An ex-spy is about to upend the world of international intrigue. Meet “the most degenerate and lovable character ever cast in the role of secret agent” (Manchester Evening News).   Charlie Muffin is back at rock bottom. The ex-spy has had a rough few years since British intelligence first turned on him and forced him to go into hiding. He’s drinking again, forgetting things—getting soft. He hasn’t even noticed the tap on his phone. Though Charlie doesn’t know it yet, the walls are closing in again.   He takes a job for his only friend, Rupert Willoughby, who sends Charlie to Rome to check   the security system for some valuable jewels. Charlie has chosen the wrong time to visit the Eternal City. There’s a mole in the British embassy there, and the agents of the East and West are homing in fast. Charlie, unlucky as always, is about to find himself caught between a very solid rock and an equally hard place.   This ebook features an illustrated biography of Brian Freemantle including rare photos from the author’s personal collection.