Early One Morning - Hardcover

'Excellent fact-based romp...I cannot recommend it too highly...Robert Ryan writes elegantly and his prose is illuminated by provocative insights and descriptions...a genuinely unusual work of fiction...Comparisions may be drawn between Early One Morning and Charlotte Gray. Ryan's story is much the stronger.' Daily Telegraph

'Genuinely moving...The atmosphere at early motor racing events is well conjured and one can almost hear the ripping-canvas sound of the Bugatti engine resounding off the walls in Casino Square...marvellous...a fine yarn and an entertaining holiday read'
Daily Telegraph (Motoring section)

'Ryan is terrific on the technical details...Early One Morning has an unexpected twist in the tale...Early One Morning will sell' The Times

'If the racing drama wasn't keen enough, the rise of facism and the subsequent German invasion of France twists the tension-regulator up to 11...The combination of fast cars, sex and romance, spies, nasty Nazi and plucky heroes is damn near irresistable, and Ryan's grasp on the plot is hard to fault...Anyone labouring under the misapprehension that plodders like Robert Harris and Frederick Forsyth are at the pinnacle could receive a much needed - and very enjoyable - education' Time Out

'It steers well clear of this genre's pitfalls, thanks to the author's well-honed thriller instinct. Essential
reading' GQ

'An engaging and dramatic story, hugely enjoyable' Glasgow Herald

'A gripping novel in the Sebastian Faulks mould' Eastern daily Press

'A brialliant page-turner' Midweek

'A beautiful and haunting read' Daily Express

'[Ryan] scores highly in depicting the atmosphere of the great racetracks of the 1930s' Observer

In the flamboyant twenties, Englishman William Grover-Williams and Frenchman Robert Benoist are fierce rivals racing their elegant Bugattis on the glittering European race circuits. Not only is the World Championship in their sights, but they have both fallen for the sensuous charms of the extravagantly beautiful Eve Aubicq. But when war breaks out, both are signed up by Special Operations Executive for missions behind enemy lines in France, one of which includes investigating rumours of the manufacture of the lethal gas Zyklon B and how it is being used by the Germans. In a series of daring sabotages and assassinations, they cause havoc to the Germans, but finally their cover is blown and they are captured and tortured. Based on a true story of British covert activity and the French resistance during the second world war, this is a gripping novel of heroism, self-sacrifice, love and betrayal.