Matt McAvoy Book Review

Dyer is a good, professional author and this World War Two espionage thriller is a work of quality, research and attention to detail.  Based largely on factual events, The Ultra Betrayal tells the story of a Bletchley cryptologist who appears to have gone rogue, and is pursued by American and British MI6 agents before he can sell crucial intelligence to the Germans – information of such value it could change the whole outcome of the war.  It is a slow burner, with huge swathes of simmering espionage and clandestine menace driving it, but its true quality is in its fine-tooth comb and its authenticity.  However, when the action does occur, it is rousing, engaging and in-depth, and Dyer approaches it with the same professionalism as every other element.  It is somewhat unusual to find an author who can change tone from slow interaction to fast action with the same consistent quality, but this author does it well.  Overall, the book was perhaps a touch slow for my personal liking, but its superiority and that of its author are certainly not lost on me; I have enormous praise for both.

The book is probably made much better, in the end, by Dyer’s informative and, I must admit, extremely interesting detailed Afterword, in which he adds abundant new fascinating layers to what would otherwise be a formulaic, if intriguing, work of spy fiction.  In all truth, the astute addition of this appendix adds much to the book, and I highly recommend that after completing the story you go on and read it.  The Afterword seems to make the book more accessible to most fiction readers; before this point – without the knowledge of the truth behind The Ultra Betrayal – I would have perhaps fancied the book more for devoted fans of standard WW2 espionage.  Dyer elevates it no end with his account of his own approach to this fascinating tale from the war, whilst revealing his candour and humility as an author.  Though the Ultra story is not as well known – and for some reason, not as widely reported – as that around the Enigma machine, its events are long overdue to be told, and I am glad it was Dyer who did so; I applaud him for writing this book in such a studious and articulate manner.  He is a good writer, with a conscientious, academic and hardworking ethic; his language and creative phrasing are a pleasure to read, too.

I recommend The Ultra Betrayal for those who want to learn and read actively, rather than simply passing time; moreso, though, I recommend Dyer, whom I hope to read more from soon.