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Andrew Williams
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The Suicide Club Kindle Edition

by Andrew Williams (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 147 ratings

For all readers of Robert Harris, William Boyd and John le Carre, The Suicide Club is a First World War spy thriller set in Occupied Belgium in 1917, and tells the dark, disturbing and untold story of the shadow espionage battle fought behind the lines. Andrew Williams is 'in the front rank of English thriller writers' (Daily Mail) and his novels possess 'a richness of characterisation and intelligence that few thrillers can match' (Sunday Times).

August 1917. Britain is mired in bloody stalemate on the Western Front and questions are being asked in government about the leadership of the army. Soldier spy Sandy Innes is summoned from his undercover work in Belgium by the new Secret Service to investigate. Officially transferred to Field Marshal Haig's headquarters in France to prepare agents for the next big push, his secret mission is to spy on Haig's intelligence chiefs.

At GHQ, no one is interested in Innes's inside knowledge. Instead, he is attached to an advance assault group dubbed 'The Suicide Club'. His fellow intelligence officers have little faith in the top secret information being fed to Haig by their superior, and as Innes digs deeper he begins to suspect treachery. The stakes could not be higher: the fate of hundreds of thousands of British soldiers.

In a tense race against time, against the background of political machinations in government and at GHQ, Innes must survive membership of The Suicide Club, and then risk all by going back behind enemy lines to uncover the truth.

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  1. Print length
    368 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Hodder & Stoughton
  4. Publication date
    6 Nov. 2014
  5. File size
    1.3 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Review

Andrew Williams synthesises historical writing with the excitement of the thriller: utterly persuasive character drawing, a pungent sense of locale and period, and sheer storytelling impetus that is impossible to resist. (Barry Forshaw Financial Times)

Absolutely convincing... with a touch of John Buchan. Andrew Williams is a compelling thriller writer (SHOTS magazine)

The Suicide Club is one of those compelling reads that, once started, cannot be put down. But it is more than that. Set in the momentous late summer and autumn of 1917, it is drawn from all-too-real events. The cast includes Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, David Lloyd George, and crucially, Brigadier General John Charteris, director of military intelligence. Just one among the many of several moral mazes that gripped me was Williams' insight into the way in which raw intelligence could be twisted to suit the whims of men in powerful positions. (Scotland on Sunday Books of the Year (Tam Dalyell))

One of the best historical spy thrillers of recent time. The Suicide Club exceeded all my expectations. It really is very, very good: comprehensively researched, carefully plotted and quite brilliantly written. The Suicide Club is a dazzling mix of spy fiction and history ranging from the battlefields of Flanders to brothels in Antwerp to Lloyd George's Downing Street, and certainly the best spy story I've read this year. Andrew Williams could soon find himself alongside Le Carré, Deighton, Littell and Furst. (Mike Ripley SHOTS)

The war-damaged Innes is a strong, sympathetic character and the meticulously researched background is fascinating (The Times)

Andrew Williams' novels synthesise historical writing with the excitement of the thriller. The Suicide Club is a satisfying first world war espionage adventure set in Field Marshall Haig's HQ in France. The business of trust and betrayal clearly fascinates this writer, and there is an adroit balance of elements here: economical but utterly persuasive characterdrawing, a pungent sense of locale and period, and sheer storytelling impetus that is impossible to resist. (Barry Forshaw Financial Times)

Williams has become one of Britain's most accomplished thriller writers. Rich in the politics of war and based on spectacular research into the reality,The Suicide Club delivers a delicate portrait of the intricacies of war, while never neglecting the bravery. (Daily Mail)

Establishes Andrew Williams as an unusually accomplished craftsman, a master of the intelligent historical spy thriller. His research is thorough and never obtrudes. His imagination works in harmony with his powers of observation. His plotting is intricate and coherent. The narrative drives compellingly along. A splendid novel (Allan Massie The Scotsman)

Andrew Williams has established himself as a master of the intelligent political/historical thriller. The Suicide Club, set partly at Field Marshal Haig's headquarters in 1917 and partly in German occupied Beligum, is his best novel yet: gripping and disturbing. (The Scotsman Books of the Year (Allan Massie))

Meticulously researched and classily written . . . offers a distinctive perspective (Sunday Times)

One of the best historical spy thrillers of recent time. The Suicide Club exceeded all my expectations. It really is very, very good: comprehensively researched, carefully plotted and quite brilliantly written. (Mike Ripley SHOTS magazine)

Williams is an admirable writer and really knows his subject. What stands out about this book is the depth of the author's research coupled with a strong narrative and nuanced understanding of the internal politics of GHQ. As the author's note makes clear, there are disturbing correspondences between the fiction and the historical fact. (Spectator)

About the Author

Andrew Williams worked as a senior producer for the BBC's flagship Panorama and Newsnight programmes, and as a writer and director of history documentaries. He is the author of two bestselling non-fiction books, The Battle of the Atlantic and D-day to Berlin, and three acclaimed novels, The Interrogator, (shortlisted for the Ian Fleming Silver Dagger Award and the Ellis Peters Award), To Kill a Tsar, (shortlisted for the Ellis Peters Award and the Walter Scott Prize) and The Poison Tide. You can find out more about Andrew Williams and his writing at www.andrewwilliams.tv and www.hodder.co.uk, and you can follow him on twitter at @AWilliamswriter or on Facebook.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00KIO56WK
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hodder & Stoughton (6 Nov. 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.3 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • Customer reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 147 ratings

About the author

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Andrew Williams

Andrew Williams

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Andrew worked as a senior producer on BBC Television's flagship current affairs programmes, Panorama and Newsnight, covering the major stories of the day. In 1997 he moved to BBC Documentaries and spent the next eleven years writing and directing television documentaries and drama documentaries for the BBC and international co-producers, including the award winning series, 'The Battle of the Atlantic'. He has written two best selling histories of the Second World War; 'The Battle of the Atlantic', and 'D-Day to Berlin'. His first novel, 'The Interrogator', was shortlisted for the CWA Ian Fleming Thriller of the Year Award and the Ellis Peters Historical Fiction Award, and it was the Daily Mail's debut thriller of 2009. His second, 'To Kill A Tsar', was one of the Daily Mail's thrillers of 2010 and was shortlisted for The Scott Prize for Historical Fiction and the Ellis Peters Award. HIs 1960's espionage thriller, Witchfinder, was one of The Times Literary Supplement Books of the Year. Set inside the British intelligence services in the weeks following the defection of master spy, Kim Philby to the Soviet Union, it tells the story of an MI5 and CIA mole hunt that spirals dangerously out of control. Andrew's latest novel, The Prime Minister's Affair, is the story of a plot to blackmail a Labour Prime Minister and bring down the British Government. The Daily Mail described Andrew 'as one of Britain's most accomplished thriller writers', and the Times Literary Supplement noted that 'if le Carré needs a successor, Williams has all the equipment for the role.'

For background to his books and more on the author, visit: http://www.andrewwilliams.tv You can follow and discuss the books with Andrew on Facebook at AndrewWilliamsbooks or follow on twitter @AWilliamswriter.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
147 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers praise the book's story quality, with one review noting its vivid depiction of time and place. The pacing receives positive feedback, with one customer describing it as impeccably researched.

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5 customers mention ‘Story quality’5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, with individual reviews highlighting its subtle storytelling, strong narrative, great character development, and vivid depiction of time and place.

"...It is impeccably researched with a strong storyline with a very sympathetic, though complex, main character in Alexander Innes, moulded as he is by..." Read more

"...The opening chapters whet the appetite,but then it gets bogged down in dealing with inter-services intelligence,--it was,sigh, ever thus --step..." Read more

"...the variety of people involved and the risks they run, are vividly described. The handling of the historical background is assured throughout...." Read more

"Very engaging, subtle story-telling, great characterisation, extremely evocative of time and place. I have now ordered everything else he's written." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Pacing’4 positive0 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book engaging, with one customer noting its well-researched content.

"...It is impeccably researched with a strong storyline with a very sympathetic, though complex, main character in Alexander Innes, moulded as he is by..." Read more

"...Fortunately,all's WELL that ends well. A good description of the authors sources at the end." Read more

"Very engaging, subtle story-telling, great characterisation, extremely evocative of time and place. I have now ordered everything else he's written." Read more

"I found this an excellent and riveting book. Mr Williams gets better and better." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Angel N
    5.0 out of 5 stars The tangled web of command and control in British intelligence gathering is a great background. The descriptions of GHQ and the
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 December 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I couldn't put this book down. The tangled web of command and control in British intelligence gathering is a great background. The descriptions of GHQ and the periphery of the first world war battlegrounds are so good, I feel I'm there. It is impeccably researched with a strong storyline with a very sympathetic, though complex, main character in Alexander Innes, moulded as he is by his experiences of war. The main plot is boosted by interesting characters and a touching relationship between Innes and the spy Ramble. This would make an excellent film.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Mr. B. Carter
    4.0 out of 5 stars Slow burner
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 December 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I bought this book after a review in the Daily Mail and two more by the same author,1down 2 to go.
    The opening chapters whet the appetite,but then it gets bogged down in dealing with inter-services intelligence,--it was,sigh, ever thus --step forward Capt Innes,tasked with trying to find out what was true, and why optimistic intelligence was being given to General Haig, telling Haig what he didn't want to hear GOT HIM the sack.
    Fast forward to about 60% of the book--I am reading the Kindle edition,and the story ignites !-juan does not put it down even when the lights dim and the fat lady stops singing
    Fortunately,all's WELL that ends well.
    A good description of the authors sources at the end.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Hed M
    3.0 out of 5 stars Passable
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 May 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Tbh I found this a little stolid and heavy going. As if it was written out of its time. It just seemed hard work.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Lesley Dunn
    5.0 out of 5 stars The same tension I enjoyed in ' To kill a Tsar ' is found ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 November 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I found Andrew Williams' latest novel gripping. The same tension I enjoyed in ' To kill a Tsar ' is found right from the start in ' The Suicide Club,' and is maintained throughout the novel. The hero Sandy Innes is a complex but very sympathetic character, who finds himself caught up in the power play between the generals at GHQ and the politicians in Whitehall. Is the information upon which the generals are basing their new offensive in 1917 real or imaginary? Thousands of lives are at stake.
    The working of the Belgian underground movement, the variety of people involved and the risks they run, are vividly described. The handling of the historical background is assured throughout. I recommend this book unreservedly.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • John A. Chadwick
    4.0 out of 5 stars Good but not his best
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 August 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Bit slow and convoluted in the start but got so much better half way through. I really admire this author and look forward to more.
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  • JJ Hayward
    5.0 out of 5 stars Buy it
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 November 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Very engaging, subtle story-telling, great characterisation, extremely evocative of time and place. I have now ordered everything else he's written.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jim Harrison
    4.0 out of 5 stars Minor errors in an otherwise good read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 May 2015
    On the whole I found the basis for the book to be a refreshing change from other books based upon the First World War. Only spoilt by a couple of minor points. One, I would not have expected officers to drink a bottle of 1905 Margeux with fish. Later in the book he refers to the meal with Innes and the wine as a burgundy when it is a claret,but otherwise a very good read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another well researched great read from Andrew Williams
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 January 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I found this an excellent and riveting book. Mr Williams gets better and better.
    One person found this helpful
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