[1] Set during The Blitz, the novel follows Gregory Swift, a man whose mental state is impacted by a German bombing raid on London.

Chapters are marked by headings describing the action’s location, which include: ‘LONDON,’ ‘MANCHESTER,’ ‘THE HOSPITAL’ and ‘THE VILLAGE’.

[2] Jason Cowley’s review for The Independent described Paling’s style as “fluent and simple, unencumbered with superfluous detail” and concluded the novel to be “an impressive feat of historical imagining”.

[3] John Sweeney, in his review for Literary Review, wrote that “Part of the book’s haunting power is due to the beautifully crafted opening pages… They alone justify the cost of the book… The creation of suspense through such laconic writing reminds one of Graham Greene”.

Sweeney went on to call the novel “As bleak as can be.”[4] Melissa McClements of The Guardian similarly noted that Graham Greene was "clearly an influence" on the novel.