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More about the book

From the pen of a master — the #1 bestselling, Booker Prize–winning author of Atonement — comes an astonishing novel that captures the fine balance of happiness and the unforeseen threats that can destroy it. This brilliant, thrilling page-turner will keep readers on the edge of their seats. Set within a single day in February 2003, the story follows Henry Perowne, a successful neurosurgeon who is happily married to a newspaper lawyer and enjoys good relations with his children. On his day off, he wakes to the comfort of his large home in central London, feeling at ease both there and in the operating room. However, the world outside is fraught with uncertainty, marked by the impending war against Iraq and a pervasive sense of pessimism since the attacks in New York and Washington two years prior. As Perowne’s day unfolds, he transitions from the ordinary to the extraordinary. After witnessing an unusual sight in the morning sky, he heads to a squash game with his anaesthetist, trying to navigate through the crowds protesting against the war. A minor car accident leads to a confrontation with a small-time thug, revealing a profound issue with the young man. This encounter escalates into a situation where Perowne must use all his skills to protect his family from savage consequences.