Deep Purple Book

This reader thought that this story was too short, out of date and unrealistic for his liking. Actually, given that the book was only only 235 pages in length and while it had a plethora of characters, it could have been much longer. The key to the story, as with most spy thrillers (and whodunnits), would be usually found in the endings. Given this was the case in this story, this reader thought that even more information should have been given about the poor unfortunate life of the main character in the story: Eddie Hoggart (* Spoiler Alert*) You see, Eddie was tough guy and could handle himself in a fight, but he made a bad mistake in life that lead to some terrible consequences. More troubling was the unrealistic storyline because back in the days when Europe was divided, there were very few defectors to the East with only Philby, Burgess and McClean come to mind (and the later two then wanted to come back!). This story didn't do it for me on this occasion. 2 Stars.

Ted Allbeury wrote a staggering 42 novels and wrote under two other pen names ~ Richard Butler and Patrick Kelly as well. Here are 28 read's from Allbeury, all rated accordingly:

THE GOOD (Four to Five Stars): 'The Lantern Network', 'Shadow of a Doubt', 'A Wilderness of Mirrors', 'A Time Without Shadows' aka 'The Rules of the Game', 'The Only Good German' aka 'Mission Berlin', 'The Dangerous Edge', 'Palomino Blonde' aka 'Omega- minus', 'The Lonely Margins', 'The Crossing' aka 'The Berlin Exchange', 'Seeds of Treason', 'Other Kinds of Treason', 'Special Forces' aka 'Moscow Quadrille', the feel good, 'The Girl From Addis', 'Pay Any Price' and the rather exceptional, and this person's favourite, 'The Line-Crosser' (published in 1993).

THE AVERAGE (Two or Three Stars): 'Show Me a Hero', 'No Place to Hide' aka 'Hostage', 'The Reckoning', 'The Twentieth Day of January' a.k.a. 'Cold Tactics', 'The Reaper' aka 'The Stalking Angel' and 'Deep Purple'. He also wrote, 'The Choice' which is not espionage and this reader thought (even though it was critically acclaimed) not a good one.

THE UGLY (One or two stars): It's, however, probably best to stay away from: 'Aid and Comfort', 'The Assets' aka "Due Process', 'The Secret Whispers', 'The Alpha List', 'Consequences of Fear' aka 'Smokescreen' and 'The Spirit of Liberty'.