The Bulgarian freighter, Bogdana, visited Heysham regularly. Detective Constable Harry Bristow was the port’s Special Branch officer. He was on the quayside to make sure the crew who went ashore got back on again before the ship sailed. During the Cold War, a sharp eye was kept on Soviet and East European sailors. Igor ‘something unpronounceable’ went ashore as usual, but didn’t return. Bristow failed to report it.

Years later, Harry Bristow, now a chief superintendent, represents the police force at a civic dinner in Liverpool. He joins the queue waiting to be introduced to the hosts for the evening, the Lord Mayor, the Lady Mayoress and Peter Robinson, the parliamentary candidate for the region. Bristow has met Robinson before; he was then called Igor.

Manon Tyler has arrived to work at the US Embassy in London. She accepts a position in the counter-intelligence section. Louise Donovan is a political party strategist. She’s sent from London to help with Peter Robinson’s campaign to become an MP. It’s successful and Louise returns to London. She meets up with Manon whom she knew years ago when they attended the same university. Louise also meets Harry Bristow who has retired from the force and moved to London. Louise is attracted to Peter Robinson MP and their relationship blossoms.

This involved spy thriller, skilfully composed and well paced is Stella Rimington at her best. I had difficulty putting it down.

Reviewed by Clive Hodges

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stella Rimington joined Britain’s Security Service (MI5) in 1969. During her nearly 30-year career she worked in all the main fields of the Service’s responsibilities – counter subversion, counter espionage and counterterrorism – and successively became Director of all three branches. Appointed Director General of MI5 in 1992, she was the first woman to hold the post and the first Director General whose name was publicly announced on appointment.

Following her retirement from MI5 in 1996, she became a nonexecutive director of Marks & Spencer and published her autobiography, Open Secret, in the United Kingdom. She is also the author of the novels: At Risk, Secret Asset, and Illegal Action. Rimington lives in London.