This sequel was much better than the first. Watson, and the wonderful Mrs Gregson, are once again paired together in a cleverly plotted story of espionage, secrets and murder, all in the face of the continuing war across the Channel. Holmes and Churchill make appearances and more than a few characters meet sticky ends. Coyle and Booth meet particularly awful ends the details of which would ruin this book for those yet to read it. The spy plot line is exceptionally good and the chief protagonist in this endeavour is truly despicable and somewhat of a surprise. The attempts to find out what is really going on at Elvenden is the impetus for much of the aforementioned murder and just goes to prove that the more people involved in keeping a secret the more likely it is that something will go wrong or someone will find out. And despite Churchill's and the Government's best efforts even those in forced internment on the desolate island of Foulness (a clever use of double meaning!) still manage to say too much to the wrong people! As the story moves back to France the tension ramps up and the description of the 'Landships' and their promised capabilities gives hope to the fighting men in the trenches only for things to turn out rather differently, leading to a wonderful, yet awful twist in the final pages of the novel. The use of H.G Wells' novels is a superb example of life imitating art. In many instances this has been the case and unfortunately the majority have been the production of weapons based on fictional imaginings of some of the most talented authors and creative minds throughout history. Perhaps the best example is the mobile telephone, believed to be inspired by Star Trek, one might even argue that this is a weapon of sorts as it has certainly contributed to the destruction of conversation!! One aspect of this novel stands out and that is the gradual realisation by the powers that be that 'Shellshock' was not just cowardice or the actions of weak minded men but was a very real physical and psychological problem, Watson's efforts (and of course those in real life) to identify and treat it make for some interesting discussion. Captain Fairley is a case in point and his contribution to this plot line and the over all story is a welcome one. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to the next.