This was a well plotted historically accurate, atmospheric thriller that really thrilled.

The author brilliantly captures the mood of a nation awaiting the German invasion that is expected imminently after the retreat from Dunkirk.

The plot is clever and original and the characters well rounded and credible. I enjoyed this very much.

Canadian journalist Jessica Marshall is reporting from Dover as the town is on the brink of a German invasion. But her story never makes it into the paper…
Meanwhile, Louis Renard, an intelligent, damaged man and onetime Scotland Yard murder detective, is recuperating from wounds received in the Dunkirk invasion, working in Dover’s barely functioning police station.

This is so well written. It’s wonderfully atmospheric and draws you in to the period. England on the brink of war; of invasion. It has dour but believable characters who fit perfectly into the time. It has all the elements. A police inspector out of his comfort zone, murder, spies and a story told well. It’s a great read and hard to put down. I’d like to see more of Inspector Louis Renard.

This was a strong historical fiction novel, it had that element that I was looking for from the description. The characters had that feel for the time-period and I was invested in what was happening with them. David Hewson wrote this perfectly and kept me reading until the end. I’m excited to read more from David Hewson as this was really well done.