In *Hooke’s Prism*, Paul Ashford weaves a masterful tale that intertwines the lives of two brothers with the lingering shadows of the Second World War. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the English countryside, the discovery of a gun and a tattered notebook sets off a riveting exploration into the past, leading to the final days of Winston Churchill’s premiership. The notebook, filled with cryptic notes from a forgotten veteran, reveals a man deeply scarred by conflict and burdened with secrets from an invisible war fought by the intellectual elite of the time.

At the core of Ashford’s narrative lies a mystery that has remained buried since 1945: a message authored by Churchill during the Potsdam Conference, stolen before it could change the course of history. As the narrator delves deeper into this intricate puzzle, he unearths the chilling legacy of the Invisible College, a clandestine group established by the brilliant Robert Hooke. The questions that arise—what Hooke discovered and why it has been concealed for over three centuries—drive the suspense to a fever pitch.

*Hooke’s Prism* is a compelling literary thriller that deftly navigates the intersections of science, power, and history. With its darkly comic tone and sharp intelligence, Ashford’s work prompts readers to ponder a profound question: when truth is distorted by power, can we ever perceive reality as it truly exists?