
After nearly thirty years in southern Africa, Richard Hannay has achieved recognition as an officer in military intelligence, a mining engineer, and a successful prospector. Now he returns to Britain seeking a bride, a home and a quiet life.
But Europe is a cauldron of political intrigue and, amongst the old Empires, a new power is rapidly making its way—a power that resents Britain's mastery of the waves: Imperial Germany.
Represented in London by the cunning and ruthless Count Von Schwabing, Germany is intent on causing trouble however and wherever she can—and Hannay attracts trouble as a magnet attracts iron filings!

A chance encounter with Lady Madrigal Fitzjames on a train leads Hannay into a strange weekend of mistaken identity and danger.

The governments of Great Britain and Imperial Germany race to arm themselves with modern battleships, but von Schwabing has a plan to ensure that his country is victorious.

A quiet break in the country turns into a weekend of murder when Hannay and old friend Reggie Armitage discover they're targets for a demented killer.