“Charles Cumming has breathed new life into the spy novel.” –Ben Macintyre, bestselling author of A Spy Among Friends Published in the UK as The Man Between In this gripping contemporary thriller, reminiscent of the classic Casablanca, a successful spy novelist is drawn into a real-life espionage plot when he’s ordered to find a mysterious fugitive on the alluring but deadly streets of Morocco. mysterious fugitive on the alluring but deadly streets of Morocco.
Renowned author Kit Carradine is approached by an MI6 officer with a seemingly straightforward assignment: to track down a mysterious woman hiding somewhere in the exotic, perilous city of Marrakesh. But when Carradine learns the woman is a dangerous fugitive with ties to international terrorism, the glamour of being a spy is soon tainted by fear and betrayal.
Lara Bartok is a leading figure in Resurrection, a violent revolutionary movement whose brutal attacks on prominent right-wing public figures have spread hatred and violence across the world. Her disappearance ignites a race between warring intelligence services desperate to find her–at any cost. But as Carradine edges closer to the truth, he finds himself drawn to this brilliant, beautiful, and profoundly complex woman.
Caught between increasingly dangerous forces who want Bartok dead, Carradine soon faces an awful choice: to abandon Lara to her fate, or to risk everything trying to save her.
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Book Review:
The Moroccan Girl by Charles Cumming
Although this is not my typical genre of interest, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and recommend it.
A story of espionage, conspiracy, trust and political upheaval which lends itself too a gripping Political Thriller novel of “who’s who” in the fight in taking down “The Resurrection” and those determined to intensify its standing and powerful hold on the world.
You find yourself thinking you’re in a nostalgic, throw back novel of earlier days when in fact you are actually in a time frame of modern day spies throughout North Africa, England and Russia with a mix of British, American and Russian services and intelligence.
The story begins with spy novelist, C.K. Carradine (Kit) as he’s preparing for a writer’s festival in Marrakesh, but certain individuals have other plans for him by convincing him to serve his country under the shroud of secrecy….. to a notable degree, he enters into a country full of the unknown.
This story has nostalgic undertones of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in the classic film Casablanca which adds to its interest and intrigue.
Charles Cumming has written an intense but easy moving story that I believe will be intriguing and entertaining for both the male and female audience. This story does not disappoint with its strong written characters and the intricate description of scenery that brings the reader directly to its purpose, an engaging and believable read.
Thank you #StMartinsPress for this ARC (book format) for not only allowing me the pleasure of reading, but enjoying and reviewing as well.
Novels N Latte Book Blog
Novels & Latte Book Club
A thriller about a British spy novelist written by a British author of spy thrillers.
Talk about verisimilitude!
Christopher “Kit” Carradine is the writer of several successful spy novels. He lives in London.
One day he’s approached by MI6 and asked to do a favor for his country.
The Service knows that Kit is leaving for Marrakesh in a few days for a literary festival. They would like him to courier a couple of items for them, some money for a contact in Casablanca and a sealed packet for woman who’s supposed to be at the festival in Marrakesh.
He is told that the woman’s name is “Maria Rodriguez”.
Kit, being a patriot, jumps at the opportunity. It will also help in his writing. He’s become somewhat bored with his life and looking for adventure.
He’s about to get one!
One the train to the airport he learns that “Maria” is really Lara Bartok.
Bartok was a founding member of Resurrection, an initially non-violent activist group whose mission is to target and humiliate alt-Right figures worldwide.
When the group turned towards violence Lara got out. Now, she’s been living off the grid.
She is being sought by rival intelligence agencies in the U.S., Russia and, possibly, Britain.
An honest and honorable man, Kit soon finds himself caught in the middle. In world of treachery and crisis for which he is ill-prepared.
That’s the set-up for this electrifying, rapid-moving thriller fraught with danger and many close calls. I really liked the constant possibility of ANYONE could be a “bad guy”.
Completely gratifying. Recommend!