TARGET PORTUGAL

Another fast paced political thriller with James Gregory, recovering after his exploits in Target North and being sent by his fiancee's spy-master father, retired Admiral Sir George Spencer, to the Portugal of 1974 to help a friend of a former employee - 'A chance to soak up some sun, and help an old friend.' It sounds innocent enough, and James hasn't been to Portugal before. What could possibly go wrong? Just about everything as James Gregory tries to find out who is threatening the beautiful Dona Teresa and why. The background to the riddle takes place during the war, when a downed British airman is asked to transport a priceless artwork through Nazi occupied France, and General Franco's fascist Spain and into Portugal without getting caught. Back in the present of 1974 James Gregory is caught up in a web of intrigue and with Portugal's notorious 'PIDE', the State Secret Police on his tail. The book comes to an explosive end - but does our hero survive? Like Target Portugal, this book was written in the early seventies after the author returned from working in Oporto, and yes, he was taken in for questioning by the PIDE for speaking out of turn and nearly thrown out of the country - which would have been better than being thrown into prison. It was politely suggested that he leave the country - fast.