The sinister business of counter-espionage gives Peter Cheyney full scope for his particular talents. The creation, with a wealth of significant detail, of all manner of types; the swift relation of fascinating and cumulatively exciting incident; the peculiar “atmospherics”; the Cheyney montage are all in this novel.

His men are really magnificent – Quayle compounded of wisdom, administrative genius and the ability to live without sleep, wine or women; Shaun O’Mara who loves all those things, who looks like an actor and is an aristocrat, works with subtlety, artistry and distinction; Ricky Kerr, a cleverly drawn portrait of a man who is not quite able to stand the pace.
The women, of course, dress superbly, move like angels, are as beautiful as diamonds and, with one notable exception, behave abominably.

As to the story, Peter Cheyney is a master of narration, he knows the value of suspense and exploits his excellently contrived situations with the greatest of skill.