A Wigwam for a Goose's Bridle

What I expected when I read the title and description of this book: a young James Bond who answers directly to Churchill, may even be chummy with him, goes to Finland in World War II, and tries not to get himself or his new love interest killed.

This is not what I got. Firstly, I spent the entire book waiting for Alex to get to Finland. He didn’t. I’ve decided it’s not a plot spoiler to tell you that, as I reread the description and, to be fair, it does actually say “as he goes through training and PREPARES for his mission…” Secondly, he’s no James Bond (yet?). Everyone has to start somewhere. I suppose even 007 was a rookie once. Still, any heroics he manages are more by luck than skill. I’m not sure he’s ready for Finland yet. Thirdly, whilst Churchill is mentioned a couple of times, he hardly features.

This book is written in an interesting way. Between the descriptions and some technical and historical information, I kept feeling like I was reading a biography rather than fiction. For the most part, that worked quite well, but the descriptions of intimacy were too frequent and too awkward. All up, it started well but then dragged. I won’t be reading the sequel.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for my opinion.