Bill Heflin, effectively ex-CIA is called back after a KGB defector identifies a KGB mole in the agency. Post the collapse of communist Romania we are drawn back to a world of spies, where no-one who is certain who to trust and different people seem to be tracking Bill. Ultimately this becomes a race to clear his name, and protect his family. Plenty of intrigue and a worthy spy thriller.

This is a remarkably interwoven narrative of spies, handlers, moles, and intelligence officers in post-Communist Romania in the 1990s. We meet agent Bill Heflin as he resumes work with the CIA to return to Bucharest, the place of his birth. Having become prime suspect as a mole, Bill must navigate the difficult and ever-changing landscape of the new regime to both clear his name, and discover the true identity of the mole.

The plot is intricate and clever, and the characters are all very interesting. I felt transported to the time and place described, and will now go back to read the first book in this series. I look forward to the next one!

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

This is the second book following CIA agent Bill Heflin. The first which was also reviewed on Curating Edits is titled The Bucharest Dossier. The Bucharest Legacy is another formidable book by William Maz. If you enjoy a good spy-thriller book, do not hesitate to read these two books.
Bill Hefflin gets pulled back in to do Ingram one favor. That one favor sends him back into Bucharest and right in the middle of a firefight. Someone has disclosed the exact location he was going to pick up a defector. That defector came into the U.S. and turned the CIA and Hefflin’s life upside down when he mentioned Boris and now Bill Hefflin is suspect number one as the mole.

The Bucharest Legacy makes Hefflin return under different circumstances back to his native Bucharest. He not only is there to find the mole that can clear his name, but he still has some loose ends to tie with his childhood as well. Like Hefflin says in timely moments nothing is even a coincidence.
William Maz has created the most entertaining spy/thriller books. In fact, I can compare it to an onion and its many layers, which Hefflin is piecing together from every encounter he has in Bucharest. Boris, his asset, was a man, a myth, a legend, and he lived such an extensive life. Many times you end up seeing Hefflin take a new version of what Boris stood for.

If you enjoyed The Bucharest Dossier, William Maz does not disappoint with this new book. The Bucharest Legacy is well-written, suspenseful, and intriguing. More importantly, I hope we get a follow-up book after this.

cold-war, spies, thriller, action-adventure, betrayal, Europe, CIA, defecting, relationships, suspense, gypsy, ex-pat, mysteries, mysterious-character*****

It begins with betrayal and an explosion, and ends just as explosively. Well written and atmospheric with engaging characters who continue to live in the shadow world of espionage. Fine read.
I requested and received a free e-book copy from Oceanview Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you

An action packed story with spies, liars and tons of twists and turns. Boris seems to be part of the hunt for the mole in more than one spy ring.. So many coincidence and name changes. The Romanian government is changing. Heart pounding ending. The story was well told, held my interest.

In The Bucharest Legacy, author William Maz has the makings of a really good story. I enjoyed much of it, but I did think the beginning was weak. Thereafter it seems as if the author doesn't want to quit the story. It goes on and on. There are so many characters and subplots that the novel calls out for some streamlining or just plain editing. That's my opinion!
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

It was a pleasure to read this book, sometimes I felt like I was in the story and could feel the emotions Bill Hefflin was feeling toward his country, his people, and his need to uncover the truth. For me, this is what is the most compelling trait of Mr. Maz's writing, he transports you to another place, another time. The Bucharest Legacy although a work of fiction has a lot of reality in it and provides food for thought about power, partnership, true love, politics, racism, bribery, fatherhood, and many other issues. Hopefully, another book is in the making by Mr. Maz and will soon be published.
I thank the author, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

I'm not usually a huge fan of spy thrillers, so I wasn't sure how much I would like The Bucharest Legacy before I started reading. It could have simply been a typical fast paced thriller, but what sets it apart is Maz's writing. I loved how smart the main character was and that he used his brain to work through the case instead of relying on brute strength or luck. Additionally, unlike some thriller books that use cheap gimmicks or throw twists in that make no sense for the sake of shock value, this book's storyline was incredibly well fleshed out. While it was full of twists, turns, and misdirects, it always felt like the author knew exactly where he wanted to go. All in all, I would definitely recommend this to both fans of the genre and readers who may want to try it out.

This is a fabulous story that had me hooked from the beginning. William Maz has done a fantastic job in writing this tense and exciting thriller. I loved his writing style and could picture myself there in Romania. CIA Analyst Bill Hefflin is such a great character. He’s quite smart and has the necessary experience to get the job done. You could read this book as a stand-alone and certainly enjoy it. There is a lot to like about this book, and I would certainly recommend it. 5/5 Star Rating.

Have you ever wondered what it might be like if you had been born in one country and then moved to multiple countries? What about if you had lost a childhood sweetheart only to fine her again as an adult? What about maybe if your parents were not really your parents and you had been adopted?

This is the sort of thing that a CIA Analyst named Bill Hefflin is confronted with as he is called back to work the Agency in a role as a Field Agent in Romania. Hefflin was born in Romania and had a tumultuous life bit one filled with love.

Now the prospect of hunting for a mole in the CIA is brought into focus when the name of one of Hefflin’s assets is used. He knows this cannot be since this asset died in his arms earlier. So, who is pulling the strings and who or what can Hefflin trust that he thinks he knows?

The finding out the truth about the former asset as well as the identity of the CIA mole is the focus of the story in “The Bucharest Legacy” by William Maz. The book holds the reader’s attention as there are plots and subplots with plots or as Winston Churchill said “…a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key.” Makes for an interesting read in a well-written book with an intriguing story. I highly recommend to any reader looking for some adventure/mystery reading.

The Bucharest Legacy by William Maz
I have read Dr. Maz’s 1st book The Bucharest Dossier which was very appealing to one who likes espionage novels with many plausible twists and solved using one’s brain and not a gun. In this his second book, the same concepts which I enjoy apply and this is an equally if not better than his first book. Dr. Maz like his protagonist is from Romania of Greek parents. But unlike his main character I do not think he is or was in the CIA but instead was a medical doctor. Though now for those of us well he is now writing as opposed to “doctoring.”
This book like the 1st has a very complex plot with many “coincidences” and enough macguffins, to open a fast-food joint. Almost no one seems to be what they appear to be but it never seems contrived. In this book, the main story is very much like le Carre’s Tinker, Taylor. A mole has infiltrated the CIA HQ and the question is who can find this spy? Maz is not le Carre nor does he copy the plot line and I do not wish to spoil the plot. I do not think it is necessary to read the books in order, though I think if you read one you will most likely wish to read the second. Both books mostly take place in Bucharest and in-spite of many disreputable characters, I do with to visit. And is there a 3rd book? I thought about this as the book was wrapping up wondering;how? And then the final lines reopen a story line from the beginning. Yes, indeed I suspect there is at least a third book. I look forward to its emergence.

An engaging spy thriller. The entire book weaves in and out of surprising twists and turns to culminate with an explosive ending.

Thank you to William Maz, NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this book.