After a reading a slew of Scandinavian crime novels recently, I thought it was about time opened a book by a British writer. I read Andrew Williams’s 
excellent, The Poison Tide, when it was published in 2012 although I seem to have neglected to review it on this blog. He writes historical thrillers with a strong sense of tension and an interesting slant on the politics of the time. His latest book, The Suicide Club, is in a similar vein with a fascinating premise. The story revolves around a group of soldiers in the First World War who are being trained to mount assaults inside occupied Belgium. Named ‘The Suicide Club’ for obvious reasons it’s a story about treachery on both sides and the dangers that both soldiers and civilians face during the mechanics of war.
In this centenary year marking the start of WWI and as we approach Armistice Day the timing of this book couldn’t be better. It reminds us readers of the tensions that took place as the War reached its latter stages and, in particular, the lack of confidence in the military leaders. Ostensibly, the protagonist, Sandy Innes, is an intelligence officer sent to spy on this own ranks for signs of treachery inside military headquarters. However, the narrative opens out into occupied Belgium and Innes’s own desperate attempt to survive.
The depiction of the network of spies in Belgium is compelling with a strong emphasis on the risks that people are facing under the constant threat of betrayal and reprisals. The characterisation is also excellent. By 1917 many officers, scarred by the course that the war has taken, have something to hide. It is Innes job to see how deep this weariness goes.
As soon as I got the book, I wanted to read it which is a mark of the quality of Williams’s writing. Thanks to Hodder for sending me an early copy. The Suicide Club is published on the 6th November.
Sarah – It does sound like a really interesting look inside the military of the times. And it sounds like a good, if grim, reminder of what war is really for people who have to survive it.
It’s a great read, Margot. I really enjoyed it.
Sounds mouthwatering. I must see if I can lay hands on the earlier novel. Many thanks!
Great. Hope you enjoy it, John.
This does sound interesting, I will definitely add it to the list. I must look up the previous one too, I’ve not come across this author at all.
Thanks, Moira. And, funnily enough, plenty of material for your blog!
Sarah, every review about a book set in and around WWI is a reminder that I have read very little fiction concerning the Great War. I’ll keep this author in mind as I like the premise too.
Great, Prashant. Look forward to hearing what you thought of the book in due course.
A couple of years ago, I was looking for good mysteries set around WWI, and they were hard to find. This one seems perfect. Not available yet here but that is OK; I will put it on a list.
Great. Thanks, Tracy.
An interesting title and an interesting take on thrillers as well. Now that I read this review, I have just realized that I don’t read ANY historical thrillers and almost none historial crime fiction…
I like historical thrillers – you’ll find a few reviewed on this blog. I’d recommend William Ryan (mid 20th Century Russia), Aly Monroe (post war British/US espionage) and, of course, Andrew Williams,
Joseph Kanon’s are worth a look, too, if you haven’t tried them.
Haven’t tried them. But thanks for the recommendation.
Well, Sarah, The Suicide Club is another of your recommendations that I’m adding to my book list. It sounds really intriguing.
Right now I’m quite a ways into Henning Mankell’s An Event in Autumn. I’ll have to check to see if you reviewed this one. The language is really pared down from other Mankell novels I’ve read.
Judith
I haven’t read the latest Mankell, Judith although I do know about it. I’ll be interested in your review when you post it.
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