Free Agent (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2009 |
| Founder | Jeremy Duns |
| Products | Spy thriller novel |
Free Agent, a spy thriller penned by Jeremy Duns in 2009, marks the inaugural entry in a trilogy centered on MI6 operative Paul Dark. The narrative takes place in 1969 amid the Cold War, spanning locations such as London and Nigeria during the period of the Nigerian Civil War. Duns acknowledges the inspiration drawn from works like A Dandy in Aspic by Derek Marlowe and The Human Factor authored by Graham Greene.
Released in the United Kingdom on 5 May 2009 through Simon & Schuster and later in the United States on 25 June 2009 via Viking Press, this novel positioned Duns as a prominent figure within the spy fiction genre. He is also affiliated with International Thriller Writers.
Tagline
March 1969. John and Yoko lie in bed. Harold Wilson occupies Number 10. Meanwhile, Paul Dark is fleeing from MI6, the KGB ... and his own demons.
Reception
Critical response to Free Agent was largely favorable. The Daily Telegraph described it as "a retro-cool romp" featuring "concise prose," selecting it among its "Thrillers of the Year" and commending Duns's skillful tribute to classic espionage literature. The Guardian regarded it as an "impressive debut," noting the author's profound understanding of intelligence work. Comparisons by Publishers Weekly aligned it with early works of John le Carré, while Kirkus Reviews praised its "delightfully intricate" storyline but suggested that the main character required further depth for subsequent books. Following the trilogy’s completion, Kirkus highlighted Duns's vivid portrayal of historical context. South Africa’s Independent Online echoed Eric Van Lustbader’s acclaim for an "electrifying" opening chapter, though it critiqued the story’s ambiguous moral stance.