The Riddle of the Sands

Description

A must-read for espionage junkies and 'chaps in scraps' fans When Carruthers receives a letter from his friend Davies suggesting a Baltic sailing trip, the vision of a manned yacht, A1 scenery and excellent duck shooting quickly works its charm. But Carruthers hopes for a holiday are quickly dashed. There has been suspicious German activity along the coast. The Medusa, manned by the sinister Dollman, has already tried to destroy Davies. What are the Germans up to? Nothing less than a plot to invade Britain. And only these two courageous Englishmen can stop them. Published in 1903, The Riddle of the Sands is considered the first modern spy novel.

Childers lived a life as adventurous as his novel. Born in London in 1870 but orphaned when he was six, he was brought up by an uncle and aunt in the large Irish country-house. He was known to be incredibly patriotic and became an equally fervent supporter of Irish independence. He ended his life in front of an Irish firing-squad as an IRA rebel in 1922.

Unputdownable... a classic British adventure story, influencing both John Buchan and Ken Follett * Observer * The Riddle of the Sands remains a fine read, enjoyed by people for whom sailing is a mystery and who, just like one of the books' heroes,cannot tell a mainsheet from a marlinspike * Guardian * A ripping yarn, it's just so exciting * Ben Macintyre *