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Having retired to the French Rivera in 1935, former intelligence operative Tom Nash finds his respite broken when someone tries to kill him in his sleep, and must pretend to live the normal life of a retiree as he tries to flush out those who want him dead.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Ronrose1
As a suspense novel I felt this was a bit of a light weight. The emphasis seemed to be more on setting the scene than in delivering the action. The setting of the southern coast of France is skillfully described, but plays a bigger part in the book than the plot which is slow to develop, but does
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finish well. Show Less
LibraryThing member tlryan1
This book is set in France in the time between WWI and WWII. It starts out quickly in Russia early in the Century with the main character, Tom Nash, failing to save the life of his fiancee. The book switches to the 1930s with Tom safely in retirement in the South Of France. At this point the pace
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of the book slows but the descriptions and character development are done very well, taking the reader through a good story. I felt like I was reading an Alfred Hitchcock movie so people who enjoy that type of story will definitely enjoy this work. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosareads
This is an ARC review. As I read the first few pages of Mark Mills latest book, House of the Hunted, I thought, "I've read this before." However, the novel took a sudden turn into new territory and I did not put the book down until I'd finished the labyrinth of twists and turns as the mystery found
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its conclusion. My only other contact with Mark Mills was Amagansett, a thriller of a different nature and a wonderful read. The "House of the Hunted" lays the groundwork in 1919 during the Russian Revolution. A sudden shift to 1935, pre WWII, and the action begins. I hesitate to outline the story (I like to be surprised) but suggest to the reader, "Try it. You'll like it." I do anticipate a sequel. Show Less
LibraryThing member sprocto
This is a look at the brief period between WW1 and WW2 in the south of France. The story is revealed in stages which I found intriguing. It is a good and satisfying read but even better, it is intelligently written. The story is complete in itself but leaves an opening for a sequel... please!
LibraryThing member frogprof
Tom Nash used to work for the British government as a spy, but is now "retired" and living in the south of France in a villa where he entertains a varied clique of other ex-pats. He's tried -- and mostly succeeded at -- forgetting his past, and a woman he loved, until a stranger tries to kill him
The novel beautifully portrays the entre-deux-guerres atmosphere of the French Riviera: the almost-desperate gaiety of the house parties; the not-quite-liberated young woman who is Tom's godchild but to whom he is attracted [and attractive]; and other characters who are familiar but not clichéd, such as the young American, the White Russians, and the French commissaire -- none of whom is exactly who he purports to be.
I read this book in two nights flat -- I didn't want it to end!
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in his sleep. That's the first, but not the last, attempt on Tom's life, and it makes him suspicious of all those around him, including his closest friends.The novel beautifully portrays the entre-deux-guerres atmosphere of the French Riviera: the almost-desperate gaiety of the house parties; the not-quite-liberated young woman who is Tom's godchild but to whom he is attracted [and attractive]; and other characters who are familiar but not clichéd, such as the young American, the White Russians, and the French commissaire -- none of whom is exactly who he purports to be.
I read this book in two nights flat -- I didn't want it to end!
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LibraryThing member mysterymax
This novel is a spy thriller of the 'old school'; character driven rather than a continuous line of impossible chase scenes, fights and shoot-outs, even though there are some of those as well.
Events take place in France in 1935, sixteen years after SIS agent Tom Nash escapes from Russia after a
Tom's struggle to find the people behind the attempt, while staying alive, is now interspersed with background and back-story of the characters in the book. Thus the tension builds, not from continuous action scenes but from the dread of whom among these people he calls friends could be behind this betrayal. Each back-story develops his relationships with these people and their lives and you are left compelled to keep reading. The answer was stunning and completely surprised me. Not often that that happens.
I will probably read this again, very soon, to find out if I should have seen it coming.
Events take place in France in 1935, sixteen years after SIS agent Tom Nash escapes from Russia after a
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failed attempt to rescue the woman he loves from a Cheka prison. Tom is now living a quiet life, it has been over a year since he kept a gun near his bed, when an intruder enters his bedroom and attempts to assassinate him.Tom's struggle to find the people behind the attempt, while staying alive, is now interspersed with background and back-story of the characters in the book. Thus the tension builds, not from continuous action scenes but from the dread of whom among these people he calls friends could be behind this betrayal. Each back-story develops his relationships with these people and their lives and you are left compelled to keep reading. The answer was stunning and completely surprised me. Not often that that happens.
I will probably read this again, very soon, to find out if I should have seen it coming.
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LibraryThing member command3r
House of the Hunted is a spy thriller that though bogs down occasionally with atmospheric descriptions and a long list of characters that need to be named, described, and backstoried, moves through its twists, turns, and action sequences quite adeptly. While not groundbreaking, it delivers what any
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good spy thriller mystery should, and that's twists that keep you guessing. Show Less
LibraryThing member StanSki
For a thriller, I'm sorry to say that this one didn't thrill me. The main character, Tom Nash, as a matter of fact, all of the characters, lacked depth. So, with a plot line that dragged for most of the book, characters who simply didn't interest me that much, I have a tough time recommending this
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one. Show Less
LibraryThing member KLTMD
Mark Mills has written a hybrid and done it well. A closed room, English cozy mystery set in Pre-WWll southern France, the characters come from a J. Arthur Rank black and white film. Ton Nash loses his lover in a bleak, frozen Petrograd after the Russian Revolution dutifully recorded in the
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prologue. When next seen Show Less
LibraryThing member Bookmarque
Not a bad read, but not outstanding. It's a bit long on atmosphere to truly be called a thriller, but that wasn't entirely negative. I think the setting helped us feel how much Tom had to lose if his assassin succeeded. Also it emphasized how big the betrayal if it involves one of his inner circle;
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they're all very close with their own rituals and customs. The action comes eventually, but is so interspersed with the situation and surroundings (oh and back story) that the tension breaks and never really gains a hold on the reader. I hoped that the Lucy/Tom thing wouldn't materialize and was mad at myself for not seeing the end game ahead of time. I like it when an author can do that to me though. This one lulled me with preconceptions and not much tension, and he got me in the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member GarySeverance
The House of the Hunted is the fourth novel by Mark Mills. Compared to his most recently published novel, The Information Officer (see my review) that takes place during WW II on Malta, this one is a pre-war thriller. It relies on past secret service experiences of the characters to add murder and
The story and setting remind me of the novels of Stuart Woods, although Mills is a more interesting writer. The now affluent Nash invites friends and family visit him at his laid back mansion in France each summer for good dining and drinking, competitive tennis, and open sea sailing. This summer he gets some unwanted guests sent by a former foe in the Russian secret service. An intelligent local gendarme takes an interest in the case, and Nash suspects some of his prior service friends of informing the Russian where he has been hiding.
There is a love interest between a beautiful young woman, a daughter of Nash’s friends and his own goddaughter. As a side story, Nash admits his love for her that goes beyond the religious connection. This complicates matters when assassins begin to track Nash down for the kill. The romance is like the one in Hemingway’s worst novel, Across the River and Into the Trees, and is about as believable. For a good writer like Mills, this subplot was a disappointment even though the development of the two characters was good.
Mills’ novel is a good reading experience, but an uneven pace and tension level and problems with contrived character interaction reduces the enjoyment to some extent. Because The Information Officer did not have these problems, readers of that novel cannot expect the same quality of work in this new book. I will continue to read new work by this writer.
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intrigue to their present relaxed and retired lives. The setting is in the Cote D’Azur in southern France. British expatriate Tom Nash’s spy past comes back to haunt him after 5 years of retirement/hiding. The story and setting remind me of the novels of Stuart Woods, although Mills is a more interesting writer. The now affluent Nash invites friends and family visit him at his laid back mansion in France each summer for good dining and drinking, competitive tennis, and open sea sailing. This summer he gets some unwanted guests sent by a former foe in the Russian secret service. An intelligent local gendarme takes an interest in the case, and Nash suspects some of his prior service friends of informing the Russian where he has been hiding.
There is a love interest between a beautiful young woman, a daughter of Nash’s friends and his own goddaughter. As a side story, Nash admits his love for her that goes beyond the religious connection. This complicates matters when assassins begin to track Nash down for the kill. The romance is like the one in Hemingway’s worst novel, Across the River and Into the Trees, and is about as believable. For a good writer like Mills, this subplot was a disappointment even though the development of the two characters was good.
Mills’ novel is a good reading experience, but an uneven pace and tension level and problems with contrived character interaction reduces the enjoyment to some extent. Because The Information Officer did not have these problems, readers of that novel cannot expect the same quality of work in this new book. I will continue to read new work by this writer.
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LibraryThing member suballa
In 1935 Tom Nash is a former Intelligence Operative trying to live the quiet life in a villa on the French coast. Trying to blend in among the expatriates in this small community of exiles and artists, Tom’s past is never far behind him. This becomes abundantly clear when an assassin is sent to
I have to admit I am a big fan of Mark Mills. Although this novel may not be an edge-of-your-seat thriller, it has the perfect combination of history, espionage, and a little bit of romance. If you like a good story, some quirky characters, and a lush setting, you will like House of the Hunted.
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kill him in his sleep. The would-be assassin seems to be very familiar with the layout of the villa and even the grounds surrounding it. Tom must figure out if this is a new threat or a ghost from his past, sent to avenge a murder. Suspicion runs wild as Tom tries to draw the enemy out into the open before he or anyone he loves gets killed.I have to admit I am a big fan of Mark Mills. Although this novel may not be an edge-of-your-seat thriller, it has the perfect combination of history, espionage, and a little bit of romance. If you like a good story, some quirky characters, and a lush setting, you will like House of the Hunted.
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LibraryThing member EdGoldberg
I’ve always wondered the pressure authors are under when their first book is a runaway best seller, such as Mark Mills’ Amagansett. It was well worth the accolades. It had a marvelous story, interesting characters and great writing.
I’ll admit that I was disappointed with his next two
Yet, sixteen years later, two attempts on Tom’s life are made within a few days. As evidence is uncovered, it all points back to Russia.
House of the Hunted is low on action and high on a description of Tom’s life, his friends, his god-daughter, Lucy (Leonard’s stepdaughter). In some respects it plays into the whole Gold Coast life of the rich and famous, describing the excesses of the rich when times are bad.
While House of the Hunted was surely enjoyable, it lacked something. It lacked conflict. All the characters were likeable, even the ones you shouldn’t like. It lacked an overriding struggle that readers can latch onto and care about. It lacked something to propel the reader forward, so that when the end comes readers feel surprised and satisfied.
I do recommend House of the Hunted. However it is not a mystery and it is not filled with espionage. It is a easy going story about the rich life in France in the 1930s.
I’ll admit that I was disappointed with his next two
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offerings: The Savage Garden and The Information Officer. However, he’s on his way back with The House of the Hunted. Taking place in the early 1930s, it recounts the story of Tom, a retired World War I British spy who has purchased a villa in the south of France, living the high life. He’s surrounded himself with a group of friends and summers are filled with parties, the beach, sailing. One such friend is Leonard who now works for the Foreign Office. In 1919, Tom had fallen in love with Irina, who was imprisoned in Russia. Tom’s attempt to rescue her is unsuccessful and she is ultimately murdered.Yet, sixteen years later, two attempts on Tom’s life are made within a few days. As evidence is uncovered, it all points back to Russia.
House of the Hunted is low on action and high on a description of Tom’s life, his friends, his god-daughter, Lucy (Leonard’s stepdaughter). In some respects it plays into the whole Gold Coast life of the rich and famous, describing the excesses of the rich when times are bad.
While House of the Hunted was surely enjoyable, it lacked something. It lacked conflict. All the characters were likeable, even the ones you shouldn’t like. It lacked an overriding struggle that readers can latch onto and care about. It lacked something to propel the reader forward, so that when the end comes readers feel surprised and satisfied.
I do recommend House of the Hunted. However it is not a mystery and it is not filled with espionage. It is a easy going story about the rich life in France in the 1930s.
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LibraryThing member gpaisley
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for and honest review.
The house of the Hunted tells the story of Tom Nash, who is trying to figure out why someone tried to have him killed by a professional assassin. His past comes back as he tries to build a ‘normal’ life in the
Nash, a former spy in revolutionary Russia, has managed to ‘retire’ from the spy business and is living like a well-funded playboy, enjoying dinner parties and the occasional company of his colorful neighbors.
Mills’s descriptions are vivid and clear enough to transport the reader to the locales and settings in the story. The characters are interesting, even though Mills never lets the reader completely inside their lives and heads.
I won’t give away the ending, but I have to say I was somewhat disappointed in how things wrapped up. The point is supposed to be the ‘bad guy trying to move on and have a normal life’ tale, but Nash always seems so decent that even the few flashbacks and backstory don’t make him feel ruthless, making his struggle to civilize himself ring somewhat hollow. It is still an entertaining story, but lacks the full punch that the author probably intended.
The house of the Hunted tells the story of Tom Nash, who is trying to figure out why someone tried to have him killed by a professional assassin. His past comes back as he tries to build a ‘normal’ life in the
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hectic days just before World War 2 in southern France.Nash, a former spy in revolutionary Russia, has managed to ‘retire’ from the spy business and is living like a well-funded playboy, enjoying dinner parties and the occasional company of his colorful neighbors.
Mills’s descriptions are vivid and clear enough to transport the reader to the locales and settings in the story. The characters are interesting, even though Mills never lets the reader completely inside their lives and heads.
I won’t give away the ending, but I have to say I was somewhat disappointed in how things wrapped up. The point is supposed to be the ‘bad guy trying to move on and have a normal life’ tale, but Nash always seems so decent that even the few flashbacks and backstory don’t make him feel ruthless, making his struggle to civilize himself ring somewhat hollow. It is still an entertaining story, but lacks the full punch that the author probably intended.
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LibraryThing member iBeth
I normally enjoy spy novels, but for some reason I had a very difficult time getting into this book. I kept picking it up and putting it down again. Too much exposition, or a hard-to-relate-to setting (rich folk in France between the wars), or something. I thought the pace would get better after
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the initial assassination attempt, but really it took until about chapter 11 before I was able to lose myself in the story. Also I found it a bit jarring that the story was mostly told from the perspective of the main character, but every now and then switched to be the perspective of another character--not often enough for her to share the limelight equally, just often enough to confuse me for a bit. Now that I've finished the book, I can appreciate the author's plan to develop the main character, peeling away the civilized veneer until he turned into the spy he once was. However, since most of the story was told from his perspective, and since he is an essentially thoughtful and considerate person, it's hard to believe that he is ruthless or vicious. That said, if there is a sequel, I'll probably read it just to find out what happens next. Show Less
LibraryThing member mattshark
The thing about Mill’s approach to storytelling is that it isn’t quite like any other writer. He has a fresh way of approaching his subjects, and the result is a period piece that a mixes history lesson with the mood of the culture and times. I really enjoyed The House of the Hunted, from the
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interesting characters to the description of the south of France during the time to the interesting tale, I was captivated and couldn’t put the book down. I read Amagansett some time ago and loved it even more, so I am looking forward to reading the other works of Mills. Read this one … it is very good. Show Less
LibraryThing member Doondeck
I really enjoyed this book. It had so much more to offer than the typical espionage thriller. Great atmosphere in southern France and a taste of the social life there between the wars. I thought the book ended with an unexpected twist which added to its interest.
LibraryThing member jmyers24
Mark Mills’ latest offering, House of the Hunted, makes a great summer read. Set in 1935 Europe but rooted in the espionage world of 1919, this quasi spy thriller begins with action-packed high drama in the midst of a Russian winter just after World War I before shifting to the start of the
With House of the Hunted the author does an excellent job of spicing the relaxed laziness of the exclusive summer retreat with just enough danger and mystery to hold the reader’s interest. Sailing scenes and twilight dinners on the beach are cleverly juxtaposed against the cat-and-mouse world of international espionage. With interesting characters, a pitch-perfect setting, and a quite satisfying plot, readers shouldn’t have to hunt for a good summer thiller.
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summer season on the Mediterranean coast of France as the gathering storm of World War II swirls about Europe. There, Tom Nash, no longer a British spy but a successful author and godfather to the charming Lucy, is preparing to open his coastal villa to the usual collection of summer visitors, which include his former handler, some displaced Russian dissidents, and other long-time friends and hangers-on. All seems set for a charming summer by the sea when the past comes roaring back at Tom in the form of an Italian assassin. While the assassin fails to put an end to Tom, he does succeed in putting an end to Tom’s bucolic retirement from the British Secret Intelligence Service. Tom finds his past now threatens the lives of those he holds most dear. Will he have to abandon the life he has so carefully to protect those he loves from whoever is hunting him?With House of the Hunted the author does an excellent job of spicing the relaxed laziness of the exclusive summer retreat with just enough danger and mystery to hold the reader’s interest. Sailing scenes and twilight dinners on the beach are cleverly juxtaposed against the cat-and-mouse world of international espionage. With interesting characters, a pitch-perfect setting, and a quite satisfying plot, readers shouldn’t have to hunt for a good summer thiller.
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LibraryThing member randalrh
Here's what I'm starting to think about Mark Mills: the further away from a known setting he can get, the better. His books in a known setting absorb some common tropes and types from that setting and wind up feeling sort of familiar, while books set in a random historical time and place give rise
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to a wider variety of interesting characters. House of the Hunted is set in southern France between the wars--not a wholly unknown setting--but is different in that it sets its clock from the end of WWI instead of from the beginning of WWII. Mills also focuses closely on a tiny bit of French coastline, which also helps remove generality. As a result, I found the characters and details of the story more diverse and interesting even though the main plot is still past deeds catch up to hero-esque. For me, this is the best Mills' book except for The Savage Garden. Show Less
LibraryThing member lyncos
I was very much looking forward to reading this novel by Mark Mills and I very much enjoyed the experience. This novel showcases his sophisticated and smooth writing at its best! The setting is compelling and the characters intricate and interesting. The plot demands the reader's attention and has
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an interesting twist at rhe end. Recommended for all spy/thriller/espionage lovers. Show Less
LibraryThing member MissReadsTooMuch
Mark Mills' House of the Hunted is a spy novel/ mystery set in Southern France between WWI and WWII could be one of the best books you could read to pass lazy beach vacation time (or as I did during lazy back porch vacation time)- it takes place during the annual summer holiday of Tom Nash and his
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friends, all of whom have something else going on but it takes the entire novel to figure it all out. Mills is a great writer - the story is filled with twists and excitement from start to finish but the author never gets lazy because of that - it is well-written all the way to the end. Characters were well-developed and interesting, even ones that had little more than a page or two in the novel, the story was compelling and the scene descriptions made me ever so surprised when I looked up from my plastic chair and did not see the Mediterranean and Paulette was not in my kitchen cooking me a lovely meal. Highly recommended for transportation from everyday life and into what could have been a tremendously fantastic holiday, if not for all the killing. Show Less
LibraryThing member viking2917
Great beach book (which is where I read it). Solid historical fiction, a good dash of espionage, a light romance, and more than a few interesting mis-directions in terms of "whodunit". Great rendering of the pre-war French Riviera.
LibraryThing member sianpr
Tom Nash, ex spook, is living the life of Riley on the French Riviera in the years leading up to WW11. However, his past catches up with him as Soviet agents attempt to assassinate him. Great thriller set in the Med. with a twist in the tale. All the threads are tidied up a bit too much and the
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portrayal of the Brits as the "goodies" and the Russians as Commie "bad" guys was simplistic but guess it goes with the genre. Show Less
LibraryThing member johnwbeha
This was an easy read; but my enjoyment was severely constrained by my lack of sympathy towards any of the characters. It is set in the South of France in the mid 1930s and populated by the rich. The leading man is a sort of proto Bond who gets caught up in the ramifications of his past secret
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life. The writing is old fashioned; possibly deliberately so. I do not think I will follow this writer's other books. Show Less
LibraryThing member Iambookish
This was my first time reading a novel by Mark Mills and I'm wondering why I waited so long. A great spy novel, wrapped around a mystery, this well written book kept me interested right until the end. This genre is not my usual cup of tea, but this author might have made me a convert!