July 1943, and Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily, is under way.
Lieutenant Daniel Nichols has been recruited by Ian Fleming into 30 Commando, a specialist unit that goes in ahead of the main assault to capture top secret enemy material. Nichols discovers evidence of a secret which could change the course of the conflict.
Section Officer Prudence Tiverton, an expert in the analysis of German radio traffic, uses Nichol’s discovery to formulate a plan that will give the Allies a decisive edge in the coming invasion of Europe — the capture of a German T52, Geheimschreiber, the teleprinter which Hitler uses to communicate with his most senior commanders.
Giacomo Moretti, a frogman in the Italian Navy’s elite Decima Flottiglia, carries out daring raids on Allied shipping. After the fall of Mussolini, Moretti joins forces with Nichols to secure Italian underwater technology before it falls into German hands.
Battling to overcome the disdain of her superiors, Tiverton fails to obtain support for her enterprise — but finds an ally in Ian Fleming and 30 Commando.
With the fate of the war hanging in the balance, Nichols and Moretti embark on a treasure hunt that will require all their skill and guile.
Hunter Class by Alan Bardos is published on 28 October, 2025. It’s his second Daniel Nichols spy thriller.
Alan’s written a feature about how Ian Fleming’s enigmatic past helped form the James Bond books — and Alan’s, as well.
Have a look at the 200-plus books in our round-up of historical fiction published in 2025.





