The Scarlet Papers: ‘The best spy novel of the year’ SUNDAY TIMES

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The Scarlet Papers has received from endorsements from Peter James, who praised it as a “breathtaking thriller” and a “classic in the making”. Scarlet King is an old lady, who was a super spy, a legend in her own lifetime. She wants to publish her memoirs, a tell all book, that will embarrass both the UK and American governments, and may push the boundaries of what is permitted in the Official Secrets Act. Superbly constructed and written with flair ... this might be the best spy novel of the year Sunday Times

There were times, during my reading of this novel, that I was as confused as I ever wanted to be! A brilliant spy novel, full of authentic details, names that are still familiar to the majority of people even now, and so many twists and red herrings, no one tells the whole truth. When he is intriguingly offered access to the alleged memoirs of a ghost in the Intelligence Services, Max is unable to verify the writer or the authenticity. Should he use the highly sensitive contents to make a name for himself, whilst risking his freedom? Thanks to Matthew and NetGalley for allowing me to read The Scarlet Papers before the publication date. Overall, I found ‘The Scarlet Papers’ a multilayered, intellectually satisfying work of spy fiction in the tradition of John le Carre’s George Smiley novels. There’s plenty of suspense and twists along with references to historical events and figures. The less obvious error was that in one of the 1964 chapters, an academic was described as driving 'the family Volvo'. Well, Volvo cars did not come to the UK until 1967, and an unofficial import of one in 1964 was highly unlikely for that particular character.It is obvious that Matthew has performed in depth research into the subject of spies, by his use of the details about publicly known spies, from the era of the Cambridge Five to the current day. So the twists and turns, when they arrive, are the result of withholding information rather than inserting disinformation. There's just another chapter in which something else is revealed that we weren't told about earlier. Addictive, original and outrageously entertaining . . . Matthew Richardson proves himself a writer of huge talent and skill CHARLOTTE PHILBY

Not one of my favourite go-to genres but the blurb really did interest me and I am not adverse to a splodge of historical fiction so I thought I'd give it a whirl... Impressive, superior spy stuff' SHOTS MAGAZINE___________VIENNA, 1946: A brilliant German scientist snatched from the ruins of Nazi Europe. MOSCOW, 1964: A US diplomat caught in a clandestine love affair as the Cold War rages. RIGA, 1992: A Russian archivist selling secrets that will change the twentieth century forever. LONDON, THE PRESENT DAY: A British academic on the run with the chance to solve one of history's greatest mysteries. Their stories, their lives, and the fate of the world are bound by a single manuscript.Addictive, original and outrageously entertaining . . . Matthew Richardson proves himself a writer of huge talent and skill' CHARLOTTE PHILBY

LONDON, THE PRESENT DAY: A British academic on the run with the chance to solve one of history's greatest mysteries Rowland White, publishing director, acquired world rights in all languages from Euan Thorneycroft at A M Heath, for publication in 2023. All film and television rights are being handled by Conrad Williams at Blake Friedmann on behalf of A M Heath. Moving from the end of the Second World War, through the Cold War to the present day, it conjures up the murky world of secret agents, double agents, sleepers and moles. References to real life individuals such as Kim Philby, James Jesus Angleton and Maurice Oldfield (reputed to be one of the models for John le Carré's George Smiley), along with figures in the world of espionage from more modern times, give it an air of authenticity. (As can be seen from the bibliography, the author's research has been extensive.) And although the story is fictional, many of the elements seem completely plausible. Worryingly so, if you believe in the reality of a secret state. And it wasn't so long ago that the existence of someone very like one of the main characters in the story was revealed, after many years in the shadows.LONDON, THE PRESENT DAY: A British academic on the run with the chance to solve one of history's greatest mysteries. Max is aware that Scarlet King had been a legendary name in the post-war intelligence community though she now must be in her 90s and a ghost. Max cannot understand why she has reached out to him but there is no way he will refuse the chance to solve one of history's greatest mysteries. This is a superb spy thriller that begins in the present day when Dr. Max Archer, Associate Professor of Intelligence History at the London School of Economics’, receives a card with the mysterious message: “Tomorrow 11AM. Take a cab and pay in cash. Tell no one. Dry-clean thoroughly. Scarlet King. (PS ATLAS)”. The narrative moves between the present and a number of time periods and locations in post WWII Europe; weaving together aspects of Scarlet King’s long career in MI6 and her involvement in various Cold War intelligence operations.