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Interlude: The Swallow’s Nest. Sitting in his villa on the Italian coast, author Gore Vidal awaits the arrival of a popular new novelist called Maurice Swift.

Maurice is handsome, ruthless and desperate to become a successful novelist. He just needs the right story.

However a chance encounter with the celebrated author Erich Ackermann gives Maurice an opportunity to ingratiate himself into the literary world. And Erich has a story of his own.

Unfortunately Maurice is the last person Erich should confide in…

John Boyne’s seductive thriller about a writer who won’t let anything, or anyone, stand in the way of his ambitions.

Abridged by Doreen Estall

Read by Wolf Kahler.

First broadcast on Â鶹ԼÅÄ Radio 4 in February 2019.