Hugo Marston, former FBI agent, now head of security for the American Embassy in London, is on way to a meeting with the US ambassador, when he decides to visit a 100 year-old crime scene. His musings take him to cemetery where he comes across a body hanging from a tree.

After calling the authorities, Hugo goes to the pub to meet Ambassador John Cooper. Hugo's task will be to babysit American movie star Dayton Harper, who is getting out of jail momentarily; he and wife Ginny Ferro are guilty of a hit and run. Ginny was released 2 days prior, but Dayton doesn't know she got out. Dayton will be staying at Hugo's flat because police fear the public might go rabid.

When they learn that the body in the cemetery was that of Ginny Ferro, Dayton breaks down and becomes restless. In need of distraction, the Americans drive out into the City but they are ambushed by the press and Dayton escapes. He takes to the countryside, and while searching for him, Hugo and John learn that the victim of the hit and run was the son of an important landowner; a murderer apparently hanged himself in a halfway house, two weeks after being released from jail, and another killer is slated for release from jail in three days.

Mark Pryor completely captures the essence of all things English countryside in THE BUTTON MAN. I love the contrast between the realistic dialogues and the elegant narration. Mr. Pryor understands how Americans and English people differ in their behaviour, and his characters act and speak according to their nationalities, occupations, and ages. The protagonists are wonderfully colourful, and intriguing. The atmosphere created by the author adds to the suspense. What a joy it is to see an author of such immense writing skills create a captivating suspense where some characters do startling things and others meet an unexpected demise.