I was provided this book by NetGalley and in return am writing this review.

I have not read any of the previous Detective Troy novels but that was not a problem in following this story. Previous police cases were referred to however there was enough information provided to understand the references.

The story ranges through Frederick Troy’s past, including his introduction and subsequent encounters with Guy Burgess and his current day (1950’s) dealings with “Burgess, Maclean” affair.

Lots of interesting plot twists and turns make it difficult to anticipate the final outcome. True events and fictional scenarios make for an intriguing novel.

The final scenes involving the denouement Kearney was just a step too far in my opinion.

I would like to thank NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for a review.
As a young policeman, Frederick Troy first met Guy Burgess at a dinner given by Troy's father.  Warned that Burgess was a suspected spy and that he should keep his distance, he still encounters him in a number of social situations and they become casual friends.  It comes as no surprise to Troy when Burgess eventually defects to Russia.  Now on a vacation to celebrate his brother's birthday, he is once again approached by Burgess, asking Troy to arrange his return to England.  

Fans of Lawton's Troy novels will welcome the return of Meret Voytek, a Russian spy who appeared in A Lily in the Field.  There is enough background offered to introduce her to new readers and her appearance is smoothly woven into Burgess' story.

Murders, the  hunt for Russian spies and a look at life in 1950s England provide a fascinating read.  This will also appeal to readers of John le Carre.

just getting grips with this sensational series! and, like other reviewers note on Amazon, i'm not a new obsessive reader - already ordered others in the series - Troy is savvy, and increasingly as he progresses from your neophyte inspector to long-in-the-tooth and playing all sides but always on the side of innocence ... we meet the renown spy Guy Burgess at various times in Troy's life as he bumps into him and he just becomes seedier and seedier, more and more unreliable - until he asks for help because he has something 'over' Troy - and then a catastrophe (and it's a friend too) - a real story line and developed characters (sometimes real people, like Blunt and PopeHennessy appear (both of whom I'd met or heard of indirectly among friends) and that is pleasing too. excellent intrigue and red herrings galore to keep you hooked - this is a terrific series, a new discovery for me and i'm thoroughly pleased.

What a pleasure and a treasure. A new book by John Lawton is always to be celebrated and here more so than ever as Freddie Troy returns along with most of the members of his extended family as well as other characters returning from previous books. 

As is normal with Lawton the action ranges forward and back in time and deals with the tangled affairs of Guy Burgess, his initial flight from England with Donald McLean and his abortive efforts to return to this country using the help of long term acquaintance Troy. 

This is a wonderful shaggy dog story which provides a glorious social history of the times and the language is vivid and the characters memorable. 

Lawton is a hidden treasure and he deserves far wider recognition. It helps to have read his previous 7 Troy novels but that is no hardship as the reader can then revel in the previous adventures of a memorable set of characters. 

Read and enjoy.