Not Exactly Dead

When American intelligence thinks a murderous maniac who calls himself Mighty Planetary Master might be after Richard Hugh, aka Triple-O Five, of the little-known British agency nicknamed MI5 1/2 (too small and unknown for its own full number, the joke goes), the Yanks send the intrepid - but short, modest, and gadget-adverse - Emma Chapman over to try to intercept. Soon, the French are involved, most notably in the person of Hugh's longtime friend, colleague, and occasional thorn in the side, Leandre Durand. Hugh already has an enemy glut, and must contend with old threats as well as the new. It doesn't make it easier when, for better and for worse, almost no one's private life is going as planned. Prequel to Not Exactly Innocent.