The Spy Who Inspired Me
April 1944. Naval officer Ian Lemming works for Naval Intelligence at the Admiralty. Suave, sophisticated and a totally unreconstructed chauvinist and womaniser, he is coasting through the war. Unfortunately, he finds himself accidentally beached in Nazi-occupied Normandy, stranded without a razor, clean underwear, and – most importantly – his cigarettes, with a very experienced female agent called Margaux Lynd. Margaux is on a mission to unmask traitors in the Resistance network. Lemming receives a crash course in spycraft as she bullies him across France.
Stephen Clarke is a best-selling author who has been translated into more than 20 languages. This is a comedy spy story, and the author’s affectionate salute to Ian Fleming and the whole genre of spy thrillers involving very non-PC agents in the 20th century. With a strong streak of humour running through it and a taut, plausible plot and strong characters, the story races along. This is an entertaining and thrilling read. Will Lemming survive? Will he be a changed man? You’ll have to read it to find out – no spoilers here! Recommended.
