My dad was given this book and The Berlin Assignment from his father in law, and he absolutley loved them. I'm his daughter, and his carer and they aren't books he would of necessarily chosen himself, but he has thoroughly enjoyed them both, beautifully written, and included parts of the world both of us had forgotten he had been to, and that his family had served in... the only complaint is that he couldn't put them down, so read them too quickly! I'm now on the search for more - well done Mark, keep writing please !!

Just wanted to say that I've just finished your brilliant book, The Pearl River. It had me gripped, I was thinking about it when we were out east in the Disney park and was excited to get back and keep reading. The storyline kept me guessing and the characters are brilliant . . . "

Absolutely fabulous - I couldn't put it down and read it in a couple of days.

I've really enjoyed reading this book: it has all the elements I enjoy in fiction, being historically informative/respectful of its attempt at accurate portrayal of what life must have been like for all of the characters in this book, as well as plenty of twists/turns along the way. The characters are so plausible/believable and would translate wonderfully to the screen in my opinion. It's lovely to read a book that whisks you away to another time/place but still catches you (regularly) by surprise. There has to be more to come from these characters in further assignments. Keep up the good work Mark and hope there'll be another instalment this time next year!

Mark Butterworth's latest novel, The Berlin Assignment, evokes and brings into sharp focus the treachery, espionage and bravery that became synonymous with countering Soviet socialist hegemony during the Cold War. The book is stylishly written combining as it does a fast paced, exciting storyline with the deepening romantic relationship between the main protagonists Adam and Hannah. Easy to read in one session, but even better if rationed over several days.

Having worked in Hong Kong and the City of London, I readily recognised both the locations and the characters. Well written, good pace and I learnt a few things I didn't know. A great debut and I hope for another instalment.

An excellent debut novel with a pacy narrative that engages the reader from start to finish. It has a fine sense of time and place, especially late 1940s Hong Kong. The characters are all well-rounded, provoking a response in the reader as the story ebbs and flows.
There are plenty of twists and turns but they are never confusing or unnecessarily complex: the story always takes primacy.

An excellent debut novel, well written and constructed, looking forward to the next instalment

Assured debut and beautifully paced, well observed historical fiction. What an enjoyable piece of historical fiction this is.  It's the mark of a good book, in my opinion, if it consumes you and in my case I read this over a few days. I found the period chosen really interesting and gained some useful insights into the mindsets of servicemen in the immediate aftermath of WW2. The characters were well developed, believable and the dialogue well observed and historically plausible. Mark writes fluidly and there were plenty of clever plot twists that I didn't see coming at all. I really hope some of these characters get at least another run out as my expectation is that the next Mark Butterworth novel will be even better!

Thoroughly enjoyed this well written book. Great plot structure and character portrayal with cinematic descriptions of the fighting to contain Communist China's post-WWII designs on Hong Kong.

It had me hooked - what a great read it was, and Mark must be congratulated on his storytelling skills, I really felt I was out there in the thick of the action and found the plot fascinating and couldn't put it down.

This is an absorbing and intelligent novel with engaging and believable characters. The author captures with perfection the atmosphere of the late 1940s when Britain had to reimagine her role in a post-war period.

The plot is clever and compassionate, and the writing has great moments of tenderness, but doesn't flinch from the suspicion, tension and brutality of life in Hong Kong on the wrong side of the tracks.

As well as the love interest, there's plenty of action in the air and the novel throughout has a glorious nostalgic feel.

Highly recommended.