Review: Fallout by William Hunter

The past never stays where it’s supposed to be buried, a truth that becomes painfully apparent in Fallout, the latest riveting thriller from author William Hunter. Fresh off his critically acclaimed novel Sanction, this new adventure pulls readers between the dark days of the Cold War and a modern-day spree of assassinations to cover up secrets more than three decades old.

Banastre Montjoy returns in this novel and heads up the investigation into why ex-British intelligence agents are being wiped out, particularly those linked to a disastrous and failed operation in the death strip between East and West Berlin back in 1984. Bouncing between Washington, D.C., South Carolina, Moscow, Canada, England and plenty of stops in between, this tangled thriller barely leaves room to breathe, let alone get one’s geographic bearings.

When Chechen assassins descend on the American South with a pair of high-value intelligence targets in their sights, it starts a firestorm of suspicion that spans the globe. This wave of violence is actually one of retribution – long-brewing payback for a Russian spy career cut short by falling victim to intelligence forces from the west. However, tying up loose ends is rarely a clean job, and Banastre Montjoy is put on the case, not only based on his rank and extensive skillset, but also his personal investment in the case, and its historical origin.

Once he returns to Europe to dig into the sinister plot, it quickly becomes apparent that there is more to the story than simple revenge, and plenty of people who still want to protect long-buried secrets. Finding himself in multiple cross-hairs, this compelling protagonist makes Fallout an unpredictable and utterly addictive read.

The character development throughout this novel is exceptional, and refreshingly nuanced, with a strong sensitivity to different cultural behaviors and patterns of speech. The relationships formed between characters, whether they are based on betrayal, national loyalty or otherwise, are believable and help to move the plot forward, immersing readers in a well-written web. More notable is the depth of research and authenticity that bleeds out of these pages. The author’s intricate knowledge of the Cold War, as well as the inner workings of intelligence agencies, adds a great deal of credence to the plot and makes for a highly rewarding read, in addition to working as a page-turning thriller.

There are few critiques of the story, although the beginning is slightly heavy with exposition and character introduction. When so much is thrown at the reader in the first 30 pages, it can be difficult to develop a firm foundation for the rest of the story, even with the high-action opening scenes. That is really the main criticism. Overall, the language throughout is widely varied and flexible, displaying great dexterity in the prose and a subtle undertone of tension that rarely fades from the scenes.

For any long-time fans of spycraft novels, William Hunter is one of the best new names in the genre, and Fallout deserves a wide readership.