Political life has become so debased in recent years, with elected leaders snuggling up with dictators and totalitarian regimes interfering in democratic elections, that it must be difficult for thriller writers to come up with plots more preposterous than real life.  The premise of Tom Bradby’s latest novel is that the UK’s Foreign Secretary and about-to-be Prime Minister is a Russian spy.  I doubt anyone would find such an idea far-fetched in today’s world.  Kate Henderson, head of MI6’s Russia desk, has to find the truth while watching her back in an organization in which no one is above suspicion.

Tom Bradby is a well-known journalist and news anchor in the UK.  I had no idea he was also a novelist until I read a glowing review of Secret Service in the Financial Times.  I enjoyed reading it, but it’s no genre masterpiece.  It’s a simple enough tale, with sharply drawn characters, and enough pace and tension to make it a perfect, undemanding summer read.