Farewell Dinner for a Spy

Based on the provided content: "1949" is a novel that blends history with possibility, following William Catesby as he returns to London in disgrace, accused of murdering a double-dipper. Sent to Marseille to report on dockers strikes, he becomes caught in a deadly vice between the CIA and the mafia. His mission is uncertain, but he suspects Bone has murder on his mind.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 18 January 2024
Publisher: Quercus Publishing

A captivating tale of mid-century espionage that seamlessly blends historical accuracy with imaginative possibilities, "The Spy Who Came In from the Cold" stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of John le Carré. Any comparisons drawn between the two authors are entirely justified, as Edward Wilson appears poised to assume the mantle of le Carré's renowned storytelling.

In 1949, William Catesby returns to London, disgraced and accused of murdering a double-dipper, a spy believed to be working for the Americans. His left-wing sympathies make him a target of suspicion, and he is labeled a traitor. However, Henry Bone offers him a lifeline by sending him to Marseille, ostensibly to report on dockers' strikes and monitor the activities of a British diplomat's errant wife.

But there's a twist. For his cover story, Catesby is demobbed from the service and disguised as a writer researching a book on the Resistance. In Marseille, he finds himself caught in a deadly web of intrigue between the CIA and the mafia, who are conspiring to escalate the war in Indochina. Catesby is swept eastward to Laos, where he remains uncertain of his true mission's purpose, but he harbors suspicions: Bone has a murder on his mind, and the target is a former comrade from Catesby's days with the SOE.

The question remains: which one? "The Spy Who Came In from the Cold" is a masterfully crafted novel that delves into the murky world of espionage, where truth is often obscured by layers of deception and betrayal. It is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling, as it transports readers to a bygone era and immerses them in a gripping tale of intrigue and danger.

Weight: 586g
Dimension: 164 x 244 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529429077