Agent Lavender: The Flight of Harold Wilson

by Tom Black, Jack Tindale

Harold Wilson dominated British politics for almost two decades. His political skill saw him make powerful enemies and bitter rivals, both inside the Labour Party and out. Conspiracy theorists, some in very high places, even circulated rumours that he was an agent of the Soviet Union. In reality, of course, there was not a shred of truth to these malicious claims.

But what if there had been?

In Agent Lavender, Harold Wilson flees Whitehall in the dead of night, with MI5 and the police soon in hot pursuit. Taking place in late 1975 in a Britain weary of trade union disputes and fearful of military coups, the Establishment must move quickly to restore order without appearing heavy-handed. But then again, the Prime Minister has just been outed as a communist spy…

Part-historical epic, part-pulpy thriller, and featuring a cavalcade of 1970s public figures from Enoch Powell and Gerald Ford to Jack Jones and Michael Bentine, Agent Lavender takes readers into a maelstrom of intrigue, civil disobedience, satire, Cold War tensions, and downright farce.

The winner of eight Turtledove Awards including Best Story, Best Cold War Timeline and multiple Best Character awards, this acclaimed alternate history novel blends politics with espionage and adds a sprinkle of the absurd.

Genres: Alternate History, Fiction

511 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 7, 2016

Reviews

[Tom Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the 1970s there was a ridiculous conspiracy theory that Harold Wilson was secretly a Communist agent. In this book, arguably their magnum opus, Black and Tindale attempt to seriously examine what might have happened if this theory had somehow been true. (To be entirely clear, they certainly do not believe it themselves!) Part political thriller and part Le Carré-style adventure, we are taken through weeks that shook Britain. A Labour Party self-destructively turning in on itself, an inexperienced Margaret Thatcher unable to rise to the occasion and a restive populace demand a strong hand of leadership. But who shall govern Britain in her direst hour - and what shall the cost be? Highly recommended.

[Nicholas Sumner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an extremely funny alternate history that asks what might have happened had Harold Wilson been revealed as a Soviet Spy approximately six months before his resignation in our time line. One of the achievements of this book is that although the authors are too young to remember the 1970s they skillfully capture the chaos, confusion and uncertainty that characterised the British political, economic and social landscape of that time. I lived through it, and the UK that this book evokes is both recognisable and authentic.

The book is well written, the set pieces are skillfully constructed, the characterisation is strong and the comedy had me laughing out loud in places. Highly recommended.

[Ian Bertram · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read based on the idea that Harold Wilson really was a Soviet Agent. Wilson's wanderings around the countryside trying to get on board a Russian sub, bringing in many other characters of the period along the way are the main focus of the story. It takes a semi-comic approach with some darker elements.

[Taylor Bartlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a lot of fun.
I love political novels like this. I first heard about Harold Wilson when I was watching the most recent series of the crown and I thought the episode dealing with the rumours over Wilson being a spy for the Russians was interesting. That was why this book was so fun to read. Alternative politics might be one of my new favourite genres.

[Oliver Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the few books to make me lose it laughing— intentionally. So many weird, funny, and niche moments and set pieces that made this a joy to read for the 1/1000000000th of the population this was written for — anglophilic wonks with a Wikipedia tab open at all times.

[Peter Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very silly but very enjoyable for someone interested (and alive) in the mid 1970s

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best political alternate history novels I have read. Heavy on the intrigue and captures the despair of a moribund 1970s Britain perfectly.

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if Wilson did everything he did ON PURPOSE? What if he was a dirty Commie spy? What was the REAL reason Khrushchev was ousted?
A captivating portrayal of a Britain that never was. The use of Enoch Powell as a quasi-viewpoint character is interesting.

[Little Star · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating idea, brilliantly executed.