Swift Press The Seventh Floor Sunday Times Bestseller From Author of DAMASCUS STATION and co-host of hit podcast THE REST IS CLASSIFIED (David McCloskey spy thriller).

I read a lot of spy fiction and non-fiction. John Le Carre of course is the master of spy fiction, with Graham Greene coming in second place. But, I was really surprised to find that David McCloskey, who worked for the CIA and was stationed overseas with them, is the closest thing to a modern American version of John Le Carre. McCloskey writes tradecraft of the spy world like only someone could from knowing it first hand. But, he also writes his characters with personalities that seemed like I was probably getting an inside view of what agents are really like. In The Seventh Floor, it is a sequel to his first book Damascus Station. The two main characters in both books, Sam Johnson and Artemis Aphrodtite Procter, return to deal with a mole at Langley. Procter is working out of Moscow Station. And she recruits Sam from Langley to meet a very important Russian agent who claims to very important information about a mole at the top of the CIA. However someone leaked this meeting to the Russians, and the informant ends of dead and Sam whisked off to Moscow to be tortured to find out what information was relayed to him. Months later, when Sam is returned to the US in an exchange for a Russian counterpart, he realizes the can’t share this information with anyone back at Langley since, according to the informant it is somebody at the top. So Sam turns to the only person he knows he can trust, Procter. The story unfolds masterfully. This was a book I could hardly put down. It was very suspenseful, with so many aspects of tradecraft laid out. I think Procter’s character was so masterful she almost reminded me a bit of the role Robert Redford played as Muir in the movie Spy Game.

Fans of cerebral spy novels are in for a treat. Former CIA analyst turned novelist David McCloskey has penned a “mole hunt” novel positing the compromise of the Agency’s highest echelons by a traitor in league with Russian intelligence. Artemis Aphrodite Proctor has had a storied career at CIA. She’s a great intelligence officer who’s been awarded an intelligence star and commanded the respect, even devotion, of the agents with whom she’s worked closely. She’s also opinionated, disrespectful of authority, foul-mouthed, vindictive, a heavy drinker, and someone who doesn’t suffer fools and makes lasting enemies. So, when she tries to bring the possibility of a highly placed mole to the attention of higher-ups who don’t want to consider the possibility, her career is quickly terminated. Loving the agency—the only place she’s ever called home—she and another dismissed agent hunt for the mole as private citizens. Who will the traitor turn out to be? If they’re lucky, maybe their most despised enemy. But if they’re not, maybe their most cherished friend. I found Mr. McCloskey’s tale to be absorbing. His characters are superbly drawn: distinctive, multi-layered, complex, and very human. The “good guys” all have serious flaws and some of the “bad guys” turn out to be, yes, bad; but maybe not as bad as they first seemed. The novel is very well written. Mr. McCloskey immerses readers in the world of espionage, stripping away much of the glamour and portraying just how difficult life as an intelligence officer can be. The culture of his fictional CIA is an unforgiving one. But even though “the building [may not] love you back” (to paraphrase the CIA proverb at the front of the novel), its culture can engender great, even passionate, loyalty. Additionally, Mr. McCloskey’s prose and dialogue are excellent. He writes with great attention to detail and witty but dark humor. The book was a pleasure to read. There is some action, adventure, and violence in the novel. Not a lot, but some. "The Seventh Floor" is closer to the works of Graham Greene and John Le Carre than to those written by Ian Fleming, Robert Ludlum, and the like.

This is the 3rd McCloskey book I have read this week - yes, I like him that much, and yes, this book series is just that good. There are dozens of authors in this genre right now, and I read most of them. For my money, David McCloskey is the best at it right now. The plot moves quickly, the tradecraft and politics are spot on, the characters feel real and emotional. I like that it's a great mix of spying, character development, political intrigue, technical details - it works well across those areas without being too much of any of them. Some of the authors in this genre are all action - which is great, I read those authors too. Some are just super technical - great! - love those as well. This is a perfect balance with a fantastic ending to bring it all back together, and Artimis Procter is my new favorite literary spy. John LeCarre fans rejoice, we have a new author to take his place. If you like Clancy, Flynn, Thor, Silva - dive in, you will love this book!

If spying is mostly about great writing skills (as taken from dialogue in this book), then McCloskey would have been an excellent spy (not that he wasn’t)! His books just keep getting better! This is his best book yet! The Seventh Floors’ plot development is well staged with a clear path through much of the toxic, inbred Agency innuendo and intrigue (sometimes difficult to decipher), carrying the reader through the twists and turns of the story without losing the thread. McCloskeys’ novels are not for readers who want a fast read through a simple plot. His style and subtle touch, as well as the layers of plot detail, require the concentration of the reader, or direction and intent can be missed. His previous novel, Moscow X, did not reflect the plot clarity of this work, and was sometimes confusing in the complex financial aspects of the story. This story is clear and propulsive and encourages the reader to ‘hunt’ for the conclusion. McCloskeys’ talent is awe inspiring. The development of his craft over his three novels (Damascus Station, Moscow X, and The Seventh Floor) offers even bigger rewards for the future! My introduction to McCluskey was as a presenter at a book event for another espionage writer (who had worked for the CIA, as well). He was so well spoken and engaging, with a wry humor about the gift shop at CIA headquarters, that I read his first novel, Damascus Station before I read the novel that was being presented. There are few writers out there that write espionage stories with this complexity and direction. I am eager for his next work, which suggests to be about China! Bang on!

This third novel by McCloskey, about a CIA mole and the woman who discovered the treason, wasn’t bad, but not nearly as good as his first two books. I thought at times the book got a bit tedious, and the storyline on Sam was a bit cloudy at the end.

David McCloskey’s The Seventh Floor is a rare triumph in the realm of spy thrillers. I was impressed with the intricate plot, the depth of the characters and the incredible writing. McCloskey, with his background as a former CIA analyst, brings an authenticity to the narrative that is both compelling and immersive. The story revolves around a high-stakes hunt for a mole within the highest ranks of the CIA, known as the “Seventh Floor.” The protagonist, Artemis Procter, is a brilliantly crafted character whose journey through the murky waters of espionage is both thrilling and believable. What sets this novel apart is McCloskey’s ability to weave complex geopolitical intrigue with personal struggles and relationships. The settings, from Langley to Moscow to Paris, are vividly described, transporting the reader into the heart of the action. The twists and turns are expertly executed, keeping you guessing until the very end. The Seventh Floor is not just a spy novel; it’s an exploration of loyalty, betrayal, and the sacrifices made in the name of duty. McCloskey’s writing is sharp, insightful, and deeply engaging. This book is a must-read for anyone who loves a good thriller, and it solidifies McCloskey’s place as one of the top authors in the genre.

David McCloskey's _The Seventh Floor_ is his third espionage novel featuring Sam Joseph and operations chief Artemis Proctor; readers really must read _Damascus Station_ (NYT Thriller of the Year, 2003) and _Moscow X_ as details from these earlier books are crucial to following the plot here. The title refers to the 7th floor at CIA where the appointees and senior leadership - the Director of Operations (DO) and Deputy Director of Operations (DDO) - have their offices, and who play a central role in the plot: there is a high-ranking CIA officer spying for Russia, possibly on the seventh floor itself. The story is equal parts "mole hunt" (reminiscent of Le Carre's _Tinker, Tailor, Solider, Spy_), operational spy thriller and tragedy as the mole furious wrks to first fire, then kill Jospeh and Proctor who are simultaneously working to ferret them out. For Proctor matters are considerably more complicated as each of the suspects are officers with whom she's worked with closely for a lifetime including the DO and DDO - both of whom have no love for Proctor given their shared past. McClosekey does a admirable job of misdirection and obfuscation first providing compelling evidence and motive for one suspect, then another, but close reading will lead readers to uncover the mole before they are revealed. I wonder if perhaps McCloskey wrote himself into a corner given its conclusion (which is beautifully written even as it shocked me) and where he will take readers next given the way in which the book ends. On a related note, I wonder about McCloskey's own experiences at CIA given the strong words in describing office politics and the nature of both work and heirarchy at Langley. In the final analysis _The Seventh Floor_ is riveting and complicated with a real gut-punch of an ending. As with his previous novels, personal experience breathes life into his story telling. Perhaps because _Damascus Station_ and _Mosow X_ were so exceptional _The Seventh Floor_ falls short by comparison. That being said, it is still a marvelous read.

Caught between 4-5 stars(can't do halves), so my rating was hovering, till I finished the last 100 or so pages. Solid 5 stars for a great read.

This rich and adroitly contrived espionage thriller centres on four self-proclaimed “Russia House Mafia” who are CIA agents bonded by their shared history of surviving deadly conflicts in messy theatres of international intrigue. Things start to fall apart when a meeting with a Russian wanting to spill secrets goes wrong in Singapore, resulting in the field agent being abducted. The ensuing blame game ruins careers, costs lives and destroys friendships, in that order, as the quest to discover what went wrong turns into scapegoating. Abrasive protagonist Artemis Proctor stands head and shoulders as the narrative’s prime motivator, in league with her trauma scarred protégé Sam Joseph, and with support from the chief mole hunter Petra Devine in a deliciously cranky cameo role. The cast of multiple villains is driven by Rem Zhomov of the Russian SVR, an aging and callous operative with access to Putin, and Proctor’s archrival 7th floor nemesis at the CIA, Deborah Sweet. The intricate plotting involves multiple covert operations (often on the fly), extreme deceptions, and internecine power plays. As the narrative plays out to its retribution-heavy conclusion, the reader gains increased admiration for the author's command of the ruthless Russian and blundering American scenarios he devises, his rich range of expertly crafted and flawed characters, and his seemingly endless array of the intricacies of spy craft and detection to draw on. Fans of great-read spy fiction that delves into the shadowy world of intelligence gathering will not be disappointed and should celebrate the author’s insider-rich plotting which is building stronger on his game-changing Damascus Station (2021) and even better Moscow X (2023).

piece of spy novel writing. The CIA is a different animal to Smiley’s Circus and Tinker Taylor but this is grim packed with macabre laughs and the search for the mole. This is an incredibly well plotted novel and the characters are beautifully manifested and the twists and turns of the narrative demand the readers whole attention but the pace is just thrilling. This is an absolute must read if you are into spy thrillers.

This is the second book I read by the author David Mccloskey. I read the Damascus Station and the Seventh Floor. I skipped Moscow X (I am gonna start reading at the time of writing this review). Following are my observations- 1) The author is too much detail oriented, which is a good thing but this also makes reading the book boring at times. He is trying to build suspense and then suddenly he goes into too much detail deviating from the topic and making the reading process uninteresting. 2) I felt this with both the above mentioned books: He is building big suspense through out the book then suddenly the ending is very simple. The ending never properly justifies the suspense building. 3) This book doesn't deserve to be worth 455 pages. The author could have simply ended the book at around 350 pages. 4) One thing I like about the author is that he is always using correct real-world terms that are used by the Intelligence agencies, which makes you feel like you are reading a real-life story of a spy. Good Hollywood directors can make some real-time thriller tv series based on his books.

Perfect delivery! As for the book, my husband loves the entire saga; he has already read three books in less than a month. They seem very entertaining and well-written

An excellent 3rd novel for David - Artemis goes on a career adventure. The search for double crossing spies is very good - reminiscent of Lacarre or Ludlum. This is an excellent read - hoping to see more of Artemis in the future. Funny, sad, disturbing, weird, and often all in the same chapter. Read this.