From the onset you are thrown into the tension building atmosphere of this novel. The meeting between the duke and the Prince cleverly fluctuates between the formality of their titles, their political beliefs and positions, to the familiarity of their friendship, shown in the usage of their long established nicknames. A pendulum of love, family and politics thrown into the mix of the discussion of a possible union between Britain and the third reich. Then the dramatic entrance of Wilde and his meeting on the train of an old student called cazerove. This explores old prejudices and the snobbish elitism from the aristocracy that was most evident in this era. Then there is the big confession and a cazeroves suicide by cyanide that signifies suspicious significance to his claims, further enhanced by the investigation that follows. A huge novel that strongly highlights the loyalty conflicts and fear of conspiracy’s that war brings to us all.