"The factual background is detailed and accurate, the first-person narration edgy and direct, the plot a suitably messy, just plausible reflection of the muddled reality of a dirty game in a dirty world. If Cumming keeps up this standard he deserves to become an institution in his own right."

Peter Millar, The Times

"Charles Cumming is probably the best of the new generation of British spy writers who are taking over where Le Carré and Deighton left off."

Peter Guttridge, The Observer

"The Spanish Game shows why Charles Cumming has won so much praise for his contemporary spy stories…Cumming has woven an intricate web from a combination of fact - Spanish history and politics, terrorism and the links between them - and a fictional story about a secret dirty war involving America's allies at a crucial stage of their war in Iraq. It's impressive and convincing, with a stunning twist at the end."

Susanna Yager, The Sunday Telegraph

"A cracking good spy thriller. Cumming knows his stuff and writes as well as le Carré… The serpentine twists and the unflaggingly realistic suspense leave you breathless, but spellbound."

Carla McKay, The Daily Mail

"A convincing character study of an imperfect spy, wrapped up in… an engrossing plot."

Jake Kerridge, The Daily Telegraph

"It's a pleasingly tricky plot, but the skilful portrait of a man adrift, unable to believe in anything or anyone, is what remains with the reader."

John Williams, The Mail on Sunday

"If there was a degree in thriller writing, Charles Cumming would teach the class."

Shari Low, The Daily Record

"A tense, brilliant thriller…Cumming proves a more than worthy successor to the genre's godfather, John le Carré…He ratchets up the tension with bluff, counter-bluff and lashings of menace, stirring it up into a thrilling, twist-laden climax. His matter-of-fact prose is stylish and peppered with unerringly realistic and up-to-date references and flashes of wit. Lots of fascinating detail on ETA helps to give this thriller a meaty political thrust that few other writers around can match."

Robert Mayes, Ireland on Sunday

"Cumming not only knows the game, he can write too."

Henry Sutton, The Mirror

"The Spanish Game is of a high standard."

Vincent Banville, The Irish Times

"A gritty page-turner of a thriller…an exciting read."

Cathryn Scott, The Big Issue

"A well-written tale"

The Literary Review

"A remarkable novel"

The Broadsheet, Madrid

"A gripping yarn"

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