An author’s debut novel set in the Sussex countryside explores life in boarding school and growing up in post-war England.

Safehouse, the first book in the new Belief And Betrayal series by James Adley, sees two women decide to put their country above their families.

The story follows protagonists Adrienne and Eleanor in the 1960s.

Adrienne travels the world advising governments on behalf of her country. She doesn’t have time for her son Daniel. Boarding school offers an answer. But for Daniel, being Jewish in an English boarding school in the 1960s is a nightmare.

“A small part of the book has its genesis my time as a Jew in a boarding school in the late 1960s,” James said.

He said it is a “dream come true” to have written his first novel.

The book begins in the Sussex countryside with Eleanor, who later has signs up as a sleeper with MI5.

She and Irish builder Barrie, the love of her life, move to a perfect country cottage, and when a traumatised Daniel finds refuge there, he thinks he’s found his safehouse.

The novel is made up of chapters which are vignettes of times in the lives of the protagonists.

Their lives are deeply intertwined and their decisions create a web of revenge, deception and betrayal.

James said it is an “honour” to have received great reviews on his debut novel.

Safehouse, which is partly set in Hove, is on sale in Waterstones, George Street and City Books, Western Road.