This is a well-written, very readable book. The small amount of Russian politics that confused me somewhat in chapter 2 made me want to speed read through it, but chapter 3 brought it back to the story. This is my first time reviewing an espionage novel as it's not my usual style of book, but this book by John Lawton recreates the 1930s very well and the characters are likeable. As long as any further mention of Russian politics is relatively brief, I'd definitely read this book.