A fractured Europe. A parallel world. A global threat. 

Union has come. The Community is now the largest nation in Europe; trains run there from as far afield as London and Prague. It is an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity. 

So what is the reason for a huge terrorist outrage? Why do the Community and Europe meet in secret, exchanging hostages? And who are Les Coureurs des Bois? 

Along with a motley crew of strays and mafiosi and sleeper agents, Rudi sets out to answer these questions - only to discover the truth lies both closer to home and farther away than anyone could possibly imagine. 

Author bio: Dave Hutchinson was born in Sheffield in 1960. After reading American studies at the University of Nottingham, he became a journalist. He's the author of five collections of short stories and two novels, and his novella The Push was shortlisted for the 2010 BSFA Award for short fiction. He has also edited two anthologies and coedited a third. His short story "The Incredible Exploding Man" featured in the first Solaris Rising anthology and was selected for the Year's Best Science Fiction collection. He lives in North London with his wife and several cats.