M: MI5's First Spymaster

by Andrew Cook

William Melville was one of the most influential counter-espionage figures of the 20th century. He was perfect for the job, a velvet-gloved hardman who had run Special Branch and whose career had already taken in some of London’s great crime dramas, including the Jack the Ripper investigations, Irish Republican terrorism, and assassination attempts on Queen Victoria and Edward VII. Now, with the help of recently declassified records, family material, and records that have still not officially seen the light of day, the story of his Secret Service career—including the breaking of German spy rings prior to the outbreak of the First World War—can finally be told.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Politics, Espionage

336 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2004

Reviews

[John A. Hopkins]

The story of William Melville is an interesting one. Starting with his early life as a police office in the late 19th century, M takes us through to his interest in security, secrecy and espionage. Towards the end of his career in the early 1910s, Europe and Britain are headed towards war, and identifying spies is essential. Melville, Mr. M., plays a key part in setting up the Secret Service Bureau which eventually becomes MI5 and MI6. I expected this to be a bit more focused on Melville – it was initially but later on it becomes a bit of a review of cases in the lead-up to, and the early years of, the Great War. Interesting account of a bygone age of espionage.

[Spen Cer]

Interesting, however detailed and meandering to an unexciting point.

[Jo]

The story of William Melville and the creation of MI5. It's an interesting topic but some parts of this book were so very very dull. I had to persevere to get to the better parts and to make it to the end

[Robin Hourican]

An interesting account, but quite "fact" heavy which takes away from the narrative. However, if you're interested in the topic, then it is ultimately an interesting read.