By Aymond & Van Hamme
Publisher: Cinebook
ISBN: 978-1905460724
This book comes from the same writer as the Thorgal series, Belgium's Jean Van Hamme, and within its opening pages promises to be as interesting and involving even though the setting couldn't be more different. It follows the life of Susan, now the adopted daughter of an American ambassador as well as being his personal aide. As the narrative unfolds we learn about Susan's journey to this point, beginning in the USSR with the death of her parents during the fall of communism and her subsequent escape as a child thanks to a young thief. She joins him in this life of crime, eventually hiding away in England with a stolen passport and money from fenced goods, enrolling herself in a decent school in an attempt to give herself an advantage in life. She has a natural talent for languages and her cat-burglary skills take her to southern France for rich pickings until one of her burglaries results in a false accusation and the suicide of an innocent. She reassess her life and heads to the US to return items she stole from a couple who had once shown her kindness only to discover that their paths had crossed even earlier when she was but a baby. The American, James Fitzroy, holds himself responsible for the demise of Susan's parents and they take it upon themselves to offer her the stability she so badly needs.
Now using her language skills in the service of her adopted father, she accompanies him across the globe, and ultimately to Brussels. Here she once again meets the thief who had saved her so many years before, but it is no coincidence. What follows sees Susan drawn unwittingly into a secretive world of the spy as her past catches up with her.
This is complex tale that jumps back and forth whilst introducing new characters, places and concepts, so by rights should be a difficult one to follow, but Van Hamme is such a strong writer that he achieves this and maintains the pace to keep you interested. Part of the story's charm is that the lead character isn't some posturing super-spy with witty one-liners and an array of gadgets, but a talented individual thrust into situations where she's forced to think fast. It makes it easier to relate to and gives the proceedings a greater sense of threat and danger.
Aymond's illustrations are fantastic and work hand-in-hand with the story to achieve a very believable world and a what promises to be an excellent thriller.
And if you liked that: I'm reading Volume 2 at present, so will report back soon
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