I've long been a fan of Edward Wilson, whose elegiac novels should be better known . . . This finely written, intelligent work should give you a taste for the Catesby series
- Adam LeBor, Financial Times
A real cut above the usual derring-do James Bond-like spy thrillers, this latest chapter in William Catesby's MI6 career manages the tricky task of being both literate, complex and pulsatingly exciting all at the same time, as well as being chock-a-block with memorably drawn characters. Readers are unlikely to come across a more arresting first chapter in any other book this year
Irish Independent
Brilliantly combines cool irony with genuine thrills, and features the most ingeniously gruesome opening of the year
Telegraph Books of the Year