The first 100 pages sets up the basic premise and characters before launching into a nail-biting hostage drama and a chase across Europe for the kidnappers that leads back to the US. Although the character Quinn, the negotiator, is fully fleshed out along with the kidnapper Zack, the story is far fetched when it comes to the detective work. The kidnapping case comes to a climax half way though the book and I found everything fully believable and enjoyable until then. After this pinnacle part of the story it looses the believable part and just becomes strictly enjoyable. Unlike his other novels "The 4th Protocol etc.", it seems to miss out on keeping the story simple and believable.

This novel is a bit like "Hannibal" in many ways. There are lots of disturbed villains with their own tastes and a great memorable character in the form of British gentleman working for the KGB, but alas it really does have some big plot holes and "chance" discoveries that leave you thinking that the book could have been planned a bit better with regards to that. Although the writer does go to great pains to tell us that detective work needs a bit of "luck" or a "break" in the case for things to work out, the breaks that Quinn gets are all too much to really believe. Other than that the novel is extremely easy to read and you will not put it down until you have finished that "next chapter". Good show, shame about the severe bending of reality though. Keep it real Fred!! I much preferred the detective work in "The 4th Protocol" compared to this.

After the Fourth Protocol, Frederick Forsyth was expected to produce something as splendid in his next novel, ie The Negotiator. Set against a background of the crumbling USSR era and the ending of the Cold War, the Negotiator is one of the few last novels about the Cold War drama of political intrigue. In this novel, I found that the hero, Quinn, very charming and interesting. Here I personally find it interesting, when Forsyth put some emotions in Quinn, compare to the other characters created, that seemed like 'cardboard' characters living off their 'professional' life! I love it when Forsyth writes about those 'cat and mouse' games. He did it wonderfully in The Day of the Jackal, The Odessa File and The Fourth Protocol. And in The Negotiator, he masterfully crafted it again. The Negotiator has a good plot, the events of the story intelligently revealed and a 'good touch' ending. The lackings in this story include the Forsyth tendency of making his character a Mr Know-it-all and rebelious, which seem a bit unrealistic in the 90s, and a wee chauvinistic. But Quinn is certainlly better that most of other Forsyth characters like Cat Shannon and the Jackal. Good job Mr Forsyth!

The first book of Forsyth that we've ever read. Catches my attention from the first page itself. Non stop thriller with riveting plot that kept building up along the story. Quinns' character is so well developed through out his adventure. The story line is so real with a clear detail of what happening around the characters environment. The story also gives emphasisation for all the characters making the book a very exciting read. After reading this book we got so hooked up with Frederick Forsyth's books and started buying all these books:- Icon, The Deceiver, Fist of God and Devil's Alternative.

This is an ultimate satisfaction for both of us. Keep writting good books.

I just can't think of anything. This book is part of his collection of short stories 'No Comebacks', and follows Mr Sam Nutley, a mild mannered fellow if ever there was one, as he veers from the straight and narrow for the first time in his life. How does he get out from this 'intolerable and unthinkable' situation? The only thing that annoyed me was how he wanted his determinedly middle class, middle of the road, downtrodden life to continue as it was, but we are at least given some insight into this at the end. Classic Forsyth.

This book has 4 different stories, in all of them appear Spy McCready as a super hero, the book will keep you interested in the stories but is not exactly what I expected from Forsyth.

The first story has 4 stars.
The second story has 5 stars.
The third story has 3 stars.
Don't waste your time with the fourth one.

I've read a few spy novel by other authors, but this one has to be the best I've read to date. It's interesting how Forsyth managed to blend in the character of Sam Mcgeedy in all the four sub stories in one book. Particularly my favourite is the first two stories which involves a phony russian defections and Sam Mcgreedy involvement in a 'cross border exchange gone wrong' in Berlin. Highly intense!

The detail of the story on how the procedure are done in the intelligence community prooves his thorough research on the book. This is rewarded by an overwhelming attachment and sense of realism from the reader. It is really difficult to put this book down, once you started it. Highly recommended for those who seek realism and detailed process in espionage action story.

This book comprises four short stories featuring spymaster Sam McCready.

Story #1 is a masterpiece of action; your heartbeat will confirm this as you turn page after page avidly. The way McCready has to kill the very friend he is there to save is pure drama. One of the best compositions by Forsyth ever -- teachers should assign it for children to read at school.

Story #2 is the state-of-the-art of psychological twist. Until the last page you will not know who is telling the truth or lying. Thank you Fred.

Story #3 does not take after the two previous ones; it is good but not as gripping as those are. You will not let unnoticed the vast research job Forsyth has done to describe places and situations in such a detailed manner. ...

Story #4 -- Forsyth not in his best; he was actually having a bad day.

Because of its fluent prose and intricate plots, I can recommend “The Deceiver” -- a really worthwhile book.