Jackie Houchin Reviews
The Last Spymaster
 by Gayle Lynds

The Last Spymaster is the latest suspense/thriller written by Gayle Lynds.  It is a densely plotted story with enough twists and turns to satisfy any lover of espionage and intrigue and it does it without resorting to sex and bad language for thrills.  Gayle has been compared to Robert Ludlum at his best and indeed co-authored three books with him before he died.  Her knowledge (or imagination) of a new array of military techno-toys in The Last Spymaster will satisfy all you Tom Clancy fans as well. 

Lynds draws her cast of characters so clearly that you either hate them with a passion, or care about them deeply. Tice, the spymaster-turned-traitor is the mystery at the heart of the book.  In the prologue, when first see him in action, your curiosity is aroused.  Who is he?  Why did he turn traitor? And then later, what was in the newspaper that made him so desperate to escape from prison?  Who are his friends?  Who are his enemies?  And what are his plans now that he’s out?  Just when you think you know the answers, he fades into a mirror of deception and must dig some more.

On the other hand, Elaine Cunningham, the CIA “hunter” charged with locating Jay is a character we know and want to root for.  She is strong, savvy, and learns fast from her mistakes.  When these two opposites finally meet, they must trust each other or die.

Lynds knows how to keep the suspense hot and her readers turning pages.  She only shares the smallest possible slivers of information at a time, keeping you on a roller coaster ride of anxiety and Jay and Elaine race to save the day (and a lot more).

But be assured, the conclusion to The Last Spymaster will leavesatisfied and grinning.

& Audio editions available
Check out the author’s web site http://gaylelynds.com

Jackie Houchin is a freelance reporter for The Foothills Paper in San Fernando Valley, California.  She belongs to Sisters In Crime and Mystery Writers of America and the California Writers Club.  Jackie reviews for Mystery Scene Magazine, Crime Spree Magazine and The Strand magazine.  She is a regular contributor to Valleynews.com as a book, theater and film reviewer.  Jackie  contributes to The Valley Scribe and have a few things in the CWC 2005-2006 anthology.  She is a photographer, and have "shot" countless plays and musicals in community theaters for 18 years.