Agent 6 – The Review
Written by Nikki-ann on Friday, 16 September , 2011 at 5:18 pm
Author: Tom Rob Smith
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 978-1847375674
Agent 6 is the reason I started to read the Leo Demidov trilogy. Real Readers very generously sent me an autographed, limited edition bound proof of this, the third book in the trilogy, to review, along with a copy of the first book in the trilogy, Child 44 (read my review). I hadn’t even picked up Child 44 when I spotted The Secret Speech (book 2) and had to buy it. I wanted to, had to, read the trilogy in order.
Leo Demidov returns in the final book of this trilogy. Leo (now a civilian) and his family now live in a high-rise, cramped apartment. His wife Raisa and the family are given the chance of a lifetime to visit America, but Leo must stay at home as the government will not allow him to travel. A chance finding of his daughter’s diary before they leave puts Leo on edge.
The trip to America doesn’t go to plan and Leo is determined to get to America by any means, no matter how long it takes. Revenge is sweet, but at what cost?
Agent 6 covers quite a time period. For example, to give the central plot more meaning, we’re first taken back in time to when Leo and Raisa first met. Time then advances throughout the story with at least one jump of 8 years. However, I found the advancing time and story easy enough to follow.
While I enjoyed reading Agent 6, it didn’t have the same intensity as the previous two books and I didn’t find it as gripping. While I raced through the first two books, I found Agent 6 more drawn out. While there certainly was tense moments, I didn’t think it had the same feel… Maybe that was something to do with most of the book being based outside of Russia and it’s regime. But, I think it has more to do with the lack of Leo Demidov within the first half of the book. Leo’s personality and history makes the story intense and where he wasn’t present I found it lacking somewhat.
Unfortunately, Agent 6 was unable to live up to its predecessors, but then it had a lot to live up to. I was gripped by the first two books, but wasn’t so much by this, the third and final book in the trilogy. However, despite it not living up to Child 44 and The Secret Speech, I still very much enjoyed reading Agent 6. It’s just that I was possibly spoiled by the first too!
I’m sad I’ve come to the end of this trilogy. Despite the things Leo had done, I’d become quite attached to the former Soviet agent.
Agent 6 could possibly be read as a stone-alone novel, however I don’t think you’d really understand the man that is Leo Demidov. You probably wouldn’t understand why he acts the way he does and why he does certain things.
I’d definitely recommend this trilogy as a whole and I’ll certainly be on the look out for further books by Tom Rob Smith.
Tom Rob Smith is a British author from London.
This is the 24th book I’ve read for the British Books Challenge.
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Please note: I received this book free from Real Readers – Book Dagger. However, this is no way influenced my opinion of the book.
Comments (7)
Category: Books,Crime,History,Real Readers,Reviews,Thriller
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Comment by Harvee
Made Saturday, 17 of September , 2011 at 1:42 pm
I’ll look out for his books. I always like reading British fiction.
Comment by rashbre
Made Saturday, 17 of September , 2011 at 3:21 pm
One (three?) to add to my list, although some self discipline is making me catch up with a few others first. By the way, I’m liking the new interactions with the authors aspect of your blog now!
Comment by Jenners
Made Sunday, 18 of September , 2011 at 3:22 am
It is always a shame when a trilogy ends on a down note. I think it is hard to sustain a story over three books. I’ve found most have a wonderful first book that entices you in and then it just goes downhill from there. In my memory, I think I’ve only read one trilogy where the books improved instead of got worse.
Comment by Yvonne
Made Sunday, 18 of September , 2011 at 6:19 pm
Hi Nikki,
Sorry to hear that this book didn’t quite meet the expectations you had been set by the previous two novels, that is always so disappointing.
As a footnote to the comment you left on my site regarding the Taunton Literary Festival, I have just noticed that Tim Rob Smith is appearing to talk in the Taunton library on Wednesday 21st September, however, as the talk is to be mostly about ‘Agent 6′, you will probably not feel too aggrieved at missing it, although I know that you do like him as an author.
Comment by Chrisbookarama
Made Monday, 19 of September , 2011 at 1:17 am
This is a series I hadn’t heard of before. Sounds interesting.
Comment by Sheila (Book Journey)
Made Monday, 19 of September , 2011 at 5:00 am
This is funny as I was just talking to a friend about this book yesterday! I picked it up at BEA but have not read it yet.
Comment by The Book Whisperer
Made Tuesday, 20 of September , 2011 at 9:45 am
I was sent this book too and also a copy of Child 44 but I haven’t read them yet (although my mum did pinch them and read all three and loved them!). I think I should make an effort to get round to these soon.
