Here Comes Charlie M — Brian Freemantle

He was a master spy who refused to die.

Charlie Muffin -- ex-British operative from the old school -- has been very comfortably out in the cold. Now he must come in -- to face the final grueling test of a lifetime.

It begins with a chilling encounter in a cemetery that almost leaves Charlie digging his own grave. Next he is framed for stealing the Faberge jewels -- trinkets the Russians view as priceless. Unfortunately for Charlie, no one views his life quite so highly.

And through it all, Charlie only wants to retire. But he knows of a shame his superiors can not outlive -- a shame he might not survive. So Charlie M is to be given a going away present -- a permanent retirement memento. He had in mind something like a gold watch. Everyone else was thinking lead -- as in a bullet.