The Rake's Progress

SAINTS AND SINNERS

Book One of The Rake's Progress Trilogy

By Ludo Stuart -Douglas

From the sun-scorched streets of colonial Saigon to the gilded halls of English country houses, "Saints and Sinners" follows the extraordinary life of Jack Drummond—a man born into privilege but forged by adversity. When his violent father's actions force a young Jack to flee Vietnam for the sanctuary of his grandfather's estate, he learns his first crucial lesson: survival isn't just about strength, but adaptability.

As Jack navigates the treacherous waters of British high society, military service, and the cutthroat world of international business, he blazes a trail of both triumph and scandal. His journey takes him from the polo fields of Argentina to the dangerous backstreets of Bangkok, from Moscow's corridors of power to the wild beauty of Kenya's savannas. Along the way, he encounters a cast of unforgettable characters: the enigmatic Aicha, the fierce Clare, the rebellious Clodagh, and countless others who shape his destiny.

But when his personal life implodes and a custody battle threatens to tear him away from his beloved daughter, Jack must confront the demons of his past and decide what kind of man he truly wants to be. Set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing world from the 1960s through the 1990s, this sweeping saga combines the social observation of Edward St. Aubyn's Patrick Melrose novels with the historical scope of William Boyd's "Any Human Heart."

Perfect for fans of Evelyn Waugh, Sebastian Faulks, and Julian Fellowes, "Saints and Sinners" offers a masterful exploration of power, privilege, and the price of redemption. With prose that crackles with wit and sophistication, Ludo Stuart-Douglas delivers a compelling tale of love, loss, and the eternal struggle between duty and desire.