1995: In the wake of the Rwandan genocide, 24-year-old spy Lachlan Kite and his girlfriend, Martha Raine, are sent to Senegal on the trail of a hunted war criminal. The mission threatens to spiral out of control, forcing Kite to make choices that will have devastating consequences not only for his career at top-secret intelligence agency BOX 88, but also for his relationship with Martha.
2023: Eric Appiah, an old friend from Kite’s days at school and an off-the-record BOX 88 asset, makes contact with explosive information about what happened all those years ago in West Africa. When tragedy strikes, Kite must use all his resources to bring down a criminal network with links to international terror … and protect Martha from possible assassination.
Here is the Spybrary take:
“I want the world to know that the French government protected a genocidaire. I want Augustin Bagaza to pay for his crimes. And I want him dead.”
With these chilling words, Charles Cumming plunges us into KENNEDY 35, the thrilling third installment of his BOX 88 series. For those who have journeyed with Lachlan Kite through BOX 88 and JUDAS 62, this novel is a familiar territory of intrigue and espionage. Yet, newcomers fear not – KENNEDY 35 stands on its own, making it a welcoming gateway into Cumming’s BOX 88 spy world.
The heart of the novel lies in its backdrop – the Rwandan genocide, a topic I embarrassingly admit I know very little about. Cumming’s helpful opening note sets the stage, guiding us into the hunt for the despicable Augustin Bagaza and his equally sinister wife Grace Mavinga– the ‘Lady MacBeth' of MI6’s files.
Secrecy was so ingrained in Kite’s behaviour that his first instinct was to lie.
KENNEDY 35
Cumming’s narrative cleverly intertwines two timelines, efficiently outlining Lachlan Kite’s three decades in espionage. The story oscillates between the mid-'90s operations of BOX 88's ‘closers‘ – the author's term for the black ops arm of BOX 88 (I do enjoy it when an author creates their own spy terminology) – and a contemporary setting where the past collides with present dangers. The two periods are seamlessly connected, not just through the plot but also through clever cultural references, like music from the era.
What had happened in Senegal was a tragedy, as close as Kite had come to a professional debacle, an operation beset by problems of shoddy organisation, second-rate personnel and sheer rotten bad luck.
KENNEDY 35
The setting is a character in itself. Cumming’s portrayal of Senegal is steeped in authenticity, a testament to his thorough research. The vivid descriptions of locales, from the potholed streets of Dhaka to the luxurious haunts of the elite, add layers of realism to the spy story.
We do see the return of a few familiar faces, including Michael Strawson the co-founder of BOX 88, Cara Jannaway, Martha Raine, and Azhar Masood, Kite's Number 2 at the Cathedral (another Cumming term, I really should put a glossary together.) The French DGSE also plays a large role in the story, some good and some bad, but I will leave you to discover that for yourself.
‘MI6 is not in the business of assassinating people. We leave that kind of thing to the SAS.'
In KENNEDY 35, Cumming's writing style style aligns him with the more serious, literary genre of spy novels. He's not just telling a story; he's exploring the intricate web of human behaviors and decisions within the high-stakes world of espionage. This approach places him alongside the more serious, contemplative spy novelists, rather than the purely escapist thrillers. In other words, this is right up Spybrary’s Strasse!
Yet, don’t be misled – KENNEDY 35″ is no slow burner. Cumming masterfully ramps up the tension, culminating in a climax that cleverly wrong-footed me. It's a novel that skillfully balances the cerebral with the adrenaline of a spy thriller.
In conclusion, Kennedy 35 is not just a commendable addition to the BOX 88 series, but a standalone spy thriller that beckons both series veterans and newcomers. Cumming’s craft in weaving historical context, character depth, and thrilling espionage is very welcome. This book is an absolute must-read for anyone who savors a spy novel that is realistic, and believable yet packed with thrills.
With KENNEDY 35, Charles Cumming is hitting his stride with the BOX 88 series and we cannot wait for the next installment!
