Acts of Omission – a great thriller by Terry Stiastny

If you were simply to summarise the plot of Terry Stiastny’s espionage thriller Acts of Omission it would seem a fairly slim affair, with a straightforward plot and little in the way of dramatic twists as journalists, politicians, diplomats and spies struggle with the legacy of the East German secret service’s network of informers after the Berlin Wall comes down.

Yet that would be to hugely underestimate its charm and skill, for the very low key nature of much of the action generates a more interesting build up of tension and provides more space for the characters and the details of their lives and work to grow.

Stiastny clearly knows the world of politicians and journalists very well (she is a former BBC journalist) and that knowledge is reflected in numerous accurate details which give the book an authentic feel. For me, with my political background, it was the description in passing of canvassers huddled around clipboards which immediately said this author knows the worlds she is writing about.

The lack of numerous sudden dramatic twists makes the playing out of the plot’s tension all the more plausible and enticing, keeping you turning page after page.

A great read and hopefully the first of many from Terry Stiastny.

If you like this, you might also be interested in The Defection of AJ Lewinter.

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Buy Acts of Omission by Terry Stiastny here.