(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

While Section 37 Agent Toby Greene's honeymoon takes an unexpected, and potentially deadly turn, back in London Section Chief August Shining has troubles of his own. Dragged in by his fellow agents from M-16, Shining is forced to relive an old mission from the 80's, and pick up where he left off all those years ago to face an old and deadly foe. As Toby and his new wife Tamar dodge an unstoppable killer across Asia and Europe, August must fight, not just for the future of The Clown Service, but for his very existence.

*3.5 stars*

This was the third novel in the Clown Service series. I haven't read the first two books of the series, which may have helped, I think, in the overall understanding of this novel.

This was a very clever and enjoyable novel of...well, you name it! It is a fresh mix of Cold War espionage, horror and the paranormal, as well as the thrills and spills you would expect from those genres. It also (apparently) tied up some loose ends from the previous books, which made getting through this story a little more difficult for, not having read them.

The action is exciting, and we are dragged along with August Shining as he is interviewed about something that happened thirty years previously. It is fascinating reading and the author does know his way around an espionage/spy story. Comparisons to Le Carre and Forsyth for this part of the story are perfect - and then the supernatural parts take over and we are in completely different territory!

The other story arcs - Toby and Tamara's story in particular - were lost on me a little as I didn't have the backdrop as to what was happening. I plan to rememdy that when I go back and read the previous two novels. May even have to come back and edit my review, too!


Paul
ARH