COUPLE THE cheddar-sharp wit of Carl Hiaasen with the action-packed styling of Robert Ludlum and you get you get Keith Thomson's "Twice a Spy," a fast-moving thriller that'll keep you on your toes. In this hard-charging sequel, Thomson (thankfully) holds nothing back.

Sometimes relationships can be hazardous to your health. In Charlie Clark's case, it can bring you to the brink of death and back. The smooth-talking gambler is on the lam with Alice, a former-NSA-agent-turned-girlfriend who makes Bruce Lee look like a ballerina. Chasing the duo is the NSA and a black-ops team, both of which are seeking a terrorist-friendly nuclear bomb disguised--wait for it--as a washing machine. The main obstacle? Drummond Clark, Charlie's CIA agent father whose bouts with Alzheimer's makes self-preservation iffy. As the three trek across the globe and dodge danger like it's a sport, secrets start to unravel as fast as the bullets fly, giving readers a wonderful reason to clutch their armrests.

In this sequel, the reader is subjected to bouts of whimsy and high-octane adventure--ingredients for an instant hit. Thomson isn't afraid to use his insider knowledge, and his brazen, comedic approach to a paint-by-numbers genre makes him a refreshing voice any reader would enjoy. If you like high-impact action and quirky plot points, you've found the perfect book.

Nicholas Addison Thomas is a freelance writer in Fredericksburg.