Content levels
Trigger warnings
Hero archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Synopsis
Denis Hillier is an aging British agent based in Yugoslavia. His old school friend Roper has defected to the USSR to become one of the evil empire's great scientific minds. Hillier must bring Roper back to England or risk losing his fat retirement bonus. As thoughtful as it is funny, this morality tale of a Secret Service gone mad features sex, gluttony, violence, treachery, and religion. Anthony Burgess's cast of astonishing characters includes Roper's German prostitute wife; Miss Devi and her Tamil love treatise; and the large Mr. Theodorescu, international secret monger and lascivious gourmand. A rare combination of the deadly serious and the absurd, the lofty and the lusty, Tremor of Intent will hold you in its thrall.
Tremor of Intent: content & age rating
Intended for adult readers (18+).
This satirical spy novel contains adult sexual content including descriptions of prostitution, violence including torture and murder, strong language, alcohol consumption, and mature philosophical themes about morality and religion in the context of Cold War espionage.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, steamy sexual content, and moderate language. Content notes include sexual assault, violence, and cheating.
Who'll love this
Adult readers who enjoy darkly comic spy thrillers with philosophical depth will appreciate this absurdist take on Cold War intrigue.