A terrorist bombing, a migrant crisis, and an insidious plot
It's 1999, and a young Simon Sharman is in Moscow on his first mission as a British spy. He learns of an FSB plot to bomb apartment blocks, killing hundreds of civilians, which will be blamed on Chechen terrorists. On his return to London his intelligence is treated with scepticism. When it proves correct, some in the British Establishment seem to want to bury the story altogether
In 2026, an older Simon is in northern Nigeria, trying to leave the horrors of the Ukraine war, and the betrayals of his 'friends' behind. But even here, the tendrils of Russian influence seem to find him, as the Russian Afrika Korps formerly Wagner Group mercenaries begin operations in the area. Keeping tabs on them, he finds links between the Korps and the people smugglers spiriting migrants into Europe. But why?
Could there be a link between the 1999 bombings, the modern-day migrant crisis, and Russia's increasing 'grey zone' hostile activity in Europe? Is the Russian spy ring at the heart of the British Establishment making its ultimate move?
The explosive conclusion to the Oxford Spy Ring trilogy, as Beaumont once more shines a light on the enemies of democracy and their cynical partners hidden among our elites.