Set between Algeria, France and the U.K., Goddard tells a well paced tale of power & corruption, secret organisations pulling the strings of those in power, murder, scandal, fraud and mystery after mystery!

This is the Night They Come For You - Penguin Books UK

An interesting period of the intertwined history of France and Algeria so full marks for Mr Goddard for alighting on little-known events to provide the setting for this story. I found it enlightening!This is the Night They Come for You sees Robert Goddard in fine form. All his best novels are based around real historical events, and in this case it is the massacre of Algerian demonstrators in Paris on 17 October 1961. I knew nothing of the tensions between France and Algeria beyond being vaguely aware of some post-colonial tension, so le pouvoir, hizb fransa and la décennie noire were all new to me. I love a book that brings a bit of history to life - particularly when it's relatively recent & you feel you should know something about it. This Is the Night They Come for You is perfect for fans of thrillers and mysteries. With its twisting plot and chilling suspense, it will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Pros :

This is the Night They Come For You: A TIMES THRILLER OF THE YEAR

Police HQ Algiers, and all soon to retire Superintendent Taleb wants is air conditioning. and to be left alone. Summoned by his superior he is handed a job which forces him to work with the feared secret service, hunting down a former agent. In this case, the story centres around the events during and after the War for Algerian Independence from France.. Overall I really enjoyed this book, it was a fantastic & rewarding read and I’d recommend it if you love crime & thrillers with heavy historical & political influences. This Is the Night They Come for You is a nail-biting thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Goddard’s masterful storytelling takes hold and never lets go, culminating in an electrifying finale.”Here is Taleb responding to his Director: “‘The avoidance of problems is my guiding purpose in life, Director.’ My second Robert Goddard book, this one featuring the independence of Algeria- something I knew little to nothing about. I found the storyline compelling, the time lines very clear and the struggle of corruption palpable. A story that takes place in Algeria, France and the Uk, that spans years and details Algerias independence from France, and all the bloodshed and corruption that came with that, Superintendent Taleb and Agent Hidouchi are characters I will never forget and nor 'God forbid!' Barbarossa.

This is the Night They Come For You (Hardback) - Waterstones This is the Night They Come For You (Hardback) - Waterstones

Highly original and very good indeed...a delightful double act, crunchy dialogue, strong action scenes and provocative historical aperçus. The Sunday Times Goddard proves himself a master of suspense once again in this taut, atmospheric mystery. The characters are realistically drawn and the plot is fast-paced and tension-filled. This Is the Night They Come for You is another winner from one of my favorite authors.” The Algerian War, also known as the Algerian War of Independence and the Algerian Revolution, was fought from 1954 to 1962. The main combatants were France and the Algerian National Liberation Front ( Front de libération nationale, FLN). The war began on the night of October 31, 1954. The movement, led by the newly formed FLN, issued a leaflet stating that its aim was to restore a sovereign Algerian state. This was no small skirmish. It is reported that France drafted some two million conscripts over the course of the war. The brutality of the methods employed by the French forces failed to win any hearts in Algeria, alienated support in metropolitan France, and discredited French prestige abroad. As the war dragged on, the French public slowly turned against it as did many of France's key allies. Peace negotiations began in earnest in May of 1961 and it was not until the following year that an agreement was reached and Algeria became independent.Meanwhile, in Hampshire, England, Stephen Gray is working on his father's cottage when he receives an unexpected visit from Suzette Fontaine. Stephen met Suzette over thirty years ago when they were both in Algiers. This visit will set Gray on a path that sees him search for the truth about his sister's disappearance in Paris nearly sixty years ago. We find out that Suzette's father, Nigel Dalby, was a witness to what history is calling, the Paris massacre of 1961. Where protesting Algerians were tortured and massacred by an out of control French police force. Robert Goddard has a stellar reputation for delivering well-researched, intricately plotted thrillers set in a variety of locations and his latest offering bolsters this repute. In This is the Night They Come for You, Goddard masterfully blends historical fact with ingenious fiction to present a narrative that is both authentic and absorbing. The primary strength of this novel lies in the brilliantly etched characters; they are utterly realistic and command the reader’s attention and sympathy. Particularly fascinating is the starkly contrasted characterisation of Taleb and Hidouchi—mismatched on almost every count—and the subtle growth of their relationship from the bumpy beginning. The plot builds up slowly and steadily in intensity, with several compelling twists along the way, towards the exhilarating, highly satisfying finish. For readers with no knowledge about Algeria—myself included—This is the Night They Come for You offers considerable insight into the country’s troubled recent history including its subjugation by the French, and the continuing exploitation even after decades of independence. This is a book set in two time zones one of which progresses over a period of years, the other a few weeks. You need to get 25% through the book to start to get to grips with what it is about. It is based in the Algerian separation from France. a little known period and place in recent history. By now you are trapped in Goddard territory or have given up because it isn't written to a formula with which you are familiar but has typical Goddard traits, with a set of flawed characters at least one of whom is obsessive and who mostly behave exactly as as you would expect if you had not been misled by your own flight of fancy. On the plus side, the novel offers interesting insights into the Algerian war of independence, and Algeria's recent history. And it won't stop me reading more by Robert Goddard.