This classic espionage thriller follows the harrowing journey of an English engineer, Graham, who, while on a business trip to Istanbul during World War II, becomes entangled in a deadly web of international intrigue. After discovering that Nazi agents are plotting to assassinate him in order to prevent his return to England with crucial military intelligence, Graham is forced onto a dilapidated Italian freighter sailing back home. The voyage turns into a perilous game of cat and mouse as he tries to evade his pursuers with the help of a motley crew of allies. Amidst the backdrop of the turbulent seas and the looming threat of global conflict, Graham's journey becomes not only a fight for survival but a test of his own resolve and courage.

Set against the backdrop of World War II London during the Blitz, this gripping novel follows Arthur Rowe, a man haunted by guilt over his wife's mercy killing. His life takes a dramatic turn when he unwittingly wins a cake at a fête, which thrusts him into a world of espionage, murder, and intrigue. As Rowe becomes entangled in a complex web of spies and secret organizations, he must navigate a landscape where trust is scarce, and the line between friend and foe is blurred. The narrative masterfully combines elements of suspense, psychological depth, and the exploration of morality under the pressures of wartime, delivering a compelling story of a man's quest for redemption amidst chaos.

This novel is a classic British mystery set during World War II, revolving around the peculiar happenings in a government office relocated to a remote country house for the duration of the conflict. The protagonist, an amateur sleuth working in the office, becomes entangled in a web of intrigue when a series of cryptic messages and a suspicious suicide prompt an investigation. With a blend of wit and suspense, the story delves into the complexities of human behavior under the pressures of war, revealing secrets and solving the mystery with clever deduction and an understanding of the human psyche.