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arytaco's review against another edition
4.0
Eric Ambler is one of the premier mystery writers of recent memory, as his spy stories affected the culture of the genre and its style. His novels usually centered on ordinary protagonists swept up in extraordinary circumstances, as Hitchcock would say. “Epitaph for a Spy” is about a linguist on vacation who finds the film negative of his camera containing images that he never photographed. This is the central MacGuffin, which forces our protagonist to question all of the characters at his hotel. Although there is a plot and plenty of tension, the novel works best as a moral exercise, as Ambler allows us to penetrate the thoughts and decisions of the protagonist through first-person writing. Altogether the novel is very functional, both working as entertainment and a more complex examination of humanity.
thisisthelion's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5.
I liked the first half more then the second.
I liked the first half more then the second.
tombennett72's review against another edition
5.0
I'm a relatively newcomer to Eric Ambler, and have quickly become a firm fan. This is another example of his wonderfully clear writing style, fascinating plots and rich, interesting characters.
The 1930s were a rich time for espionage - it's fascinating to look through the eyes of the characters and see a Europe where it's far from clear who is friend and who is foe.
Eric Ambler's books bring a quality of writing and a richness which is lacking from most 'espionage' literature.
The 1930s were a rich time for espionage - it's fascinating to look through the eyes of the characters and see a Europe where it's far from clear who is friend and who is foe.
Eric Ambler's books bring a quality of writing and a richness which is lacking from most 'espionage' literature.
nigellicus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
5.0
It's hard not to feel sorry for the hapless Vadassy, roped into a plot, forced to hunt for a spy, a task for which he is woefully unprepared and which he goes about with a bumbling desperation. This is the anthisesis of one of those books where a clever slueth probes the doings and stories of a series of characters all confined to a single location, eventually, putting the clues together and seeing through the deceptions to finally reveal the culprit. Poor Vadassy acts in a way that probably more closely resembles how the rest of us would act in that situation, completely out of our depth. In the end, the hidden world of espionage and intrigue are larger and nastier than he could ever have imagined.
adrianjd's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I enjoyed this book. Set in a tumultuous time in Europe, as is most of Ambler’s work, this book will keep you guessing until the end
theaurochs's review against another edition
3.0
A paranoid and tense novel. The locations are well painted and populated with vivid if caricaturesque people. Vadassy, the archetypical spy protagonist, is thrust against his will into a world of intrigue- much imagined but much not. As the story progresses it becomes clearly that noone at the Hotel de la Reserve is exactly what they seem, and may or may not be trustworthy. Until the very last moment I did find find myself along with Vadassy unsure of who the culprit actually was, which is clearly the sign of competent plotting.
Vadassy himself is unique in his distinct blandness; often a passive protagonist as events unfold around him. This may be for the best though as the rest of the crew are, to say the least, of their time.
What surprised me was how little action takes place; beyond a brief chase sequence at the climax of the book, most of the novel is concerned with sowing unease and uncertainty, to reasonable effect. The lengthy conversations though can seem rambling and sometimes unclear in purpose.
The insight into the political climate of the late 30s is refreshing, and if anything could have taken more of a forefront.
A solid novel with tension and plot that holds up some 80 years later, and would probably be more greatly appreciated by a fan of the genre.
Vadassy himself is unique in his distinct blandness; often a passive protagonist as events unfold around him. This may be for the best though as the rest of the crew are, to say the least, of their time.
What surprised me was how little action takes place; beyond a brief chase sequence at the climax of the book, most of the novel is concerned with sowing unease and uncertainty, to reasonable effect. The lengthy conversations though can seem rambling and sometimes unclear in purpose.
The insight into the political climate of the late 30s is refreshing, and if anything could have taken more of a forefront.
A solid novel with tension and plot that holds up some 80 years later, and would probably be more greatly appreciated by a fan of the genre.
barts_books's review against another edition
3.0
A pleasant and entertaining spy novel that feels just a little faded.