A high-ranking mole within the Department is set to betray a top agent, forcing a desk-bound operative back into the field. Bernard Samson, a veteran spy, is pulled from his sedentary role to investigate a potential mole, codenamed 'Brahms Four,' who is seeking to defect from East Berlin. The treacherous landscape of Cold War Berlin, a city divided by the Wall, becomes the arena for a dangerous game of deception and survival where trust is a luxury and betrayal is a constant threat.

This novel, the first in the 'GAME, SET and MATCH' trilogy, is a welcome reissue for fans of classic spy thrillers. The narrative plunges readers into the tense atmosphere of Cold War Berlin, a setting that Len Deighton masterfully uses to heighten the stakes of espionage. The intricate plot, focusing on betrayal and the complex loyalties of intelligence operatives, is characteristic of Deighton's acclaimed work in the genre. Readers can expect a tightly plotted story that explores the psychological toll of espionage and the blurred lines between East and West.