The sinister business of counter-espionage is played by a motley assortment of characters: Quayle, administrative genius, with the ability to live without sleep, wine, or women; Shaun O'Mara, who loves all those things, looks like an actor, and works with subtlety, artistry and distinction; and Ricky Kerr, who is not quite able to stand the pace.

The women, of course, dress superbly, move like angels, are as beautiful as diamonds and, with one notable exception, behave abominably...