The Irregular: A Different Class of Spy: A captivating spy thriller in the world of Sherlock Holmes - Hardcover

Lyle, H.B.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 147365534X ISBN 13: 9781473655348

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton, 2017

Synopsis

'A thrilling story of espionage, murder and the creation of the Secret Service' Charles Cumming, author of A Colder War

'[A] twist-filled adventure that proves far from elementary.' Wall Street Journal

As a boy, he spied for Sherlock Holmes. As a man, he must save the Empire.

London 1909: The British Empire seems invulnerable. But Captain Vernon Kell, head of counter-intelligence at the War Office, knows better. In Russia, revolution; in Germany, an arms race; in London, the streets are alive with foreign terrorists. Kell wants to set up a Secret Service, but to convince his political masters he needs proof of a threat - and to find that, he needs an agent he can trust. The playing fields of Eton may produce good officers, but not men who can work undercover in a munitions factory that appears to be leaking secrets to the Germans.

Kell needs Wiggins. Trained as a child by Kell's old friend Sherlock Holmes - he led a gang of urchin investigators known as the Baker Street Irregulars - Wiggins is an ex-soldier with an expert line in deduction and the cunning of a born street fighter. 'The best', says Holmes.

Wiggins turns down the job - he 'don't do official'. But when his best friend is killed by Russian anarchists, Wiggins sees that the role of secret agent could take him towards his sworn revenge.

Tracking the Russian gang, Wiggins meets a mysterious beauty called Bela, who saves his life. Working for Kell, he begins to unravel a conspiracy that reaches far beyond the munitions factory.

Fast-paced, action-packed, full of twists and violent, sometimes poignant shocks, The Irregular: A Different Class of Spy marks the arrival of a brilliant new writer.

About this title

About the Author

H.B. Lyle lives in South London with his partner and their twin daughters. After a career in
feature film development, he took an MA in creative writing, followed by a PhD, at the University of
East Anglia, an experience which led to the creation of The Irregular. He also writes screenplays
and teaches undergraduates.

Edition details

• Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 147365534X
• ISBN 13: 9781473655348
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288