The Intelligencer Leslie Silbert Simon & Schuster $24.00 Rel: Feb 2004 Reviewed by Ali Karim

‘Dan Brown’s ‘The Da Vinci Code’ has got a lot to answer for’ - were my first thoughts when I started reading this unusual book that welds the contemporary spy-thriller to that of the historical mystery. Alternating between the 16th century England and the present day, we have the secret life of Christopher Marlowe sparking this tale of intrigue which links it to our contemporary time and ignites the fire of its plot.

While Marlowe battles on his final assignment as an ‘Intelligencer’ back in the days of old, we are introduced to New York Graduate student and PI Kate Morgan in the 21st century. Apart from her private-eye work, she also works assignments for a US Government Intelligence outfit. Kate is called to England by a client, the charming Anglo-Spanish businessman Cidro Medina who has uncovered a body in his study and a strange and sinister manuscript. The yellowed document - ‘The Anatomy of Secrets’ was uncovered during building restoration and which someone wants at any cost. She is also contacted by Italian art dealer Luca de Tolomei who has purchased a stash from a middle-eastern intelligence officer, with a linkage to Kate’s father (a US senator), while back in the 16th century, Marlowe is on his final mission.

Peppered with a plethora of characters, some based on real people, and others fictional, it features complex sub-plots and twists, and does make for some confusion until about halfway, when the plots converge. The opening does provide a character glossary which should warn the reader that we have a large cast of supporting characters and rogues. Kate Morgan as a hero is somewhat plastic, as she lacks an additional dimension, but the complex plot makes up for the lack of characterization.

‘The Intelligencer’ is rewarding for those looking for something different, and a boon for the historical-mystery fan. If you liked Dan Brown’s ‘The Da Vinci Code’ you’ll love this complex brew. However, this high concept yarn is not as literary as some of the more recent historical mystery novels by say Andrew Taylor, or Sarah Waters (due to the problems of characterization) but perhaps more accessible in terms of mass-market appeal, but as a debut, we should see fine work from Silbert in her future books.