The Secret Servant (Gavin Lyall novel)

Infobox Book
name = The Secret Servant
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = 1990 UK paperback cover
author = Gavin Lyall
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = United Kingdom
language = English
series = Harry Maxim
subject =
genre = Thriller novel, Spy Novel
publisher = Hodder & Stoughton
release_date = 1980
media_type = Print (hardcover and paperback)
pages = 220 pp
isbn = ISBN 0-340-54417-1
preceded_by = Blame The Dead
followed_by = The Conduct of Major Maxim

"The Secret Servant" is a third person narrative novel by English author Gavin Lyall, first published in 1988, and the first of his series of novels with the character “Harry Maxim” as the main protagonist.

Plot introduction

Former SAS Major Harry Maxim is assigned to Number 10 Downing Street as a special assistant to George Harbiner, private secretary to the Prime Minister, following the suicide of his predecessor with the British Secret Service. Maxim is assigned to protect Professor John White Tyler, Britain's premier military strategist on nuclear weapons policy and famed war hero (as well as an insatiable lecher). Tyler’s many enemies, including local pacifists, leftists, and radical students, as well as the KGB will do anything, perhaps even murder to keep Tyler from addressing a NATO summit in Luxembourg. However, are various events surrounding Tyler related? Such as a hand grenade thrown through the door to the Prime Minister's residence, or the death of a Czech defector? Assisted by MI-5 liaison officer Alice Algar, Maxim must uncover a horrific secret from Tyler's wartime past in order to prevent a massive foreign relations disaster, as well as keeping Tyler alive.

Film, TV or theatrical adaptations

Lyall originally wrote "The Secret Servant" as the pilot episode of a proposed BBC TV series. [ [http://www.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/story/0,3604,878937,00.html] The Guardian ] The series was directed by Alistair Reid, with screenplay by Brian Clemens. The role of Harry Maxim was played by Charles Dance, with Jill Meager as Alice Algar and Harbey Ashby as George Harbinger. [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088605/] IMDB]

References