The Double Traitor

“Has he dared to set his wits against mine, to play the double traitor? If even a suspicion of this should come to you, there must be an end of Mr. Francis Norgate."



The Double Traitor is one of the earliest spy novels set in the years prior to the outbreak of World War I, a time when Germany is outwardly preparing for war but Britain continues to believe it is invincible and that no one would dare challenge her. 


A vast German spy network flourishes in England, often in plain view. 


The main character is Francis Norgate, an aspiring British diplomat who seemingly by chance meets a German gentleman named Selingman. 


But, Selingman is not what he appears to be. 


With many superb plot twists, it is a fine introduction to the recurrent themes of Oppenheim's more than 150 published novels and collections. 



EDWARD PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM (1866–1946) was a highly prolific author of mystery and espionage thrillers, an internationally popular British author of novels and short stories dealing with espionage and intrigue. One of Oppenheim's pastimes was to frequent the cafes and restaurants of London, and study the different types of human character.  His fellow-writers often wondered when he wrote, for he was never seen at work. He used to spend long hours golfing. Among his best-known works are The Evil Shepherd, The Double Traitor, Stolen Idols, and The Malefactor.