The Spy Who Came for Christmas is a genre-breaking holiday story unlike any other - a thriller with intense, edge-of-your seat action, set against a spy’s perspective on the traditional Nativity story. As bestselling author Joseph Finder has said about the novel: “…once again, David Morrell proves that he is a titan among thriller writers.”
It’s Christmas Eve in Santa Fe. But among the revelers on snow-blanketed Canyon Road, a decidedly unholy scene is taking place. A desperate undercover agent, Paul Kagan, feverishly seeks refuge for himself and the squirming bundle he holds tightly against his chest, a baby who has the power to change the course of global events.
His pursuers are his former colleagues—members of the Russian mafia who will stop at nothing to reclaim the child that Kagan has risked his life and blown his cover to steal from them. Now he is a spy on the run who must ensure the baby’s survival, even if it costs him his own life.
Just a short distance away, Kagan will find an unexpected pair of allies—a mother and her young son who huddle together after an incident of domestic violence leaves them alone, their phone lines cut, and with no means of transportation.
Kagan quickly realizes that he must enlist their help to survive. With the exquisitely honed skills of his profession and the good faith of a weary woman and a disillusioned boy, he takes on forces that will stop at nothing to get to them. In the course of a wild and violent night, the unlikely trio learns lessons of generosity, courage, and selflessness, discovering within themselves the luminous strength of the Christmas spirit.
Few thriller writers are as praised as David Morrell, who has been called “the father of the modern action novel.” Now this New York Times bestselling author delivers a masterwork of suspense that is sure to become a holiday classic, one of his most emotional and gripping stories to date.
David Morrell is the New York Times
bestselling author of twenty-eight books, including his
award-winning Creepers and Scavenger.
Co-president of the International Thrillers Writers Organization,
he is considered by many to be the father of the modern
action novel. He resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with
his wife, Donna.
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Morrell (Creepers, 2005) offers yet another change of pace in this compact, fast-paced combination of Rambo adventure (what he’s known for) and plea for peace on earth. To get there, however, he’s had to pull off a rather 
stunning maneuver—turning the circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth into a spy thriller (with the magi as the spies). The tale unfolds within the contemporary story of an American espionage agent who outs himself to his vicious Russian bosses by running off on Christmas Eve with a package they’ve been hired to steal—the baby son of a modern-day peacemaker. The agent’s initially unwilling helpers are a woman (who has been terrorized by an abusive husband) and her young son, Paul. The breakneck pace allows little time for characterization, and the blood-and-guts level is high as Russian agents close in (even young Paul gets into the act), but along the way there’s plenty of play with names and situations drawn from Bible stories. Given all that’s going on, the novel comes together surprisingly well—but then Christmas is the season for miracles. — Stephanie Zvirin (BOOKLIST - Sept. 15, 2008)
“Master storyteller David Morrell gives us an amazing holiday classic that thrills us with heart-pounding suspense while tugging at our emotions.”
-Tess Gerritsen, New York Times bestselling author of The Bone Garden
"A terrific holiday gift from David Morrell — the father of the modern action novel delivers a unique, edge-of-your seat thriller with amazing twists and riveting characters."
-Vince Flynn, New York Times bestselling author of Protect and Defend
"Exciting, moving, and terrifically clever — once again, David Morrell proves that he is a titan among thriller writers."
-Joseph Finder, New York Times bestselling author of Power Play
"This one's got a narrative force that readers will be unable to put down. The credible and intriguing biblical/historical theories, the positive message of peace, and the redemption to be found in family & friendship, all slotted between scenes of carnage, lend a unique feel to the story—not to mention it’s fun to see [Morrell] return to the world of espionage."
-Tom Piccirilli, award-winning author of The Cold Spot
