Last Call for Blackford Oakes — William F. Buckley Jr.

The brilliant CIA agent goes up against infamous Soviet spy Kim Philby in this “lively, entertaining” Cold War thriller (Publishers Weekly).

 Blackford “Blackie” Oakes is the greatest spy in American history, but he's no longer allowed behind enemy lines. As the former director of covert operations for the CIA, he knows too much to risk falling into enemy hands. But something has come up that requires him to go farther behind the Iron Curtain than he ever has before -- and if he's captured, he'll have no choice but to take his own life. But Blackie doesn't mind; he's always wanted a chance to die for his country.
 
Previously, a team of assassins had targeted Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev, and Blackie acted on secret orders from President Ronald Reagan himself to save the Russian's life. Now, Gorbachev is in danger once again, and his death could reignite the Cold War just as it's coming to a close. To avert World War III, Blackie infiltrates Moscow, where he comes face-to-face with the Soviets' own master of espionage: notorious defector Harold Adrian Russell “Kim” Philby.
 
Witty and urbane, and featuring an unforgettable cast of characters both real and imagined, Last Call for Blackford Oakes is a delightful ending to one of the greatest espionage sagas in history.