A Slender Thread

Magisterial

"Rhodes' knowledge of the historical circumstances of this tale, which crescendo with the siege of Malta, is magisterial-rigorous and granular but also with an impressive sense of context. He also sensitively captures the psyche of the fighter pilot, who must strenuously maintain vigilance and composure." âKirkus Reviews

Gripping

"This gripping third episode in the Breaking Point series is based on excellent research, which gives it a powerful element of realism. It is well written and packed with action and unexpected twists and turns. In short, it is a very good read, as we have come to expect from John Rhodes. I look forward to the next episode." -Les Bell, professor emeritus, University of Leicester

Vivid

"The author's skill lies in his ability to insert his fictional characters into a detailed and well-researched historical narrative. The momentous background story becomes the natural setting for the events the author describes and how his characters respond. The combination is compelling and credible. A Slender Thread is the third book in the series but reads very well as a stand-alone purchase. John Rhodes writes in a fluent style that bring his characters and the island's story into vivid life. Very highly recommended." -Lillington Local History Society

ï»ï»ï»"A beautiful book . . . the perfect mixture of heartbreak and hope." -Jo Niederhoff, Seattle Book Review

"Rhodes knows his territory. His father served with RAF Fighter Command in the war; as a boy, he played in streets of London that were still bomb-blasted. After earning a master's degree in history from Cambridge, he embarked on a banking career, moving to Wilmington after his retirement. His depictions of aerial combat can stand in comparison to Ken Follett's RAF novels. In particular, A Slender Thread pays tribute to the RAF ground crews, technical geniuses who kept patching together planes amid a perpetual shortage of parts. It's comforting to know that several more installments of this fascinating series are in order." -StarNews Online