samson: notably his wife Fiona, the bombastic fellow agent Bret Rensselaer, the Director General Henry Clevemore, and the power behind the scenes, Silas Gaunt. Most of the novel centers on the Game, Set and Match time frame. It fills in gaps and provides additional insight into Fiona, but unlike the other novels, this one is more expository, more telling than showing. The novel is essential if you've read the other five for the clarifying background it provides and for tying up loose ends (and maybe even for making sense of the whole thing, because trying to keep information straight that develops over the course of five books is challenging: this novel acts as an outline of prior events). As a stand-alone, however, it's a bit more of a yawner than other books in the series, and certainly a spoiler if you don't save it for last. Its main interest derives from the insight it provides into characters you've grown to know (and to like or dislike, depending on the character) over the course of the first five books.

(Note: Due to a posting error on my part, the line above my review stating that the review is from an audio cassette version of the book is incorrect. I am reviewing the hardcover edition of the book.)