SGAG Logo

JEFFREY DEAN

Dean_Jeffrey3 Dean_Jeffrey1 Dean_Jeffrey2
 
Full Name: Jeffrey Dean
Nationality: American
Organization: CIA
Occupation Agent

Creator: Wayne Warga
Time Span: 1985 - 1991

ABOUT THE SERIES

Jeffrey Dean is a former CIA courier.

He never really thought of himself as that, nor did anyone else. To the world, Jeffrey Dean was a journalist and a darn good one. For many, many years he travelled the world hunting stories of interest and import, usually working for Life magazine. This gave him the opportunity to tour places and see things that most people never did and, because Life was such a prestigious well known publication, he was often welcomed by people both friendly to and enemies with the American government.

Dean's attitude towards life and the people and things he wrote about can be summed up by "he was a man with few illusions about the world he lived in. It was not so much that he was cynical, for indeed he was not. It was more that he considered himself prepared."

Because of the freedom and reputation that he had with his profession, he was approached by an agent with the CIA, David Ketchum, who was interested in tidbits of information that Dean might have acquired. It was while reporting events in the Dominican Republic during a period of unrest. Dean decided his first priority was to his magazine but that whatever he did beyond that was his business and he helped out. He conveyed information into the region and brought back responses.

Afterwards, there were a couple more instances where Dean's help was needed and these needed activity considerably more involved than just extracurricular reporting. For his services, however, Dean refused to accept payment even though it was large and would have come in handy. He did it largely because it was something he could do and felt he should do.

As the series opens, Dean is now happily retired and able to earns a living in his favorite pasttime, a rare-book dealer. His passion for books caused him to amass a rather impressive amount of books, especially early editions, and that collection comprised the bulk of his stock. Many enjoyable days of yard sale and estate sale hunting allowed his stock to grow and with it his reputation. He knows a good find, deals honestly with sellers and buyers, and usually turns a nice profit. Sometimes, as with all businesses, things get a bit lean but they always rebound and he is happy.

Although he is no longer working with any spy agency, his old habits as a reporter and a CIA courier sometimes causes him to stick his nose into places it would be safer to avoid. His contacts in the intelligence community prove valuable when such times occur but they also bring old enemies and mistrust. The first book is a perfect example as a small action at a local book fair ends up attracting Ketchum and getting Dean involved with Libyan terrorists.

He has a partner and paramour named Rachel who shares his adventures and keep things interesting. Rachel has her own set of mores and ethics that, while not exactly conflicting with Dean's, sometimes go their separate ways.

BOOKS

Number of Books:3
First Appearance:1985
Last Appearance:1991

1 Hardcover Hardcover
Written by Wayne Warga
Copyright: 1985

Just finding that two first-editions owned by a Libyan dealer are fakes is enough to throw Jeffrey Dean back into his old work as he is being chased by terrorists and maybe his own side, too.

2 Fatal Impressions Fatal Impressions
Written by Wayne Warga
Copyright: 1989

Jeffrey Dean and his business partner find a bargain of a lifetime but there are others who don't want the deal to go through. The fight moves throughout the world and ends up in Berlin.

3 Singapore Transfer Singapore Transfer
Written by Wayne Warga
Copyright: 1991

Getting restless in his bookselling profession, Jeffrey Dean jumps at a chance to ghostwrite for the prime minister of Singapore. But that is just the start for a case that involves profitable jade smuggling and other activities.

MY COMMENTS

This is a good series, written by a true professional. The pacing is fast and straight-forward and Dean is made an interesting hero. Not a bad read at all!

I instantly liked Jeffrey Dean. The fact that the man was an avid reader and a collector probably had something to do with it but Dean is a good man who doesn't want to cause trouble but won't hide from it either. I also really liked Rachel who could have warranted her own series, in my opinion.

There are only three books in this terrific series due to the unfortunate illness and death of the author shortly after the third book was published. According to a truly heart-felt and moving tribute to the author by fellow writer and friend, Robert Crais, Mr. Warga was suffering greatly during the writing of the last book.

I did not know Mr. Warga so I cannot say how much worse the world is without him but I can say that the reading public is definitely considerably worse off for his no longer gracing us with his prose.

GRADE

My Grade: B+

YOUR OPINIONS

Be the first to leave your own comments about this series.

Tell us what you think of the series. Give your grade and comments.

Your Grade:
Your Comments:

To give your opinion, you must be logged in.

Sign In

Register
Disclaimer
SpyGuysAndGals is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, and links with the Buy from Amazon button are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.