“A pulse-pounding narrative that straddles two eras — 1989 and 2020 — BOX 88 is a “wonderfully taut, exciting and up-to-date spy thriller” that introduces a compelling new character and a captivating international storyline”. Spectator, Books of the Year
Box 88 was my introduction to Charles Cumming and I now I understand why his books are so popular. Even though the story jumped between years and locations, I never lost track of who was where and why.
Lachlan Kite is the leader of
BOX 88, a joint US/UK anti-terrorism spy agency that only a handful of MI6 and
CIA operatives know exists. At the funeral of his childhood best friend, Lachlan
is kidnapped and the kidnapping is witnessed by Cara, a young MI5 agent, whose
team leader is determined to prove the existence of Box 88. As the MI5 team investigates
the kidnapping, Lachlan’s pregnant wife is also abducted and the threat of her
dead is used as leverage to obtain information he is sworn to protect.
Lachlan’s kidnapper is after information
on his very first mission for Box 88. Lachlan had been recruited straight out
of boarding school when it was learned that he had been invited to spend the
summer of his gap year on the coast of France with his best friend and his
family. This visit provides access to one of Iran’s most dangerous terrorists who
will be visiting. Lachlan’s mission is find out what the man is plotting. The
mission ends in the betrayal of his best friend.
This is not a James Bond type
spy novel as there are no fancy gizmos or glamorous women. What it is a well
written story of what spy craft looked like in the late 1980s. Though espionage
is the main theme of the story it is also a coming-of-age story as young Lachlan
works to discover who he really is while balancing friendship, loyalty, and romance
with his mission.
The second book in the series, Judas 62, is due out in September 2022
and will continue looking back at Lachlan’s Box 88 missions. I’m sure a handful of
the characters from Box 88 will also
make a repeat appearance.
4.08 stars on Goodreads, 4.2 on
Amazon
