# Ashenden — Chapters explained

> Chapter companions for Ashenden by W. Somerset Maugham.

- [Ashenden](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/ashenden.md): Ashenden, a British author turned spy, is recruited by R. and sent to Switzerland during World War I. He navigates a world of espionage filled with boredom, moral ambiguity, and deception, encountering a cast of characte
- [R.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/i-r.md): Ashenden, a writer, returns to England after the outbreak of war and is recruited into the secret service by a middle-aged Colonel known as R. During their meeting, R. recounts a supposedly true espionage incident involv
- [II: A Domiciliary Visit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/ii-a-domiciliary-visit.md): Ashenden returns to Geneva by steamer after a stormy crossing from France, where he had delivered a report. He recalls a recent urgent mission: an Indian agent informed him of a Bengali spy in German service who left a b
- [III: Miss King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/iii-miss-king.md): Ashenden, relaxing after a police scare, is summoned to the bedside of Miss King, an elderly English governess who has suffered a stroke. He sits with her through the night, sensing she desperately wants to communicate s
- [IV: The Hairless Mexican](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/iv-the-hairless-mexican.md): Ashenden is introduced to the Hairless Mexican, a flamboyant and dangerous agent, by R. in Lyons. R. explains the mission: intercept a Greek spy, Constantine Andreadi, who is traveling from Constantinople to Rome with se

> 11 more chapter companions — [open a free preview](https://www.betterreads.dev/reader?bookId=ashenden_se_1551kb&preview=1) to unlock the rest.

- [The Dark Woman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/v-the-dark-woman.md)
- [VI: The Greek](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/vi-the-greek.md)
- [VII: A Trip to Paris](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/vii-a-trip-to-paris.md)
- [VIII: Giulia Lazzari](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/viii-giulia-lazzari.md)
- [IX: Gustav](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/ix-gustav.md)
- [Behind the Scenes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/xi-behind-the-scenes.md)
- [XII: His Excellency](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/xii-his-excellency.md)
- [XIII: The Flip of a Coin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/xiii-the-flip-of-a-coin.md)
- [XIV: A Chance Acquaintance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/xiv-a-chance-acquaintance.md)
- [Love and Russian Literature](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/xv-love-and-russian-literature.md)
- [XVI: Mr. Harrington’s Washing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters/xvi-mr-harrington-s-washing.md)

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/ashenden_se/chapters