The riddle of the sands: a record of secret service

Described by Ken Follett as "the first modern thriller", The Riddle of the Sandsis the best-known sailing narrative and a true classic.

It was recentlyranked 37th in The Observer's list of the 100 Greatest Novels of thepast 300 years.

Winston Churchill even credited it for the Admiralty'sdecision to build naval bases in Scapa Flow, Invergordon and Rosyth.Followingin the adventurous tradition of H Rider Haggard, and being a clearinfluence on the espionage tales of John Buchan, Ian Fleming and Johnle Carr', The Riddle of the Sandstells the story of two young men on a sailing trip to the islands offthe Dutch coast who discover a secret German naval base, and an enemyarmada preparing to invade England.With its prescient plotline and patriotic call for the nation to prepare against its foreign foes, The Riddle of the Sandshas remained enduringly popular ever since it was first published in1903.

This new edition includes detailed maps of the Dutch coastlineand evocative black and white photographs of some of the placesCarruthers and Davies visit.This is an enduring classic, lovedby sailors and non-sailors alike, and its new illustrative materialwill be welcomed by readers following the storyline.