Robert Goddard has a stellar reputation for delivering well-researched, intricately plotted thrillers set in a variety of locations and his latest offering bolsters this repute. In This is the Night They Come for You, Goddard masterfully blends historical fact with ingenious fiction to present a narrative that is both authentic and absorbing. The primary strength of this novel lies in the brilliantly etched characters; they are utterly realistic and command the reader’s attention and sympathy. Particularly fascinating is the starkly contrasted characterisation of Taleb and Hidouchi—mismatched on almost every count—and the subtle growth of their relationship from the bumpy beginning. The plot builds up slowly and steadily in intensity, with several compelling twists along the way, towards the exhilarating, highly satisfying finish. For readers with no knowledge about Algeria—myself included—This is the Night They Come for You offers considerable insight into the country’s troubled recent history including its subjugation by the French, and the continuing exploitation even after decades of independence. Police HQ Algiers, and all soon to retire Superintendent Taleb wants is air conditioning. and to be left alone. Summoned by his superior he is handed a job which forces him to work with the feared secret service, hunting down a former agent. On a hot and clammy afternoon in Algiers, veteran Police Superintendent Mouloud Taleb—staring at an unwelcome retirement after close to five decades of service—is handed what is probably the biggest, and most perilous, case of his career. He is to join Souad Hidouchi, a young female agent of the Algerian Secret Service on the hunt for Wassim Zarbi, who himself was a mighty intelligence operative for a long time until being thrown in prison for corruption twenty years ago. Zarbi is absconding from his house—where he was kept in consideration of his advanced age—and is presumably in pursuit of his former partner Nadir Laloul who had abandoned him all those years ago, skipping the country with the entire ill-gotten wealth.

This Is the Night They Come for You Our review of : This Is the Night They Come for You

Robert Goddard, the master of suspense and mystery, has outdone himself with his newest thriller. When a fugitive from justice surfaces in a small town in England, local authorities are at a loss as to how to handle the situation. As the man’s presence begins to disrupt the peace and quiet of the community, everyone wonders what he is hiding and why he came there. What starts as an ordinary summer turns into a nightmare as residents begin disappearing one by one. With no clues or suspects, it falls on Inspector John Marvel to unravel the mystery before it’s too late. For who is this book for ? This review originally appeared, and is available, on Mystery and Suspense Magazine at this link... Highly recommended read. Definitely one of Goddard's best works, combining historical facts with a labyrinthine plot that is gripping, spellbinding, insightful and touching. He just gets better like a fine wine, and proves once again why he is considered one of the best novelists out there (and one of my all-time favorite authors).Goddard proves himself a master of suspense once again in this taut, atmospheric mystery. The characters are realistically drawn and the plot is fast-paced and tension-filled. This Is the Night They Come for You is another winner from one of my favorite authors.” On a hot and clammy afternoon in Algiers, veteran Police Superintendent Mouloud Taleb—on the verge of retirement after close to five decades of service—is handed what is probably the biggest, and most perilous, case of his career. He is to join Souad Hidouchi, a young female agent of the Algerian Secret Service on the hunt for Wassim Zarbi, who himself was a mighty intelligence operative for a long time until being thrown in prison for corruption twenty years ago. Zarbi is absconding from his house—where he was kept due to old age—and is presumably in pursuit of his former partner Nadir Laloul who had abandoned him all those years ago, skipping the country with the entire ill-gotten wealth. The story has Goddard's characteristic style of telling the story from two time periods with the forces that were involved in revenge and shameful cover-up all meeting in one final fatal finale. Set between Algeria, France and the U.K., Goddard tells a well paced tale of power & corruption, secret organisations pulling the strings of those in power, murder, scandal, fraud and mystery after mystery! The Algerians were extremely angry and wanted revenge. The Algerians (Laloul and Zarbi) targetted one of de Gaulle’s cronies (Guy Tournier) who was instrumental in organising the murders. I think this is where fact meets fiction! Nigel Dalby and girlfriend Harriet Gray move from London to Paris to join a film crew. On the film set, they meet Zarbi and consequently Nigel and Zarbi strike up a relationship. Nigel was a witness to the Algerian massacre in Paris and Zarbi believes he can use Nigel to further his aims. Laloul and Zarbi recruit Nigel Dalby to meet Guy Tournier in a bar, and they return to his flat allowing Laloul and Zarbi entrance to Guy’s flat, and there they assassinate Guy. Nigel is persuaded (!) to live in Algeria and opens a bookshop but Harriet mysteriously disappears – perhaps she knew too much? Nigel dies in Algiers in mysterious circumstances.

This is the Night They Come For You - Penguin Books UK

As these two events and people are headed into a collision course, uncomfortable truths will be revealed, especially regarding a conspiracy by the French secret government to destabilize the Algerian government- one that goes on for more than 50 years. Our servers are getting hit pretty hard right now. To continue shopping, enter the characters as they are shown This Is the Night They Come for You is perfect for fans of thrillers and mysteries. With its twisting plot and chilling suspense, it will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Pros : My sincere gratitude to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for sharing with me a digital Advance Reader Copy of This is the Night They Come for You through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review. Really enjoyed my first Robert Goddard about the sad and horrific lead up to and hellish descent thereafter of Algerian Independence but won’t be putting into bookclub. Serious sag about halfway through in need of some assertive editingThe naive young man is is persuaded to help 2 algerians whose actions result in the disappearance of his girlfriend in the murder of a french government adviser . He’s a forgotten man. But not by all, apparently, since at that moment his telephone starts to ring.’ The character’s were all so well written, Goddard made every character distinctive and what really helped with this book was the glossary of terms - I had to rely on it for a lot of the political parties to keep up with who was who.

This is the Night They Come for You - Goodreads

Overall I really enjoyed this book, it was a fantastic & rewarding read and I’d recommend it if you love crime & thrillers with heavy historical & political influences. Not having read anything by this author before, I can tell you now, on finishing This is the Night They Come for You, that the above description is scarily on point.

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Meanwhile, in Hampshire, Stephen Gray is approached by Suzette Dalby. She was given a manuscript by Swiss-French layer, a "confession" made by her father, Nigel Dalby, who was a witness to the horrible brutality and violence used by the Paris police against Algerian protestors in October 17th, 1961. He was involved in the murder of the aide to Charles De Gaulle by two Algerian "terrorists". She Asks Stephen to help her decide whether the confession is authentic- if not, there's a financial reward for her. Stephen, who knew Nigel- who dated his sister Harriette, who herslef disappeared in France after the death of De Gaulle aid's murder- can deduce whether it was really her father's writing or not. But Stephen knows more than he lets on, and he has a plan- a dangerous one, to finally bring those who murdered his sister to justice. But his thirst for revenge will cost him a lot, and will put the people close to him in danger.