Early praise for ICARUS 17
'The fourth in his Box 88 series and the best yet. If there was any question as to who is the rightful inheritor of John le Carrés crown as the king of elegant spy fiction, this proves that its Cumming beyond any doubt' Observer, Fiction to Look out for in 2026
Praise for the BOX 88 series
Charles Cumming has delivered an enthralling and sprawling espionage epic for the ages. In his BOX 88 series, Cumming paints a deeply realistic picture of friendship, loyalty, and betrayal across a canvas of twisty, white-knuckle action and spycraft. A terrific achievement David McCloskey, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Persian
A vivid sense of placeechoes of le Carré and Greene Sunday Times, Thriller of the Month
The Rwandan genocide still casts a long shadow in this haunting, masterful work, which also asks tough questions about international justice Financial Times, Thriller of the Year
'Tense and topical' Waterstones Best Espionage Thrillers of 2023
A bold choice of setting, which adds skilful dabs of colour to a tightly wrought tale' The Times
A compelling exploration of the consequences of realpolitik and the intermingling of the personal with the political Guardian
A first-rate spy thriller Mail on Sunday
Atmospheric and packed with threat, it thrills on every single page Daily Mail
Compulsively readable Daily Telegraph
The unusual setting gives it real heft Sun
Charles Cumming is up there with the very best espionage writers Ian Rankin, author of the Inspector Rebus books
A wonderful spy novel Mick Herron, author of Slow Horses
Excellent Anthony Horowitz, author of Magpie Murders
A layered and seamlessly constructed story Charlotte Philby, author of Edith and Kim
Utterly gripping. A great new spy hero is born Amanda Craig, author of The Golden Rule
