The Fox by Frederick Forsyth

THE FOX is the latest espionage thriller by Frederick Forsyth whose best sellers (including The Day of the Jackal) have sold more than 70 million copies worldwide. In this novel, Forsyth introduces a British teen on the autism spectrum, Luke Jennings, who is able to work around firewalls and protocols that stump experts in the field of cyberterrorism.  Gradually, a relationship develops and is managed by a former UK spy with Luke (code name: The Fox) ultimately cooperating with Western powers to have an impact on the weapon systems of countries like Russia, Iran, and North Korea. In the process, Luke’s life and that of his family come under threat.  

It is difficult for me to make a full comparison to earlier works by Forsyth, but this one kept my interest, particularly due to its contemporary setting, and should satisfy his loyal readers as well as newer ones like many of our students. Throughout Forsyth wryly comments on international relationships as shown by a couple of quick quotes: “The logical are always frightened of the insane” (referring to tension between North Korea and the United States) and, regarding past espionage adventures: “There is a moment to stay put and a moment to move.  Pick the right one and you will see old age.” THE FOX received a starred review from Publishers Weekly.

Who Is Vera Kelly? by Rosalie Knecht

WHO IS VERA KELLY? by Rosalie Knecht has been called a literary spy novel which is an apt description, In fact, Knecht’s intriguing exploration of identity and coming of age mixed with political tension applies to her earlier work, Relief Map, which I also recommend. The setting for WHO IS VERA KELLY? alternates between the late 1950s on the East Coast of the United States and mid-1960s Cold War era in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  As a troubled teen dealing with her father’s death and exploring her own sexual identity, Vera is sent to reform school; less than a decade later she has been recruited to work for the CIA in South America and faces a coup on the near horizon. Knecht’s writing always captures my attention and I am fascinated by the misunderstandings and quick, clever thinking her characters experience. There is a wonderful balance between internal dialogues and action-packed suspense. This cover is fabulous, too, and it’s helping to promote the book – the person in the queue in front of me at the public library was checking it out today. Our copy of WHO IS VERA KELLY? will be on the school library shelves soon.

The Real Michael Swann by Bryan Reardon

I have been highly recommending THE REAL MICHAEL SWANN by Bryan Reardon.  It’s one of those suspense-filled books that begs to be read in a single sitting.  The action feels non-stop, but the characters are also well-developed and prompt a range of emotions. Initially, the story asks what does it feel like when a “perfect” suburban life turns upside down? Julia and Michael Swann live with their two young sons (ages 12 and 8) near New York City but a terrorist action on US soil abruptly impacts their life. Next questions: what do you do? How do you balance the needs of a spouse with those of a child? Do you obey the law or disregard it for a greater good? How do you know who deserves your trust? Who are your real friends? How well do we know ourselves, our own past? Where do you find the hidden reservoir of strength? How do you reflect upon and share your experiences? These are the types of issues that most of us deal with in different contexts every day. The Swanns face them as they need to fight through the fog of shock and intense emotions, to grapple with coincidences and fate, to deal with well-meaning intentions and acts of selfishness. THE REAL MICHAEL SWANN will entertain and make you think; this title received a starred review from Library Journal.