Winter in Madrid by C J Sansom

I found this an excellent and interesting read.  The author manages to convey a grim picture of Madrid following the Spanish civil war and the harshness of Franco’s reign in an atmospheric and realistic way.  It was a bit slow to start, but I persevered and was hooked.   The story follows the main character Harry Brett as he is recruited to spy on one of his old public school friends in Madrid.  It is part spy story and part love story. The characters were well drawn, if a little stereotypical.   I had no idea of the lengths that Britain went to in keeping Spain from joining the war against Britain.   It’s left me wanting to read more about this period in Spanish history.