A Scotland Yard detective investigates a peculiar case of murder, poetry, kidnapping, and German spies in this classic British wartime thriller. <p/> Insp. John Appleby is puzzled by the death of Philip Ploss. Who would want to kill such a harmless, quiet man known for writing mid-level nature poetry? . . . <p/> Poetry is what Sheila Grant overhears two men discussing on a train outside Edinburgh. Their whole conversation seems absurd to her, especially after one of them misquotes the poet Swinburne. Unfortunately, her discovery quickly places her in danger . . . <p/> Meanwhile back in London, Appleby learns of a kidnapping on a train in Scotland and senses a connection to Ploss's murder. Locating Sheila will certainly lead Appleby to Ploss's killer, but only if he finds her alive . . . <p/>"You'd let a cobra walk all over you before you'd put this one down to defend yourself." --The New Yorker <p/> "Very exciting, full of most painstakingly described violent action." --The Observer <p/> "For sheer excitement and picturesque melodrama The Secret Vanguard will delight everyone." --New Statesma
