Tom Saxon is a drunk. A former star of the RAF, his glory days are over and tragedy has all but destroyed him.

It seems there is nothing left for Tom Saxon to contribute to the world.

On the other side of the Atlantic, however, people have other ideas.

A power struggle is under way; a struggle reminiscent of the past. Two companies — one Anglo-American, one French — are competing to bring the airship back into the mainstream of passenger and freight transport.

The challenges arising are not limited to aviation. The characters involved are strong and often ruthless. Decisions must be made and risks taken. Loves are lost and marriages broken in the bid to win the race — the race to build and launch the best, the greatest airship the world has ever seen.

Yet at least one person believes that the race should never take place, and that airships should never fly again.

When the Anglo-American airship pilot is killed in an air crash, the hunt is on for the rare individual who can replace him.

That man is Tom Saxon. Drunk, washed-up Tom Saxon.

With Tom on board, it seems that the race is on again.

But will Tom’s reliance on alcohol scupper it? Or will that prize fall to the ruthless but brilliant saboteur who is, it seems, operating from within Anglo-American and bent upon destroying their airship?

Meanwhile in France, will the reckless approach of Charles Renard, and his willingness to take risks with other people’s lives, have a similarly sabotaging effect on his own bid for glory?

It seems the answers will only be revealed when the giant airships fly.

And when they do, both Tom Saxon and Charles Renard find themselves at the centre of catastrophe.

For one man that catastrophe will mean destruction. For the other, it may lead to redemption. But which of these will triumph in the end?

Praise for Peter McAlan

‘Nerve wracking entertainment. An engrossing thriller.’ – Irish Times

A classic puzzle.’ – Kirkus Reviews

‘cleverly plotted and beautifully written…’ – Independent.ie

‘the characters are most memorable. A very enjoyable read’ – Historical Novel Society

‘Splendidly exciting’ – Fred Nolan, author of Brass Target

Peter McAlan is the fiction writing pseudonym of the Celtic scholar and author Peter Berresford Ellis. Peter Berresford Ellis is a historian, literary biographer and novelist who has published over 90 books to date under his own name and that of his pseudonyms Peter Tremayne and Peter MacAlan. He has also published 95 short stories. His non-fiction books, articles and academic papers have made him acknowledged as one of the foremost authorities on Celtic history and culture. Under his Tremayne pseudonym he is the author of the international bestselling Sister Fidelma Mystery series. His work has appeared in 25 languages.