The third in the espionage trilogy The Discipline Files, after the acclaimed debut Beside the Syrian Sea, and its follow-on novel How to Betray Your Country. 

Against the backdrop of increasing Russian spying and interference (including assassination) in the UK, this novel explores themes of loyalty and betrayal in modern intelligence work, threatened from the inside by whistle-blowers, serial leakers, and Robin Hood hackers. 

An insider’s story: James Wolff is a former British intelligence officer. This is not his real name. 

“A wonderful, artful, absorbing espionage novel.” Adam Brookes, author of Night Heron

British intelligence is in a state of panic. Cracks are appearing, or so a run of disciplinary cases would suggest. To cap it all, a retired MI5 officer collapses, the victim of what looks like a Russian poisoning. Leonard Flood is ordered to investigate – and quickly. Notorious for his sharp elbows and blunt manner, Leonard’s only objective is to get the job done, whatever the cost. But when the trail leads him from the suburbs of London to a remote country hotel, he makes a startling discovery that will change his life forever.

From the author of Beside the Syrian Sea and How to Betray Your Country

An Evening Standard Book of the Year “a new maestro”

The Times Crime Book of the Month “superb”

A LoveReading Book of the Year “a stunner”