What We're Reading: Edward

Once a Spy

by Keith Thomson

Charlie Clark visits his father every Christmas. Drummond Clark is suffering from the beginning stages of Alzheimer's. But this Christmas is different. Charlie gets a call that his father is at a senior citizens center. He was found wandering the streets dressed in only his pajamas and a robe. While taking his father home, they are involved in a gun fight. Drummond shows some surprising moves that saves them. While they are at the police station to report the gun fight, Charlie sees a fax from the FBI. It states that the pair are wanted for questioning. They escape the police station and go home. Turning up the heat causes an explosion. But Drummond again saves the day. Charlie learns that his father's job at the washing machine company was really a front for the CIA. Is Drummond being watched by the CIA or it's enemies? Charlie and Drummond drive to Virginia to look for Charlie's mother. Charlie believes that she died when he was 10. It turns out that she was also in the CIA and met Drummond while they were together on an assignment. Drummond has lucid periods when he is preventing Charlie's death. After another gun fight, the pair returns to New York to trap their pursuers. But will they fall into a trap set for them? Charlie and his father sure do have a Christmas to remember! This is a great beach read!