Author: Robert Harris
Publisher: Penguin (Cornerstone)
Genre: Historical fiction, political thriller, war, and scandal
Plot overview:
Setting: Summer 1914, London, on the eve of World War I
Main characters:
Venetia Stanley: An aristocratic, clever, and reckless young woman, engaged in a secret love affair with Prime Minister H. H. Asquith.
H. H. Asquith: The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, sharing sensitive state matters with Venetia.
Young intelligence officer: Investigates a leak of top-secret documents, unveiling a plot intertwined with personal and political intrigue.
Storyline: The novel intertwines a passionate affair with the tense political climate as war approaches. A leak of secret documents turns personal scandal into a matter of national security, threatening to alter history. Harris skillfully blends fact and fiction to depict a world on the brink of catastrophe.
Themes: Political intrigue, love and scandal, espionage, the dawn of war, and the impact of personal relationships on history.
Critical reception: Praised for its riveting plot, detailed historical accuracy, and skillful storytelling, Harris's novel is described as compelling and masterful in blending fact and fiction.