Armstrong and Burton Political Adventures

 Tory Chief Whip and devoted Thatcherite, Norman Armstrong, was born into a powerful political and military dynasty dating back to the English Civil War. His unlikely friend, influential left-wing political commentator, Alf Burton, is from a family of Tyneside shipyard workers, and remains haunted by bitter memories of Depression era poverty, disease and starvation. Early in their careers, a chaotic fight in a parliamentary bar cemented their deep and lasting bond. By the summer of 1983, following a landslide election victory, Norman is eagerly embracing his government’s second term, while Alf grows ever more fearful of the future.

Alf confides to Norman his chance discovery of a politically sensitive manuscript by wealthy Edwardian novelist and human rights crusader, Charlotte Morris, hoping to leverage even greater exclusive access to the inner workings of the Cabinet, but not even Alf is prepared for the lengths to which the government will go to keep the documents under wraps. Meanwhile, Britain is lurching toward one of the most brutal, protracted and all-encompassing social and industrial battles in its history.

By 1984, Sir Norman Armstrong is Home Secretary and the unrepentant architect of the police response to the Miners’ Strike, while Alf has aligned himself strongly and publicly with the miners’ cause. Their friendship is strained beyond breaking point amid accusations of personal betrayal, police and judicial corruption, the aftermath of deadly picket-line violence, and a devastating family tragedy.

Alf’s already divided loyalties are subsequently stretched to the limit as his Tyneside hometown confronts a long and potentially violent strike in the face of massive job losses in shipbuilding, with his own family heavily impacted. Meanwhile, he is called upon, unofficially, to investigate two seemingly unrelated deaths from World War Two; a newspaper mogul with close ties to the British government and alleged Nazi sympathies, and a tenacious young Scotland Yard detective. Alf soon closes in on eminent dynasties still at the heart of power four decades on, including Sir Norman’s own celebrated family. What will Alf uncover, and will the truth push the old friends even further apart?

Follow the triumphs and misadventures of generations of Armstrongs and Burtons, their loyal friends and bitter enemies, as they confront the past, and face an uncertain future.

"...George Fairbrother skilfully brings to life an incredible period of British political history, told through an array of fascinating characters. Fairbrother has clearly done his homework - the amount of research and attention to detail ground the novels in reality, whilst adding a heightened sense of finesse and intrigue. Fairbrother also shines with his characterisation and rich dialogue - these are very well-written characters and one can easily imagine a stellar cast of performers bringing them to life in a major production..." (Oliver Crocker, author of All Memories Great and Small, and Witness Statements: Making The Bill, volumes 1 and 2)

"...I have to take my hat off to George Fairbrother, the sheer amount of research needed to give this book such an authentic feel must have taken years..." (Armstrong's Army - Goodreads)

"...Reads like a mix of House of Cards and Yes (Prime) Minister..." (The Banqueting Club - Goodreads)

 "...Very enjoyable read and a satisfying conclusion to the series with the many threads gradually resolved and mysteries satisfied. It's nice to enjoy something where the author has taken the trouble to plan and weave their story into a whole span. Even if that is not necessarily the end..." (The Old Firm - Goodreads)