Born in Lubeck, Germany, in 1917, Markus Bekker is brought up by his mother and his grandparents. He had been told that his father was killed at the Battle of the Somme in 1916.His character is formed during his childhood in the chaotic and hostile environment of post war Germany. The Hitler Youth movement indoctrinates him to a level where he is prepared to give his life for the Fatherland and to obey any orders, whether they are morally correct or not.While rowing for Kiel University at Henley-on-Thames in 1937, he discovers that he has a twin brother and also that his father is still alive. Unknown to him they have been living in the north of England.In 1939, Markus ends up in the Luftwaffe, and Chris, his twin brother, is flying for the RAF. Inevitably, fate takes control, and they meet in the skies over Southern England with tragic consequences.Read how Markus is captured and starts to question the values that have been instilled in him during his years in the...

It is 2006 and Major Vincent Hamilton is looking for a new career having been invalided out of the army as a result of a serious injury suffered while serving with the British Army in Iraq. At forty three he is far too young to live off his pension, simply fishing and playing golf. He needs action. After a chance encounter on a flight from the Middle East, he is recruited as a Private Investigator by Fortiscues, Diamond Dealers to the Queen, to rescue their business from pending collapse. A rival dealership is selling diamonds at ridiculously low prices and the directors of Fortiscues need him to prove that the gems are being obtained illegally. The investigation takes Vince to South Africa where the trail commences at a diamond mine in Limpopo province in the northern part of the country. The 'chain' extends from Limpopo through Cape Town back to Europe and finally through Rotterdam to London. Murder and mayhem surround him as he moves from place to place, and he is lucky to...