Erich Ackermann is a well-known and celebrated author but, unfortunately, now ageing. He’s sitting in a hotel bar in Berlin relaxing after a fairly difficult interview session. Suddenly he’s distracted by a young waiter who is very beautiful, reminding the old man of a past love. His name is Maurice Swift.

Maurice is also a writer or, as he says, trying to be one. When Erich invites him to accompany him on his next busy schedule around Europe, Maurice is delighted to accept the invitation. But slowly and cleverly Maurice ingratiates himself into the old man’s life, listening intently and recording every one of his personal stories, even the most shocking one of all. He then steals them as his own, integrating them into his debut novel, which is published to great acclaim, but destroys Erich Ackermann’s reputation as an author.

This is just the beginning of Maurice’s climb up the literary ladder to fame. He cannot bear any other writers to be better than he is and will stop at nothing to be the best. He will use others to get ahead and gain supremacy. He is not only ambitious but a psychopath as well.

John Boyne’s book is divided into three main parts. The first is set in Nazi Germany and makes for compelling reading. Having an historical background in this opening chapter helps us to understand how many dreadful deeds became commonplace during those war-torn years.

In the second part, we meet Maurice’s wife. She is also a writer, but garnering more success than Maurice is a dangerous place to be. I must admit it was easy to become a little confused in this section, and I found I had to re-read some paragraphs to make sure who the new characters were. But then came the third and last part, where everything became clear in an ending with such an incredibly clever twist that you are left with a smile on your face.

I found this book mesmerising. I was absolutely appalled by the main character’s thoughts and behaviour, yet blown away by John Boyne’s literary skills. To me it is an unforgettable read.

Reviewed by Merle Morcom