John Simpson is a well respected foreign correspondent and world affairs editor for the BBC news, so I was super excited when I saw his espionage novel ‘Moscow Midnight’ up for grabs.

MP Patrick Macready has been found dead in his flat, in what appears to be a sex game gone wrong. Macready’s friend Jon Swift thinks otherwise - he’s a journalist - the old, world weary, seen it all before type, who cares nothing for the PC brigade, a fact which can, and does, lead him into great danger. He discovers that his friend had been researching Russian government figures, and guess what? They too had suffered very similar ‘accidental’ deaths.

The police seem completely indifferent to Jon’s theory about the suspicious death, so he decides to reach out to contacts in Russia - if no one in the UK will listen to his concerns, he’ll discover the truth all by himself, and at the same time reveal those responsible.

This is a particularly topical storyline at present, given the recent Russian security threats here in the UK. However, I was disappointed initially, as I found the narrative quite tedious, self indulgent almost. Thankfully, that was soon forgotten as the pace picked up, and I quickly became immersed in this strong and exciting plot, and although I found our protagonist rather unlikeable, (he’s grumpy, cynical, and extremely difficult at times) he does have a wicked sense of humour, and I liked his determination to get to the bottom of his friend’s death, whilst completely disregarding his own safety - and when you’re pitting your wits against the Russians, you really need to watch your back! Definitely a compelling read!

Unfortunately I did not get along with Moscow, Midnight by John Simpson.

The narrative in the first person didn't work for me and the overt political criticism and sarcastic comments added nothing to the story but probably made the author feel better.

In my opinion there are a lot of better authors and much better books out there

One to miss

Interesting, topical, well written and very credible given the recent Russian security threats. John Simpson uses his vast experience of politics and current affairs to devise an excellent thriller that excited and captivated in equal doses.

Written in the first person it enabled us therefore to get up close and personal with the grumpy, cynical Jon Swift of dubious moral compass as he travelled Europe to solve the mystery of his friend MP Patrick Macready's death after an apparent sex game went wrong.

Hopefully the first in a series, this is recommended.

John Simpson, journalist and well known foreign correspondent for the BBC, writes a espionage novel that resonates in our contemporary world, that of a Russia that interferes in the political affairs of other nations with impunity. The overweight, cynical Jon Swift is a ageing journalist working for a TV company that is looking to edge him out as a analogue hack in a digital world. Swift's world is turned upside down when his long time friend, the Conservative MP Patrick Macready is found dead, a sex game gone wrong. None of this makes sense to Swift, this is not the man he knows, and his suspicions are aroused further when Macready's flat is trashed and burgled soon after. After getting his hands on the politicians Ipad, he learns that Patrick had been looking into a group of Russian Government people who had met similar 'accidental' fates, and that the MP had been planning to give a speech in Parliament on the issue. However, the police are unwilling to investigate, although the intelligence services and others key figures are more willing to consider Swift's theory that the Russians were behind Patrick's death.

Swift's life falls apart, and he is forced to flee the country, making his way to Paris. then on to Brussels. Swift is determined to get to the truth of his friend's death despite the numerous obstacles and brutality he encounters. He finds support from the Russian Varvara Kuznetsov, Patrick's griefstricken girlfriend, his colleague, the politically correct Alyssa Roberts, both women that had initially been hostile to him. There is his brave and courageous South African producer, Os, proving to be loyal and enter dangerous territory in his efforts to help Swift. Rumours swirl of conspiracies, assassinations, and the involvement of the FSB, which replaced the old KGB and those such as Mikhail Gronov in Britain, said to be bringing on board local crime gangs to achieve their nefarious aims. In a story of double agents, betrayal, and of an unforgiving FSB that will never give up on vengeance, Swift is to find that the truth is something the powerful will do anything to suppress and that danger is likely to stalk him for the rest of his life.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable espionage thriller from John Simpson, the author utilises his extensive professional experience as a journalist in the creation of his central character, Jon Swift and the world that Swift resides in, the media news outlets and the type of people that run and work in them. There are flaws in the storytelling, there are times when the narrative is so uneven that I considered not reading on, but I was so glad that I persevered because I got completely immersed and gripped by the characters and the plot. A wonderfully entertaining and compelling book that speaks of the world we live in today and the uncomfortable influence and meddling of Russia in the affairs of other nations. Many thanks to John Murray Press for an ARC.