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)
Paris, 1945. A manhunt is raging across the liberated city. Airey
Neave, head of Room 900, the ultra-secret M19 department, is
desperate to track down Harry Cole. Harry is a rogue. He's an East
End charmer and as sharp as a switchblade. But traitor? He did
break a few rules and hearts along the way... but that was before
he met French nurse Odile. Together they are the best clandestine
operatives in northern France, heroes of the Resistance, rounding
up downed pilots and ferrying them to safety. The beautiful Odile
nurtures Harry's talents for the greater good. His mistake is to
try and make a little money on the side. And when he gets in the
way of M19, Airey Neave has a very good reason to want him
silenced...
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