American, James Grady wrote the thriller Six Days of the Condor which was first published in 1974. Grady next released a further novel following this success in 1978 called the Shadow of the Condor. Six Days of the Condor was set in Washington, D.C., and varies greatly from the film that was made in 1975 with actors Robert Redford, Max von Sydow, Faye Dunaway and Cliff Robertson.

The film, for some reason was titled Three Days of the Condor and seems to be the better known name.

Grady has written a clever, intricate fiction novel that has a clever and believeable premis. The character, Ronald Malcolm’s job is to read the spy and mystery novels and to analyse their content and report on it. Do people really get paid for this as it’s a job made in heaven for me! Anyway, Malcolm is actually working for the CIA and is based in a secret office in Washington, D.C. By chance, Malcolm goes for lunch using an exit in the basement. On his return Malcolm finds that all of his collegaues have been shot and killed. He knows that he has had a lucky escape and that he is in danger and he immediatly calls a contact at the CIA headquarters.

On calling Malcolm gives his code name, Condor, and is ordered to meet CIA operatives. However, he fortunately survives a trap and goes on the run.

Malcolm has no where to hide and at random kidnaps a paralegal called Wendy Ross who he entreats to assist him….

I don’t want to give away too much. This is a great espionage thriller read in the classic style and well worth taking to the beach or on a commuter train.

Amerikaansk, James Grady skreau de thriller Six Days of the Condor dy’t foar it earst waard publisearre yn 1974. Grady publisearre folgjende in fierdere roman nei dit súkses yn 1978 mei de namme Shadow of the Condor. Six Days of the Condor waard ynsteld yn Washington, DC, en ferskilt sterk fan ‘e film dy’t waard makke yn 1975 mei akteurs Robert Redford, Max von Sydow, Faye Dunaway en Cliff Robertson.

De film, om ien of oare reden de titel Three Days of the Condor en liket de better bekende namme te wêzen.

Grady hat in knappe, yngewikkelde roman skreaun dy’t in tûk en te leauwen premis hat. It karakter, de taak fan Ronald Malcolm is om de spion- en mystery -romans te lêzen en har ynhâld te analysearjen en dêroer te melden. Wurdt minsken hjir echt foar betelle, om’t it in baan is makke foar my yn ‘e himel! Hoe dan ek, Malcolm wurket eins foar de CIA en is basearre yn in geheime kantoar yn Washington, DC By tafal, Malcolm giet foar lunch mei in útgong yn ‘e kelder. By syn weromkomst fynt Malcolm dat al syn kollega’s binne deasketten en fermoarde. Hy wit dat hy in gelokkige ûntsnapping hat hân en dat hy yn gefaar is en hy bellet fuortendaliks in kontaktpersoan by it CIA -haadkantoar.

By it skiljen jout Malcolm syn koadenamme, Condor, en wurdt besteld om CIA -aginten te moetsjen. Lykwols, hy oerlibbet gelokkich in trap en giet op ‘e flecht.

Malcolm hat gjin plak om te ferbergjen en willekeurich ûntfierd in paralegal neamd Wendy Ross, dy’t hy freget om him te helpen …

Ik wol net tefolle jaan. Dit is in geweldige spionaazje -thriller lêzen yn ‘e klassike styl en de muoite wurdich meinimme nei it strân as op in pendeltrein.

Photo by Jean Vella on Unsplash