by J. J. Marric
Part of Gideon, book 19
First published 1977
Commander George Gideon walks into his Scotland Yard office as London teeters on the edge of chaos. Press workers threaten to strike. Dock laborers prepare for their own walkout. At the waterfront gates where union organizers plan their meetings, extreme right-wing groups sharpen their tactics to disrupt and intimidate. Gideon must navigate between these volatile forces while maintaining order across the capital. The veteran police commander knows that one miscalculation could ignite widespread violence. As tensions escalate at both the newspapers and the docks, Gideon deploys his resources carefully, trying to stay ahead of trouble before it erupts into open conflict. The story captures a moment when political extremism collides with legitimate labor grievances, leaving one experienced lawman to hold the center.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, mystery, crime, detective, political-thriller
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: cat-and-mouse, high-stakes
Setting: London, Scotland Yard
Period: 20th Century
320 pages · Hardcover · Ulverscroft