The Tightrope Men is a novel written by English author Desmond Bagley, and was first published in 1973.

Giles Denison's life is turned upside down when he awakes to find himself in a luxurious hotel.

Meyrick is a scientist and engineer with multiple military contracts, who was involved in a British operation to retrieve some scientific documents, with information which would make nuclear missiles virtually obsolete from the Soviet Union.

After an attempt on Denison’s life (as Meyrick), he makes contact with the British authorities seeking help.

Compelled to adjust to his new persona (including meeting his daughter) and to play out the role assigned to him by his captors, the group embark on a dangerous escapade from Norway to Finland and across the border into Soviet Russia Locations Giles Denison is pursued in a car chase through the Drammen Spiral tunnel in Norway.