Rules of Deception

Espionage thriller author Christopher Reich embraces many elements of the classic spy novel in RULES OF DECEPTION — more so than in any of his previous books. There are secret lives, shadowy assassins, exotic locales, clandestine arms and financial maneuvers and even some high-tech gadgetry. It strives to follow the literary traditions of John le Carré and Robert Littell. So, among other things, it's central character is far removed from the suave, overlyconfident James Bond manner of spy. Dr. Jonathan Ransom is a surgeon for Doctors Without Borders, not to mention an experienced mountain climber. The novel opens as Ransom and his wife, Emma, a logician for the same charitable medical group, are scaling in the Swiss Alps. A fierce blizzard sets in, but before they can turn back, Emma falls to her death in a hidden, icy crevasse. A day later, as he is trying to determine the course of his life without his beloved spouse, Ransom receives an envelope addressed to his wife, containing two railway baggage claim tickets. He retrieves the two packages, opens them and discovers evidence that his wife was leading a secret, double identity. But before he has time to dwell on this, he is attacked by two armed thugs, who turn out to be Swiss police officers. Meanwhile, Swiss Intelligence Investigator Marcus von Daniken is summoned to the scene of a murder. At first, it looks like a matter for the local police. But an examination of the victim's house reveals that he was something other than what he seemed. And, at the same time, CIA officer Philip Palumbo is interrogating a captured Middle Eastern terrorist. After several hours of persuasive torture, the terrorist reveals information about explosives he delivered and their intended use. Ransom learns more about his wife's secret life as he continues to follow clues found in the two packages. Von Daniken and Palumbo, working sometimes together but more often separately, uncover a bomb plot with a complex and baffling source of financing. Eventually all three storylines intersect and become a race against time to foil the murder of hundreds of innocent people, and retaliations that could bring the world to brink of war. Pacing is essential to a story like this, and Reich wisely keeps the action moving and gaining momentum throughout. Yet he manages to take just enough time to provide backstories or interior insights that allow us to know something of the characters' backgrounds and motivations. But he overplays his hand with the deception promised in the title. Ransom's wife is not the only source of duplicity, just the first. As the story unfolds, the deceptions become so frequent and encompassing that they risk losing their surprise value and become wearisome and a bit confusing. Then, too, many might find the real rationale for the bombing plot — which involves beliefs beyond either politics, patriotism or rage against the infidels — difficult to accept. And Ransom, the character who anchors the entire story from the beginning, is left out entirely from the epilogue. We can assume what happens to him, but after being with him through so much, a little more detail would have been appreciated. Still, RULES OF DECEPTION scores high for its entertainment value. And the relevance of its plot is enough to make us even more nervous as we read the morning headlines. It may not be as elegant as le Carré, nor as angst-ridden as Littell, but until either of them come forth with a new work, it will serve just fine. —Alan Cranis Buy it at Amazon.

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