This is an intriguing historical novel, the sort that has me researching afterwards to understand how much might be true. The novel fictionalises a possible explanation for the unsolved real life disappearance of Victor Grayson, a socialist politician, in 1920. Grayson isn't a wholly likeable character, but he is an interesting one. Plenty of other interesting real life and fictional characters surround him. Prime Minister David Lloyd George is probably the best known to me, but the focus is more on his mistress (in this novel, later his wife in real life) Frances Stevenson, and on spymaster Basil Thompson, plus two fictitious spies.

Like a lot of these historical novels, I was surprised by how much of it was true and based on fact - and which bits. I often find the bits of such books that I consider less plausible are the bits that are factual, and the 'made up' bits are more realistic. As it's based on life, in some ways it's less neat and contained than a purely fictional story would be, but it's still satisfying. It's an interesting portrait of post-war Britain and the shadows cast by the conflict - in fact, the 1920s are one of my favourite periods for literature because it was such a time of societal change. The changing role of women is an important theme of 'Green Ink' with two strong female characters who are trying to forge a new path in a society that is still deeply misogynistic.

If you enjoy historical novels this is a well written story and I would recommend to fans of the genre.

i struggled with this for the most part until i finally decided to dnf it @ 35%. it’s not that the writing is terrible or that the story isn’t compelling, but it failed to grasp my attention and the characters largely just went over my head. i do think there’s someone out there who will enjoy it – it just wasn’t for me.