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Dark Arena
A Frenchman Thriller
Series: Frenchman
Brief Description
'A sequel that is every bit as thrilling, and chillingly real, as his debut . . . This will probably be the spy thriller of the year.' — The Australian THE FRENCHMAN RETURNS Alec de Payns, espionage operative of the Y Division of the DGSE, France's...
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Dark Arena
$2799
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A high-stakes thriller that could be ripped from today's headlines - from the bestselling author of The Frenchman.
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Description
'A sequel that is every bit as thrilling, and chillingly real, as his debut . . . This will probably be the spy thriller of the year.' — The Australian
THE FRENCHMAN RETURNS
Alec de Payns, espionage operative of the Y Division of the DGSE, France's famed foreign intelligence service, is tasked with tracking down an agent of influence sending highly classified material against the Kremlin to embassies all over Europe.
A deadly conspiracy is aligning the West against Russia. But who is behind it? And to what end?
The clues lead to a secret meeting of businessmen, terrorists, and mercenaries on a luxury yacht in the Mediterranean, which de Payns must infiltrate. What he discovers sets off a Europe-wide manhunt in a desperate scramble to prevent an international catastrophe.
Former DGSE spy Jack Beaumont's Dark Arena is a chillingly plausible sequel delivering all the taut plotting, superb action, and authentic spycraft that made The Frenchman a critically acclaimed bestseller.
'If it wasn't for my background, I would have said that this was fiction, but knowing what I know, Dark Arena is as real and as deeply disturbing as a world I once knew.' — Ant Middleton, former UK Special Forces
'A rollicking good read. Espionage skills abound in each fast-paced chapter. Lovers of spy novels are in for a treat - another exciting glimpse into contemporary yet fictional intelligence work.' — Paul Symon AO, former Director-General, Australian Secret Intelligence Service
'An extraordinary story.' — Richard Fidler, Conversations
'A sophisticated espionage tale from an author who knows whereof he speaks.' — Kirkus Reviews
'French spy turned author Jack Beaumont provides a gripping sequel to his debut, The Frenchman. Containing amazing authenticity and an elaborate plot, Dark Arena is an exceptional and highly addictive piece of spy fiction.' — Canberra Daily
Dark Arena is the first bona fide top flight thriller of the year. Jack Beaumont secured his place in the pantheon of espionage page turners with his first book, The Frenchman. With Dark Arena he cements that place.' — Sydney Arts Guide
'Jack Beaumont provides an outstanding follow-up to his epic debut with Dark Arena. Once again featuring his ultra-authentic take on spies and international espionage, Dark Arena has a captivating and realistic plot that takes his excellent and complex characters into the heart of recent history. Intense, addictive, and so damn intricate, Dark Arena was an exceptional read from a rising star in the spy thriller game.' — The Unseen Library
'This thriller blends current real-world politics and fictional international espionage . . . If you like a good spy story, immerse yourself in this.' — Law Institute Journal
Series: Frenchman
View all-
Liar's Game
A gripping spy novel that could only be written by someone who has operated in this world. - Gary Jubelin, journalist, former homicide detective and author of I Catch Killers While recruiting a Russian human source embedded in the shadows of illicit financial networks, French spy Alec de Payns is abruptly pulled from the field. His new mission: exfiltrate a...Paperback$2999Elsewhere:$3799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Frenchman
‘It's a richly detailed cloak-and-dagger thriller reminiscent of the novels of John le Carre... I hope Jack Beaumont, whoever he is, writes a follow-up.’ - Stephen Romei, The Australian Alec de Payns is an operative in the secretive Y Division of the DGSE, France's famed foreign intelligence service. He's the agent at the sharp end of clandestine missions, responsible for...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
Dark Arena
'A sequel that is every bit as thrilling, and chillingly real, as his debut . . . This will probably be the spy thriller of the year.' — The Australian THE FRENCHMAN RETURNS Alec de Payns, espionage operative of the Y Division of the DGSE, France's famed foreign intelligence service, is tasked with tracking down an agent of influence sending...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Frenchman
'It's a richly detailed cloak-and-dagger thriller reminiscent of the novels of John le Carre ... I hope Jack Beaumont, whoever he is, writes a follow-up.' - Stephen Romei, The Australian Alec de Payns is an operative in the secretive Y Division of the DGSE, France's famed foreign intelligence service. He's the agent at the sharp end of clandestine missions, responsible...PaperbackSold Out -
Dark Arena
'A sequel that is every bit as thrilling, and chillingly real, as his debut . . . This will probably be the spy thriller of the year.' - The Australian THE FRENCHMAN RETURNS Alec de Payns, espionage operative of the Y Division of the DGSE, France's famed foreign intelligence service, is tasked with tracking down an agent of influence sending...PaperbackSold Out
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781761472312
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 01 July 2025
Country: Australia
Imprint: Allen & Unwin
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Width: 128.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 339g
Pages: 464
About the Author
Jack Beaumont is the pseudonym of a former operative in the clandestine operations branch of the French foreign secret service, the DGSE. He joined 'The Company' after being an air force fighter pilot and later flying special operations and intelligence missions. Beaumont's background gives his novels a level of authenticity that few other spy thrillers have been able to achieve.
Also by Jack Beaumont
View all-
Liar's Game
A gripping spy novel that could only be written by someone who has operated in this world. - Gary Jubelin, journalist, former homicide detective and author of I Catch Killers While recruiting a Russian human source embedded in the shadows of illicit financial networks, French spy Alec de Payns is abruptly pulled from the field. His new mission: exfiltrate a...Paperback$2999Elsewhere:$3799Unit price /UnavailableAvailableShips in 4-6 weeks -
The Frenchman
‘It's a richly detailed cloak-and-dagger thriller reminiscent of the novels of John le Carre... I hope Jack Beaumont, whoever he is, writes a follow-up.’ - Stephen Romei, The Australian Alec de Payns is an operative in the secretive Y Division of the DGSE, France's famed foreign intelligence service. He's the agent at the sharp end of clandestine missions, responsible for...Paperback$2799Unit price /UnavailableIn StockShips tomorrow -
The Frenchman
'It's a richly detailed cloak-and-dagger thriller reminiscent of the novels of John le Carre ... I hope Jack Beaumont, whoever he is, writes a follow-up.' - Stephen Romei, The Australian Alec de Payns is an operative in the secretive Y Division of the DGSE, France's famed foreign intelligence service. He's the agent at the sharp end of clandestine missions, responsible...PaperbackSold Out -
Dark Arena
'A sequel that is every bit as thrilling, and chillingly real, as his debut . . . This will probably be the spy thriller of the year.' - The Australian THE FRENCHMAN RETURNS Alec de Payns, espionage operative of the Y Division of the DGSE, France's famed foreign intelligence service, is tasked with tracking down an agent of influence sending...PaperbackSold Out
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