| Title | : | Hazard A GuessA Real Tennis Chase |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 9781899804 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 326 |
| Publication | : | First published October 15, 2017 |
When Katherine Connolly, the London-based auctioneer seeks answers for the American, her managers place deflection on the block. But she isn’t buying. Past experience has taught her to loathe dishonesty, especially when she senses manipulation. All of which makes her even more determined to find answers. Dishonesty, for her, is a deal-breaker. For Brooks? Not so much. In his past, a past rarely discussed, it was part of the job description.
MI6, CIA, Sotheby’s, and Christie’s, each with an agenda, and all of whom, to a degree, dissemble for currency, would rather these documents remain unseen. It is late in the 20th century, and the institutions that serve the ruling classes are under scrutiny.
Brooks has re-entered the spy game by doing what he always did best: he has recruited an asset. As Katherine takes up Real Tennis to guide her search, she and her accomplice discover the intelligence services have always enjoyed rich recruiting in the executive suites of the major auction houses; just as they have in the rare, ancient, and exclusive game of Tennis. A trans-Atlantic operation is under way to ferret out clues and answers; with extraordinary and unexpected results.
Hazard A GuessA Real Tennis Chase Reviews
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An exquisitely written novel by Edward Hughes. The author's writing style is a beautiful blend of traditional and contemporary prose. Edward Hughes is a new novelist for our generation.
The story challenges the reader to understand the esoteric complexities of the Fine Art World, the rare and exclusive game of Real Tennis and the surreptitious world of secret operations. All whilst focusing on two unique romances - one timeless, the other unrequited.
I could not put the book down once I started it. Read the book a second time just to better understand all of the story's subtle nuances.
Cannot wait until the sequel comes out! -
Edward J. Hughes’ foray into the spy novel is noteworthy. Using the background of real tennis to set the stage of intrigue, the author takes this reader on a journey from the US to the UK. Like a good tennis match about to unfold the spectators “hazard to guess” on the game’s outcome.
Two dynamic characters, Peter Brooks and Katherine Connolly are drawn into this match by the discovery of some old love letters stamped “Top Secret”. In their attempts to uncover the real story behind these correspondences they become team players. But the distance between them (the least of which is the Atlantic Ocean) leads at times to confusion and mistrust. This complication is drawn out like a set in tennis where neither player wishes to risk it all in one shot. So the match continues.
Surrounded by their respective support groups they serve and volley; these skill sets provide the reader with amazing insight into their lives and talents, adding spin to the ball as it is put into play.
In the end, the game’s outcome is only partially revealed. The top secret adventure is resolved while the love match between Peter and Katherine is “rein” delayed.
At this point the score board reads: “Advantage Reader”.
Eugene Gregory Kruczek
Author Of: “Hoof Prints – Memories of the Blue and Gold”
