The Blue Noon

Robert Ryan's latest book provides a revealing insight into conspiracy and double-dealing during the Second World War. The anti-hero of this complex, riveting novel, based on a true story, is one Harry Cole, an East End wide boy with a steely determination to move up in the world. Ryan charts Harry's colourful career from his life as a conman and playboy in Hong Kong to his mysterious death in a Parisian flat. Forced to leave Hong Kong under something of a cloud in 1938, Harry returns to England and proceeds to reinvent himself, emerging as the debonair Captain Mason, a Winchester old boy recruited by the British Army. A chance meeting with the beautiful French nurse Odile leads to another career move, as Harry becomes involved in helping Allied soldiers trapped in France to escape. But he is ruled by men who are even more talented at the game of betrayal. Sitting at the centre of operations is the brooding figure of 'Uncle Claude' Dansey, manipulating his intelligence officers with the dexterity of a puppet master. Harry has his uses, but is definitely expendable. Yet he defies death time and again to emerge battered, bruised, but most definitely alive, ready for the next scam. Treachery is a fact of life in Harry's world - traitors are dealt with swiftly and brutally, and Harry can't help but admire those as skilled at double-dealing as he is. But he is finally betrayed by the one person he thought he could trust. Love and honesty are the victims in this world of conspiracy, where no one can be trusted, even those dearest to you. Harry's thrilling story is full of familiar characters from the period, such as Kim Philby, Graham Greene and Airey Neave. Neave is on Harry's list of escapees, but his initial admiration for Harry quickly sours when he learns the truth about his background. On Neave's instructions, MI6 issue a Red Ribbon notice - if Harry is apprehended he is to be shot on sight. As the net closes round him, Harry, arch-criminal and master conman, has finally met his match. This is an exciting tale of conspiracy, interwoven with some of the many personal tragedies of the war and the doomed love story of Harry and Odile. (Kirkus UK)