A Fool's Errands

‘With its war-damaged, womanising, loose cannon of an anti-hero, Johnny Swift, The Dardanelles Conspiracy vividly captures the flux and uncertainty – as well as the horror – of war.’ R.N. Morris, bestselling author of A Gentle Axe

The Assassins
1914.
Tensions are reaching boiling point in Europe and the threat of war is imminent.
Johnny Swift, a young and brash diplomatic clerk employed by the British embassy is sent to infiltrate the ‘Young Bosnians’, a group of idealistic conspirators planning to murder Franz Ferdinand. The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, in a bid to liberate their country from the monarchy’s grip.
Swift has been having an affair with his employer’s wife, Lady Elizabeth Smyth. Sir George Smyth dispatches the agent on the dangerous mission, believing that it will be the last he will see of his young rival.
The agent manages to infiltrate the Young Bosnian conspirators’ cell, helped by Lazlo Breitner, a Hungarian Civil Servant.
However, Swift soon realises that he may be in over his head. His gambling debts and taste for beautiful women prove the least of his problems as he struggles to survive on his wits in the increasingly complex - and perilous - world of politics and espionage.
Desperate to advance himself and with the lives of a royal couple unexpectedly in his hands, Swift tries to avert catastrophe.

The Dardanelles Conspiracy
January 1915.
The Western Front has descended into trench warfare. In the East an opportunity arises for the Allies to bypass the stalemate.
Desperate to preserve a truce in his sector of the front and with it the lives of his men, Johnny Swift a reckless former diplomat is caught warning the Germans of a trench raid.
Sir George Smyth, Swift’s former superior has negotiated a stay of execution. In return, Swift is dispatched to Constantinople on a perilous mission to bribe the Turkish government and open the backdoor into Germany.
This does not stop the disgraced diplomat enjoying the delights of the orient, while trying to negotiate the labyrinthine power struggles within the Turkish government.
Swift uses all his guile to complete his mission, but finds his efforts blocked by his old friend and nemesis Lazlo Breitner, now an official at the Austro-Hungarian Embassy.
The agent moves from the drinking dens at the crossroads of the world to the opening battles of the Gallipoli campaign - and with it a chance to redeem his reputation.

Alan Bardos studied an MA in TV Script Writing at De Montfort University. He has experimented in different genres and media, and has found his voice in writing historical fiction.

Praise for Alan Bardos:

‘Gives a carefully-researched and graphically real insight into the doomed campaign, through the eyes of the participants, as well as telling a gripping story of courage and redemption.’ Allan Martin, bestselling author of Death in Tallinn

'A thrilling romp through the delights and dangers of WW1 espionage.’ Matthew Willis, bestselling author of The Fortress of Malta series

'A cracking read, highly recommended.' Roger A Price, bestselling author of Nemesis

'Part historical fiction, part thriller and part love story, this is a compelling and entertaining read.' Gary Haynes, bestselling author of The Blameless Dead

'Very engaging and informative’ Shaun Lewis, bestselling author of The Custom of the Trade

'Well worth it. A total fascination' Jan Needle, bestselling author of Napoleon: The Escape

'Written with polished panache, it kept me gripped from the first to last.' A.A. Chaudhuri, author of The Scribe


Genre: Thriller