** FROM THE WORLDWIDE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF RESTLESS AND ANY HUMAN HEART **

William Boyd once again brings to the spy novel his particular storytelling genius. The result is brilliant fun MICK HERRON

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An accidental spy. A web of betrayals. A mystery that will take you around the world . . .

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 changing landscapes in the grip of the Cold War. When hes offered the chance to interview a political figure, his ambition leads him unwittingly into the shadows of espionage.

As Gabriels reluctant initiation takes hold, he is drawn deeper into duplicity. 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 Gabriels new covert life, it will be the revelations closer to home that change the rest of his story . . .

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In his most exhilarating novel yet, William Boyd transports you from the vibrant streets of sixties London to the sun-soaked cobbles of Cadiz and the frosty squares of Warsaw in this thrilling adventure.

Engaging, intelligent and deeply satisfying. I rate him one of our greatest living novelists PETER JAMES

Wonderfully ambiguous with notions of twisted reality and uncertain memory ANN CLEEVES

A wonderfully intricate novel of espionage and elegant skulduggery JOHN BANVILLE

I enjoyed it hugely. Boyd is one of my favourite authors he never disappoints KATE ATKINSON

Beautifully crafted and pleasingly unpredictable, the work of a man who knows what he is doing and makes it look effortless JAMES RUNCIE

Simply the best realistic storyteller of his generation SEBASTIAN FAULKS

There are few reading pleasures as great as giving in to a William Boyd novel SUNDAY TIMES