Reviews
A Publishers Weekly Best Mystery/Thriller of the Year "Blending old-time yarns with a contemporary saga of payback and political intrigue . . . McCarry merges time-honored tradecraft with the technology of the day . . . [His] real-life cloak-and-dagger work is long past. But he's clearly banked plenty of know-how from those days, and he continues to parcel it out in entertaining spy novels like this one."-- Washington Post "Charles McCarry is criminally underrated: The former CIA operative has been writing brilliant thrillers under the radar for decades--the latest being The Mulberry Bush . . . McCarry's twisty plot doubles back on itself multiple times, keeping us off-kilter to the last moment."-- Seattle Times "This exceptional spy thriller, from the exceptionally talented McCarry, starts slowly and builds to an incredible ending . . . A worldwide cat-and-mouse game. Grade: A"-- Cleveland Plain Dealer "[An] exceptional spy novel . . . McCarry spins his riveting story in unexpected ways; the writing is always subdued but brilliant, leading unsuspecting readers to collide straight into the unforgiving wall of a stunning ending."-- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Veteran spy thriller novelist and former CIA covert operative Charles McCarry follows the body-strewn, undercover trail of a hot-shot agent determined to avenge his father . . . A little Ian Fleming, a little Charles Cumming, a little Barry Eisler--McCarry is in fine company."--Shelf Awareness "Like Shakespeare's Prince Hamlet, the protagonist in this new novel from McCarry is a young man set on avenging the grievous wrong done to his deceased father . . . Just as Hamlet ends with an intricately choreographed scene of violent death, this novel concludes in a crescendo of lethal treachery, but not before McCarry, who has mined the rich vein of spycraft for decades, dazzles us with smart dialog, fascinating characters, and local exotica of wonderful variety and authenticity."-- Library Journal "McCarry is a well regarded espionage novelist . . . As one frequently discovers in the world of espionage very little is as it appears and The Mulberry Bush 's protagonist . . . must do battle with his own employers. Needless to say, McCarry knows how the game is played and tells it well."--Our Man in Boston "Classic noir themes of trust, motive, and tarnished ideals spin through this mordant, cerebral thriller about an agent on a two-tiered mission. Veteran thriller author and former CIA op McCarry opens this latest with a cracking good setup."-- Kirkus Reviews "McCarry is one of the finest spy novelists in the world, with 13 masterful novels to prove it . . . Serpentine and stylish, McCarry has the late Eric Ambler's elegant sureness of touch."-- Daily Mail (UK) "A slow, cerebral thriller than nonetheless offers a persuasive account of the realities of the espionage life."-- Mail on Sunday (UK), "Thriller of the Week" Praise for Charles McCarry: "Charles McCarry is perhaps the best ever."--Lee Child, bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series, on The Shanghai Factor "Recognized as a spy novelist of uncommon gifts."-- Washington Post , on The Old Boys, A Publishers Weekly Best Mystery/Thriller of the Year "Charles McCarry is criminally underrated: The former CIA operative has been writing brilliant thrillers under the radar for decades--the latest being The Mulberry Bush . . . McCarry's twisty plot doubles back on itself multiple times, keeping us off-kilter to the last moment."-- Seattle Times "This exceptional spy thriller, from the exceptionally talented McCarry, starts slowly and builds to an incredible ending . . . A worldwide cat-and-mouse game. Grade: A"-- Cleveland Plain Dealer "[An] exceptional spy novel . . . McCarry spins his riveting story in unexpected ways; the writing is always subdued but brilliant, leading unsuspecting readers to collide straight into the unforgiving wall of a stunning ending."-- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Like Shakespeare's Prince Hamlet, the protagonist in this new novel from McCarry is a young man set on avenging the grievous wrong done to his deceased father . . . Just as Hamlet ends with an intricately choreographed scene of violent death, this novel concludes in a crescendo of lethal treachery, but not before McCarry, who has mined the rich vein of spycraft for decades, dazzles us with smart dialog, fascinating characters, and local exotica of wonderful variety and authenticity."-- Library Journal "McCarry is a well regarded espionage novelist . . . As one frequently discovers in the world of espionage very little is as it appears and The Mulberry Bush 's protagonist . . . must do battle with his own employers. Needless to say, McCarry knows how the game is played and tells it well."--Our Man in Boston "Classic noir themes of trust, motive, and tarnished ideals spin through this mordant, cerebral thriller about an agent on a two-tiered mission. Veteran thriller author and former CIA op McCarry opens this latest with a cracking good setup."-- Kirkus Reviews Praise for Charles McCarry: "Charles McCarry is perhaps the best ever."--Lee Child, bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series, on The Shanghai Factor "Recognized as a spy novelist of uncommon gifts."-- Washington Post , on The Old Boys, Praise for The Mulberry Bush : "Like Shakespeare's Prince Hamlet, the protagonist in this new novel from McCarry is a young man set on avenging the grievous wrong done to his deceased father . . . Just as Hamlet ends with an intricately choreographed scene of violent death, this novel concludes in a crescendo of lethal treachery, but not before McCarry, who has mined the rich vein of spycraft for decades, dazzles us with smart dialog, fascinating characters, and local exotica of wonderful variety and authenticity."-- Library Journal "McCarry is a well regarded espionage novelist . . . As one frequently discovers in the world of espionage very little is as it appears and The Mulberry Bush 's protagonist . . . must do battle with his own employers. Needless to say, McCarry knows how the game is played and tells it well."--Our Man in Boston Praise for Charles McCarry: "Charles McCarry is perhaps the best ever."--Lee Child, bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series, on The Shanghai Factor "Charles McCarry has been compared to John le Carré--but maybe le Carré should be compared to McCarry."--Nelson DeMille, bestselling author of The Lion's Game and The Panther , on The Shanghai Factor "Recognized as a spy novelist of uncommon gifts."-- Washington Post , on The Old Boys, A Financial Times best crime book of the year A Publishers Weekly Best Mystery/Thriller of the Year "Blending old-time yarns with a contemporary saga of payback and political intrigue . . . McCarry merges time-honored tradecraft with the technology of the day . . . [His] real-life cloak-and-dagger work is long past. But he's clearly banked plenty of know-how from those days, and he continues to parcel it out in entertaining spy novels like this one."-- Washington Post "Charles McCarry is criminally underrated: The former CIA operative has been writing brilliant thrillers under the radar for decades--the latest being The Mulberry Bush . . . McCarry's twisty plot doubles back on itself multiple times, keeping us off-kilter to the last moment."-- Seattle Times "Is there a thriller writer alive today who both worked for the CIA and wrote speeches for Eisenhower? Yes, there is--and McCarry, after his spectacular early career, has achieved remarkable success as a novelist. In his latest book, a young spy infiltrates the CIA to avenge the death of his father."-- Financial Times , "The FT's best books of 2015" "This exceptional spy thriller, from the exceptionally talented McCarry, starts slowly and builds to an incredible ending . . . A worldwide cat-and-mouse game. Grade: A"-- Cleveland Plain Dealer "[An] exceptional spy novel . . . McCarry spins his riveting story in unexpected ways; the writing is always subdued but brilliant, leading unsuspecting readers to collide straight into the unforgiving wall of a stunning ending."-- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Veteran spy thriller novelist and former CIA covert operative Charles McCarry follows the body-strewn, undercover trail of a hot-shot agent determined to avenge his father . . . A little Ian Fleming, a little Charles Cumming, a little Barry Eisler--McCarry is in fine company."--Shelf Awareness "Like Shakespeare's Prince Hamlet, the protagonist in this new novel from McCarry is a young man set on avenging the grievous wrong done to his deceased father . . . Just as Hamlet ends with an intricately choreographed scene of violent death, this novel concludes in a crescendo of lethal treachery, but not before McCarry, who has mined the rich vein of spycraft for decades, dazzles us with smart dialog, fascinating characters, and local exotica of wonderful variety and authenticity."-- Library Journal "McCarry is a well regarded espionage novelist . . . As one frequently discovers in the world of espionage very little is as it appears and The Mulberry Bush 's protagonist . . . must do battle with his own employers. Needless to say, McCarry knows how the game is played and tells it well."--Our Man in Boston "Classic noir themes of trust, motive, and tarnished ideals spin through this mordant, cerebral thriller about an agent on a two-tiered mission. Veteran thriller author and former CIA op McCarry opens this latest with a cracking good setup."-- Kirkus Reviews "McCarry is one of the finest spy novelists in the world, with 13 masterful novels to prove it . . . Serpentine and stylish, McCarry has the late Eric Ambler's elegant sureness of touch."-- Daily Mail (UK) "A slow, cerebral thriller than nonetheless offers a persuasive account of the realities of the espionage life."-- Mail on Sunday (UK), "Thriller of the Week" Praise for Charles McCarry: "Charles McCarry is perhaps the best ever."--Lee Child, bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series, on The Shanghai Factor "Recognized as a spy novelist of uncommon gifts."-- Washington Post , on The Old Boys, Praise for The Mulberry Bush : "[An] exceptional spy novel . . . McCarry spins his riveting story in unexpected ways; the writing is always subdued but brilliant, leading unsuspecting readers to collide straight into the unforgiving wall of a stunning ending."-- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Like Shakespeare's Prince Hamlet, the protagonist in this new novel from McCarry is a young man set on avenging the grievous wrong done to his deceased father . . . Just as Hamlet ends with an intricately choreographed scene of violent death, this novel concludes in a crescendo of lethal treachery, but not before McCarry, who has mined the rich vein of spycraft for decades, dazzles us with smart dialog, fascinating characters, and local exotica of wonderful variety and authenticity."-- Library Journal "McCarry is a well regarded espionage novelist . . . As one frequently discovers in the world of espionage very little is as it appears and The Mulberry Bush 's protagonist . . . must do battle with his own employers. Needless to say, McCarry knows how the game is played and tells it well."--Our Man in Boston "Classic noir themes of trust, motive, and tarnished ideals spin through this mordant, cerebral thriller about an agent on a two-tiered mission. Veteran thriller author and former CIA op McCarry opens this latest with a cracking good setup."-- Kirkus Reviews Praise for Charles McCarry: "Charles McCarry is perhaps the best ever."--Lee Child, bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series, on The Shanghai Factor "Charles McCarry has been compared to John le Carré--but maybe le Carré should be compared to McCarry."--Nelson DeMille, bestselling author of The Lion's Game and The Panther , on The Shanghai Factor "Recognized as a spy novelist of uncommon gifts."-- Washington Post , on The Old Boys, A Publishers Weekly Best Mystery/Thriller of the Year "[An] exceptional spy novel . . . McCarry spins his riveting story in unexpected ways; the writing is always subdued but brilliant, leading unsuspecting readers to collide straight into the unforgiving wall of a stunning ending."-- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Like Shakespeare's Prince Hamlet, the protagonist in this new novel from McCarry is a young man set on avenging the grievous wrong done to his deceased father . . . Just as Hamlet ends with an intricately choreographed scene of violent death, this novel concludes in a crescendo of lethal treachery, but not before McCarry, who has mined the rich vein of spycraft for decades, dazzles us with smart dialog, fascinating characters, and local exotica of wonderful variety and authenticity."-- Library Journal "McCarry is a well regarded espionage novelist . . . As one frequently discovers in the world of espionage very little is as it appears and The Mulberry Bush 's protagonist . . . must do battle with his own employers. Needless to say, McCarry knows how the game is played and tells it well."--Our Man in Boston "Classic noir themes of trust, motive, and tarnished ideals spin through this mordant, cerebral thriller about an agent on a two-tiered mission. Veteran thriller author and former CIA op McCarry opens this latest with a cracking good setup."-- Kirkus Reviews Praise for Charles McCarry: "Charles McCarry is perhaps the best ever."--Lee Child, bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series, on The Shanghai Factor "Recognized as a spy novelist of uncommon gifts."-- Washington Post , on The Old Boys, Praise for The Mulberry Bush : "Like Shakespeare's Prince Hamlet, the protagonist in this new novel from McCarry is a young man set on avenging the grievous wrong done to his deceased father . . . Just as Hamlet ends with an intricately choreographed scene of violent death, this novel concludes in a crescendo of lethal treachery, but not before McCarry, who has mined the rich vein of spycraft for decades, dazzles us with smart dialog, fascinating characters, and local exotica of wonderful variety and authenticity."-- Library Journal Praise for Charles McCarry: "Charles McCarry is perhaps the best ever."--Lee Child, bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series, on The Shanghai Factor "Charles McCarry has been compared to John le Carré--but maybe le Carré should be compared to McCarry."--Nelson DeMille, bestselling author of The Lion's Game and The Panther , on The Shanghai Factor "There is no better American spy novelist."-- Time (UK), on The Old Boys "Recognized as a spy novelist of uncommon gifts."-- Washington Post , on The Old Boys, A Guardian best crime/thriller book of the year A Financial Times best crime book of the year A Publishers Weekly Best Mystery/Thriller of the Year "Blending old-time yarns with a contemporary saga of payback and political intrigue . . . McCarry merges time-honored tradecraft with the technology of the day . . . [His] real-life cloak-and-dagger work is long past. But he's clearly banked plenty of know-how from those days, and he continues to parcel it out in entertaining spy novels like this one."-- Washington Post "Charles McCarry is criminally underrated: The former CIA operative has been writing brilliant thrillers under the radar for decades--the latest being The Mulberry Bush . . . McCarry's twisty plot doubles back on itself multiple times, keeping us off-kilter to the last moment."-- Seattle Times "America's finest spy writer, Charles McCarry, proves impressively up-to-date with the methods and tensions of international espionage in The Mulberry Bush ."-- Guardian (UK), "best crime and thriller books of 2015" "Is there a thriller writer alive today who both worked for the CIA and wrote speeches for Eisenhower? Yes, there is--and McCarry, after his spectacular early career, has achieved remarkable success as a novelist. In his latest book, a young spy infiltrates the CIA to avenge the death of his father."-- Financial Times , "The FT's best books of 2015" "This exceptional spy thriller, from the exceptionally talented McCarry, starts slowly and builds to an incredible ending . . . A worldwide cat-and-mouse game. Grade: A"-- Cleveland Plain Dealer "[An] exceptional spy novel . . . McCarry spins his riveting story in unexpected ways; the writing is always subdued but brilliant, leading unsuspecting readers to collide straight into the unforgiving wall of a stunning ending."-- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Treat the mystery lover on your list to this thrilling Buenos Aires-based spy tale from The Shanghai Factor author Charles McCarry."-- Parade "Veteran spy thriller novelist and former CIA covert operative Charles McCarry follows the body-strewn, undercover trail of a hot-shot agent determined to avenge his father . . . A little Ian Fleming, a little Charles Cumming, a little Barry Eisler--McCarry is in fine company."--Shelf Awareness "Like Shakespeare's Prince Hamlet, the protagonist in this new novel from McCarry is a young man set on avenging the grievous wrong done to his deceased father . . . Just as Hamlet ends with an intricately choreographed scene of violent death, this novel concludes in a crescendo of lethal treachery, but not before McCarry, who has mined the rich vein of spycraft for decades, dazzles us with smart dialog, fascinating characters, and local exotica of wonderful variety and authenticity."-- Library Journal "McCarry is a well regarded espionage novelist . . . As one frequently discovers in the world of espionage very little is as it appears and The Mulberry Bush 's protagonist . . . must do battle with his own employers. Needless to say, McCarry knows how the game is played and tells it well."--Our Man in Boston "Classic noir themes of trust, motive, and tarnished ideals spin through this mordant, cerebral thriller about an agent on a two-tiered mission. Veteran thriller author and former CIA op McCarry opens this latest with a cracking good setup."-- Kirkus Reviews "McCarry is one of the finest spy novelists in the world, with 13 masterful novels to prove it . . . Serpentine and stylish, McCarry has the late Eric Ambler's elegant sureness of touch."-- Daily Mail (UK) "A slow, cerebral thriller than nonetheless offers a persuasive account of the realities of the espionage life."-- Mail on Sunday (UK), "Thriller of the Week" Praise for Charles McCarry: "Charles McCarry is perhaps the best ever."--Lee Child, bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series, on The Shanghai Factor "Recognized as a spy novelist of uncommon gifts."-- Washington Post , on The Old Boys, Praise for Charles McCarry: "Charles McCarry is perhaps the best ever."--Lee Child, bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series, on The Shanghai Factor "Charles McCarry has been compared to John le Carré--but maybe le Carré should be compared to McCarry."--Nelson DeMille, bestselling author of The Lion's Game and The Panther , on The Shanghai Factor "There is no better American spy novelist."-- Time (UK), on The Old Boys "Recognized as a spy novelist of uncommon gifts."-- Washington Post , on The Old Boys "Arguably the finest modern American spy story."-- New York Times , on The Miernik Dossier "Both cerebral and ridiculously entertaining. . . . [A] breathtaking novel."--Olen Steinhauer, NPR, on The Miernik Dossier, A Publishers Weekly Best Mystery/Thriller of the Year "Blending old-time yarns with a contemporary saga of payback and political intrigue . . . McCarry merges time-honored tradecraft with the technology of the day . . . [His] real-life cloak-and-dagger work is long past. But he's clearly banked plenty of know-how from those days, and he continues to parcel it out in entertaining spy novels like this one."-- Washington Post "Charles McCarry is criminally underrated: The former CIA operative has been writing brilliant thrillers under the radar for decades--the latest being The Mulberry Bush . . . McCarry's twisty plot doubles back on itself multiple times, keeping us off-kilter to the last moment."-- Seattle Times "This exceptional spy thriller, from the exceptionally talented McCarry, starts slowly and builds to an incredible ending . . . A worldwide cat-and-mouse game. Grade: A"-- Cleveland Plain Dealer "[An] exceptional spy novel . . . McCarry spins his riveting story in unexpected ways; the writing is always subdued but brilliant, leading unsuspecting readers to collide straight into the unforgiving wall of a stunning ending."-- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Like Shakespeare's Prince Hamlet, the protagonist in this new novel from McCarry is a young man set on avenging the grievous wrong done to his deceased father . . . Just as Hamlet ends with an intricately choreographed scene of violent death, this novel concludes in a crescendo of lethal treachery, but not before McCarry, who has mined the rich vein of spycraft for decades, dazzles us with smart dialog, fascinating characters, and local exotica of wonderful variety and authenticity."-- Library Journal "McCarry is a well regarded espionage novelist . . . As one frequently discovers in the world of espionage very little is as it appears and The Mulberry Bush 's protagonist . . . must do battle with his own employers. Needless to say, McCarry knows how the game is played and tells it well."--Our Man in Boston "Classic noir themes of trust, motive, and tarnished ideals spin through this mordant, cerebral thriller about an agent on a two-tiered mission. Veteran thriller author and former CIA op McCarry opens this latest with a cracking good setup."-- Kirkus Reviews Praise for Charles McCarry: "Charles McCarry is perhaps the best ever."--Lee Child, bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series, on The Shanghai Factor "Recognized as a spy novelist of uncommon gifts."-- Washington Post , on The Old Boys, Praise for The Mulberry Bush : "Like Shakespeare's Prince Hamlet, the protagonist in this new novel from McCarry is a young man set on avenging the grievous wrong done to his deceased father . . . Just as Hamlet ends with an intricately choreographed scene of violent death, this novel concludes in a crescendo of lethal treachery, but not before McCarry, who has mined the rich vein of spycraft for decades, dazzles us with smart dialog, fascinating characters, and local exotica of wonderful variety and authenticity."-- Library Journal "McCarry is a well regarded espionage novelist . . . As one frequently discovers in the world of espionage very little is as it appears and The Mulberry Bush 's protagonist . . . must do battle with his own employers. Needless to say, McCarry knows how the game is played and tells it well."--Our Man in Boston "Classic noir themes of trust, motive, and tarnished ideals spin through this mordant, cerebral thriller about an agent on a two-tiered mission. Veteran thriller author and former CIA op McCarry opens this latest with a cracking good setup."-- Kirkus Reviews Praise for Charles McCarry: "Charles McCarry is perhaps the best ever."--Lee Child, bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series, on The Shanghai Factor "Charles McCarry has been compared to John le Carré--but maybe le Carré should be compared to McCarry."--Nelson DeMille, bestselling author of The Lion's Game and The Panther , on The Shanghai Factor "Recognized as a spy novelist of uncommon gifts."-- Washington Post , on The Old Boys, A Guardian best crime/thriller book of the year A Financial Times best crime book of the year A Publishers Weekly Best Mystery/Thriller of the Year "Blending old-time yarns with a contemporary saga of payback and political intrigue . . . McCarry merges time-honored tradecraft with the technology of the day . . . [His] real-life cloak-and-dagger work is long past. But he''s clearly banked plenty of know-how from those days, and he continues to parcel it out in entertaining spy novels like this one."-- Washington Post "Charles McCarry is criminally underrated: The former CIA operative has been writing brilliant thrillers under the radar for decades--the latest being The Mulberry Bush . . . McCarry''s twisty plot doubles back on itself multiple times, keeping us off-kilter to the last moment."-- Seattle Times "America''s finest spy writer, Charles McCarry, proves impressively up-to-date with the methods and tensions of international espionage in The Mulberry Bush ."-- Guardian (UK), "best crime and thriller books of 2015" "Is there a thriller writer alive today who both worked for the CIA and wrote speeches for Eisenhower? Yes, there is--and McCarry, after his spectacular early career, has achieved remarkable success as a novelist. In his latest book, a young spy infiltrates the CIA to avenge the death of his father."-- Financial Times , "The FT''s best books of 2015" "This exceptional spy thriller, from the exceptionally talented McCarry, starts slowly and builds to an incredible ending . . . A worldwide cat-and-mouse game. Grade: A"-- Cleveland Plain Dealer "[An] exceptional spy novel . . . McCarry spins his riveting story in unexpected ways; the writing is always subdued but brilliant, leading unsuspecting readers to collide straight into the unforgiving wall of a stunning ending."-- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Treat the mystery lover on your list to this thrilling Buenos Aires-based spy tale from The Shanghai Factor author Charles McCarry."-- Parade "Veteran spy thriller novelist and former CIA covert operative Charles McCarry follows the body-strewn, undercover trail of a hot-shot agent determined to avenge his father . . . A little Ian Fleming, a little Charles Cumming, a little Barry Eisler--McCarry is in fine company."--Shelf Awareness "Like Shakespeare''s Prince Hamlet, the protagonist in this new novel from McCarry is a young man set on avenging the grievous wrong done to his deceased father . . . Just as Hamlet ends with an intricately choreographed scene of violent death, this novel concludes in a crescendo of lethal treachery, but not before McCarry, who has mined the rich vein of spycraft for decades, dazzles us with smart dialog, fascinating characters, and local exotica of wonderful variety and authenticity."-- Library Journal "McCarry is a well regarded espionage novelist . . . As one frequently discovers in the world of espionage very little is as it appears and The Mulberry Bush ''s protagonist . . . must do battle with his own employers. Needless to say, McCarry knows how the game is played and tells it well."--Our Man in Boston "Classic noir themes of trust, motive, and tarnished ideals spin through this mordant, cerebral thriller about an agent on a two-tiered mission. Veteran thriller author and former CIA op McCarry opens this latest with a cracking good setup."-- Kirkus Reviews "McCarry is one of the finest spy novelists in the world, with 13 masterful novels to prove it . . . Serpentine and stylish, McCarry has the late Eric Ambler''s elegant sureness of touch."-- Daily Mail (UK) "A slow, cerebral thriller than nonetheless offers a persuasive account of the realities of the espionage life."-- Mail on Sunday (UK), "Thriller of the Week" Praise for Charles McCarry: "Charles McCarry is perhaps the best ever."--Lee Child, bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series, on The Shanghai Factor "Recognized as a spy novelist of uncommon gifts."-- Washington Post , on The Old Boys