This novel draws you into the class warfare in England in the 1950s. The beautifully crafted story-line is anchored in historical events of the time that add realism and capture your attention until you turn the last page. Well-developed characters flesh out an intricate plot which is centred on Jonathan, a young man with special skills. You will be kept in suspense, wondering whether Jonathan is part of the upper class or merely a pawn in the hands of a clandestine agency. His ability to call on stagecraft and deception will captivate and enthral you right to the last page, leaving you wanting to know what his future will hold.

Sam Wharton was born in England and educated in the British boarding school system and then joined the military. At the completion of military service he came to Canada, where he spent several years in research and development in a hi-tech company and later joined the federal public service. He began writing after taking early retirement in 1997 and is a frequent correspondent for local and national newspapers. He is currently working on the third volume of a trilogy loosely based on his own experiences in post-war England.

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This first novel opens up a world of domestic warfare almost as full of treachery as any Cold War drama. When I reached the last page I discovered that I wanted to know what happened next, not just to the hero, but to the other characters as well.

Jacqueline Stafford