MacInnes relies on sympathetic characters to entice her readers to follow her rather convoluted plots. Critics note that she is particularly good at feeding her readers information bit by bit, keeping their attention and whetting their interest. Her information is based on careful research and is said to be wholly accurate. Just as certain information is withheld from the readers, it takes a while before the main characters are able to distinguish their friends from their enemies. Meanwhile the reader worries about them until they learn to protect themselves and each other.

There is some violence, but it is not described graphically. Readers hear the explosions, but do not get too close a look at the bodies. The hero and the heroine are in danger, but they are never hurt. However, minor characters for whom the reader has come to care, do get hurt, even killed, generally through...