The Trinity Six

by Charles Cumming
The Trinity Six cover
Good Books rating 4.42
Thriller/Suspense
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  • ID: 8565
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781429919425
  • Publisher: Macmillan + ORM
  • Published: 2011-03-15
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

The Trinity Six by Charles Cumming is a bestselling thriller that delves into the most closely-guarded secret of the Cold War. The story begins in 1992 London, where Edward Crane, a man with a mysterious past, is declared dead under suspicious circumstances. Fifteen years later, academic Sam Gaddis finds himself entangled in a dangerous investigation when a journalist friend dies suddenly while researching a possible sixth member of the notorious Trinity spy ring. /n/n As Gaddis takes over the investigation, he uncovers a web of deceit and intrigue that spans decades and crosses continents. The novel is praised for its gripping sense of realism and vast knowledge of spycraft and Cold War history, creating a dense, three-dimensional world filled with seedy hotels and smoky nightclubs. The result is an immersive and atmospheric thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Reviews
Mark Meynell's Blog · Mark Meynell · 2011-05-06
brilliant 4.75

The book is a brilliant speculative creation, exploring the possibility of a sixth man in the Cambridge Spy ring. The reviewer found the story to be both thrilling and thought-provoking.

Mark Meynell found The Trinity Six to be a brilliant speculative creation, praising the author's exploration of the possibility of a sixth man in the Cambridge Spy ring. He noted that the story is both thrilling and thought-provoking, with a well-crafted plot that keeps the reader engaged. Meynell also appreciated the historical context and the way the author integrated real-life events into the narrative. He commended the author's ability to create a realistic and immersive world, making the book a compelling read for fans of spy thrillers.

Quick quotes

    In this book, Cumming has delivered the goods again with a brilliantly speculative creation.

    The possibility of a 6th man in the Cambridge Spy ring.

    The story is both thrilling and thought-provoking.

Medieval Bookworm · 2011-04-25
engaging 4.00

The book is compelling and easy to read, but some coincidental events strain credibility. The pacing is excellent, and the historical context is well-integrated.

The reviewer found The Trinity Six to be a gripping and easy read, praising its compelling narrative and excellent pacing. They appreciated the historical context and the way the author integrated real-life events into the story. However, they noted that some coincidental events were a bit hard to believe, which slightly detracted from the overall experience. The reviewer also commended the author's ability to create a realistic and immersive world, making the book a enjoyable read for fans of spy thrillers.

Quick quotes

    All the while The Trinity Six is compelling and an easy read.

    My only critique is that at one or two points the supposedly coincidental events ...

    The pacing is excellent, and the historical context is well-integrated.

The Independent · 2011-02-04
excellent 4.50

The novel is a strong addition to the spy genre, with a realistic portrayal of spycraft and Cold War history. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is both tense and believable.

The reviewer praised The Trinity Six for its realistic portrayal of spycraft and Cold War history, highlighting the author's extensive knowledge of the subject. They found the characters to be well-developed and the plot to be both tense and believable. The reviewer also noted that the novel is a strong addition to the spy genre, with a gripping sense of realism that keeps the reader engaged throughout. The dense, three-dimensional world created by the author adds depth to the story, making it a compelling read for fans of espionage thrillers.

Quick quotes

    Cumming confidently reminded readers that the literary spy novel was still a genre with much to offer.

    He displays a vast knowledge of spycraft and Cold War history.

    The dense, three-dimensional world created by the author adds depth to the story.

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