The Falconer's Tale

Brilliantly developed characters and intense suspense power this riveting tale of international espionage. Former CIA agent Jerry Piat, now an antiques dealer and a wanted criminal, would rather be fishing. Instead he gets recruited by the DIA to search for a Saudi prince with a penchant for falconry and terrorism. Piat and his favorite fellow ex-agent, falconer Eddie Hackbutt, travel from the wilds of Scotland to the casinos of Monaco and the hunting grounds of Mombasa, their efforts complicated by illegal dealings within American government agencies. Kent (Night Trap ) embellishes the exciting covert operations with detailed descriptions of various settings and the falcons' beautiful strength, building a richly nuanced world of half-truths and power struggles. Unlike most espionage page-turners, this tale repays careful reading. (Mar.)