A scheme so simple, it was almost perfect. Someone in England was stealing plutonium nitrate from the US Navy, one ounce per shipment. So minute an amount, it was just about undetectable.

Commander Richard Holbrook's flying career with the US Navy is at risk, and a desk job at London headquarters leaves him with too much time to drink and brood.

Following up an odd little discrepancy in the nuclear shipment paperwork becomes a way to keep busy. That is, until he realizes there is now enough plutonium nitrate unaccounted for to make a nuclear device.

The problem is, no one believes him.

Especially his British counterpart, a functionary named Matthew Boston, who says it’s impossible, but then begins to bluff and prevaricate.

Plunging blindly into the world of cover operations, haunted by a tragic plane crash,

Holbrook stumbles onto the link between the missing nuclear material and the valuable item of antique porcelain purchased by a Hong Kong bank.

Defying orders, security is breached, his superiors are furious, and suddenly someone is out to kill him.

If Holbrook can just stay alive long enough, he may be the only person who can stop the ginger jar from reaching its destination.

Richard Condon: "A gripping spy thriller."

Evening Press: "His style is taut, dialog fresh, characters are well fleshed out and, each in his own way, vulnerable."

The Citizen: "Frighteningly plausible... a real stunner."

Irish Times: "Real professionalism in this gripping yarn... the character of Matthew Boston would make a novel in itself."