This story, which takes place in 1938-39, follows Nicky Morath, a Hungarian businessman, living in Paris, who is also a part-time diplomat and part-time spy. The style Furst employs here is slightly different from his other books. He does not use a lot of transitions but jumps to the next event without them. I had no trouble following the story, though, and rather liked the efficiency of just moving the narrative along.

Nicky is a fascinating, likable, admirable character. His love affairs are open and honest, his dealings with his friends are transparent and yet he somehow manages to carry off a number of assignments that require great imagination and bravery, all in the service of keeping Hungary out of Hitler's clutches and trying to avoid the inevitable world-wide war on the horizon.

The minor characters, as is always true of Furst's novels, are unforgettable and interesting on their own. They will also often pop up in another story. Various locations like Henninger's Cafe also appear here and in most of his other books.

As the story unfolds the reader learns more and more about Nicky and his past as a cavalry officer in WW I, his family including his Uncle Count Janos Polyani who is his mentor, his master, and his good friend and his abhorrence of violence and war. Each assignment, each tryst, each social event all contribute to fleshing out this fascinating character.

I don't want to spoil the ending except to say, as with many of his stories, Furst leaves the reader wondering what will happen to all these fascinating characters from now on. We may never know but it sure is fun to speculate.