Liked it because I like most McInnes novels, but not as much because it deals with adultery. Sure, there's not a real marriage, and it's only ever hinted that either Payton likes men in the main or in the particular...or perhaps he's just married to his job of intrigue. Certainly his wife is put on a safe shelf, and certainly you're encouraged to be sympathetic to the cause of love's loss...and it's made understandable that a woman raised by naiive parents who can't confront anything honestly would end up in a bad marriage. Still don't think that the woman snatching at happiness really had a worthwhile goal, though I did pity her. Couldn't understand many cultural reference re: the Korean war, though the romance between soldier and California cousin was good.