Published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson,
12 June 2014.
ISBN: 978-0-293-86393-3
The book bursts with intrigue - political and sexual. In December 1937 Christian Ferrar, a Spanish lawyer who lives in Paris, is asked to aid the anti-Franco forces in Spain. This is potentially a very dangerous activity, he deals with gangsters and spivs and visits Nazi Germany, Gdansk and Odessa. He also spends time in New York but Paris remains the centre of his activities.
Max de Lyon, a mysterious Slav, is his companion in the efforts to get arms for the Spanish Republicans and, with great difficulty, to get the arms to Spain. Christian enjoys relationships with several ladies but, as with male associates he must be careful that he is not being stalked by spies. The frenetic atmosphere of 1930s Europe is really well established and the tale fizzs with heady excitement. The contrasts between action scenes and the restaurants and nightclubs of Paris make the story move at a fast pace. The characters are strong in this exciting thriller.
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Reviewer: Jennifer S Palmer
Alan Furst is a well known writer of espionage stories in
the hinterland of 1930s Europe.
Alan Furst has lived for long
periods in France, especially in Paris, and has travelled as a journalist in
Eastern Europe and Russia. He has written extensively for Esquire and the
International Herald Tribune.
www.alanfurst.net
Jennifer Palmer Throughout my
reading life crime fiction has been a constant interest; I really enjoyed my 15
years as an expatriate in the Far East, the Netherlands & the USA but
occasionally the solace of closing my door to the outside world and sitting
reading was highly therapeutic. I now lecture to adults on historical topics
including Famous Historical Mysteries.
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