The Spy Who Came for Christmas - Softcover

Perseus

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1593155638 ISBN 13: 9781593155636

Publisher: Vanguard Press, 2009

Synopsis

It's Christmas Eve in Santa Fe. But among the revelers on Canyon Road, a decidedly unholy scene is taking place. A desperate man, dressed all in black, feverishly seeks refuge for himself and the squirming bundle he holds tightly against his breast. Agent Paul Kagan’s bundle is a baby who has the power to change the course of global events. His pursuers are his former colleagues members of the Russian mafia who will stop at nothing to accomplish their mission. Now Kagan is a spy on the run he must ensure this baby’s survival, even if it will cost him his own life.

Just a short distance away, Kagan will find an unexpected pair of allies a mother and her young son, who huddle together after a horrible episode of domestic violence leaves them home alone, with no means of transportation.

And so, with the exquisitely honed skills of his profession and the help and good faith of a weary woman and a disillusioned boy, Kagan must take on forces that will stop at nothing. In the course of a wild and violent night, the unlikely trio learns lessons of generosity, courage, and selflessness, discovering within themselves the luminous strength of the true Christmas spirit.

About this title

About the Author

David Morrell is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-eight books, including his award-winning Creepers, Scavenger, and The Shimmer. Co-president of the International Thrillers Writers Organization, he is considered by many to be the father of the modern action novel. He currently resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

From Booklist

Morrell (Creepers, 2005) offers yet another change of pace in this compact, fast-paced combination of Rambo adventure (what he’s known for) and plea for peace on earth. To get there, however, he’s had to pull off a rather stunning maneuver—turning the circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth into a spy thriller (with the magi as the spies). The tale unfolds within the contemporary story of an American espionage agent who outs himself to his vicious Russian bosses by running off on Christmas Eve with a package they’ve been hired to steal—the baby son of a modern-day peacemaker. The agent’s initially unwilling helpers are a woman (who has been terrorized by an abusive husband) and her young son, Paul. The breakneck pace allows little time for characterization, and the blood-and-guts level is high as Russian agents close in (even young Paul gets into the act), but along the way there’s plenty of play with names and situations drawn from Bible stories. Given all that’s going on, the novel comes together surprisingly well—but then Christmas is the season for miracles. --Stephanie Zvirin

About this edition

• Publisher: Vanguard Press
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1593155638
• ISBN 13: 9781593155636
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 239