Dobbs is the greatest political novelist since Anthony Trollope in the Victorian era. His political ‘insider’ status and dialogue is outstanding. This re-read was an unmitigated joy from start to finish.

What I’d forgotten was that this novel – the third in the House of Cards trilogy – began every chapter with an aphorism. Dare I say it? The price of the book is worth it just for those aphorisms. I was bowled over.

Try these:

Chapter Four: “If ignorance is bliss then Parliament must be filled with happy men.”

Chapter Six: “I regard being called a hypocrite as something of a compliment. It means I can see both sides of a question.”

And so on…. Until chapter 48

Obviously the BBC series is genius but so is the American version with Kevin Spacey.