FACT - BUNCEFIELD OIL TERMINAL DISASTER 11th December 2005
It was described as the largest explosion on English soil since World War II. Over the following twelve months, investigations led by the Health and Safety Executive concluded that it was an "accident" caused by overfilling.
QUESTION - It's unusual that it took twelve months to come to that conclusion. What if it had not been an accident?
MI6 operative Harry Baxter is called back from vacation to investigate whether the explosion at Buncefield was an accident or deliberate. If deliberate, was it home grown, or an act of international terrorism?
OVERT LIES follows the international intelligence agencies- MI6, MI5, DGSE, Mossad, CIA, - as they determine the source and unwind the mystery of who bombed Buncefield Terminal. Will the perpetrators strike again?
Following the Buncefield attack, Jihadists move their operations to the Gulf as security is tightened in the UK. They regroup, plan, and solicit funding before returning to London to set up an attack on the heart of British democracy.
UK intelligence agencies MI5 and MI6 combine forces to thwart the terrorists' plans, consistently one step behind, desperate for Intel and fearful for public safety. Hostages are taken by both sides leading to a critical final standoff as the next attack is mounted in London.
Interwoven with the suspense is political intrigue involving Ministers with axes to grind, and a slowly developing relationship between Harry Baxter and a sleeper Mossad operative working as one Minister's PA (and lover). Their relationship continues to evolve through the series, as does Harry's relationships with various agents in the international intelligence agencies.