‘You’ve Chosen a side, Hugh Clifton’
It’s 1937 and the events of Blackshirt Conspiracy have led to Britain being led by a fascist government. But the Leader’s grip on power is threatened by socialist unrest on the streets, by foreign agents and by those with even darker visions for Britain.
Hugh and Sissy have become trapped in their roles working within the fascist British Union’s confidential investigation section. They lead the agents of Room Z to target extreme right wing groups working to turn Britain into a Nazi puppet, but make powerful enemies.
A shadowy group is manipulating events to prevent any chance of a return to democracy, and Hugh and his agents now stand in their way. Hugh and Sissy must go on the run to save themselves and prevent the country from slipping into civil war.
The third of the Agents of Room Z series set against a Britain under the shadow of fascism.
Available as e-book and paperback. Order from your local bookshop or Amazon UK.
US readers order from Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble
Australian readers order from Amazon.au
Look out for the three book deal on these sites.
Selected Reviews (may contain spoilers!)
“An action packed; cracking read from Jason Monaghan. This book certainly keeps your attention from beginning to the end, with all the activity abound. It is extremely well written, with characters who you can definitely root for.
Set in the late 1930’s, this is an alternative take on pre-war Britain, it is an edge of your seat ride with all the skulduggery going on, it is certainly makes you think about how life could have been, should the past have taken a different course.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, finding it interesting and engaging. I appreciate the thought that has gone into the writing of this book.
Highly recommend.” 5* DKG, Amazon
“Sissy and Hugh reach the breaking point in this fast-paced third novel. Founded on the premise of the fascist movement prospering in 1930s Britain, this alternative development is not only exciting – spies, danger round every corner, betrayal everywhere – but thought provoking.
I loved the cars, the glimpse into the aristocratic and nouveau riche clashes, the chases and political planning. A very satisfactory read.” Alison Morton, Amazon, 4*
“What a ride. Fast pace all the way through. Great read and ultra imaginative.” Kindle Customer, Amazon, 5*
“A fast-paced, gripping thriller of spies infiltrating a fascist-leaning pre-WWII England, with brilliant use of underestimated women. I couldn’t put it down!” 5*
—M. A. Monnin, Agatha Award-nominated author of DEATH IN ST. GEORGE’S, Goodreads
Hugh Clifton, Commander Z3 Confidential Investigation Section, is back in action. It’s 1937 and, in this version of Britain, Edward VIII has not abdicated, and Fascism is thriving, with a large number of groups (the story suggests more than twenty) looking for members and power. Hugh originally took the role in the Intelligence Unit of the British Union of Fascists and National Socialists (British Union) at the behest of MI5 – his dishonourable discharge from the army left him vulnerable to pressure and he had joined the BU as a spy. However, he has proved able to serve two masters and has had sufficient success in post to have moved up in the structure of Department Z.
Hugh has a close-knit group of agents (though individual loyalties are always in doubt) and together they fight constant danger as it becomes clear that there is something deeper going on and that powerful individuals with the British establishment are pursuing their own route to power at the expense of any individual or group that stands in their way. As he and his colleague and partner Sissy, (a member of the British aristocracy and a committed member of the BU), try to understand what is going on and who (if anyone) can be trusted, they and their friends and colleagues face danger, betrayal and death.
This is the third in the series and, as with the earlier novels, neatly mixes fact and fiction. Hugh is a quiet, engaging hero, unwilling to accept praise and, surprisingly, not the killer he is thought to be. Real players and real events are skilfully woven into the fast moving, complex and lively plot and the reader is swept along by the action. It’s an interesting, thought-provoking and satisfying read.
Though this is the third in the Agents of Room Z series, it does work as a stand-alone. The author has included a useful list of characters (real and fictional) and a note on the historical background.
Jo Hesslewood in Mystery People