THE LIFE AND TIMES OF CHRISTMAS CALVERT...ASSASSIN

In the early part of WWII, the British army needs members for its special assassination squad and discovers the young (still a teenager) recruit Christmas Calvert, who is an incredible sharpshooter and "totally amoral." But Chris's work doesn't end with the armistice, and the book recounts his next five decades, during which he and his former officer and friend become bitter enemies. Flashbacks abound, moving to and fro from the '30s to the '90s, and reader Christopher Kay handles both the young Chris and the senior citizen Christmas with considerable professionalism; he is equally capable with distinctions among the many other characters. Further, he is dramatic enough to make a sometimes dragging plot more engaging. T.H. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 01]