The Double Game, Dan Fesperman's eighth novel, pays homage to the greats of the spy genre. It begins near the end of the Cold War, as journalist Bill Cage interviews CIA agent turned spy novelist Edwin Lemaster. During their conversation, Lemaster admits he'd once thought about spying for the enemy, a scoop Cage intends to keep to himself, but ultimately can't resist including in his article. Lemaster's admission makes a minor sensation, but Cage eventually abandons both his love for spy fiction and his writing career, working in public relations to pay the bills.
Then a series of mysterious notes appear at Cage's Georgetown home, pulling him into a maze of intrigue involving not only Lemaster's past, but Cage's childhood in Eastern Europe and his father's diplomatic career. The messages, replete with cryptic references to spy novels, draw Cage back to former haunts in Vienna, Prague and Budapest. Accompanied by an old girlfriend who has suddenly (coincidentally?) resurfaced, Cage searches for answers--and for the identity of his anonymous interlocutor.
Longtime lovers of the spy genre will appreciate all the references to its plots and heroes--including John le Carré, Graham Greene and Ian Fleming--but Fesperman provides enough context so new readers won't get thrown by the in-jokes. With a tightly spiraling plot and a cast of deftly sketched (if appropriately shadowy) characters, The Double Game will keep readers turning the pages as they join Cage's search for clues. --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams