William Maryngton has one dream in life: to fight for his country, as his father did. Yet, by the time Armistice is reached in 1918, he is too young to fulfil his greatest wish. As time passes, Willie finds himself increasingly out of sync with the evolving nature of warfare and civilian life. Yet, when conflict reignites between Germany and England, he is selected for a secret mission that could determine the outcome of the Second World War.

Inspired by the true events of the 1943 mission codenamed 'Operation Mincemeat', and based on classified information from Churchill's war cabinet, Operation Heartbreak is the only novel that Duff Cooper ever wrote. It remains a timeless exploration of unfulfilled ambition and personal sacrifice, offering a deeply moving portrayal of a man caught between his aspirations and the inexorable march of history.