An interesting book, albeit slow and sluggish at times. However, the author, Jonathan de Shalit (a pseudonym) is a former high-ranking member of the Israeli Intelligence Community and that is what exactly drew me to this book in the first place. The very inner side of the book's cover states who he is and how this book had to be vetted and approved particularly by a special Governmental Ministers’ Committee. Based on the plot and the intricacies involved as well as the fine attention to detail, it is evident that the author is well versed and experienced in his previous occupational field.
In Traitor, a young Israeli man presents himself at an American embassy in the heart of Rome to offer himself to commit treason by becoming a spy against his own country. However the very person to whom he offers his service is in turn serving Russian interests. After several years of spying on and sharing all high level secrets of the Israeli government, it is nothing short of a shock for him when he discovers that the very people with whom he thought he was collaborating all this while are not the Americans but the Russians!
As all secrets eventually unravel, there is a hint that a spy exists at the highest level of the Israeli government.
Thus come in a special top-secret team, composed of veterans and experts in intelligence services, that work day in and day out to discover the identity of this traitor. Almost a half of the book goes on to reveal each member of this special team and their areas of expertise.
The book is promoted as a spy thriller, and it's plot of espionage is riveting and captivating and often had me racking my brains trying to find out who the traitor really was.... The details of the team members, how they are pulled back into action even after they have either retired or chosen not to continue in their service fields anymore, the multiple lives they lead and the fluidity in switching between identities....all portray the essence of the life of a spy.
However it can't really be called a thriller, because the book is too heavy on words, slow on action, and lacks the basic element of nail biting suspense and excitement that is crucial to any thriller! At least, that's what I felt while reading this book. Though the last few chapters reveal an exciting twist, but it's already too little too late.
Overall, I would rate this a 3/5...and those interested in spies and military intelligence should definitely give it a read.
I would like to thank Nobonita Chowdhury who shared this book from her ARC collection, as part of an arc sharing group on Facebook.
https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=903253996495950&ref=content_filter
