One the most horrific problems affecting the world today is the migration of literally millions of people which provides the backdrop for this novel. This is the attempt by large segments of populations in the middle east and Africa to flee repressive regimes, starvation and mass murder in order to begin new lives in countries that are considered safe. Mr Porter presents a no holds barred portrait of peoples caught up in the need to escape from the lands of their birth due to changing conditions that do not allow them to live there. Naji is a thirteen year old boy born in Syria who is thrust into manhood when his father dies. It becomes necessary for his family to flee their home as situations arise that cause their lives to become untenable. It becomes Naji's job to travel through the middle east, into Europe and eventually into Germany to arrange for his family to be accepted there by relatives. This is a journey that must be done by foot as Naji's family does not have the funds to send him by plane or even train. Naji has obtained pictorial evidence held on his cellphone of plans by a vicious ISIS cell who discover what he has and mount an organized attempt to catch and kill him and retrieve the evidence. When Britain's MI6 gets wind of what Naji has they mount a search for him by contracting Luc Samson currently a private detective but previously an agent for MI6 to spearhead the operation. Mr Porter employs a back and forth system between Maji and Luc to tell the story. We see a young boy that is forced to grow up very fast while attempting to comply with his family's needs and a professional that develops an attachment for this brave young man while chasing him. Luc finds a possible romance and Naji lifetime friends in the course of the action. The novel is, of course, a definite all nighter and keeps the reader glued to the book and aghast at the realities of what is happening in our time and affecting decisions made by all governments. There are no solutions offered by the author for the simple reason that none are probably possible in the face of the titanic stage the action is played out on. But, the book does provide some insight into what is happening to real people through no fault of their own and affecting so much of the world.

I am a huge fan of thrillers featuring espionage and terrorism - as this combines the two, it totally appealed to me. I hadn't heard of Porter before (I know! I know!) so this is my first novel of his. I will be looking back at his previous work and purchasing his catalogue. If FIREFLY is anything to go by, it will be well worth the money! What can I say? All of the advance praise from stalwarts of the crime genre is correct. This is an excellent example of why British espionage fiction is the best in the world, and has been for a long time. A truly exceptional novel, with a storyline that is timely and comes straight from the headlines of todays world. FIREFLY is an intelligent thriller that had me from page one. Gripping and exciting, it was impossible to put down - I read it in one sitting and stayed up way past my bedtime to find out what happened. The characterisation is wonderful, the narrative easy to follow and engaging, and the finale explosive! If you're into espionage thrillers, don't miss this one! You'll thank me for it later, I promise you! Superb from cover-to-cover and one of my favourite reads this year so far. I just know this will be in my best of 2018 lists. Sometimes it's impossible to write a review for a book as it always feels difficult to portray just how amazing that title is - this is definitely one of those times. I would like to thank Henry Porter, Quercus Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.