Blackmail

by David D Walker

Blackmail is a detective story set in 1916 in Paris and the Western Front during the First World War. Agents from Germany, France and Great Britain are engaged in a web of blackmail that Captain Jamie Brown has to unravel in case the “Big Push” (the Somme offensive) is compromised and a royal sex scandal exposed.

Jamie finds himself on a personal journey that questions his beliefs and his ability to control his nerves and his drinking as he wrestles with his own country’s deep state, a fractious ally, and an enemy master-spy.

The action ranges from the frontline trenches to the brothels of Paris, and along the way Jamie meets snipers, fighter aces, spies, gangsters, prostitutes, and establishment figures, as he tries to identify who is ultimately behind the inter-twined strands of blackmail.

The plot is set against real military and political events of the time. It explores Edwardian social mores including rumours about the members of the Royal family. The novel also deals with recognisable modern themes of gay rights, fake news, kompromat, injudicial killing, and organised crime in a war-time context. Finally the Scottish etymology of the word “blackmail”, and its fittingness for this case, is unveiled at the end.

Author news

Blackmail - A World War 1 thriller encompassing recognisable modern themes like kompromat, fake news, injudicial killing, gay rights and Royal scandals. Captain Jamie Brown must untangle the web of blackmail to protect the British Establishment and ensure the 'Big Push' against the enemy goes ahead.

Torres del Paine - A murder mystery involving a US Senator, set in the beautiful Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, and featuring an international cast of suspects with causes and grievances to promote.

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About the Author

David Walker

David Walker is a retired executive who turned to writing late in life. He is a keen amateur historian with a particular interest in the First World War. David was born in Hamilton, Scotland, and attended Edinburgh University and Imperial College, before embarking on an international career in the energy industry. He is an experienced global traveller who enjoys a good whodunnit to occupy his long haul trips. He now lives in Guildford, Surrey.