Initially I really enjoyed the book, but I had some trouble sorting out who was who after a while. There is a large cast of characters, each with a direct and ulterior motive. It has to do with a nuclear weapons, the KGB, beautiful spies, crossing, double crossing and triple crossing.
There are prisoner exchanges, and it is not always clear at the outset how these different story lines intertwine, but they inevitably do.
I was captivated but sometimes a bit confused. Its clear the author really has a good grasp of both espionage.

Fantastic read with many twists and turns. Very readable and highly recommended.

Thank you Netgalley and Thistle Publishing for the eARC.
In 1978, when Hong Kong is still part of the UK, Southeast Asia is in turmoil.
2 Women are exchanged by the British, from Russia to Vienna.
Things are afoot and the British are sure Russia is involved. The story takes you to London, Vienna, Hong Kong and Japan and is set during the Carter Administration.
Spy novels are not my normal fare and I must admit to being quite confused. My husband is reading it now and enjoying it, being a spy novel aficionado! I'm giving it 3.5 stars and apologize to the author for my lack of intelligence when it comes to political intelligence😭

This book takes place while Hong Kong is still part of the British Empire. It starts of with two women being exchanged from Russia to Vienna by the British. Though at the time it is hard to tell what this has to do with anything, it is important to the story.
Southeast Asia is a powder keg of espionage and intrigue. Something is happening and it involves the Russians. The British are trying to follow those involved but some misleads are involved and this story takes you from Vienna to London to Hong Kong to the coast of Japan. You have to stay on the move or you are left behind.
Benjamin Foo has an interesting past but with the help of the triad is helping the secret British agents to find out what Ling is up to but can they find out what is happening in time.