Andrew Ball returns in a multidimensional thriller set in todays turbulent world. When Englands cricket captain is attacked and injured, Ian Thorne is promoted to lead the team on their tour of India. But life gets complicated for Thorne when his ex-wife disappears and a Sunday newspaper exposes him for conspiring to organise betting scams. Cricket lover Andrew Ball cant save an old friend from dying on the streets of Florence when he helps an ex-cabinet minister infiltrate an Italian secret society. And theres no respite for Russian speaker Ball as he is persuaded to go on a dangerous mission to help set up a network of spies along Ukraines eastern border. But perhaps its one assignment too many for the semiretired intelligence officer.