May, 1995: An American spy- a "Superagent" in the most covert and powerful espionage program in U.S. history- is murdered in London. Six weeks later, his replacement, an ex-FBI agent newly renamed John Apparite, meets with the head of this super-secret agency, an enigmatic man he knows only as the "Director". Apparite accepts the assignment willingly; after his parents' tragic deaths. He prefers a life where his only expectation is to do his duty, and where personal relationships, he believes, are unknown.

Under Cloak of Darkness: The Story of John Apparite

If a fast paced and exciting mystery is what you yearn for, “Under Cloak of Darkness” will give you everything you desire, and more.  I love how author, I. Michael Koontz, has taken his lifelong, passionate interest in Cold War espionage and military history and put together such a well-written and thoroughly researched fictional tale. Without a doubt, the reader will be zealously turning pages to untwist the intense plot. “Under Cloak of Darkness” takes place about 50 years ago and is about a former FBI agent named John Apparite who is a huge fanatic of the Washington Senators baseball team.  He now decides to join the most covert espionage program in existence with the promise of global travel, high pay and higher stakes.  There can be no turning back once the commitment has been made, and complete secrecy is of major importance.  Breaking the covenant of secrecy is immediate death.  Many lives are dependent upon the outcome of the planned missions.  The espionage program requires emotional detachment, learning to fight hand to hand combat, and mastery of the use of weapons.  Apparite, who is known as Agent E, is given some very difficult tests to prove to his supervisor, the Director, of his readiness to progress to the mission he was hired to perform. Apparite is given a testing mission, and the goal will be to engage a barroom brawl while single handedly leaving everyone in the bar unconscious.  The additional challenge is that no one is to be killed, if possible.  Once this test task is successfully completed, Apparite is given his real mission. The American Scientist, Robert Kramer, is developing a portable solid rocket-fuel which is used to fire nuclear warheads from submarines, and the Soviets are trying to get Kramer’s missile secrets for themselves.  Apparite’s mission is to kill Kramer, assume his identity, and trick the Soviets.  I don’t want to reveal too much, but the adventure really takes off and never slows down with action and excitement on every page.  All I can say is that one must read the book to feel the complete intensity generated in the ambience of the story.  Knowing a friend from an enemy becomes almost impossible, thus the danger is extreme.  Often time, the only thing to temporarily relieve Apparite from his stressful predicament is his love for the Washington Senators.

What makes the story so unique is the personality of John Apparite and the relationship between himself, the Director, and Agent J.  The required aloofness demanded of Apparite begins to take its toll, and we realize he has limitations and misgivings about killing others.  He truly has human qualities after all!  But, if Apparite shares these concerns, he must die.  The demanded detachment becomes even more difficult when Apparite finds himself attracted to the pretty brunette stewardess on the flight to London, especially when he sees her a second time.  Apparite becomes confused when his instinct to help another human being interferes with what he has been taught.  Could not helping another have resulted in a best friend and colleague remaining alive?

Koontz obviously did research on the historic locations Apparite visited and the numerous facts and figures scattered throughout the pages of “Under Cloak of Darkness.”  The descriptions of the British Museum and the famous Reading Room were enticing, as were the visits to St. Paul’s Cathedral. I have never thought of myself as being much of a fan of a thriller novel such as “Under Cloak of Darkness,” but I have now changed my mind.  Except for some parts which were a bit gruesome for my taste, but which unfortunately are probably only too accurate, I LOVED reading this story.  “Under Cloak of Darkness” is not for the meek, but if you like mystery, Cold War, and politics, I predict you will love it too!  Personally, I found myself as entertained reading Koontz’s work as I was when I read “The DaVinci Code.”  I definitely look forward to the next book in this series on the adventures of John Apparite that I. Michael Koontz has promised us!  I can hardly wait!  This is definitely a must read!