Enjoyed this book. Follows the story of William Catesby, a British spy, as recalled in later life to his granddaughter.

The majority is set in Marseilles, where Catesby is stuck between striking dockers, mafia gangsters and US spies.

The narrative tells of his attempt to return to the good graces of the western espionage world, after being labelled a soviet double agent.

I have been fortunate enough to have read a few novels recently where the period covered was from the last years of WW2 and in to the next two decades. I find the politics at the time absolutely fascinating and nothing like what is commonly taught. Without a doubt it gives colour to the period and an understanding of our modern era.
Farewell Dinner for a Spy is not only a good story but an exposé of greed, corruption and realpolitik. Plus of course the human angle. It is a lengthy novel but never dull, how could it be when a lot of it is set in the South of France? Whilst in those times, 'don't drink the Kool-Aid' would be a phrase they would not yet have encountered, maybe a new phrase will stem from this novel; "Don't partake of the bouillabaisse"?

A good story, but I didn't think it was particularly well-written. The dialogue is a bit laboured, and the unnecessary explanations (e.g. Woolton Pie) just slow things down. A bit more "show" and a bit less "tell" would have helped. It's a shame, as this had the makings of a great thriller.

I've been reading Edward Wilson's William Catesby spy thrillers since the "The Envoy", way back in 2008. This is a great series mixing fact with fiction and often casting a different light on the "accepted truth" on various incidents.
"Farewell Dinner For A Spy" follows the same format as its predecessor in the series, "Portrait of a Spy as a Young Man" and is a sequel to the original series taking the form of Catesby in his 90's dictating his memoirs to his granddaughter.

This book features the febrile post war years of the late 1940's and early 1950's with the cold war in full flow and America supporting France as it desperately tries to cling on to power in Vietnam. Part of that support is sent to Asia via docks in Marseilles and with pitched battles between left wing dockers boycotting the supplies and mafia thugs backed by America an old ally of Catesby appears embroiled in the middle of things. Under a cloud ,and with a cover story making him appear a total pariah to British Intelligence Catesby sets off on an so secret that even he's not entirely sure what it is.

Author Wilson is a former Special Forces soldier who fought in Vietnam and the build up to America's entry,and some of the appalling behaviour of that time plays a big part in the story with Catesby witnessing the use of napalm , CIA "players" using the war as a cover for drug smuggling etc.

This is a twisty and entertaining read with, it seems,none of the main characters trusting any of the others for very good reason. Who are the good guys? Who are the bad guys? With British Intelligence riddled with traitors and CIA buccaneers lining their pockets and colluding with organised crime Catesbay has no more idea than the reader.

Highly recommended.