This writing partnership, operating under the pseudonym Manning Coles, masterfully crafts thrilling espionage narratives. Their stories often blend realism with a lighter, whimsical touch, delving into the intricate world of intelligence operations and international intrigue. The characters they create are brought to life through sharp dialogue and well-constructed plots, offering readers a compelling glimpse into a life lived in the shadows. Their skill in capturing suspense alongside human emotion makes them memorable storytellers within the thriller genre.
A classic spy thriller set in the era of World War II. A former British spy named Tommy Hambledon finds himself embroiled in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with a group of Nazis who are planning to launch a devastating attack on Britain. Coles' book is a gripping and suspenseful read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
After Jim Warnford is found guilty of selling secrets to the enemy and discharged from his regiment, he’s very much at loose ends—that is, until he meets John Marden, a professional safe-cracker who is nonetheless a gentleman and a very pleasant one at that, despite the fact that he was trying to break into Warnford’s own safe when they met. The two become fast friends and unite in a common purpose, to find the fellow officer who framed Warnford and to round up the German spies who stole his secrets. In the course of their activities they keep nearly crossing paths with Tommy Hambledon of British Intelligence, who’s just back in England after a long sojourn in Germany. As delighted as he is with their little presents to him, he’s very anxious to meet them in person, but they prove to be a most elusive pair. Set in 1938 with war with Germany just around the corner, it’s the fourth book in the Tommy Hambledon series and one of the best, with an almost perfect blend of straightforward counterespionage and farcical humor.