Precipice - No. 1 Sunday Times Bestseller - Penguin

Precipice is a historical thriller from Robert Harris, set in Summer 1914 London at the edge of war. The novel follows Venetia Stanley, a young aristocrat who is having a clandestine affair with Prime Minister H. H. Asquith as he faces decisions that will shape the nation. Amid private passions, a young intelligence officer is tasked with unravelling a leak of top-secret documents, turning a personal intrigue into a matter of national security and political history. Harris blends real events with fiction to deliver a suspenseful tale about power, loyalty and the costs of war.

The book has been described as an enthralling and meticulously detailed work that sits at the intersection of politics, espionage and intimate life. It has drawn critical praise for its craftsmanship and for bringing a pivotal, war-era moment to vivid life through a deft mix of fact and fiction.

Features

• Historical fiction set in London, Summer 1914
• Venetia Stanley, aristocratic and clever
• Affair with Prime Minister Asquith
• Espionage: investigation of a top-secret leak
• War-time political history woven with intrigue
• Seamless blend of fact and fiction

About the book

• Author: Robert Harris
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Pages: 560
• Format: Paperback
• Edition: Cornerstone