The Spy / Thriller Novel Continued

A quiet day here in the Valley today. I went for my walk this morning, read a bit, signed up for Twitter finally and Jo and I, after listening to Deadline White House and The New Abnormal, we worked in the garden a bit. Too hot really so we decided to head back inside and watch Prime Suspect. Good idea don't you think? Oh and Church Street Bakery is open again at reduced hours and only for pick-up. We ordered a pizza for dinner. Our designated window for pick-up, 6:15😄

So on that note, my latest entry on the Spy / Thriller Genre.

The Spy / Thriller Novel

1. Ashenden or the British Agent by W. Somerset Maugham (1927). I've read and enjoyed a few of Maugham's books. Ashenden is a collection of stories based on Maugham's experiences as a spy in WWI.

"The more I read Somerset Maugham, the more I enjoy his writing. This book is based on his life as a spy for the British during WWI. It is basically a series of vignettes, with Ashenden involved in a number of incidents for the Secret Service. He is based in Switzerland, gathering information for the British, working with a core of spies who pass their observations on to him. Ashenden travels within Europe based on whatever task R. assigns to him and at the end goes to Russia to try and prevent revolution and keep Russia in the war.

I do enjoy Maugham's observational ability, his clear descriptive powers and his knack for telling a story. The incidents and people described all become very interesting, whether Ashenden is successful or not. They are stories that don't necessarily make you think or don't have any great impact on the War, from Ashenden's perspective anyway, but they demonstrate his life and his thoughts. Most interesting. (4 stars)"

There you go. More tomorrow.