Arthur Abdel Simpson appears in an earlier Ambler novel, upon which the film Topkapi is based. In this sequel, which is really a stand alone novel, the duplicitous scoundrel that is Arthur Simpson lies and boasts his way into a group of tough white mercenaries, employed by an unscrupulous mining company, to annex a prime piece of territory from an African country. For the most part, the reader cannot help liking the hapless Arthur as he finds himself slipping deeper and deeper into a dangerous mess of his own making. A typical scoundrel, Arthur always feels he is hard done by and believes his own lies to be the truth.

This is an amusing and humorous novel on the surface, but there are serious issues running throughout, not least how big business however unprincipled remains unaccountable to justice, while a minor criminal will be punished beyond the bounds of what is necessary.

As always with the novels of Eric Ambler, this is a highly entertaining and thrilling read which also packs a powerful message.