Yesterday’s Spy

The disappearance of journalist Sean Tower in Tehran, Iran, drives this intelligent spy thriller from Bradby (the Kate Henderson series) set in 1953. Sean’s father, recently retired British spy Harry Towers, flies from London to the Iranian capital to find him just as the coup to depose Iran’s nationalist leader, Mohammed Mossadegh, and install the Shah, Reza Pahlavi, gets underway. Aided by Sean’s girlfriend, Shahnaz, Harry looks to local contacts, government officials, and ex-pats—mostly spies from the United States, Britain, and France—for answers. Was Sean targeted because of his left-wing politics? Has he been recruited by the Soviets? Or is his disappearance retribution for something Harry did as an undercover agent with Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service? On occasion, particularly toward the end, politics and flashbacks to Harry’s personal and professional life slow the momentum, but they are always relevant to the story. Bradby smoothly mixes geopolitical intrigue, old-fashioned sleuthing, and cinematic action. Fans of smart, historical espionage will be rewarded. Agent: George Lucas, InkWell Management. (Aug.)