Sleeper

Sleeper is the Paul Adam novel where he leans most toward straight Cold War-legacy intelligence thriller, with an old Eastern Bloc asset who may or may not still be active, a younger agent trying to assess him, and a piece of contested intelligence whose value depends entirely on whether the old man is still working.

Adam handles the form competently. The interrogation scenes carry the kind of psychological pressure that the form rewards. The geography (mostly Vienna, with extended Munich and Prague sections) is well-used. The conspiracy is competent rather than memorable.

Three stars. Recommended to thriller readers who have read most of the British and American masters and want to try someone less famous.