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zare_i's review against another edition
4.0
Another interesting novel from Kevin Wignall. Main protagonist Freddie looks like he jumped out of "The Conversation", movie starring Gene Hackman - Hackman's character is also surveillance expert haunted by the past trying not to cause more innocent deaths by his investigations. As I said very similar personalities and characters (although Wignall's Freddie is maybe younger than Hackman's Harry Caul).
I especially liked the twist (hiring spy that does not know language of actual information he is chasing).
Very good novel, highly recommended to all fans of thrillers and espionage.
I especially liked the twist (hiring spy that does not know language of actual information he is chasing).
Very good novel, highly recommended to all fans of thrillers and espionage.
jwillis81's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this book, especially hearing that it's in development as a movie. And as much as I enjoy an "everyman" protagonist, this story was just a little too far-fetched for me. The protagonist seemed to luck into every situation, and the other characters were often dumbed down to accommodate his lack of experience (for example, when he manages to get the drop on a seasoned operator, and convinces him to divulge critical mission information that a spy in that position wouldn't just voluntarily give up). Because of that, I never quite got into the story or felt a connection with the protagonist despite the premise and the hook really catching my interest. Overall, this one didn't really leave a lasting impression on me.
mandarinkata's review against another edition
2.0
One of the most boring books I’ve ever read. It was so boring that it doesn’t deserve reviewing even
catscodeandcake's review against another edition
4.0
A satisfying read
I’m not familiar with this author’s other work, and downloaded the book and audiobook out of curiosity when I found them on Kindle Unlimited, as I enjoy the freedom of moving between the written and spoken word according to what I’m doing.
Very much a David and Goliath story, this is an enjoyable and reasonably believable spy thriller. There is nothing flashy about the hero, no great machismo, and the book is all the better for having a main character who feels genuinely human, and not some kind of action hero who was just waiting to be discovered.
There is perhaps less of a sense of place than I was expecting, given the title of the book: Vienna may be the main location but it doesn’t really come to life, even for someone who knows it well. But overall this is an enjoyable book that teaches a satisfying conclusion. The Audible narration is also good, making the transition between written and spoken word seamless and enjoyable.
I’m not familiar with this author’s other work, and downloaded the book and audiobook out of curiosity when I found them on Kindle Unlimited, as I enjoy the freedom of moving between the written and spoken word according to what I’m doing.
Very much a David and Goliath story, this is an enjoyable and reasonably believable spy thriller. There is nothing flashy about the hero, no great machismo, and the book is all the better for having a main character who feels genuinely human, and not some kind of action hero who was just waiting to be discovered.
There is perhaps less of a sense of place than I was expecting, given the title of the book: Vienna may be the main location but it doesn’t really come to life, even for someone who knows it well. But overall this is an enjoyable book that teaches a satisfying conclusion. The Audible narration is also good, making the transition between written and spoken word seamless and enjoyable.
takealoadoff's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
It was fun! Not particularly meaningful but interesting.
mpr2000's review against another edition
5.0
Dying in Vienna is not included on the Freddie Makin plans after spending a year watching a Chinese scientist, but his boss thinks otherwise, he had seen too much and his life is worthless...
In this thriller full of action and secret spies, Freddie will play the cat and the mouse with the mysterious man/woman that wants him dead, while he is trying to decipher what he had seen that had put his life in danger...
Let me say that Kevin Wignall has done an incredible job with this book; it is addictive, suspenseful, with humour doses and human, I loved it!
You may be asking what made this book different, it was not the typical spy book, the spy was not really a spy, yes, he had a dangerous job, but he never thought it would be dangerous or that he will have to run for his life. The most important part is that he doesn't want to kill or knows killing movements, he simply has luck (or bad luck, depending on your perspective) and is ready to fight for his life (or run, if you prefer...). He even is ready to use some pink fluffy handcuffs to retain one of the bad men to stay alife and didn't have to hurt him, be prepared for a hero with a heart and a past, someone to trust.
Ready for a dangerous trip through Vienna?
In this thriller full of action and secret spies, Freddie will play the cat and the mouse with the mysterious man/woman that wants him dead, while he is trying to decipher what he had seen that had put his life in danger...
Let me say that Kevin Wignall has done an incredible job with this book; it is addictive, suspenseful, with humour doses and human, I loved it!
You may be asking what made this book different, it was not the typical spy book, the spy was not really a spy, yes, he had a dangerous job, but he never thought it would be dangerous or that he will have to run for his life. The most important part is that he doesn't want to kill or knows killing movements, he simply has luck (or bad luck, depending on your perspective) and is ready to fight for his life (or run, if you prefer...). He even is ready to use some pink fluffy handcuffs to retain one of the bad men to stay alife and didn't have to hurt him, be prepared for a hero with a heart and a past, someone to trust.
Ready for a dangerous trip through Vienna?
susanatherly's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and the promise that I would review it when done.
I really liked this book. I was kind of surprised by how much so. The characters are engaging and the author did a good job drawing them and not belaboring that process. The plot was fast paced and had enough twists and turns that, even though I suspected who "the bad guys" were, when I found out it still was a bit surprising. I've been to Vienna and the author captured the atmosphere of the city well.
It was one of those books that I felt a little bit of sadness when it ended because I didn't want to leave the characters. I hope this is the start of a series. I definitely will read this one again again...and probably see the movie when it comes out.
I really liked this book. I was kind of surprised by how much so. The characters are engaging and the author did a good job drawing them and not belaboring that process. The plot was fast paced and had enough twists and turns that, even though I suspected who "the bad guys" were, when I found out it still was a bit surprising. I've been to Vienna and the author captured the atmosphere of the city well.
It was one of those books that I felt a little bit of sadness when it ended because I didn't want to leave the characters. I hope this is the start of a series. I definitely will read this one again again...and probably see the movie when it comes out.
virginiacjacobs's review against another edition
2.0
I don't even know if this book was supposed to be a mystery/suspense story. It was a lot of poor writing, navel-gazing, and a not very bright protagonist. I mean, come on, the ONLY use for a command delay program is to game the stock market. And he was supposed to work in intelligence?
thebooktrail88's review against another edition
3.0
Visit Vienna with this book!
I’ve not read many spy action thrillers but this one felt very different to the ones I had. Slower paced for one, but that worked well in the sense the tension built up steadily and the twists and shadows of the city appeared and disappeared at will.
Freddie was a great character but for a spy was rather in touch with his feelings!Not sying that spies aren’t or shouldn’t be but he has a backstory and worries of his own which ,when being the target as it were, really came into his own. There’s a great deal to think about if you’re a spy it would seem and loyalty is not all it’s cracked up to be. This was an interesting angle on the spy story for me and there were lots of grey areas opposed to the black and white of the spy world and the world outside.
Vienna was the perfect backdrop to this story of secrets and spies. Old, gothic and with plenty of character and history. The characters moved around the city, taking advantage of it history and cobbled, twisty alleyways. The author really used the setting well to illustrate an old city, plenty of heritage and secrets of course.
It’s going to be a film – think this will work really well on screen and I’ll be in that queue at the cinema for sure!
I’ve not read many spy action thrillers but this one felt very different to the ones I had. Slower paced for one, but that worked well in the sense the tension built up steadily and the twists and shadows of the city appeared and disappeared at will.
Freddie was a great character but for a spy was rather in touch with his feelings!Not sying that spies aren’t or shouldn’t be but he has a backstory and worries of his own which ,when being the target as it were, really came into his own. There’s a great deal to think about if you’re a spy it would seem and loyalty is not all it’s cracked up to be. This was an interesting angle on the spy story for me and there were lots of grey areas opposed to the black and white of the spy world and the world outside.
Vienna was the perfect backdrop to this story of secrets and spies. Old, gothic and with plenty of character and history. The characters moved around the city, taking advantage of it history and cobbled, twisty alleyways. The author really used the setting well to illustrate an old city, plenty of heritage and secrets of course.
It’s going to be a film – think this will work really well on screen and I’ll be in that queue at the cinema for sure!
kirkw1972's review against another edition
3.0
A bit different from my usual tastes as I don't usually read spy thrillers. It's ok, I did enjoy it but I'm probably not going to rush to read another. Lots of twists and turns and it does read quite fast. The man character is quite likeable. Overall not a bad book but not one that makes me change my mind about the genre