The Second Midnight

From the international bestselling author comes a World War Two tale of one boy’s fight for survival in Nazi Europe

A secret mission…
1939. As Europe teeters on the brink of war, Alfred Kendall is tasked with carrying out a minor mission for the British Intelligence Service. Travelling to Prague, he takes his troubled young son, Hugh, as cover.

A terrible choice…
When Hitler invades Czechoslovakia, Alfred is given an ultimatum by the Czech Resistance. They will arrange for him to return to England, but only if he leaves his son Hugh behind as collateral.

A young boy stranded in Nazi terrain…
Hugh is soon taken under the wing of a Nazi colonel – Helmuth Scholl. But even though Scholl treats Hugh well, his son, Heinz, is suspicious of this foreigner. And as the war across the continent intensifies, they are set on a path that will ultimately lead towards destruction…

Reviews

‘An epic, punchy thriller from a fantastic storyteller’ The Times

Praise for Andrew Taylor:

‘If you like C. J. Sansom, or Hilary Mantel, you’ll love Andrew Taylor’ Peter James

‘Effortlessly authentic … gripping … moving and believable. An excellent work’ C. J. Sansom

'Taylor has long been the pre-eminent chronicler of beautifully atmospheric historical crime' The Times

‘A breathtakingly ambitious picture of an era’ Financial Times

‘This is how historical crime should be written, with rich authenticity underpinning a twisting plot’ The Times

‘One of the most reliably enjoyable of historical novelists’ The Sunday Times

‘An atmospheric pleasure, full of twists and memorable characters’ The Times

‘With a fast-moving, complex plot underpinned by solid but unobtrusive research and plenty of drama and intrigue, Taylor brings the 17th century to life so vividly that one can almost smell it’ Guardian

‘Once again, Taylor combines his detailed research with a deviously twist-laden storyline’ Observer

‘A most artful and delightful book, that will both amuse and chill, and it will have you desperate to search out a quiet corner to continue your acquaintance with it’ Daily Telegraph

'Taylor's mastery of plot and character show to great effect in a story that has a depth few other historical crime novels can match' Sunday Times

'A hugely engaging, atmospheric historical thriller with not one but two smart and lovable protagonists. Andrew Taylor is one of our finest storytellers' Antonia Hodgson

‘Andrew Taylor’s historical crime novels have proved a benchmark for the genre’ Mick Herron, bestselling author of Slow Horses

‘Taylor remains to my mind at the top of the list of historical novelists writing in English today’ Reviewing the Evidence

About the author

Andrew Taylor is the author of a number of crime novels, including the ground-breaking Roth Trilogy, which was adapted into the acclaimed TV drama Fallen Angel, and the historical crime novels The King’s Evil, The Fire Court, The Ashes of London, The Silent Boy, The Scent of Death and The American Boy, a No.1 Sunday Times bestseller and a Richard & Judy Book Club Choice.

He has won many awards, including the CWA John Creasey New Blood Dagger, an Edgar Scroll from the Mystery Writers of America, the CWA Ellis Peters Historical Award (the only author to win it three times) and the CWA’s prestigious Diamond Dagger, awarded for sustained excellence in crime writing. He also writes for the Spectator and The Times.

He lives with his wife Caroline in the Forest of Dean.