Reviewed by Don Jung)
From Lompoc With Love is the sixth in a series of spy thrillers that is fast paced with nonstop action that takes you around the world. James Flynn is a retired “secret agent” who is trying to get back to a normal life in Switzerland with his girlfriend.
A lovely Russian agent hiding in Lompoc, California decides to defect and contacts the British M16 to exchange her espionage secrets. She has one condition – she only wants Flynn to arrange the meeting. The problem is that Flynn is not part of the M16, he’s a psychiatric patient who believes he is a spy. Like a James Bond character, Flynn is a handsome ladies’ man, but he also thinks that has a license to kill.
He is recruited to return to California as Russian thugs try to stop him. How he escapes each mishap is exciting and keeps you in suspense. A lot of misadventures follow as he tries to accomplish his mission.
I must admit what initially drew me to this title was that it referenced Lompoc, a small central California town that I am quite familiar with. It first proceeded rather slowly, and I wasn’t sure that I could hang in there. However, the pace picked up quickly, and I’m glad I kept with it.
The characters are likeable and the exotic places make you feel like you are right there as you go on this wild journey trying to outwit Russian intelligence. From Siberia to London, they finally find themselves at Knott’s Berry Farm with surprises that make you think there will be a sequel. And I hope there will be one.