Per niente al mondo

Ken Follett's depiction of political machinations feels very timely. I wonder what real-world events or ideas influenced his portrayal of power struggles.

The suspense kept me hooked, but I was especially drawn to the unraveling of the secrets. Was that the author's intention or just a happy coincidence?

Some parts felt slow, especially during the political negotiations, but then the mystery ramps up quickly. Did the pacing enhance or detract from your engagement?