J. Kanon's books, like "The Prodigal Spy", are easy reading and so entertaining one has trouble putting them down. However, due to their formulaic nature, I would not compare this author to John le Carre or Graham Greene, as some reviewers have done. I almost dread reaching the obligatory sex scene halfway through every novel. Is this really necessary? But I am always fascinated by the mix of fact and fiction in the stories. Less fascinated by the predictable good-to-bad-guy and vice versa characters. Mr. Kanon's characters are not nearly as subtly conflicted as John le Carre's. Nonetheless, I like reading this author.

Not your average spy story. Worth reading.

Well written story blending the fictional 'collision' between a ranking state official and the McCarthy 'witch' hunt' of the fifties. Dripping with atmosphere of the times both in U.S and Europe when the story fast forwards to the time of the Vietnam War.

Very believable and moving characters examining some of the human costs of the Cold War.