Book info

• Title Lie Down With Lions
• Author Ken Follett
• Year 1985
• Genre Historical

A Dangerous Romance. In Paris, rival spies Ellis and Jean-Pierre both fall in love with Jane, and all three become gripped in a tangled web of lust and deception as they battle terrorist conspiracies. Ultimately Jane can marry only one and chooses Jean-Pierre. A Fight for Freedom. In Afghanistan the Mujahedeen are fighting to free their country of the Soviet invasion and the newlyweds travel to the Valley of the Five Lions to help the cause as doctors. Fierce fighting means they must find a way out of the line of fire. A Perilous Escape. Help unexpectedly comes in the form of Jean Pierre’s nemesis, Ellis, and knowing both men have dangerous secrets, Jane must once again choose who to trust if she is to make her escape over one of the most remote mountain ranges in the world...

Thoughts

Another great adventure story from Ken Follett, this time taking place at various points across the globe - most notably in Afghanistan - as spies and secret agents from both sides wage war against each other. Caught up in the middle is Jane, a smart but trusting woman who finds herself mistreated and mishandled but ultimately capable of looking after herself.

I liked the story, found the politics and ethics of the situations intriguing, but ultimately the detail was a little too much. There was a lot about the baby, and of course the key thing that was hinted at was never resolved. Instead we got to hear about endless feedings. And the walk up the mountains went on forever, particularly as it ended the way it did.

Good, but a bit of a trawl towards the end.

Rating: 3 / 5