Watchman: A Novel

Ian Rankin
Little, Brown and Company (2007)
ISBN 9780316009133
Reviewed by AJ Cooper for Reader Views (5/08)


Miles Flint, the innocuous and quirky spy, always traveled around with the idea that someone was out to get him. His co-workers thought his behavior was a bit silly and somewhat unorthodox, always checking for bombs or planted bugs everywhere he went.  His hobby of choice is the study of bugs, more specifically beetles. He is married and has a son away at school. Miles and his wife spend more time away from each other; when they are together things really do not seem to work anymore. Can their marriage survive the anguish ahead?

His responsibility as a spy is to watch and listen and report back on these observations without taking any action or being observed. This all changes when Miles stops by work to inquire on a recent bombing and to make some calls. There is some activity on the phones, one of which is a person of interest setting up a meeting at a local hotel. Miles decides to go to the meeting place and observe first-hand. Everything was going smoothly until Miles is distracted by a beautiful woman and loses the man he is watching. He must now report this blunder to his boss and hope that nothing happens. Miles must now face the investigation and the repercussion of his actions. Who can he really trust or turn to? His wife does not know of his actual duties and his son doesn’t either. He is forced to face the troubles ahead because of his rookie mistake.  Many things happen and Miles is forced to travel to other countries to discover who is behind these crazy and deadly events. He is led down routes he thought he would never have to take and work with people he did not know he could trust.

I really enjoyed the outcome of this book. The excitement of getting to the end of “Watchman” kept me on the edge. I was eager to turn the page to find out how Miles would come through, not only in his secret life, but also if he would be able to make things right with his wife. I would recommend this book to anyone that has an interest in intrigue and who wants a small glimpse into what may or may not happen in the world of spies.  “Watchman” also shows how human nature and our own views can have a big impact on the outcome and perception of others.

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