The book investigates the violent clash between British counter-terrorism efforts and Zionist underground movements in Palestine during the final years of the British Mandate. It centers on the abduction and presumed murder of a Jewish teenager in 1947 by Major Roy Farran, a decorated ex-SAS officer leading a covert unit. The subsequent court-martial, Farran's acquittal, and the underground's vow of revenge form a key narrative thread. The work also examines the broader context of Jewish terrorist attacks against Britain and the factors leading to Britain's withdrawal from Palestine.

Drawing on declassified files, David Cesarani's work reconstructs the events surrounding Major Roy Farran's alleged involvement in the murder of a Jewish activist and the subsequent cover-up. The book is noted for its detailed narrative history, blending elements of a murder mystery with a broader analysis of the political and security landscape of late 1940s Palestine. It sheds light on the final years of the British Empire and the complex legacy left in the Middle East. The author's research into the security services' files provides a comprehensive look at the period's escalating tensions and clandestine operations.