This is the 3rd book in the Gabriel Dax series (the previous 2 being Gabriel’s Moon 2024, The Predicament 2025) and what an absolute delight it is. Uncovering a rogue spy in America, our somewhat reluctant hero is recalled to the UK by his handler (and sometime lover) the ruthless and alluring Faith Green. His mission (if he chooses to accept🙂) is to travel to Soviet Eastern Europe, and arrange the extraction and repatriation of Kit Caldwell (readers of books 1&2 will recognise the name). For admirers of William Boyd, you can expect thrills galore, as naturally nothing goes to plan and a great race for survival takes place along the Norwegian/Russian border. The time is the mid 60s and a particularly embarrassing time for MI5/MI6 with the eventual discovery of double agents: Kim Philby, Donald McClean, Guy Burgess, Anthony Blunt and John Cairncross (The Cambridge Five). Boyd as always creates a great feeling of time and place, and the mystery is deepened further by the possible disclosure of a rogue agent active within MI6. I particularly love the relationship (or not) between Faith and Gabriel, especially as our hero is clearly smitten, and the intentions of the lady are questionable at best.
Yet another brilliant book from one of my all time favourite authors, and highly highly recommended. It can be read as a standalone but I recommend reading the 3 books in order.
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