Triple Cross

The ongoing search for a suspected Russian mole within the highest ranks of the British government drives Bradby’s entertaining third spy thriller featuring former MI6 officer Kate Henderson (after 2020’s Double Agent). Kate, a single mother with two teenage daughters and a difficult mother, reluctantly agrees to resume the search for the mole, known only as Agent Dante, after the British prime minister, an old adversary, asks for her help. Kate quickly narrows the suspects to her former boss, Sir Alan Brabazon, and MI6’s current chief, Ian Granger. The case takes Kate across Europe to Turkey and then on to Moscow, where, undercover, she attempts a daring meetup with a British operative working inside the GRU who can identify Agent Dante. The rendezvous is botched, and Kate has to frantically scramble to escape from Russia. Series fans will enjoy Bradby’s update on Kate’s colorful personal life, which takes some surprising turns, and the fast-paced plot, familiar though it is, keeps the pages turning. Readers will look forward to Kate’s further adventures. Agent: George Lucas, InkWell Management. (Sept.)