Balance of Evil (Paperback) | Released: 28 Jan 2016

"A gripping, convincing and rewarding read"

'A Balance of Evil' is a British novel which features the murky world of secret services, forbidden love, tragic decisions and a plea of redemption. It's set against a background of real events, a fact that some readers may find disturbing.

THE BLURB

Gerald spends the last two years of his life trying to find a mystery woman who could be dead. This leads to him becoming embroiled in the UK's Secret Intelligence Service, MI6, as it struggles to meet the demands of a changing and uncertain world in which terrorism takes over as the major threat to our daily lives.
He writes his story for Dan, a skiing friend, to be read only after his death. It reveals some intimate truths about their relationship, and some disturbing secrets about governments and their agents doing terrible things. Sometimes they have to, in order to prevent a greater evil, but when it involves a loved one, can it be justified? Can it be forgiven? Or does it call for revenge?

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING

"A gripping and intriguing action adventure which explores the moral legitimacy of sacrificing the few for the greater good of the many in a most entertaining and well-researched manner. Douglas Renwick's debut work skilfully interweaves the softness of family human interest with the harsh realities of the world of conspiracy theories, spooks and revenge... "

"... compelling and thought provoking reading. A combination of well researched recent history, romantic suspense and good old-fashioned story telling."

"An engaging, persuasive romantic thriller with a new twist. The 'doctrine of necessity', which involves the legitimacy of a lesser evil to prevent a greater evil, runs through the novel. Using a background of the intelligence services and counter-terrorism, it is well researched and builds character and plot development in a fast-moving way. The well paced build-up of tension, romance and action keeps the reader on edge. It is a gripping, convincing and rewarding read."

"A good entertaining read which kept me engrossed while also providing a lot of thought-provoking content on some modern conspiracy theories... Liked the style of writing... Very topical and provided interesting thoughts and ideas on these and other issues of life and the moral compass. More likely to question what is the real truth behind events reported."

"A fascinating and well written and researched book that draws the reader into its web of intrigue and keeps hold. The drawing together of all the characters and sub plots is very much in the manner of an early Frederick Forsyth."

"Whow! what a read! This was a thought-provoking and believable tale that raced along - I could hardly bear to put it down. What parts could be true? I don't know, so perhaps it IS all fiction. Sort of!"

"Loved this book. I was hooked from the first and couldn't put it down. Definitely a Five Star read. You would be mad not to try it!"

"I LOVED this...couldn't put it down. Fantastically researched and entirely topical for anyone with an interest in global current affairs."

About the Author: According to his British passport, Douglas Renwick's occupation for many years was 'Government Service'. This included spells in Libya, Malta, Cyprus, Ireland and Germany. He also worked at the Ministry of Defence in London, the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Powers in Europe in Belgium, the Pentagon in Washington DC, and White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. He has spent time in East Berlin, Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, Argentina, Egypt, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Burma, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. He has jumped out of planes, swum across Valetta harbour, skied across the Alps and the Rockies, and been transferred by breeches buoy from one Royal Navy ship to another, at sea and under full steam. He has been down a coalmine in Yorkshire, a saltmine in Poland and a nuclear bunker in Essex. Now a grandfather, retired and living in Kent, time allows him to commit some of these stories to paper. He prefers writing fiction on the grounds that it is safer.