Jim Brodie has never been one to let the slightest offense go unanswered, and his loyalty to friends is steadfast. Dealing in antique Japanese art is Brodie's preferred occupation, but his training as a PI and in the martial arts means he can handle the investigation when two close friends are murdered at the theater where he has just introduced them. One of the victims, Sharon, had personal ties to the First Lady of the United States, who wants to hire Brodie to assist with her personal inquiries. Brodie is reluctant, since he prefers to work alone without any interference. But he finds himself making an exception for this clever and sincere lady. Of course, he's not the only one determined to find the killer and the reason behind the murders. And they all want Brodie off the case, permanently.

Homeland Security insists on handling everything themselves in the investigation and is furious that Brodie is part of the inquiry. If keeping away from them isn't enough stress, Brodie has to deal with Zhou, a treacherous Chinese master spy who shows up suddenly. Did Homeland Security's involvement in the case draw the Chinese, or did the China connection pique Homeland's interest, or is it something else that's attracted them both?

In Japan for Sharon's funeral, Brodie is shocked when a Tokyo gang with ties to North Korea kidnap her daughter, Anna, from the ceremony. Now the motive for Sharon's murder becomes clear to Brodie...it was to flush out Anna, the key to the entire operation. As Brodie desperately seeks Anna's location and traces her abductors' path, his life is in peril as two malicious factions are tailing him. To stop Brodie, Zhou and the Chinese abduct him. Now, he is isolated and alone at the end of the world with no one to rescue him. And no one to rescue Anna before it's too late...not only for her, but also for the world.

Barry Lancet's THE SPY ACROSS THE TABLE is the fourth book in his outstanding Jim Brodie thriller series. The spot-on relevance of this book's plot concerning China, North Korea and cyber security made it even more thought-provoking to read. As always, Lancet is skillful with realistic characterization and vivid action scenes, as well as a few fairly gruesome torture scenes that left me gasping for breath, along with Brodie. Each book in this phenomenal series is interesting, thought provoking to read. As always, Lancet is skillful with realistic characterization and vivid action scenes, as well as a few fairly gruesome torture scenes that left me gasping for breath, along with Brodie. Each book in this phenomenal series is interesting, thought-provoking and educational, which, I believe, makes them some of the best thrillers in the genre.