William Boyd’s The Predicament is an intelligent and tightly woven spy novel of political intrigue. Set in 1963 against the volatile backdrop of Guatemala on the eve of a presidential election, the book captures a world where corporate greed, Cold War politics, and covert intelligence operations collide.

Our guide through this landscape is Gabriel Dax, a travel writer pressed back into service by his MI6 handler, Faith Green. His assignment is to assess the political climate and its potential fallout, but Guatemala is a powder keg. United Fruits looms large over the economy, the CIA has its own agenda, and the predicted rise of a left-wing ex-priest has unsettled the balance of power. Dax’s uneasy alliance with Frank Sartorius, the CIA agent on the ground, sets the tone for a story where loyalties are constantly in question.

When an assassination sparks riots and chaos, Dax escapes to Europe, thinking his role is over. Instead, Green sends him to West Berlin to investigate another tangle of political and criminal interests. Boyd also links Guatemala’s unrest to the broader currents of Cold War espionage. As someone who spent a lot of time in Guatemala, I enjoyed reading this historical spy novel.
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I enjoyed the latest Gabriel Dax novel by WIlliam Boyd, The Predicament. While he's rather write books, Gabriel keeps getting sucked into the world of espionage. The novel is full of intrigue as you never know whom to trust. I like Gabriel, but his sex life leaves a lot to be desired. I suggest Boyd forego that in future novels and concentrate on the suspense.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

I am a big fan of William Boyd and this genre. The Predicament is a complex novel involving espionage, mystery, high tension, and romance. The story takes place in London, Guatemala, New York, and Berlin in the early 1960's. The character development and story line are excellent. Anyone familiar with this time period will recognize the historical elements that give this book a high grade on historical authenticity (though fiction). Mr. Boyd is an artist, and furthers his repurtation with this novel. I give it my highest recommendation. NOTE: Gabriel's Moon is the first of two books featureing Gabriel Dax. Some references are made to that earlier book, but The Predicament can be read as a stand-alone. However, I would recommen reading both, in order, to fully enjoy them).

Any Human Heart is one of my favorite books of all time and I have enjoyed some of William Boyd’s books. I was not a fan of Gabriel’s Moon but I thought it had potential. I am so sad to say that the sequel is not much of an improvement for me.

What I liked was, as usual the way Boyd writes that gets you engaged within the book. I always end up highlighting few quotes from his books. His depictions of surroundings and references to other literary works also feels enjoyable.

My biggest problems with the previous book were that, it felt unreasonable for an espionage story and the sexualization of women. When it comes to espionage, I do not find the idea of a writer being used as a tool an unreasonable idea. I actually find it very interesting. The problem is Gabriel himself. Boyd, in this book, adds some new elements to his spying life that could make things work. However, it is still not enough. Anything he gets praised for feels like a failure of the spies rather than his success.

Gabriel is not an enjoyable character. I do understand the relationships with women can be helpful to keep the plot going but the way they are written in the previous and in this book is not good. There is nothing charming about Gabriel that would make all these women interested in him. Moreover, the moment a female character enters the scene, you just know they are gonna be sexualized by him. Or, in another case, seen as asexual for some unreasonable thoughts yet later will be considered as a potential lover anyway.

The Applegate part felt enjoyable and helped to Gabriel’s character for a bit until he decided to recall it as “poverty” in a condescending waylater on. I cannot find a single enjoyable thing for Gabriel’s character that will keep me interested in reading.

I am so sad to say that the idea of Gabriel Dax has an amazing chance of being great, especially with Boyd’s talent in story-writing. However, Gabriel’s character, plot holes and the sexualization of women throws away all the potential.

I am thankful to Netgalley, Grove Atlantic and William Boyd for this advanced reader copy.

A very charming little book that makes a great beach read for a long afternoon. It was a bit predictable in so many ways but still enjoyed it. Good luck with the book and thanks for the early read.