David Downing's spy novel at the beginning stages of World War I has some real potential but doesn't hit on all cylinders. I enjoyed the trip around the world but I don't think the author used the protagonist's skills as much as he could have. Jack McColl is a man of many talents but here it seems like luck is best quality. Also, the love story was so odd. It never felt right to me. Its not a bad book but it could have been so much more. Overall, there are a million spy novels and unfortunately this was just another one.