A gripping Cold War espionage thriller by Clare Francis. Set against the backdrop of the political unrest and student uprisings of late-1960s Europe, the novel follows Special Branch officer Nick Ryder as he attempts to infiltrate a dangerous terrorist organization known as the Crystal Faction. Secretly funded by Moscow and trained in sabotage and assassination, the group is preparing to unleash a wave of violence in Britain.

As Ryder's investigation deepens, he faces resistance from his own superiors and a lack of cooperation from MI5, while becoming entangled in a complex web of espionage, murder, betrayal, and political intrigue. At the center of the conspiracy is Gabrielle Schroeder, the ruthless and charismatic leader of the Crystal Faction, whose intelligence and brutality make her a formidable adversary.

Fast-paced and meticulously researched, Red Crystal blends spy fiction, suspense, and political drama to deliver an authentic and compelling thriller set during one of the most turbulent periods of the Cold War.