''Geraghty has produced a book both readable and alarming. The first third is a well-observed account of a largely visible British war machine coping with the horrors of the Northern Ireland Troubles. The last third is devoted to militarism in Ireland up to 1921. But it is the middle third, the covert war, that astonishes. We learn that [British Intelligence] had a habit of enticing suspects away from home with lavish 'dodgy' holidays in the sun by faking breakfast-food competitions. While the target was away, the Security Service would plant a host of listening devices, which might include a miniaturized video camera inside a domestic light switch.'' -- Herald (Glasgow)