THE ARMCHAIR REVIEWER
Allen J. Hubin


TED ALLBEURY The Judas Factor

TED ALLBEURY – The Judas Factor. Mysterious Press, US, hardcover, 1987; reprint paperback, 1989. British edition: New English Library, hardcover, 1984.

   Each time I sample Ted Allbeury I am rewarded. The Judas Factor is no exception. Allbeury’s bag is international intrigue, and his view is not all black and white but mostly gray, of men and women doing what they do for their own reasons, with their own ignorances and insights and rationalizations.

   Tad Anders fell out of official favor with his masters in Britain’s S.LS., but they didn’t want to lose him altogether. So they set him up running a disreputable if successful London club, and ask him to take on the odd unofficial job.

   Like extracting a Russian assassin from East Germany. The job is poorly planned and goes awry. In the end, one of the difficulties with unofficial spies is they’re a bit hard to control .

   A solid, spare tale, and Tad and his women are particularly well met.

— From The MYSTERY FANcier, Vol. 11, No. 2, Spring 1989.


    Previously reviewed on this blog:

Shadow of Shadows (by George Kelley)
The Reaper (by Steve Lewis)