In The Poet’s Game, Vidich confirms his place in the pantheon of the new generation of spy novelists. Once again his elegant, finely developed characters add nuance and depth to a fast-paced story.
Vidich serves up a rare misfire with this action-starved tale ... The narrative’s temperature rarely rises above a low heat, with little genuine suspense on offer. As a protagonist, Matthews lacks spark, and the plot suffers from numerous implausibilities, including a finale involving Matthews’s wife that will leave most readers perplexed. Vidich is capable of much better.
Proof that we don’t need the Cold War for smart spy fiction ... As tension builds to a dramatic conclusion, so does the doubt. Vivid writing sets the tone ... The plot delivers eye-opening twists as well as insights into the Russian psyche.
