England in 1963 is a country set to explode. The old guard, shocked by the habits of the war-baby youth—sex, drugs, and rock and roll—sets out to fight back. The battle moves uncomfortably close to Chief Inspector Troy. While Troy is on medical leave for a nasty case of tuberculosis, the Yard brings charges against an acquaintance of his, a hedonistic doctor with a penchant for voyeurism and uninhibited young women. Two of these women just happen to be sleeping with a senior man at the foreign office and a KGB agent. But on the eve of the verdict a curious double case of suicide drags Troy back into active duty. Beyond bedroom acrobatics, the secret affairs now stretch to double-crosses and backroom deals in the halls of Parliament, not to mention murder. It’s all Troy can do, fighting off some bad habits of his own, to stay afloat in a country immersed in drugs and up to its neck in scandal.
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"Quirky characters ... yup, that about sums it up. But the writing is very fine as well. No, ok it's not W&P. But I can't stand Tolstoy anyway. I like the series... and recommend it highly. But make sure you get the order right. Lawton wrote them out of order ... "
— Caroline (5 out of 5 stars)
“A good deal of thoughtful commentary…on what it all means to three generations of Britons trying to free themselves from one another’s moral imperatives…The Chekhovian echo brilliantly captures the end-of-days significance of every sordid incident in this sprawling story.”
— New York Times“Lawton is such an entertaining, literate storyteller.”
— Publishers Weekly“A stylish novel of intrigue and manners spanning the corridors of power and the back alleys of vice, circa 1963.”
— Booklist“Reflects all the turmoil and moral ambiguity of the times, and he writes like a house afire.”
— Kirkus Reviews" Third book in the Inspector Troy series. Take place in London, 1963 and reflects the changes in popular culture (think Beatles and Carnaby Street) and political upheaval of the time (think Profumo). Excellent writing and great observation of the times. "
— Vickie, 11/12/2013" Another very good story with an interesting 1960s setting. Troy doesn't seem to have aged really - he still is as driven as ever but the story works well. "
— Lynne, 11/21/2012" Another great book by Lawton about Freddie Troy. Hope there is another one in the works. "
— Sheryl, 9/4/2012" The entire Frederick Troy series is great - wonderful action packed espionage novels -and this title is no exception though "Blackout" is still my all-time favorite. If you haven't tried a book by Lawton, you are in for a real treat. "
— Sharron, 8/1/2012" this series is interesting - set before, during and after WWII. The main character is not always what you would expect - Lots of historical figures featured in stories. "
— Barbara, 5/2/2012" Quirky characters ... yup, that about sums it up. But the writing is very fine as well. No, ok it's not W&P. But I can't stand Tolstoy anyway. I like the series... and recommend it highly. But make sure you get the order right. Lawton wrote them out of order ... "
— Caroline, 3/5/2012" A Little White Death by John Lawton (2006) "
— Tom, 12/10/2011" different threads brought together, some harsh and painful, all fascinating "
— Margaret, 5/5/2011" Not a bad story. Better than a lot of the drivel out there today. "
— Jerome, 4/23/2011" a compelling story of post world war II, about survivors, spies, and with mr. lawton's london detective, freddie troy. so well-written and with fascinating characters and plot, it easily transcends the detective genre "
— Gaby, 4/15/2011" The first half of this book was so much better than the second. Went from 5 stars to barely 2, I had to force myself to finish. Still overall interesting, thought provoking and well done. "
— Kathy, 2/8/2011" this series is interesting - set before, during and after WWII. The main character is not always what you would expect - Lots of historical figures featured in stories. "
— Barbara, 12/21/2010" Great WWII historical mystery. Well developed characters! "
— Sue, 10/19/2010" This series just keeps getting better! "
— Tom, 9/21/2010" Another great book by Lawton about Freddie Troy. Hope there is another one in the works. "
— Sheryl, 5/31/2010" John Lawton just gets better and better. A master at capturing a time and a place. "
— Cindy, 3/21/2010" A Little White Death by John Lawton (2006) "
— Tom, 12/15/2009John Lawton is the author of the Inspector Troy series, the Joe Wilderness series, Sweet Sunday, and 1963, a volume of history. He has also edited reissued books by H. G. Wells, D. H. Lawrence, and Joseph Conrad. His Inspector Troy novels have been named Best Books of the Year by the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and New York Times Book Review. He lives in the north of England and Italy.