The Man Between by Charles Cumming Book Review

Released: 12th February 2019

Genre: Spy, Fiction

Number of Pages: 417

Approached to be an agent of MI6 himself, Charles Cumming has proven himself adept at writing contemporary spy novels. “The Man Between”, a standalone novel, has no trouble ranking alongside his best efforts.

The book follows novelist Kit Carradine, who is approached by the British Secret Service to deliver a message to Hungarian escapee Lara Bartok. It’s an objective that unfolds with attacks from the radical left organisation “Resurrection” unfolding in the background, which the illusive woman holds some connections to. Under the guise of visiting a writer’s event in the humid country, Carradine soon finds himself trading wits with other figures and pursuing his own sense of morals. In this way, he becomes the titular protagonist, an individual attempting to navigate his way around several opposing factions.

Once Lara is located, The Man Between really kicks into gear with a heavy focus on evading both the local authorities. As Carradine and Bartok attempt to make their escape, the sense of tension rises and falls very naturally with several close calls layered across the story. There’s also plenty of paragraphs dedicated to fleshing out their characters too, ensuring that you’re firmly attached to following their plight. Some aspects did feel a little clichéd, but the urgency of the getaway was able to make up for this, at least in my opinion.

The one issue I had with Cumming’s pacing came in the closing section. As the book’s last third begins, Carradine sits down with contacts who deliver a large amount of information within a single meeting. There is some conversational tension that will misdirect some readers, but the novel effectively pauses before the concluding set-piece. It’s a single contentious moment in an otherwise well-written narrative.

Recommended?

YES: Aside from its brief dump of exposition at the start of the final act, The Man Between’s brand of modern espionage makes for a great read. You’re highly invested in the journey Carradine goes on alongside the more realistic tone. Political intrigue and its close ties with our own modern society are attached to the story, but they don’t distract from the central characters. It’s a straightforward spy novel that offers solid entertainment.