Returning home to Berlin in July 1939, British journalist John Russell learns that his girlfriend Effi has been arrested by the Gestapo. Having agreed to work for American intelligence in exchange for an American passport, Russell hoped he could stay in Germany with Effi and his son if war with England broke out, but now he's being blackmailed. The Gestapo will only free Effi if Russell will work for Nazi intelligence. His former Soviet connections make him a perfect spy. Russell agrees but secretly offers his services to the Soviets instead. He won't do anything too dangerous, though, and only if they'll sneak him and Effi out of Germany in an emergency. It seems like a good plan, but soon things get complicated. A Jewish girl has disappeared, and Russell feels compelled to search for her when the police won't. And the Soviets end up demanding more than Russell expected. As Europe lurches toward war, Russell must chase the latest stories while trying both to satisfy his secret masters and to retain some sense of personal integrity.