The Lantern Network

Ted Allbeury, a now almost forgotten author, once rivalled Deighton and LeCarré in the bestseller lists through the 70s and 80s. This novel from the late 70s is a superb example of his craft. A taught, tough espionage thriller about the French Resistance in World War 2, The Lantern Network has that ring of truth about it that shows Allbeury's background in the intelligence services.

The novel starts with a routine Special Branch investigation into a solitary, anonymous factory owner, James Walters, who has possible links to the KGB. When, for no apparent reason, he kills himself by slashing his throat, Commander Bailey of Special Branch has to try and find out why. Who was he really? What made him suddenly commit suicide.

There follows a flashback central part of the novel which details the exploits of a British SOE officer (cover name Charles Chaland) who is sent to run a section of the Resistance (due to his French background) in occupied France. This part is utterly gripping as he and his men harry the Germans in the run up to D-Day. The risks and dangers these brave men and women went through are brought vividly to life, as is the brutality of the Gestapo. Allbeury pulls no punches.

At the heart of this novel is, as with all good spy novels, betrayal and divided loyalties. Allbeury keeps the mystery alive in the third part of the novel as Bailey visits survivors of the Resistance in France and tries to piece together what happened to Chaland after D-Day and whether it links to Walters. Bailey's journey mirrors that of Chaland and the novel highlights the secrets we must keep to safeguard loved ones.

A great read and all done in 200 pages! It's a shame that Allbeury's backlist is out of print. He's well worth your time if you love spy thrillers. Time to hit those second hand bookshops and eBay....