Refurbished favourites for less
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Millions of titles. Learn more
Read now
OR
£3.76

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon Media EU S.à r.l..
You've subscribed to ! We will pre-order your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships and Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Ian Walthew
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Complex Chemistry of Loss Kindle Edition

by Ian Walthew (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 24 ratings
PRAISE/REVIEWS
"An engrossing novel about espionage & a very good book - black then blacker. A powerful if also painful reading experience." DAVID IGNATIUS, Washington Post columnist & critically acclaimed best-selling author of nine spy novels (W. W. Norton)

"Achingly well written; it breaks your heart; & you can’t stop reading." GLENN L. CARLE, career CIA officer & author of THE INTERROGATOR, his critically acclaimed memoir of his involvement in the ‘global war on terror’ & ‘enhanced interrogation techniques’.

"A beautiful & emotional tale, a literary tour de force & an incredible debut novel. If Walthew keeps this up, one day he will sit at the top table of the greats." MATTHEW DUNN, former MI6 officer & author of the “Spycatcher” espionage novels (William Morrow).

"A gripping & emotional thriller. Walthew makes us face our society's role in the War on Terror. Fact-based fiction… utterly readable but terribly moving." THE CHRISTCHURCH PRESS

“The most tremendous read. It sucked me in almost immediately and became impossible to put down until I finished... compelling on every level: educational, emotional, & that of suspense.” Oscar winning actor, JEREMY IRONS

"Moving for its honesty and emotional exactitude… compelling… poingnant & gripping" Lucy Wadham, novelist and author of 'The Secret Life of France' (Faber & Faber)

"5-stars: Absolutely unforgettable...Stunning, thought-provoking & highly recommended" www.thebookbag.co.uk

“Powerful, disturbing, brilliant & very, very good. How intense it becomes: a very personal way to approach such daunting realities.” Dr. Vivian Norris de Montaigu, HUFFINGTON POST

“Grabs the reader by the collar & pulls him into the dark profession of intelligence & interrogation, where you must trust no one, including allies, friends, and family, & where even truth destroys. Mystery, psychological thriller, story of intelligence professionals, Walthew’s book starkly portrays how much we owe to these men and women, how terrible the charges we place upon them, & how thankful one should feel that someone else does this terrible work. I saw myself in parts of the novel & it made me re-live aspects of my career I wish were in the past, but which never go away. Read it & you will understand what goes on in the darkness of interrogation, & why hurt can haunt our heroes’ eyes.” GLENN L. CARLE, former CIA/author

“Walthew captures something I have encountered in people who were involved in war and intelligence work… The main character, James Kerr, carries a heavier burden than most people I've known in real life, but Walthew unfolds his story in a way that makes it believable. Certainty the PTSD problem Walthew describes is something that's shared by many thousands of people who fought in these wars, which I think we're only just beginning to understand.” DAVID IGNATIUS, author

“I know James Kerr very well… Any man or woman who has felt abject fear – whether in the intelligence, military, law enforcement, emergency services, or elsewhere - who reads Walthew’s book will recognise Kerr. Many such readers will say, 'You are me'." MATTHEW DUNN, former MI6/author.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born in England, Ian has lived in France since 2005. For now, THE COMPLEX CHEMISTRY OF LOSS is available as a limited edition hard copy (only available directly from www.bagshawe.co.uk/books) or as an e-book for Kindle. Paperback edition to follow...

PRAISE for A PLACE IN MY COUNTRY (W&N 2007; Kindle from Bagshawe Books)

‘An affecting and inspiring memoir. What sets it apart from others of its ilk is the author's enviable immunity to cliché & his determination to love his homeland better than he used to. Required reading for anyone who claims to know or love this country.’ FINANCIAL TIMES
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    411 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    27 Nov. 2014
  5. File size
    1.4 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00OLMHCW2
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bagshawe Books
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 27 Nov. 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.4 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 411 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0993104015
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 24 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Ian Walthew

Ian Walthew

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Ian Walthew was born in England and has lived in France since 2005.

After completing a post-graduate degree in international relations from the University of Amsterdam, Ian worked in the newspaper industry in Amsterdam, Brussels and Paris, working for the Dutch financial daily Het Financieele Dagblad and the International Herald Tribune.

In 2000 he returned to England after 10 years abroad, ended his newspaper career and unexpectedly moved to the Cotswolds. His critically acclaimed book A PLACE IN MY COUNTRY, about his return to England and his time in the Cotswolds, was published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson in 2007. A Kindle edition of A PLACE IN MY COUNTRY was published by Bagshawe Books in January 2015.

His novel, THE COMPLEX CHEMISTRY OF LOSS, was published by Bagshawe Books in December 2014 and is available as a limited edition hard copy (from www.bagshawe.co.uk/books) or as an e-book for Kindle.

For more information or to contact him directly, please visit www.ianwalthew.com

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
24 global ratings

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • C&RDavies
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hooked by the dialogue
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 February 2015
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    This book defies convention - it is a contemporary in thought and outlook, and probably ahead of its time in script.
    I did find the first batch of pages a bit confusing and had to concentrate to figure out what was what, but once the dialogue started I was hooked.
    I found close associations with some of the hard topics addressed and felt huge emotions where some dormant thoughts and memories were re-awakened.
    This is a tough book to recommend for ''all to read'' but it really took me back and brought me forward again.
    I so enjoyed the relative 'ease' of Ian Walthew's first novel, this second book threw some curve-balls that I did not expect (and would make a brilliant film). I sincerely look forward to the next one.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Ann Wallington
    4.0 out of 5 stars ... Walthew's latest has all one could want in a good book. The evocation of time and place is ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 June 2015
    Format: Kindle Edition
    Ian Walthew's latest has all one could want in a good book. The evocation of time and place is beautifully pitched, the characters are finely and sympathetically drawn and the story is a real page turner. From the title I had expected a rather heavy, psychological drama - instead I was so drawn in and excited by the plot I couldn't put the book down.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Mr. M. Toogood
    5.0 out of 5 stars I have experienced first hand the introspective and at times rather dull self-obsession that can characterise depressives
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 December 2014
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    there is a curious intensity to this book. certainly during the second half I couldn't put it down.
    I have experienced first hand the introspective and at times rather dull self-obsession that can characterise depressives; certainly therapy can, I suspect, create this as an unfortunate after-effect. however in the story this introspection was strangely authentic.
    the alternative publication format signals to the reader that this book avoids convention, perhaps categorisation; and its originality is compelling, for most of the time!
    an author worth following - hopefully it won't be 7 years between books next time
    Helpful
     Report
  • jean SC
    2.0 out of 5 stars shows promise, but hardly an endearing title. The ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 April 2015
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    shows promise, but hardly an endearing title. The author has talent but has not really learned how to write professionally.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Jez
    4.0 out of 5 stars I read this over a weekend and it had me ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 March 2015
    Format: Kindle Edition
    I read this over a weekend and it had me gripped. Dark contemporary subject matter interestingly dealt with. Real suspense and well drawn characters. Reminded me a little of Christopher Priest. I did however feel the ending could have gone another way.
    Helpful
     Report
  • L. Dannecker
    5.0 out of 5 stars Can't put it down
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 February 2015
    Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
    This is a different read from Ian's first book but has the same sensitivity and depth as that. As hard to put down as it is to read - tough subject matter. But it's important and needs to be read. And it's also so descriptive and beautifully written that it draws you in and keeps you there.
    Helpful
     Report
  • If Only You Knew
    5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 16 November 2015
    Format: Kindle Edition
    This is an ambitious and thought provoking book. It is beautifully written and the characters and situations are explored with insight and precision. The themes of the book are challenging and much of the territory explored would have been avoided by a less honest writer. Overall, the book successfully mixes a world which is intimate and intense with an examination of wider political and moral issues. There is much courage in the writing and a story which keeps the reader engaged.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Tamsin Evans
    5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVED The Complex Chemistry of Loss
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 28 March 2015
    Format: Kindle Edition
    I LOVED The Complex Chemistry of Loss. It has that rare quality of being both beautifully written and a real page-turner. It is also one of those books that you try to read as slowly as possible as you want to enjoy it for as long as possible! I'd highly recommend it.
    Helpful
     Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report