The Judas Son

About the Book

In 1992 Sir Richard Hanmore the Government's Secretary Of State for Northern Ireland, is forced to retire. The enormity of his task trying to find peace in Northern Ireland has destroyed his health and his family. All his life it has been his obsession to broker peace in the province where he was born. He recovers from a massive heart attack and a fatal confrontation with his son and is persuaded by the Prime Minister to have one last try for peace. Against the wishes of his wife and the Special Branch he sets out to fulfil his dream convinced it is the only way he can come to terms with the death of his son and daughter. Political intrigue, raw emotions, betrayal and love combine to illustrate how many lives in the province and on the mainland are affected by this cruel and seemingly unstoppable civil war.

About the Author

Michael Pakenham is part of a prolific literary Irish family some of whom still live in Southern Ireland. His great grand father commanded the British forces at the battle of New Orleans and his grand father played a prominent role in Northern Ireland politics. As a child Michael lived on his parents estate just outside Belfast until his father was killed at Dunkirk. After his father's death Michael moved with his mother and sister to America where they stayed for five years. On their return to England Michael completed his education at Eton and went on to joined his father's regiment, the Grenadier Guards. Later took over his mother's farm in Hampshire England. In the early nineties he retired from farming and took up writing. This is the author's third book. At present he lives with his wife in Hampshire.