I have to admit, I like this Follett best. Not that I didn’t enjoy his first story of the trilogy, “The Pillars of the Earth.” I just prefer the storyteller in him here.

He has a way of creating characters that feel real.

This story is set on the eve of WWI. A bit of personal tragedy set against the backdrop of world tragedy.

He builds his narrative suspense in a way that makes readers enjoy being inside this historical fiction novel wondering what the interplay will be – will they or won’t they?

A bit of romance, intrigue, a murderous mission, a war backdrop. So much to take in, that readers can’t help but turn pages and know that Follett is taking us a long on a suspenseful journey worth every moment until the last page leaves us fairly appreciative and satisfied.