Lady Somers is rich, beautiful and powerful – and the first woman to head up the Ministry of Defence. She also has something to hide. Catesby’s job is to uncover her story and bury it forever. His quest leads him through the sex scandals of London in the Swinging Sixties – and then on to Moscow where a shocking message changes everything. His next mission is a desperate hunt through the war-torn jungles of Southeast Asia, where he finally makes a heart-breaking discovery that is as personal as it is political. It is a secret that Catesby may not live to share.

This captivating novel is set in a world of distorted reflections where nothing or no one is what they seem to be. Thrilling and deeply intelligent, The Whitehall Mandarin reveals the most guarded intelligence secret of modern times – not only exploring the enigma of China’s rise to head the superpowers, but plumbing the depths of sometimes unbelievable events that have changed our world.

Edward Wilson’s page-turning thriller is not just a chilling story of multi-national espionage, terror, greed and duplicity, but a frightening and eye-opening exposé of secrets, lies and false promises that may not, in fact, be fiction.

'As in earlier Wilson novels, Catesby is a spook who never takes the easy option, and the elaborate minuets he dances around the equally elaborate terpsichore of his opponents provides great satisfaction for the reader. We attempt to second-guess both Catesby and his crafty creator, and are soundly outfoxed at every turn.' Barry Forshaw, Independent

'Ted Wilson, writing out of deepest Suffolk, is a magnificent addition to the English tradition of writing about this dark side of politics and government. He deserves a big readership as fact and fiction blend into great storytelling.' Tribune

'This cynically complex plot is laid over perfectly described settings, from London to Moscow to Vietnam. Wilson’s characters and their consciences come alive to lend the book its power. ... A deftly plotted homage to the mavens of Cold War spy thrillers.' Kirkus Reviews

'High calibre writing throughout, and an array of extraordinary characters. Not to be missed.' Shots

'The Whitehall Mandarin is a dream for book lovers – a smart, sophisticated spy novel.' texasbooklover

'In The Whitehall Mandarin, Edward Wilson adeptly weaves his fiction together with historically accurate detail to present a broad-sweeping canvas of espionage as thrilling as it is believable.' claire-thinking

'With surprise appearances by many an actual person or politician, this is a twisting tale of what might actually have happened that will tickle the imagination long after you've set the book down.' Lovereading