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The Trinity Six by Charles Cumming

The Trinity Six

by Charles Cumming
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  • First Published:
  • Mar 15, 2011, 368 pages
  • Paperback:
  • Mar 2012, 368 pages
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There are currently 23 reader reviews for The Trinity Six
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Ray P. (Selden, NY)

The return of the international spy game!
Back in the 1930's, a group of five respected British men from Cambridge were revealed to be Russian spies. They earned the nickname --- the Magnificent Five.

Now, in present times, a British academic and authority on Russian history, Sam Gaddis, has turned up evidence that points to a potential sixth member of this infamous group. The only problem is that each time Sam finds someone who can give him information on this long hidden mystery they seem to end up dead.

Sam discovers that the alleged sixth spy may have actually been a double-agent working for the British government. Through a series of hair-raising events, Sam realizes that the real secret is the fact that the saviour of modern Russian may have attempted to defect to the West at his country's most desperate hour. This is a fact that many powerful people in both Russia and Britian can not have released.

Charles Cumming has produced a non-stop thriller that brings the spy game back to life. THE TRINITY SIX is one exciting read!
Catherine H. (Nashua, NH)

A Page Turner
This was my first "espionage" book and I have to admit I was very skeptical but I was pleasantly surprised. The Cambridge Five, the Cold War, Russians spies vs British M15 and M16, a pursuit in Vienna, an academic on a quest: the perfect recipe for an excellent read. Cinema has "The third man" but this is more like the sixth man: read the book and find out why.
Sandy C. (Houston, TX)

A page turning thriller
Trinity Six was a truly enjoyable read. The plot hooked me within the first 10 pages and I had a hard time setting it down after that. Unlike other books in this genre, the plot was believable and the main character human. Very well done.
Kathleen W. (New Brighton,, MN)

Been there, read that?
International espionage? Double agents? Been there, read that? I thought so too until I picked up THE TRINITY SIX by Charles Cumming. The present day happenings, centered in and around academic Dr. Sam Gaddis, concern the 1930's British Cambridge spy ring of five. BUT... could there have been a sixth member and if so, who and where is this person today? This thriller is a fast-paced, creative and exciting, well-worth-your-time jaunt for the reader with perhaps even a sequel to follow? Something devoutly to be wished, Charles Cumming!
Sandra M. (Shakopee, MN)

History lesson and page-turner
The Trinity Six starts slowly as Cumming develops all the characters in turn, but then it accelerates to its page-turning climax. The tone of the book seems appropriate to the character of the frumpy professor, out of his element in the world of international spies. I enjoyed the history lessons as well as the well-written story.
Beatrice D. (Floral Park, New York)

Cold War Espionage
Although the Cold War is long ended, events from this past suddenly become very much part of history professor Sam Gaddis' concern. He is soon involved in present day espionage experiences centered on some Cambridge students of the '30s who became Communists then acted as double agents and spies during WWII and the Cold War. While the book is not up to the standards set by Le Carre and Ludlum it has enough suspense and excitement to keep you turning pages to the very end.
Bob W. (Oakland, TN)

Trinity Six
Not good...no, not the book, but the arrival of the delivery truck with my book after dark...it kept me up long after my normal bedtime. 'Unputdownable' page turner...my first contact with Mr Cumming, but hopefully not my last. Fans of spy novels will most certainly enjoy this one...it even had a new book quote (at least for me) to add to my list...

"He believed in the unarguable notion that if a young person is lucky enough to read the right books at the right time in the company of the right teacher, it will change their life forever."

Except for the totally unnecessary four-letter words sprinkled around, I would give it a '5-Very Good'...but at least there weren't enough of them to cause me to put it down.
Gerald R. (pompton lakes, NJ)

Another Spy in from the Cold
This is a well crafted, fast paced espionage thriller. The author blends his Russia vs Great Britain fiction well with the facts of the spy scandals of the 1950's. His characters are all too believable and the reader will get his fill of double agents, mistaken identities, and secret agent craft. There is more than enough of the obligatory acronymic use so common to this genre. At times I felt it was a bit confusing. All in all, Mr. Cummings appears to be a worthy successor to such as Ambler, Deighton and le Carre.
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Beyond the Book:
  The Cambridge Five

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