Publisher's Synopsis
Adolf Verloc, a secret agent in the employ of the Embassy, has been embedded in the socialist Red Committee in London. He is summoned to the Embassy to meet with First Secretary Mr. Vladimir, who berates him for the lack of concrete results from his work; instead of just preventing attacks, Mr. Verloc is ordered to lead his radical associates to carry out a terrorist act that will strike at the very fabric of the British middle class, so that they will finally allow for repressive legislation. Mr. Verloc-who lives with his wife Winnie, her mentally handicapped brother Stevie, and her mother in their shop selling shady wares-hosts Red Committee members Michaelis, Comrade Ossipon, and Karl Yundt. The radicals are quick to spout vainglorious statements, but Mr. Verloc despairs of their being able to accomplish the extraordinary act Mr. Vladimir has asked him to produce.
