Assessment:
Plot: This conspiracy-laden book sometimes bites off more than it can chew. The plot is suspenseful but confusing, a postmodern espionage story that is as frustrating as it is exciting. It’s perfect for fans of thrillers who can appreciate a dose of heady philosophy.
Prose/Style: The prose would benefit from consistency — at times verbose, other times short, curt, and to-the-point. But there’s a certain appeal to Eglise’s style: despairing, artful, and precise.
Originality: The story follows a professional plagiarist unraveling a conspiracy while researching the spread of COVID-19 for two grad students. A novel concept — and a great blend of current events and suspense.
Character Development/Execution: Takis is a wholly original character, with an original profession and outlook. Because the plot is confusing, it can be difficult to keep track of if (and how) he changes throughout, but he’s likable and interesting enough to keep readers along for the ride.
Date Submitted: April 18, 2021
A diverting thriller featuring a shrewd, unorthodox spy.
A SPY IN QUARANTINE
by Thomas Eglise ‧ RELEASE DATE: Jan. 10, 2021
An American college student becomes unwittingly embroiled in espionage in this debut novel.
University student Takis Soulivakis uses his intelligence for profit—charging people to write their papers. It’s relatively harmless work until two graduate student “clients” die from gunshots to the head. The students had published an article on Thomas Fielding, who had gone out in public after a false negative Covid-19 test. Though Takis’ name wasn’t on the article, he wrote and even researched most of it, interviewing a list of individuals a potentially infected Fielding had contact with. As Takis is positive this is why someone assassinated his clients, he eventually fears he’ll be next. Meanwhile, a United States agency investigates the murders and concentrates on Fielding’s contacts from the article, though what specifically it’s looking for isn’t immediately clear. Even as they suspect a ghostwriter, the agents won’t easily identify Takis, who prides himself on maintaining anonymity. This makes him perfectly suited for playing the spy game and staying ahead of anyone wanting to question him—or take him out. Takis ultimately teams up with Rachel Cullen, a client’s girlfriend, and, as covertly as possible, tries unmasking the killer before the culprit can track him down. Eglise’s tongue-in-cheek espionage tale puts an amateur spy in precarious circumstances. But while Takis and Rachel occasionally find themselves in undisputed danger, the story is consistently humorous. The protagonist, for example, who anonymously communicates with agents as “Nobody,” sets up a meeting at a local McDonald’s and cleverly manages to stay hidden. The narration likewise brims with smart quips: “Plagiarism was, at base, a foul thing, eroding what decency was left in the pliable young souls struggling to survive the wiles of innumerable errant professors.” Mystery (involving the unknown killer and a possible mole in the agency) drives much of the tale with surprises throughout, including unexpected details about Fielding’s contacts. The story culminates in a final act that, while somewhat muted, is certainly memorable.
A diverting thriller featuring a shrewd, unorthodox spy.
Pub Date: Jan. 10, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-578-81884-9
Page Count: 400
Publisher: Eglise Press
Review Posted Online: April 7, 2021
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
Categories: ESPIONAGE | GENERAL MYSTERY & DETECTIVE | THRILLER | MYSTERY & DETECTIVE
