Secrets from the Grave by Leigh Lewis

As I mentioned in yesterday's post this is hopefully the beginning of my slow return to regular blogging - see yesterday's post for more on that. But I love a political thriller so I'm glad to be coming back with one. Secrets from the Grave is the debut novel from retired senior civil servant Sir Leigh Lewis. But thanks to Tracy Fenton at Compulsive Readers for inviting me on the tour and to the author and publisher for my hardback review copy. 

Yesterday's post also mentioned my crochet book blanket. You'll be able to see my granny square for this book at the bottom of the post. 

The Blurb

Left-of-centre Labour Prime Minister Jack Higson has enjoyed a spectacular rise from backbencher to the highest political office in the land in just a few short years. He is popular, well-liked and supported by a loving wife. But when a prominent Spanish lawyer In Madrid asks to see the British Ambassador, and tells him a story about Higson's grandfather's time in Spain during the Spanish Civil War, Higson's world begins to unravel.

And when that story becomes linked to a skeleton in his personal life of which his wife knows nothing, Higson is suddenly faced with an existential threat to both his political career and his marriage. Over a period of just a few weeks he must make the most momentous decisions of his life. Can he be saved? Or is he the only one who can save himself?

My Review

As I mentioned above I enjoy a political thriller and looked forward to this one as the author has merged his knowledge of the world of politics with his long time interest in the Spanish Civil War to write this book. 

Prime Minister Jack Higson has always been proud of his grandfather's role in the Spanish Civil I'm War, and made much of it in his campaigning to become PM. So he is naturally concerned when it comes to light that perhaps his grandfather was not the man Jack thought he was. A small group of senior civil servants is tasked with finding out more. Meanwhile a more personal issue for the PM is mentioned and he just doesn't know what to do or who to trust. 

There are a lot of characters featured here, but the main players form a fairly small group. Key amongst them is retiree John Warren, at home caring for his sick wife,  called back into active service to help solve the Spanish mystery. An upstanding man, full of integrity, I really liked him. I loved the peak behind the scenes in the world of politics and diplomacy, and the author's insider knowledge really shine through here. The information included in the Spanish Civil War (about which I knew nothing) is interesting and enlightening, whilst never boring. 

The two storylines are both good, the Spanish one particularly, and are intertwined successfully. This is not a book that's full of action, although there is some, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable. And there is even a hint of romance! It could perhaps have been a little shorter, and I did feel the ending was a little flat. But, overall, I found Secrets from the Grave to be an enjoyable and entertaining read, populated by interesting characters and an intriguing storyline.  

The Author

Former top civil servant, Sir Leigh Lewis, brings his personal knowledge of Whitehall, counter-terrorism and both modern-day and Civil War Spain to his first novel. Leigh remains close to his former world and features regularly in The Times' letters page.

The Secrets from the Grave granny square for my 2026 book blanket.