Ken Follett is one of those uneven writers who is just as likely to publish a great book as a mediocre one. Unfortunately, this is a mediocre one. In fact, it reminded me a great deal of those early WWII 'B' movies that studios used to turn out every couple of weeks, where the characters and the plot were pretty predictable and the outcome mostly certain. This book has some points of interest, mostly historical detail. Follett obviously has some kind of keen interest in the big flying boats of the period, but he doesn't use that fascination to advance the story well. The characters are stereotypes and the action is melodrama. The reader doesn't come away from this book with much to remember fondly.