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The Lobbyist
"He may be a bastard, but he's our bastard."
Parliamentary lobbyist Damian Beaufort is a professional manipulator - clever, charming, ruthless - but when Labour wins power his Tory-heavy agency spirals towards bankruptcy. And the rest of his life looks like going the same way.
Salvation comes not from booze or sex - despite his best efforts - but a far less likely the UK's Secret Intelligence Service. It also comes at a cost.
Beaufort finds himself entangled in a lethal web of an internecine turf war between MI5 and MI6; underhand Westminster manoeuvrings; Eurocrats bent on reversing Brexit; and, seemingly pulling all the strings, the sinister head of Russia's FSB.
Beaufort's estranged mother, one of the world's most glamorous and popular actresses, has one secret she withholds from everyone - especially her son. The identity of his father.
Soon the lobbyist-turned-spy isn't just fighting to save his agency, his reputation and his country. He's fighting for his life, and he's fighting for revenge.
First-time author Lionel Zetter brings dazzling insider knowledge to bear in this fast-moving contemporary thriller with a totally unexpected denouement in the Chamber of the House of Commons.
Parliamentary lobbyist Damian Beaufort is a professional manipulator - clever, charming, ruthless - but when Labour wins power his Tory-heavy agency spirals towards bankruptcy. And the rest of his life looks like going the same way.
Salvation comes not from booze or sex - despite his best efforts - but a far less likely the UK's Secret Intelligence Service. It also comes at a cost.
Beaufort finds himself entangled in a lethal web of an internecine turf war between MI5 and MI6; underhand Westminster manoeuvrings; Eurocrats bent on reversing Brexit; and, seemingly pulling all the strings, the sinister head of Russia's FSB.
Beaufort's estranged mother, one of the world's most glamorous and popular actresses, has one secret she withholds from everyone - especially her son. The identity of his father.
Soon the lobbyist-turned-spy isn't just fighting to save his agency, his reputation and his country. He's fighting for his life, and he's fighting for revenge.
First-time author Lionel Zetter brings dazzling insider knowledge to bear in this fast-moving contemporary thriller with a totally unexpected denouement in the Chamber of the House of Commons.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2025
3 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 15, 2025
Damian is good at his Lobbying job, but when the opposition are voted in, his business begins to fail and he's left with little choice. Given his skills and reputation, he's made an offer to switch allegiances and become a spy, where he faces isolation and disdain, but also a chance to learn new skills and power.
He also learns the disturbing truth about his father's identity, which spirals into a chaotic world of espionage, assassination, and revenge.
This was an interesting dive into the hidden side of politics, the deals that happen in the shadows, the scheming of intelligence agencies, and using assets as leverage.
I enjoyed all the wit and humour scattered throughout, and seeing the conflicts and stakes increase.
The story explores politics, corruption, infiltration and blackmail, and the conflict between MI5 and MI6. It's a thrilling high stakes plot with a flawed character who is tangled in a web of danger.
He also learns the disturbing truth about his father's identity, which spirals into a chaotic world of espionage, assassination, and revenge.
This was an interesting dive into the hidden side of politics, the deals that happen in the shadows, the scheming of intelligence agencies, and using assets as leverage.
I enjoyed all the wit and humour scattered throughout, and seeing the conflicts and stakes increase.
The story explores politics, corruption, infiltration and blackmail, and the conflict between MI5 and MI6. It's a thrilling high stakes plot with a flawed character who is tangled in a web of danger.
October 19, 2025
3.5
This book has everything you would expect from a political thriller - unscrupulous characters, backstabbing, double crossing, triple crossing, sex, violence, and more than anything corruption!!
This was a thrilling, fast paced rollercoaster read highlighting the dark and seedy side of politics. Lionel Zetter paints an unsettling picture, a frighteningly realistic view into the true side of politics.
The interconnecting narrative pulls the reader on a debased global journey of corruption, betrayal and manipulation culminating in an unexpected and expertly devised twist leaving some characters with the comeuppance they deserve!
Not one single likeable character (purposefully done) but an extremely enjoyable and exhilarating read.
Many thanks to @lovebookstours @nineelmsbooks and @lioneldzetter for my copy of the book and place on the tour.
This book has everything you would expect from a political thriller - unscrupulous characters, backstabbing, double crossing, triple crossing, sex, violence, and more than anything corruption!!
This was a thrilling, fast paced rollercoaster read highlighting the dark and seedy side of politics. Lionel Zetter paints an unsettling picture, a frighteningly realistic view into the true side of politics.
The interconnecting narrative pulls the reader on a debased global journey of corruption, betrayal and manipulation culminating in an unexpected and expertly devised twist leaving some characters with the comeuppance they deserve!
Not one single likeable character (purposefully done) but an extremely enjoyable and exhilarating read.
Many thanks to @lovebookstours @nineelmsbooks and @lioneldzetter for my copy of the book and place on the tour.
October 18, 2025
The Lobbyist is a political spy thriller that's fast paced and absolutely jam packed with twist after twist and turn after turn.
Damien Beaufort is a parliamentary political Lobbyist, with a successful agency, heavily Tory focused However, all changes when Labour come to power and the agency teeters on the edge of bankruptcy.
In order to save his agency, he becomes a spy for MI5, and it's not long before he's questioning his choices, fighting for his very existence, and at the same time ,seeking revenge and retribution on those who have wronged him.
A bit out of my usual genre this, but I still throughly enjoyed it none the less.
Characters were believable and felt real and I read this in three sittings.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
Damien Beaufort is a parliamentary political Lobbyist, with a successful agency, heavily Tory focused However, all changes when Labour come to power and the agency teeters on the edge of bankruptcy.
In order to save his agency, he becomes a spy for MI5, and it's not long before he's questioning his choices, fighting for his very existence, and at the same time ,seeking revenge and retribution on those who have wronged him.
A bit out of my usual genre this, but I still throughly enjoyed it none the less.
Characters were believable and felt real and I read this in three sittings.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
October 19, 2025
This book punches hard even in the prologue, where a major character, Tarakan is created. Parallel to this is Damian Beaufort, the owner of Beaufort Public Affairs, based in the heart of Westminster. He is a devious and ruthless loner but successful in his field until a change in political power forces him to go in a different direction. The geography moves from various locations in London, Russia and Central Asia. There is death, darkness, deceit and danger throughout as Beaufort fights on many fronts in this very enjoyable book. The author clearly has a depth of knowledge and experience of politics and lobbying. This shines through in this debut novel. The ending is cleverly poised for the next fast paced, twisting and turning instalment. I can’t wait!
October 15, 2025
This book had me gripped from the moment i opened it right until the end! It was fantastically written with so much research obviously done about parliament and the political side of it i found so interesting. I loved the drama that went along with it . 'he a bastard but he's our bastard' where Damian Beaufort seeks revenge, of his mother's murder while trying to find out who his father is. I am not eager to read what Lionel Zetter writes next. I would recommend to anybody even if they aren't interested in politics.
October 16, 2025
I don’t usually reach for political thrillers, but I’m glad I stepped out of my comfort zone for this one.
The plot is fresh and intriguing, full of clever twists that kept me hooked. The fast paced story and sharp writing make it an engaging and thought-provoking read. I found myself wondering how much of what happens in the book might actually go on behind the scenes in government.
Even if political themes aren’t your usual choice, I’d highly recommend giving this book a try. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of politics while delivering a gripping, well crafted story.
The plot is fresh and intriguing, full of clever twists that kept me hooked. The fast paced story and sharp writing make it an engaging and thought-provoking read. I found myself wondering how much of what happens in the book might actually go on behind the scenes in government.
Even if political themes aren’t your usual choice, I’d highly recommend giving this book a try. It offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of politics while delivering a gripping, well crafted story.
October 22, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and got through it so quickly. Fast paced, action packed and enlightening! This book really showed me that politics is like a constant game of chess, having to outmanoeuvre your opponents and always think ahead to your next move! This book showed the ‘behind the scenes’ power plays between government and government agencies (MI5 and MI6), the art of manipulation and the lengths people will go to in order to save their own skin and get what they want. I highly recommend this book.
October 15, 2025
I am reviewing this book on behalf of my husband. I have begun to explore political thrillers more this year and it has been such a deep dive and the few that I have read delved nowhere near the layers of realism. I felt like I was truly following along the under belly deals with Damion Beaufort, the seeking of revenge made the story read quickly and had me gripped right to the last page. I am excited to see what the author writes next
October 19, 2025
My first political spy thriller, Damian Beaufort is a character I couldn’t decide whether or not I liked!
A double crossing lobbyist.
I learnt a lot in this book about lobbying and what goes on behind the scenes.
I loved how it linked to what is going on with the real world and it was really believable that it could happen! It was really immersive and I enjoyed the writing style throughout the book.
There were so many twists I wasn’t expecting!
A double crossing lobbyist.
I learnt a lot in this book about lobbying and what goes on behind the scenes.
I loved how it linked to what is going on with the real world and it was really believable that it could happen! It was really immersive and I enjoyed the writing style throughout the book.
There were so many twists I wasn’t expecting!
October 25, 2025
This is both ridiculous, and a lot of the political detail is spot on. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
October 17, 2025
I need to be honest, when I started reading I did think what have I done! The first few chapters were a bit ‘fact heavy’ almost as it was setting the scene. However, once it got going I found that I was completely engrossed in the storyline and needed to find out where it was headed.
The book was mainly focused around Damian Beaufort who is a parliamentary lobbyist but that was not what the ‘powers that be’ needed him for, the twists and turns from him were very interesting to read. I also liked that it seemed there were dual storylines but they all linked together and Damian’s personal question of who his father is turned out to be more political than he could have imagined!
I really enjoyed how this ended and it has left me hopeful that there is going to be another book as I feel that there may be some unfinished business!
The book was mainly focused around Damian Beaufort who is a parliamentary lobbyist but that was not what the ‘powers that be’ needed him for, the twists and turns from him were very interesting to read. I also liked that it seemed there were dual storylines but they all linked together and Damian’s personal question of who his father is turned out to be more political than he could have imagined!
I really enjoyed how this ended and it has left me hopeful that there is going to be another book as I feel that there may be some unfinished business!
October 13, 2025
I don't normally go for a political thriller but I really did enjoy this story. I thought it was very cleverly written and there were some witty and humorous parts too.
The plot is different and interesting. There's plenty of twists. The fast pace and excellent writing had me racing through the book. It was an engaging story and left me thinking about what a ‘Breturn' could mean for the country.
The plot is different and interesting. There's plenty of twists. The fast pace and excellent writing had me racing through the book. It was an engaging story and left me thinking about what a ‘Breturn' could mean for the country.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews