I have a deal for you, Mr.Burke.

Any additional comments?

A quick and easy read 'no frills' spy thriller. After the death of an agent, Burke (code name Tiger) is sent to Athens to recover a missing briefcase, believed to be stolen by the Scorpion group. There he is joined by two other backup agents, one of whom is an old girlfriend. But as his life is also threatened, who can be trusted?

Written in short, simple sentences and very little unecessary description, but hints of wry humour, there are fights without the usual emphasis on gore. The characters remain mostly two dimensional as the story moves at a fast pace. Anthony Lee's narration is similar in tone, the reading deadpan although the vocalisation of the protagonists is good, each distinctively individual, helping breathe life into them.

My thanks to the rights holder of Assignment:Athens for freely gifting me my copy, via Audiobook Boom, and this review is entirely voluntary on my part. I enjoyed the book, just right for in uncomplicated and fairly brief listen. I hope that there will be more adventures of Mr.Burke and friends.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

A bit disappointing overall

My fourth time with author Craig A. Hart and the first with his SpyCo series and to be honest it was a bit meh...

It's short which was a plus. The dual settings of the US (can't remember where exactly - either New York or New Jersey maybe) and Athens was ok. The plot/story and the characters were a bit thin.

James Burke is the lead agent, entrusted with recovering a top secret briefcase, along with a fellow agent and previous romantic attachment, as well as a support operative in Greece. Things happen in the US, at the airport and en route to location in Athens that indicate the mission is compromised. Where the leak has stemmed from - nobody knows. Who can be trusted - nobody knows.

We have some subterfuge, some undercover work, attempts on the leads lives, a burglary and a bit of investigating, some action with a night time cliff ascent, a bit of sniper work, and some other encounters with violence and resulting in death and at the end of that some negotiation.

It failed - and this sometimes happens with shorter works - insofar as I didn't really care at any point. There was no real character building or depth. Tension was totally absent and from the blurb if a lighter touch was the aim, there was no real humour evident, apart from the odd witty exchange between the main characters.

Overall a bit disappointing as I quite like his Shelby Alexander series. I have more in the series in the Audible library and I'll give them another go in the future. It wasn't the worst book ever.

Serenity, Serenity Stalked and Serenity Avenged have been enjoyed before.

2.5 from 5

Read - (listened to) April, 2022
Published - 2017
Page count - 96 (2 hrs 17 mins)
Source- Audible purchase
Format - Audible

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!