I have to agree somewhat with the earlier one-star review I read. Having been given this as part of a 3-for-2 in Waterstones, the only positive I can draw is that technically, I didn't pay for it. Aside from a weak and somewhat incredulous plot (even for the genre), a series of one-dimensional "baddies" with cliched observations on the world, I have to say the problem with these books is the main character. Thomas Lourds is basically Robert Langdon (see Dan Brown) with a libido that Casanova would be proud of. A string of strong, highly intelligent women seem to just queue up to throw themselves under him as quickly as possible in a manner that makes these novels almost male fantasy and does them a massive disservice. In this case it is the beautiful, bright, finely trained agent Miriam plus the chafing super-rich Alice Volker who becomes one more notch on the Lourdes bedpost. Author Brokaw tries to pass off his cavalier attitude towards women and relationships by giving him a professorial view on gallantry that is demeaning.
The premise of this latest novel is weak, unexplored and tentative. Unfortunately, this is one novel that has been passed rather quickly to the charity shops; though I don't recommend it. Perhaps the author can improve his next offering...
