The name is Makepeace, Emma Makepeace. Except it isn't. As the spy described as "Britain's female James Bond" acknowledges, everybody lies in her world and Emma's first is her name. She also assumes one of her other identities in The Trap, which although assuredly a contemporary espionage novel, reminds us that some of the old spycraft tactics are still enacted when a dire situation calls for it. This is the third book in the Alias Emma series and while a standalone, there are references to events in both The Chase and The Traitor, and I would recommend reading those first, especially if you want to avoid any spoilers.
With the West increasingly concerned about the dangers posed by Russia and China, the G7 countries are due to meet in Edinburgh, ostensibly to discuss improving the global economy and stabilising democracy, but with tensions rising, talks are expected to focus on imposing sanctions and other methods for curtailing threats from the east. So when, just before the summit, Vladimar Balakin, the man believed to be the Russian intelligence agency, FSB's second in command, arrives in England on a private jet, it's of extreme concern. Emma is a part of the UK's intelligence agencies combined operation to tail him upon arrival and she follows him first to the Russian embassy in London and then in Edinburgh, where his destination is a house belonging to Nick Orlov, a self-made billionaire from Kazakhstan who emigrated to Britain fifteen years ago and now holds British citizenship. Nick has never been on the radar of the secret services and so they are baffled by his involvement.
Emma works for the most secret of the intelligence departments; The Agency hunts Russian spies and even most people in the government have no idea it even exists. With less than a week before some of the world's most powerful leaders are due to meet, the pressure is on to identify and stop the attack they know must be coming. The sense of tension is acutely palpable throughout The Trap and as with the previous books in the series, Emma becomes involved in a breathtakingly gripping race against time.
Despite resolutely agreeing to use herself as bait in an old-fashioned honey trap as they desperately try to figure out what Orlov's involvement actually means, it is clear that she has reservations. Emma is a proficient operative who although still young has experienced some profoundly challenging situations which have gained her an impressive reputation. However, Ava Glass always ensures she is believably human; she is emotionally as well as physically scarred by her past and her uneasiness at what she is being asked to do is obvious. Her interactions with Nick Orlov are cleverly imagined; her determination to carry out the job expected of her is evident and yet, we're still aware of her moral doubts – especially as she finds she actually likes the man.
Having been horribly betrayed previously, she has built a protective wall around herself but a new character and a face from her past, both expose chinks in her armour here. When she is partnered with police officer Kate Mackenzie, Emma is not pleased but the relationship which develops between them is one of the highlights of The Trap, revealing a different side of her character to readers as well as to Emma herself. Meanwhile, the forthright Mackenzie is an excellent addition to the storyline and the juxtaposition between their methods, as well as their honest discussions with one another is fascinating. Emma also has to make a decision regarding what is demanded of her and what she needs – although just a small part of this book, I’m interested to see whether this strand of the ongoing storyline will be revisited in the future.
There are nail-biting scenes throughout The Trap, which is a compulsive read from start to finish but the latter chapters are particularly intense. Emma's innate intuitiveness and her physical acumen are called upon as the Russians’ chilling plot is eventually revealed. However, even after this, they still have to actually stop their bloody objective being realised; the dramatic climax is electrifyingly thrilling and really quite moving. The Trap is an action packed, compellingly believable spy thriller, it's a hugely entertaining read and the best in the series so far.
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