Once a Spy

A Novel

By: Keith Thomson

Narrated by: Danny Campbell

Drummond Clark was once a spy of legendary proportions. Now Alzheimer’s disease has taken its toll and he’s just a confused old man who’s wandered away from home, waiting for his son to fetch him.

When Charlie Clark takes a break from his latest losing streak at the track to bring Drummond back to his Brooklyn home, they find it blown sky high—and then bullets start flying in every direction. At first, Charlie thinks his Russian “creditors” are employing aggressive collection tactics. But once Drummond effortlessly hot-wires a car as their escape vehicle, Charlie begins to suspect there’s much more to his father than meets the eye. He soon discovers that Drummond’s unremarkable career as an appliance salesman was actually a clever cover for an elaborate plan to sell would-be terrorists faulty nuclear detonators. Drummond’s intricate knowledge of the “device” is extremely dangerous information to have rattling around in an Alzheimer’s-addled brain. The CIA wants to “contain” him--and so do some other shady characters who send Charlie and Drummond on a wild chase that gives “father and son quality time” a whole new meaning.

With Once a Spy, Keith Thomson makes his debut on the thriller stage with energy, wit, and style to spare.

Really good.

Enjoyed it. Good narration. Good storyline. Narrator was easy to listen to. Would buy again.

What can happen to old spies. ?

I love me a spy as a good guy novel-and to read that this particular spy has Alzheimer's, was very intriguing. The story is serious, caring, and of course at times funny. This story is unique, not only in the way of an Alzheimer's laden spy, but also in the "way" and "what of" the location of a bomb-that this spy helped create. I won't say any more, because I don't want to give too much away, but this story was really unique-at least to me. It also focuses on the relationship between a spy and his family-that part is not surprising, but it is handled very nicely, I thought.

fun book

a great bubble gum spy novel.
a great treadmill read or book for walking the dog.

Not your usual spy novel

Interesting twist on a spy novel and I enjoyed it all the way through. Not sure I am up for the sequel but it was a good use of a credit.

I want more

I enjoyed the concept of the book but had doubts about how the plot could be sustained. I was delightfully wrong. The plot keeps evolving and surprising and you continue to smile all the way through the book. The characters are nicely drawn and are deep enough to be distinctive and memorable. I finished the book and went directly on line to see what else Keith Thomson has written. Unfortunately, this is the only book (so far). I want more.