Quotes
“Mr. Downing’s previous series, about journalist-spy John Russell during
World War II, set a high standard for documentary authenticity. The
author is a master at bringing the past to life through the careful and
often loving observation of even minor players and through the artful
deployment of specific detail. In addition, Jack McColl’s debut has a
zest, an exoticism, and a joie de vivre well-suited to an era when bestsellers were being written by Zane Grey, suffragettes were demanding the
vote, and opium parlors were a readily accessible temptation.” Wall Street Journal
“Downing, a fiendish researcher, does a believable job of inserting
McColl into real life events, and the result is a novel marked by
surprising adventures of an oddly amiable sort.” Toronto Star
“Moves along briskly and offers interesting facts about events now a century past. It’s always entertaining.” Washington Post
“Engaging…Fans of
Downing’s WWII-era spy series that concluded with Masaryk Station
will appreciate the author’s command of history and period detail.” Publishers Weekly
“In this sparkling production, set just before the
outbreak of World War I, narrator Gildart Jackson employs his husky baritone to
capture the many facets of Jack McColl. He supplies confidence to the Scotsman’s
persona as a luxury car salesman and provides caginess to Jack’s alter ego as a
novice agent in Britain’s fledgling intelligence service. Jackson’s voice
clearly reflects the conflict McColl feels when his spying clashes with his
budding relationship with Caitlin Hanley, an Irish-American journalist.” AudioFile
“With his celebrated John Russell
series, which began between the wars and extended through WWII, behind
him, Downing launches a new series about a different war…It’s clear that the talented
Downing is off and running once again, with an agreeable new hero and
another richly atmospheric historical backdrop.” Booklist
“A rookie spy gets in over his head when he’s forced to choose between his assignment and the dynamic woman he’s fallen for…This first installment of a proposed series by the author of the six John Russell novels moves deliberately but colorfully, with intelligent prose and a strong period feel.” Kirkus Reviews
“It would already be enough that Jack of
Spies is a taut, highly intelligent spy thriller without it being a
brilliant historical portrait and a captivating love story to boot. A
remarkably engaging world tour of pre–World War I espionage featuring an
honorable protagonist begging for a long series.” Lyndsay Faye, author of The Gods of Gotham
“Vividly explores the worldwide intrigues that
spawned World War I, through the all-too-human British spy Jack McColl and the
lover he betrays.” Francine Mathews, author of Jack 1939