The Predicament

By: William Boyd

Narrated by: George Blagden

“Boyd is one of my favorite authors.” —Kate Atkinson

From the internationally bestselling author, a thrilling novel starring the travel writer-turned-reluctant spy Gabriel Dax, who finds himself implicated in a dangerous conspiracy with global consequences.

1963, Guatemala. The country is in turmoil, with a presidential election looming and a charismatic, left-wing ex-priest and trade union leader predicted to win. United Fruits, a giant American corporation responsible for a large percentage of the country’s GNP, meanwhile, is not pleased by this prospect. Neither is the CIA. Amid the uncertainty, Gabriel Dax arrives on orders from his MI6 handler Faith Green, who has tasked him with assessing the fallout from the election.

Upon arrival, Gabriel meets Frank Sartorius, the local CIA agent. Despite Sartorius’s genial manner, Gabriel suspects something untrustworthy brewing under the surface. Soon, a political assassination with suspicions of Mafia involvement leads to riots, and Dax escapes to Europe, thinking he will finally return to his normal life as a travel writer. But when Green compels him to investigate some shady characters in West Berlin, it becomes clear that an even greater danger is afoot as the magnetic young President Kennedy prepares to arrive for a state visit. A gripping novel of politics and spy craft with dramatic twists and turns, The Predicament shows Boyd to be one of our most masterful contemporary storytellers.

Disappointing

I am a great fan of Boyd and enjoyed Gabriel's Moon. This sequel brings nothing new, mostly the same characters doing the same things. Gabriel continues to allow himself to be used by his handler, Faith. The situations he finds himself in are contrived and not believable. The "assignment" in Berlin is just silly. In the end, I found that I do not like Gabriel, he is entitled, frequently foolish, obsessed with sex and treats women badly.
The reader is wonderful.

Sequel to Gabriel’s moon

Good sequel although not quite as novel, and a wee bit contrived compared to his previous works. Still it’s a good entertaining read (some Forrest Gump moments!) and it’s well written and beautifully narrated.

Stange Book

Overall I enjoyed the book. that said it wasn't much of a spy novel. It had a decent plot, moved along, and kept me interested. Seems like it was setting up for a sequel which I will probably read.