Chance Awakening

by George Markstein

A catalogue of second-hand books arrived in the post, one page marked in red. Michael Golly didn't even need to open the envelope for he already knew what it meant - this was the sign he had been so long waiting for. For years living the life of a small-time London businessman, Golly's time as a sleeper had come to an end. Now that his Control had made contact, he must follow his deadly instructions. But was he still up to it after all these years? How would he know whom he could trust? And would he recognise the enemy when confronted? And worst of all, now that it had started, would it ever end?

Genres: Mystery

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

George Markstein (29 August 1929 – 15 January 1987) was a German-born British journalist and subsequent writer of thrillers and teleplays.

Markstein was a military correspondence with the U.S. Forces in Europe after World War II, and become hooked on the study of espionage. He turned from documentary writing for television to drama, created the controversial The Prisoner series, and was the script editor (and co-writer of "Arrival," the first episode) of the series briefly appearing in its title sequence.

Markstein also wrote for or story-edited other television series, specialising in espionage stories, such as Danger Man, Callan, and Armchair Theatre, and jointly ran a successful literary agency for screenwriters.

He was co-winner of the British Writers Guild Award for the Best Original Screenplay for the feature film Robbery in 1967, and was Executive Story Editor for Thames Television during the 1970s.

Following a long illness, Markstein died of kidney failure in 1987.