Michael Dobbs was at Mrs Thatcher’s side as she took her first step into Downing Street as Prime Minister, and was a key aide to John Major when he was voted out. In between times he was bombed in Brighton, banished from Chequers and blamed for failing to secure a Blair-Major television debate. He is now one of the country’s leading political commentators.

'Goodfellowe is a modern political hero with all the welcome weaknesses we expect... The fun (and there's plenty of it) comes from watching honest Tom struggling with his own frailties and battling against the massed ranks of base politicians and a debased media. Michael Dobbs does for Westminster skulduggery what Agatha Christie did for the country house murder. He knows what we like and he knows how to spin a rattling good yarn.' Sunday Express 'Splendid, as good as anything Dobbs has done.' Sunday Telegraph 'Eventful and entertaining... a truly exciting Mounties-to-the-rescue climax.' Daily Telegraph