: A brainy, sophisticated intelligence officer who prioritizes the "defense of the realm" above all else.

: A signature theme in Price's work is that "the past lies in wait to ambush the present"—the idea that historical events hold the key to solving modern mysteries. Key Characters

is a classic espionage novel by Anthony Price, first published in 1971. It is the second book in his acclaimed David Audley series and is widely regarded as a superior sequel to the series debut, The Labyrinth Makers . Core Premise and Plot