I really enjoyed Simpson's first novel in which we were introduced to the characters of Jon Swift. Found this one a bit more difficult to get into it, but an enjoyable mag turner nonetheless. Same pace, but the back and forth with Tiananmen Square was a bit confusing for me. But otherwise a well written, respectably thought through thriller.

As usual in my reviews I will not rehash the plot (there are other reviews like that out there already!)

This is the sequel to "Moscow, Midnight" by the well known and respected UK journalist John Simpson.

This novel has a more political feel to it, dealing with modern day China. The pace is entirely different from the Moscow novel, and although slow at times, I feel it probably reflects the reality of life for journalists trying to get interviews with prominent political figures overseas - waiting and making (at times) fruitless journeys.

The writing is partly based on real events - namely Tianeman Square - and felt authoritative as the author has drawn on his own experiences of that time. We get to know the main characters a little better, and there is an extensive cast of well observed and well written supporting characters.

I enjoyed the book on the whole (see below) and will read more by this author.

TRIGGER WARNING: Do not read this book if you will be distressed by animal cruelty. I was extremely upset by the authentic description of a "wet market", and remain so whenever I think about it. However it seemed essential to the plot and was not included gratuitously.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers. All opinions my own.

I do like a political book but this was very slow and it felt like it was more reminiscing than a great story. But it won't put me off from reading more by Mr Simpson as I have really enjoyed previous books.

I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

This is a quick read but can be a bit clunky at times. The bits that are obviously from personal experience are very good

Clever political thriller by an author who obviously knows his stuff. A journalist seemingly on the way out goes to China in search of a final scoop using a contact from the time of the Tiananmen Square massacre who has risen in the Communist Party ranks and may be planning a coup.d’etat . The tale twists and turns satisfactorily and with a believable cast of characters is a good diverting read.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the advance copy of Our Friends In Beijing by John Simpson.
I’m sure that other readers will find this book totally enthralling but I just could not get into it.
I found the writing style annoying and kept seeing the author as the main character which I found off putting.

I loved this book - from the snappy beginning with its colourful and clever turns of phrase, to the intriguing plot, the exciting chase and the surprisingly emotional ending... best read of 2021.

Jon Swift (the protagonist of Simpson's earlier novel) is nearing the end of his journalism career, elbowed out by his younger, corporate managers. Immediately after being given his notice, Jon coincidentally meets an old friend Lin Lifang in Oxford who asks him to pass on a coded message. Jon first met Lin Lifang during the Tiananmen Square incident although now he is a well-connected and well-remunerated senior party member with a daughter studying in Oxford.

Jon maneuvres a last assignment out of his bosses, an investigation in China, accompanied by his producer Alyssa. What follows is a complex web of surveillance, rough-ups and shake-downs by the State Security staff, the police in China, Lin Lifang's heavies, and Lin Lifang's wife's staff. (I said it was complex.) Needless to say, British 'Intelligence' is also involved - watching Jon and Alyssa and advising, without actually helping. Jon and Alyssa's primary story is the rise and rise of Lin Lifang within the Party and the possibility of a leadership coup. As smoke screens (perhaps) they also chase stories relating to the Uighyrs and live-animal trafficking ex-Africa. As the coup approaches, it becomes clearer that Lin Lifang is using Jon to disseminate misinformation to the international community as well as to the State Security officials.

The coup attempt fails, the State Security close in on Jon and Alyssa, they escape, we're treated to a wonderful vignette from the Gorbachov era, an exciting chase scene plays out and ends in tragedy for Jon. British spooks extract Jon from the clutches of the State Security and he makes a hero's return to the newsroom where his nemesis (nemses) are clearing their desks following another corporate shake up - giving me hope for another episode of adventure and exquisite story-telling.

I really enjoyed reading this; iIt had everything I want in book - likable characters I can cheer for, evil enemies, intrigue, a twisty plot, an evocative ending that I didn't see coming, and all extremely well-written.

John Simpson, the experienced BBC World Affairs journalist writes a sequel to his Moscow, Midnight which introduced us to the ageing, overweight, analogue reporter in a digital world, Jon Swift. This is a political espionage story, a blend of fact and fiction, set in repressive and authoritarian China, with Simpson drawing on his experience of the country, such as providing us with a detailed historical account of the Tiananmen Square atrocities where protesters were shot indiscriminately. Swift is living in Oxford with his cat, Yorick, when he apparently coincidentally runs into a old close Chinese contact of his, Lin Lifong, with his daughter, Lily, set to study at a Oxford College. Lin is no longer the protestor he first met in 1989, protected by the influence of his father, he is now an immensely wealthy man, with a meteoric career as a rising star within the Chinese political establishment.

With his professional career in tatters, Swift only has 3 months left in his post, his instincts tell him there is a big story brewing in China, after being attacked by a bogus Chinese TV News team, he is certain that Lin will be at the heart of it. His employers agree to his request to go to China with ambitious producer, Alyssa Roberts, a woman he has fallen for. They arrive in the country, immediately aware they are of interest to state security, feeling the heavy hand of their surveillance activities. Swift gets in touch with old contacts, including the likes of Raj, a spook based at the British Embassy, bookstore owner Wei Jingyi, Terry Ho, Singaporean Gary Sung, and a contact he met more recently, Martin Prinsett, a man with close connections to Lin and his wife, 'Madame Jade'. As Swift and Alyssa chase the exclusives, they travel to Kashgar and to Huzhang, where Lin is the powerful Party Secretary who has moulded it into the image of the Mao era.

Harrowing deaths, heartbreaking tragedy, brutality, and danger follow the tenacious Swift and Alyssa who refuse to be put off by the obstacles that come their way, having to negotiate the political tightrope of the Rosa Klebb like Madame Wu and Lin Lifong. This is a interesting read with its insights into China and its culture, including the widespread use of 'traditional medicine' made from endangered African animals, and the upsetting 'wet markets'. However, the book has it flaws, the writing sometimes feels laboured and uneven, and some characters feel underwritten. I should warn readers about the nightmare of the horrifying animal abuse that takes place in the narrative. The novel makes for compulsive reading overall, particularly if you have an interest in China. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.