The book is a thriller set inside an
alternate history in which the
United Kingdom made peace with
Adolf Hitler, and the
United States did not become involved in
World War II. The British government has become
fascist and
authoritarian. Peter Carmichael, formerly a police inspector at
Scotland Yard, is now head of the secret police, called "The Watch". He must deal with political intrigue by those jealous of his position and must safeguard his teenage ward while he keeps secret his illicit activities helping Jews and dissidents who wish to flee the country. ==Reception==