“Gabriel’s Moon” is a superb book, definitely one of Boyd’s finest. It's not a thriller, it's not a crime, not romance, not fantasy - although it does have elements of all of them - it's very real literary fiction. And that can often mean difficult and a bit dry to read. But, as often, William managed to make it just as addictive as a fast paced thriller novel. The descriptions are beautiful, the story is a gripping page turner. One not to miss.

Gabriel is no angel. At the starting the novel Gabriel is six years old living with his widowed, depressed Mother, a fire starts and Gabriel thinks he is to blame because of his night light, the house burns down after finding his Mother dead he managed to escape through a window. He is haunted by the memory of this might and has nightmares. Gabriel and his broth Sefton both go to private schools and later Gabriel lives with his uncle and art dealer. Gabriel becomes a journalist and writes books, he goes to interview president Lamumba, who tells him his life is in danger and gives him the names of people who are plotting against him. Gabriel returns home and learns the president has been assassinated, he has the tapes of the interview and is pressured to give them up. He becomes involved with MI6 and does some well paid courier work for them, this puts him in danger but it is difficult for him to extricate himself, especially as he is drawn to the woman who gives him assignments. His role gets increasingly difficult and dangerous. This book is well written, it flows with no words wasted. Thank you William, NetGalley and Penguin.

Gabriel's Moon is a brilliant, complex book about obsession, trust, lies, manipulation and secrets. The opening with 6 year old Gabriel escaping a house fire that kills his mother, destroys his home and separates him from his brother is a powerfully unsettling start. Although this is a spy novel set in the 1960s cold war era there are no clichés and the sense of period detail is immaculate and immersive. We travel with Gabriel to Brazzaville, Franco's Cadiz, Soviet era Warsaw and an escape through the Eastern bloc. There is a lot of misdirection which creates a quietly sustained menace and the characters are fascinating. There are quiet details, such as the enigmatic Faith Green who wears the same lavender scent as his mother. William Boyd's precise and beautiful use of language is a joy: Gabriel's uncle and guardian is economically described as wearing 'a nacreous silk suit and a pale blue shirt with a lemony tie.' I wanted to reread this book the moment I had finished because I know I will get even more out of this book if I do. Such skilled writing is rare and beautiful.

I’ve just finished reading Gabriel’s Moon and had to force myself to slow down towards the end because I just wanted to enjoy this brilliant story for longer. I’ve read so many ‘challenging’ books over the past few months, so it was a joy to be reminded that great authors can combine quality writing with engaging, well-paced storytelling that doesn’t meander all over the place confusing and boring the reader. Like my favourite authors such as Robert Harris, Amor Towles and Jonathan Coe, you get to feel like you’re reading good quality writers, and instead of it feeling like hard work, you also enjoying yourself! In this book Boyd successfully transports the reader from the vibrant streets of sixties London to the sun-soaked cobbles of Cadiz and the frosty squares of Warsaw, as his engaging travel writer turned accidental spy is drawn into a shadowy world of espionage and betrayal. Alongside the escapism of the espionage story is a personal tale of a childhood tragedy that years later still haunts our unintentional spy, Gabriel Dax, with sleepless nights and a sense of guilt. There are many strands to the story, it’s well-paced, entertaining, and most importantly for me, easy to follow and to understand. Gabriel Dax is a great character, and I think this is the first of a planned series featuring him. If so, I’m looking forward to the next book. With thanks to the Publishers and NetGalley for an ARC.

A masterful storyteller, William Boyd maintains his reputation with ‘Gabriel’s Moon’. Gabriel, a travel writer, is inveigled into the world of spies, subterfuge, political machinations. Genuine historical events are enveloped by Boyd’s imagination, marvellous descriptions, and a panoply of interesting and intriguing settings and people. A great read, the finale of which is somewhat open-ended, so I assume Gabriel will reappear in one or more sequels. Excellent.