Deception: A Harry Tate Thriller

Near the outset of Magson’s solid third thriller featuring former MI5 officer Harry Tate (after 2011’s Tracers), Harry, who’s just finished a freelance job involving an Iraqi terrorist, receives a call from MI6 officer Richard Ballatyne. Ballatyne wants Harry and his sidekick, Rik Ferris, also a former MI5 operative, to hunt down the Protectory, a shadowy group specializing in helping military personnel who have gone AWOL to sell military information to foreign spy agencies. Harry is particularly interested because his old boss and archenemy, Henry Paulton, is involved with the bad guys. As usual, Harry is never sure who is a friend, so he must treat everyone involved, other than girlfriend Jean and Rik, as an enemy. While this entry isn’t up to the standard of the first in the series (2010’s Red Station), it moves Harry’s story along and will keep readers coming back for more. Agent: David Headley, DHH Literary Agency. (Apr.)