Circus, By Alistair Maclean

No one can write a spy thriller like Alistair Maclean could. His ability to weave any idea or circumstance into a workable, believable story was spectacular. This particular novel, Circus, follows a travelling circus to communist East Europe where the star trapeze artist, under orders from the CIA, schemes to steal plans for a deadly weapon.

 In true Alistair Maclean style, there are plenty of murders and a few surprising plot twists just when  the reader thinks they’ve finally got everything figured out. Circus also contains a touch of romance. Star trapeze artist Bruno Wildermann and CIA agent, Maria, who poses as a circus secretary, pretend to be in love, but wind up spending so much time together that pretending is no longer necessary. Complicating matters, Bruno is haunted by the memory of his late wife and by the disappearance of his family. 

First published in 1975, a number of reprinting have been made. My copy contains a map of the prison and laboratory compound where the plans for the weapon are kept.