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The Fight Against Terrorism
Agent Without a Name, A True Story of an Exceptional Life as a Private Security Consultant and Undercover Agent, offers readers a captivating glimpse into your extraordinary life as a lifelong spy and double agent and the lessons you learned over the years. What inspired you to share your story?
I know that not many people are afforded the opportunity to do what I’ve done in my life for so many different countries over a relatively long period of time. As long as I’ve been working with intelligence, I’ve never met anyone else quite like me: a “freelance” agent for five, six, (or more) countries simultaneously. I humbly believe that I have some unique insights into some of the major challenges of our times, such as terrorism, from an international perspective. My hope is that people can learn from my experiences and hard-earned lessons and also enjoy a surprising, true-life story about espionage.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
There are a few important ideas that I hope readers take away from the book. I’ll name a few.
First, the fight against terrorism cannot be constrained by borders. Terrorists don’t respect borders, and to win against them, there needs to be close cooperation between law enforcement, military, and intelligence between allies.
Second, the more the media covers terrorist acts, the more likely copycat crimes will occur. The public needs to be informed about terrorism, but the coverage should not glorify the terrorists, which it sometimes seems to do.
Third, the “West,” or the free world, needs to stick together to defend our freedoms and our security.
Fourth, I’m fluent in four and a half languages – Italian, French, German, English, and Russian, my mother tongue, is the half, I joke (because I rarely use it anymore). I believe language is important and should be taught from a young age.
Fifth, I hope the book is a message to people in the future who find themselves in similar situations.
And finally, there’s no better time to act to fix a problem than right now!
How did you balance the need to be honest and authentic with the need to protect your privacy and that of others in your memoir?
First, let me say that the book is all truthful. While we’ve changed the names of (most) people and organizations, the story is faithful to reality. While this made writing the book a bit more challenging, it does not detract from the reader’s ability to follow the story. Changing someone’s name doesn’t alter the impact or authenticity. What’s important is how I worked with my colleagues, how they collaborated with me, how we trusted each other, and how we all reacted to the circumstances that we found ourselves in – many unpredictable and potentially deadly. I believe that the themes and lessons should resonate just as well 100 years from now because they’re stories about real people.
What is one thing that people point out after reading your book that surprises you?
I’ve known many of my colleagues for nearly 50 years. I consider some of them to be my closest friends. But part of the nature of this business (intelligence and espionage) is that you know when you shouldn’t ask too many questions. So many of my friends and colleagues did not know my full life story and how I got started in this business. After my friends finished the book, many of them said, “Now I know who you are, really!” For most people, it probably seems funny that people you’ve known for five decades would have this reaction. However, when your “business” is secrecy, maybe it shouldn’t be so surprising!
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
“You never really retire from a life of counterterrorism, international counterfeit rings, and haute cuisine,” says Serge Smith.
Born in Italy shortly before the start of WW2 to a Russian-Jewish mother, Serge spoke Russian at home, Italia on the streets, and learned German at school. Later, he learned French and English. That set him up for a double life: as a private security consultant and an intelligence asset for select countries around the world.From humble beginnings as a Russian émigré, Serge went from working in secure computer centers to living a high life of danger and intrigue as an undercover agent. Working with Italian, German, British, and other intelligence services in counterterrorism and breaking counterfeit rings across the globe, he became “the guy to call” whenever something needed fixing. In a time when terrorism and organized crime dominated the headlines, Serge forged a life full of sting operations, travel, and fast cars.Agent Without a Name chronicles the life of an international man of mystery. Full of historical intrigue, breakthrough business deals, high-stakes counterterrorism, and international crime-busting during the Cold war era, this memoir, coauthored by William Michael, is Serge Smith’s true life story.
Deep Cover – The Unknowing Agent
Deep Cover: The Unknowing Agent, by Jeffrey Jay Levin, is a thoughtfully crafted spy thriller that delves into the lingering tensions of the Cold War era. The narrative is set against the backdrop of a dormant Russian spy program, which is suddenly reawakened to potentially disrupt a forthcoming U.S. presidential election. At the heart of this intrigue is Sergeant Stephen Beck, a character from U.S. Army Intelligence, who stumbles upon a cryptic message. His decision to pursue its meaning against orders leads him into a labyrinth of espionage.
Levin’s storytelling echoes the intricate spy narratives of John le Carré, infused with elements that might remind readers of The Manchurian Candidate, particularly the original version directed by John Frankenheimer. The novel primarily revolves around three protagonists: the policy-savvy Stephen Beck, his girlfriend Lisa Jones, and her colleague Jennifer Turner. These characters are portrayed with intelligence, dedication, and a nuanced sense of patriotism, adding depth to their roles in a world rife with subterfuge and ambiguity.
As the story unfolds, Levin masterfully introduces unexpected developments, maintaining a gripping pace. The enduring animosity between the U.S. and Russia is a central theme, portrayed as an unextinguished flame from the Cold War era, lending a sense of realism to the narrative, especially in light of recent global events. The novel’s strength lies in its meticulous plotting and subtle narrative progressions. Levin’s writing exhibits patience and precision, gradually revealing the intricacies of the plot. The story’s direction is confidently handled, ensuring that readers remain engaged through a slowly unraveling mystery. By the novel’s conclusion, Levin skillfully shifts the reader’s allegiances in tandem with those of the characters, showcasing his prowess as a writer.
Deep Cover: The Unknowing Agent stands as a testament to Levin’s ability to weave a complex and realistic spy narrative that resonates with contemporary geopolitical themes. The novel’s careful construction and compelling character dynamics make it a notable addition to the genre.
Pages: 198 | ASIN : B0CVMWR8XP
The Repurposed Spy
In Oliver Dowson’s riveting novel, The Repurposed Spy, readers are invited to embark on an extraordinary journey alongside Mr. Jones, a retired linguistics professor with an undeniable thirst for adventure. With his sights set on South America, Mr. Jones is unwittingly thrust into a maze of intrigue when he accepts a seemingly benign translation assignment from the mysterious Mr. Smith. This assignment not only pulls him into the exhilarating world of espionage but also reveals depths and capabilities in Mr. Jones that neither he nor the reader anticipated.
Dowson’s masterstroke lies in his choice to present the narrative as Mr. Jones’ memoir, lending both authenticity and depth to the unfolding drama. Dowson’s vivid descriptions, particularly those detailing the myriad of cuisines encountered, add layers of richness to the tale, making it all the more immersive. While The Repurposed Spy might not be classified as a comedy, its moments of situational humor are both unexpected and thoroughly enjoyable. It artfully balances suspense with levity, ensuring readers remain riveted throughout.
The Repurposed Spy is a testament to Dowson’s storytelling prowess, plunging readers into a realm of subterfuge, disguise, and unexpected turns. For those with an affinity for espionage or simply a love for gripping narratives, this book is an unmissable treat.
Pages: 274 | ASIN : B0BVWPFFSK
Point of Return and Vanquished
Point of Return by Lloyd Tosoff is an action thriller set in Great Britain. The story centers on a struggling, naive accountant Ian MacLeod and his entanglement with a murder conspiracy concocted by the Glaswegian underworld. He doesn’t become involved by choice because it is his friends who choose to mess with the Glasgow mob and their violent ways. He left the city, but after becoming an accountant, being in a loveless marriage, and losing his job, he ends up going back. He meets an old friend and a stranger when he arrives, and the mystery and conflict begin to envelop him as he realizes he has to fight for his life or lose it.
This novel is part of a “double novel” series, but Point of Return stands on its own as a snappy thriller that follows Ian Fleming’s Bond series. The first chapter begins with MacLeod still in Glasgow and his decision to leave the city, and then we jump eleven years into the future to when the real action starts, and the story picks up from there.
In many ways, Tosoff follows the regular beats for the unsuspecting hero to be swept up into a conspiracy and for a thriller, this trope is not a particularly unusual one. The real grit of Tosoff is how he chooses to have MacLeod deal with his past and personal connection to Glasgow instead. A victim of abuse at the hands of a violent stepfather, his inner demons come through in small bits and shapes his character. The reader is gradually introduced to these pieces of MacLeod’s past, and for the reader, it helps invest more of themselves in the narrative and our precarious hero.
The atmosphere and pacing do wonders for this book, which is critical for a thriller and Tosoff manages all of these elements quite well. The few times that the novel does become predictable it’s uniquely colored by MacLeod’s past struggles and how he faces them. I hope that his past conflicts come to a better resolution in the sequel, Vanquished, which takes place immediately following this novel, because I can’t wait to see what happens.
This novel is a perfect fit for fans of crime and spy thrillers, and fans of Ian Fleming may find a welcome new home among Tosoff’s pages.
Pages: 560 | ASIN: 1505533090
LITERARY TITAN 