In his most exhilarating novel yet, Britain’s greatest storyteller transports you from the vibrant streets of sixties London, as an accidental spy is drawn into the shadows of espionage and obsession . . .
In his most exhilarating novel yet, Britain’s greatest storyteller transports you from the vibrant streets of sixties London, as an accidental spy is drawn into the shadows of espionage and obsession . . .
Gabriel Dax is a young man haunted by the memories of a tragedy: every night, when sleep finally comes, he dreams about his childhood home in flames. His days are spent on the move as an acclaimed travel writer, capturing the changing landscapes in the grip of the Cold War. When he’s offered the chance to interview a political figure, his ambition leads him unwittingly into a web of duplicities and betrayals.
As Gabriel’s reluctant initiation takes hold, he is drawn deeper into the shadows. Falling under the spell of Faith Green, an enigmatic and ruthless MI6 handler, he becomes ‘her spy’, unable to resist her demands. But amid the peril, paranoia and passion consuming Gabriel’s new covert life, it will be the revelations closer to home that change the rest of his story. . .
A wonderfully intricate novel of espionage and elegant skulduggery, richly imagined, meticulously researched and unflaggingly readable -- John Banville
I enjoyed it hugely. Boyd is one of my favourite authors – he never disappoints -- Kate Atkinson
Engaging, intelligent and deeply satisfying. I rate him one of our greatest living novelists -- Peter James
William Boyd once again brings to the spy novel his particular storytelling genius. The result is brilliant fun -- Mick Herron
One of our best contemporary storytellers Spectator
Simply the best realistic storyteller of his generation -- Sebastian Faulks
The finest storyteller of his generation Daily Telegraph
What could be more reassuring in troubling times than a new William Boyd novel? Sunday Telegraph
A master storyteller Observer
Boyd is abundantly talented at capturing life’s disconnections Guardian
Beautifully crafted and pleasingly unpredictable, the work of a man who knows what he is doing
and makes it look effortless
William Boyd was born in 1952 in Accra, Ghana, and grew up there and in Nigeria. He is the author of sixteen highly acclaimed, bestselling novels and five collections of stories. Any Human Heart was longlisted for the Booker Prize and adapted into a TV series with Channel 4. In 2005, Boyd was awarded the CBE. He is married and divides his time between London and south-west France.
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