Corpus: A gripping spy thriller

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pacy and assured...Well crafted, it has all the pleasures of an intriguing lead character, intricate plot and historical context'. -- Elizabeth Buchan * Daily Mail * A very well written and gripping novel, which I really enjoyed. * The Cottage at the End of the Lane * It is clear that Rory Clements has researched this period well and made use of the knowledge he gained to create an evocative sense of place and convincing contemporary dialogue, something which certainly added to my enjoyment of this story. His inclusion at the end of the book of excerpts from contemporary diary entries, letters etc. provided not only fascinating and moving insights into the lives of ordinary people but reinforced just how effectively he had used his research throughout all aspects of his storytelling.

Clements' clever, atmospheric, fast-paced and immaculately researched novel is both pacy and assured with an intriguing protagonist, intricate plot and historical context. Rich in deception and intrigue, this tangled web of espionage and murder is a real rollercoaster, equally appealing to fans of historical 'faction' or of spy fiction and thrillers. * Crime Review * A suicidal overdose and the murder of upper class Cecil Langley and his wife are two events that may be unconnected. However this is England in 1936, a magnet for opposing forces and their first moves in preparation for the coming conflict, assisted or prevented by a royal crisis (depending on which side you're on). Cambridge history professor Tom Wilde may fall into the middle of this accidentally to begin with but his curiosity has been piqued enough to ensure he's not walking away. This clever novel, rich in deceptions and intrigue , shows the reach of Stalin and Hitler into every class of British society, threatening violence on horrific scale. Corpus is a standout historical novel and spy thriller ' Daily ExpressWe begin in Berlin, August 1936. A young woman, called Nancy Hereward, is on a mission to deliver some false papers to a Jewish physicist. We then move to Cambridge – it is November 1936 and we meet our main character, the history professor, Tom Wilde. Tom lives next door to Lydia, who was friends with Nancy and also another woman named Margot. When Nancy is found dead, from a supposed drugs overdose, Tom finds himself offering Lydia support. Lydia does not believe that Nancy’s death was an accident and the pair find themselves embroiled in much more than the murder investigation of one woman. In Berlin, a young Englishwoman evades the Gestapo to deliver vital papers to a Jewish scientist. Within weeks, she is found dead, a silver syringe clutched in her fingers. The mystery of Nancy's death stays at the centre of the book, as the story branches out with other murders and subterfuges.

Can he trust Cecil to have the best interests of the crown at heart? And can the search for a woman who is missing and a colony in the new world be more connected than anyone thought? More than that, will his wife Catherine leave him so she can practice Catholicism? Tensions at home and abroad run high. This was hard work. When a publisher advertises a novel 'for fans of Robert Harris' I expect more. Harris is a master at taking historical events, building believable characters, bringing dialogue to life and creating real suspense - even when the reader knows the outcome. Rory Clements doesn't. Continuing my recent found taste of thrillers set around WWII, I grabbed myself a copy of Nemesis, by Rory Clements.

Summary

Corpus is quite rich in history and detail within the plot, so there are many threads to follow. The author has done a great job of weaving it together cohesively and the end result is a highly intriguing read.' * Bibliophile Book Club *