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London Match

London Match

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  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2021-06-15 08:51:29
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Len Deighton
  • ISBN：0241505437
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Summary

'Spying at its most captivating and intricate' The Times

'Deighton has woven an intricate and satisfying plot， peopled it with convincing characters and even given a new twist to the spy story。 But then he is a master of the form' Washington Post

Long-suffering spy Bernard Samson has， against all the odds， enticed a Soviet agent to defect to London - but this proves to be the start of something even bigger。 For he learns that there is treachery within his own Service， and no one is free from suspicion。 To discover who really controls the game of spies， he must attempt a desperate gamble。 As the Game， Set and Match trilogy reaches its shattering finale， who will make the winning move？

A BERNARD SAMSON NOVEL

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Reviews

Richard ，

Extremely satifying。

John Stanley ，

Another good “spy” story from Deighton。 Good writing， good dialogue， good wrap-up。 Very enjoyable—but I think I’ll give Deighton and Sampson a break for a while before I start the next Bernard Sampson three-book series， “Spy Hook”， “Spy Line”， and “Spy Sinker。”

Charles ，

First thing – this is not three stories。 this is not three books。 this is one story broken into three convenient binders。As such you have to read all three。 In order。 Doing otherwise would be like watching just episode three of the Thorn Birds。 The story just won’t hold together or make sense。The first quarter of the first book left me with the impression that this was going to be a very dull story。 It turns out that setting the stage for the whole story took the author a little bit longer than First thing – this is not three stories。 this is not three books。 this is one story broken into three convenient binders。As such you have to read all three。 In order。 Doing otherwise would be like watching just episode three of the Thorn Birds。 The story just won’t hold together or make sense。The first quarter of the first book left me with the impression that this was going to be a very dull story。 It turns out that setting the stage for the whole story took the author a little bit longer than I expected。 Bernard Sampson turns out to be a great character。 Full of depth and pathos。 You will find yourself rooting for him before you’re halfway through the Berlin game。 The story has a visceral cat and mouse subplot that snakes through the entire series。 If you can get all three books and read from beginning to end it will be a wonderful weekend。 。。。more

Zbegniew ，

I listened to the audiobook of this and the narration was good。 This was the 3rd and final book of the first Bernard Samson trilogy。 Deighton wrote 3 trilogies based on that character and this was the first trilogy。 You definitely want to read these books in order as characters have arcs that span multiple books。 It takes place in the 60's Cold War period。 The Berlin Wall is up， prisoners are exchanged at Checkpoint Charlie and nothing is what it seems。 J。 J。 Angleton described espionage as "a w I listened to the audiobook of this and the narration was good。 This was the 3rd and final book of the first Bernard Samson trilogy。 Deighton wrote 3 trilogies based on that character and this was the first trilogy。 You definitely want to read these books in order as characters have arcs that span multiple books。 It takes place in the 60's Cold War period。 The Berlin Wall is up， prisoners are exchanged at Checkpoint Charlie and nothing is what it seems。 J。 J。 Angleton described espionage as "a wilderness of mirrors，" borrowing the phrase from T。 S。 Eliot。 MI6 convinces a high-level Russian KGB officer to defect。 But is he a real defector， or is he a plant sent to spread misinformation？ And what if some of his information implicates one of our guys as a mole， a double agent？ On top of the geopolitical skullduggery， there is more intrigue on the domestic front with marital infidelity （real or imagined）， superior/subordinate romances， May/December romances， and a custody battle that spans the Iron Curtain。I liked the whole trilogy， but I'm not sure if I'll pursue it any further。 。。。more

Ian Racey ，

Each one of these is better than the last。 I particularly liked the depiction of office politics。

Nikhil Khare ，

The finale of this trilogy explores the personal life of Bernard and the mundane things he deals with along with the exotic adventures of being a spy。 The story is set like a chess game and Bernard trying to find whether he's a player or a piece on the board。 The finale of this trilogy explores the personal life of Bernard and the mundane things he deals with along with the exotic adventures of being a spy。 The story is set like a chess game and Bernard trying to find whether he's a player or a piece on the board。 。。。more

James ，

After a slightly disappointing second in the series， this was more like the first and better for it， focusing more tightly on the suspicion and intelligence， and less on Samson's irresistability to women （although it was still there）。The ultimate goal was less clear in this novel， other than trying to find more convincing proof for Samson's instincts as he mulls over the facts。 Although there are sub-plots， such as the continuing relationships with his children and love interest， these were eith After a slightly disappointing second in the series， this was more like the first and better for it， focusing more tightly on the suspicion and intelligence， and less on Samson's irresistability to women （although it was still there）。The ultimate goal was less clear in this novel， other than trying to find more convincing proof for Samson's instincts as he mulls over the facts。 Although there are sub-plots， such as the continuing relationships with his children and love interest， these were either better or shorter as they didn't feel as long as they were in the previous book。The character is unchanged， still spikily retorting to his superiors and speaking assertively， and while sometimes this can get a bit repetitive Deighton is also quite clever with it， as his confidence seems to work against him when he has some doubts over his earlier conclusions。 Other characters also provide summaries of the facts counter to his own， which calls in to question how successful the protagonist has really been。 This level of doubt elevated the novel above many of its rivals， as it added a degree of complexity and not a simple winners vs losers narrative。Despite his wisecracks I don't think the protagonist is a particularly likable character。 Aside from the arrogance， he is quite cold towards his nanny and girlfriend， and I don't know if the 80's were so conservative that marriage would be expected a few months into a relationship （to me， it seems unlikely） or whether this will later prove to be a honeytrap。 But there appears to be a determination to his work that means that you still root for Samson's team and are pulled into the story。It's not flawless but I thought this was as polished and engaging as the first in the series， and while it would be nice for a female character to have a negative view of Bernard the sub plots were much better and tighter， set against the intriguing main plot。 。。。more

Larry Carr ，

I took my time with it， a lot for Sampson to sort out here， but London Match now read， so it’s game， set， match， well served Mr。 Deighton。 Bernard certainly has his hands full， with his Russian “defector”， wife Fiona gone over， and the continuing office intrigues， personal vanities， ambitions and falsities （a way of life it seems in this business， somewhat reminiscent of the field of higher education）。 In addition， Bernard must sort out his parenting duties， a new and young girl friend， and trou I took my time with it， a lot for Sampson to sort out here， but London Match now read， so it’s game， set， match， well served Mr。 Deighton。 Bernard certainly has his hands full， with his Russian “defector”， wife Fiona gone over， and the continuing office intrigues， personal vanities， ambitions and falsities （a way of life it seems in this business， somewhat reminiscent of the field of higher education）。 In addition， Bernard must sort out his parenting duties， a new and young girl friend， and troublesome in-laws。 Only in Berlin， dies Bernard get to connect with himself， good friend Werner， and “tante” Isle。 A fitting twisted ending， Werner declaring the match to the other side， Bernard not yet ready to concede defeat， inside or out。 Simply a masterful series， would be moving on to book 4， Spy Hook， in short order except it appears to be unavailable on Amazon？ 。。。more

Susancatobrien ，

This was a bit of a slow read for me but I like the way everyone was brought under suspicion so a bit drama this time。 Really enjoyed the ending and that was what made it a good read。 Best to read all three in order that way the story is more compelling。

Graham Archer ，

The last book in the first espionage trilogy with Bernard Samson as the main character。 A classic cold war thriller。 Recommended。

Bob Box ，

Read in 1986。 The last in the Bernard Samson spy trilogy。 One of my favorites that year。 All three made my favorite list。

Chuck ，

I've now read a handful of Deighton's novels and I suppose I've become a fan。 I've now read a handful of Deighton's novels and I suppose I've become a fan。 。。。more

Rob Ford ，

Love this series of books！

David Evans ，

The third and third best of this excellent trilogy but only because it doesn’t move with the relentless pace of the Game and Set books。 I find it very reassuring that Len Deighton writes his Cold War thrillers so clearly that you know exactly what is going on and have as much knowledge as Bernard Sampson， the first person narrator who is admittedly confused for long periods。 This contrasts favourably with Le Carre’s stories which seem determined to be cloaked in fog and innuendo and render me in The third and third best of this excellent trilogy but only because it doesn’t move with the relentless pace of the Game and Set books。 I find it very reassuring that Len Deighton writes his Cold War thrillers so clearly that you know exactly what is going on and have as much knowledge as Bernard Sampson， the first person narrator who is admittedly confused for long periods。 This contrasts favourably with Le Carre’s stories which seem determined to be cloaked in fog and innuendo and render me inadequate no matter how closely I study the text。 Sampson’s accurate interpretation of the other characters’ mannerisms and motivation is consistently amusing and perspicacious。*They sent for coffee for four and Bret got to his feet and poured out all four cups so that Cruyer’s coffee and Morgan’s coffee were getting cold。 It seemed a childish revenge， but perhaps it was the only one Bret could think of。 While I drank my coffee Bret looked out of his window and then looked at things on his desk and tidied it up。 He was a restless man who， despite an injured knee， liked to duck and weave and swing like a punch-drunk boxer。 He came round and sat on the edge of the desk to drink his coffee: it was a contrived pose of executive informality， the kind that chairmen of big companies adopt when they’re being photographed for Forbes magazine。*Also I am impressed with his evocation and love of Berlin， I really hope Sampson gets the job as head of that station eventually。 Again I am amazed that anyone gets any work done at all， the amount of champagne and whisky that sloshes around their bodies at all times of the day。 。。。more

William Coombs ，

I really enjoyed the third book in this trilogy。 It has helped me to recapture the joy of reading。

Book collector ，

The brilliant conclusion to the first trilogy of the series。 Deighton's writing is excellent and the characters believable。 The plot is good and the settings well drawn。 Bernard Samson is a great character。 The story powers to a end with numerous twists and turns。 Great series。 The brilliant conclusion to the first trilogy of the series。 Deighton's writing is excellent and the characters believable。 The plot is good and the settings well drawn。 Bernard Samson is a great character。 The story powers to a end with numerous twists and turns。 Great series。 。。。more

Heather ，

3。5

Mark ，

This was brilliant， better than the first 2 where there didn't feel like there was any real consequence to making mistakes or being picked up by the Russians。May have been the closest to John Le Carre that I have ever read。 Samson is a great likeable character too which I will continue to enjoy with Spy Hook。。。 Top Notch stuff！！ This was brilliant， better than the first 2 where there didn't feel like there was any real consequence to making mistakes or being picked up by the Russians。May have been the closest to John Le Carre that I have ever read。 Samson is a great likeable character too which I will continue to enjoy with Spy Hook。。。 Top Notch stuff！！ 。。。more

BMK ，

I have no good excuse why this book took me so long to read， it was a bloody good spy novel， up there with le Carre。 And it finishes off the first trilogy in the trilogy of trilogies。 I look forward to the next one。

Alfred Weber ，

A pretty good end to the Game/Set/Match trilogy， but this one sagged a bit。

David ，

It’s interesting to come back to this one， knowing where the sequence is going。 Things which may appear to be throwaway dialogue perfectly plausible in the heat of the moment actually foreshadow the next trilogy of books。

Michael Romo ，

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Samson gets involved in the debriefing of KGB major Erich Stinnes as suspicions of treachery are cast throughout London Central。 Samson must piece them together as he pieces his broken life together with the new love of the young and beautiful Gloria。

Sailaway ，

best spy books。。。。 the whole series。

Guy Deeds ，

Third in a series。 Nicely tied-up。 Character-driven。 A sharp Cold War novel。 Enjoyed it。

Jim Cullison ，

The true tour de force in Len Deighton's Cold War trilogy， this meticulously plotted Bernard Samson spy thriller is a true gem of the genre， rich in witty dialogue and profound insight。 Highly recommended。 The true tour de force in Len Deighton's Cold War trilogy， this meticulously plotted Bernard Samson spy thriller is a true gem of the genre， rich in witty dialogue and profound insight。 Highly recommended。 。。。more

Nigeyb ，

Based on the first three books in the Bernard Samson series， these books just get better and betterBerlin Game （1983） set the scene; Mexico Set （1984） takes the series to the next level; and London Match （1985） moves it up yet another notch。London Match is another engrossing installment of the cat and mouse shenanigans which typify the best Cold War era spy novels。 A winning mix of bureaucracy， domesticity， ambition， and deadly moves and counter moves。 London Match is a taut and clever book。 Eac Based on the first three books in the Bernard Samson series， these books just get better and betterBerlin Game （1983） set the scene; Mexico Set （1984） takes the series to the next level; and London Match （1985） moves it up yet another notch。London Match is another engrossing installment of the cat and mouse shenanigans which typify the best Cold War era spy novels。 A winning mix of bureaucracy， domesticity， ambition， and deadly moves and counter moves。 London Match is a taut and clever book。 Each chapter progresses the narrative and reveals more about a wonderfully complex cast of characters and their respective strengths and foibles。 The city of Berlin is at the heart of this novel。 Len Deighton evokes the atmosphere of a divided and claustrophobic city at the centre of the Cold War。As I closed in on the gripping finale of this book， I went onto onto eBay and （for a bargain £7。60） bought the next four in the nine book series。。。Spy Hook （Bernard Samson， #4）Spy Line （Bernard Samson， #5）Spy Sinker （Bernard Samson， #6）Faith （Bernard Samson， #7）All hail Bernard Samson， a truly believable intelligence offer （just like the nameless operative in the Len Deighton's "Harry Palmer" books）。5/5 。。。more

Marianne ，

The blurb on the back cover was very misleading and hen I finished this book it felt like being promised a scrumptious dessert and getting fat and sugar free rice pudding！

Peter H。 Siegel ，

Another good tale in the Samson suiteDeighton continues his clever and well written tale of Bernard Samson in this third volume， which is full of twists and turns as well as well written dialog and more in depth character portrayals than are typical in novels such as these。

Bryan ，

Liked the review below， fitting my opinion best。 May 10， 2019 Michael Martz rated it it was amazingDeighton's 3rd in the Game/Set/Match trilogy is a great example of the cat and mouse nature of really good spy novels in the cold war era。 Deighton's writing is fine- it seems a little dated （published in 1985） and the dialogue is a bit stilted at times， but otherwise it's a top flight story with an intricate plot。 I've enjoyed getting to know Samson and the other characters- he's certainly no Jame Liked the review below， fitting my opinion best。 May 10， 2019 Michael Martz rated it it was amazingDeighton's 3rd in the Game/Set/Match trilogy is a great example of the cat and mouse nature of really good spy novels in the cold war era。 Deighton's writing is fine- it seems a little dated （published in 1985） and the dialogue is a bit stilted at times， but otherwise it's a top flight story with an intricate plot。 I've enjoyed getting to know Samson and the other characters- he's certainly no James Bond or Jason Bourne， but he gets the job done with a 'blue collar' approach。 If you pay attention and follow the story closely， you'll be rewarded with a novel that keeps everyone guessing and theorizing until the end。 。。。more

Aaron Leyshon ，

The third book in the Game， Set， Match trilogy kept me poised on the edge of my bed with the paperback bent over my knee。 It was fast， deceitful， and full of energy。 There were a fair few typos， but nothing that gets in the way of the story， which is riveting right through。

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=London Match

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=London Match&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,London Match&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0