This is the 6th book in a loose series called the Birdcage books. They were published between 1971 and 1985. They all revolve around a covert security group in the UK, a branch of the Ministry of Defense. The officials and the agents attached to the Birdcage group are generally amoral, although they believe that their mission is important to the welfare of the country.
Since this is a very difficult book to summarize, I am using the description on the dust jacket:
On the death of his elder brother, Richard Seyton inherits the Seyton estate, which had been in the family since the fourteenth century. But the great Seyton Hall–showpiece of the estate–has been leased to an international charitable organization, the Felbeck Foundation for the Preservation of the Christian Heritage, which is not all that it seems to be. Determined to find a way to break the lease, Seyton is slowly enmeshed in a dangerous web of intrigue and underground politics, especially when the sinister intelligence organization know as Birdcage intrudes upon his affairs.
This story isn't quite as good as the earlier books. Some of the characterizations have less depth, and the spy story is very similar to the previous book. The evil practices and deceptions of the group are just as nefarious as ever, though. The story does feature several of the Birdcage characters from the previous two books, and I liked that. And the emphasis on the beauty of the countryside, the descriptions of the birds and animals, is still there. I loved the setting, the atmosphere, the use of nature.
The Birdcage novels are usually somewhat of a downer in the end, which is realistic for spy fiction, but this one had a more upbeat ending than usual.
This quote is from the back flyleaf of the dust jacket of the first US hardback edition:
"For years now, Victor Canning has been moving into new directions with the suspense story. The spy thriller has become a novel of character with him. The doomsday book of fate intertwined with old family histories has moved into fresh insights of human foibles. The chase genre has been brought to three-dimensional life by the astute use of settings, where every bird and leaf become a part of the narrative." (Ed Hutshing, Book Editor, San Diego Union)
There are only two more books in the series, and I am looking forward to both of them.
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Publisher: William Morrow and Co., 1980 (orig. pub. 1979)
Length: 233 pages
Format: Hardcover
Series: Birdcage books #6
Setting: UK
Genre: Espionage fiction
Source: Purchased in December, 2024.
10 comments:
I've heard of Victor Canning, read a couple of his books I think, but this series is new to me. I quite like the sound of it so will look it up.
What an ominous title for the book eh? The Birdcage does sound like an evil organization. I hope Richard Seyton is a good character who can get around it. Will he be in the next book?
I have to admit, Tracy, espionage stories aren't the very tops on my list. But that said, there are some very good ones out there, and I've been wanting to try Canning's work. I should look up the Birdcage books.
Cath, the first 4 books are the best. I hope you like the books if you try them.
Susan, it is a strange title, even for this book. One of the books was titled The Doomsday Carrier, and it was a bit different from the others. About a scientific group experimenting with the plague bacillus, as a weapon I suppose.
Margot, as with other genres, there is a lot of variation in espionage stories. Some are just pure thrillers, some are more quiet, thoughtful books. Both Victor Canning's and Anthony Price's spy stories are the second type.
As I've mentioned before, I'm really not into espionage and don't read as many thrillers as I used to. Even when I did, I usually preferred them in film version,
I'm sorry this one wasn't as good as the earlier ones for you.
Kelly, I have never been a big fanof thrillers outside of the espionage genre, although there are always exceptions. And sometimes it is hard to tell if a book is a mystery or a thriller. Thrillers don't usually seem to have much depth to me. Horror is the genre I really avoid, and my son is even more adamant than I am about that. It is a good thing that there is so much variety of books available to read.
Not sure I would read this, but I would be tempted by that fricking title. I love it!
It is a great title, Ryan. The connection is a little obscure, but it draws attention.
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