Amsterdam – Ian McEwanMost of us strive to be heroes, but when we're vying to achieve ambition, it's easy to wind up as villains. 'Amsterdam' depicts three high profile characters desperate to create a worthy legacy, but who are sunk by immoral decisions they make on their journey to the top.

Clive Linley, Vernon Halliday and Julian Garmony meet at the funeral of their ex-paramour, Molly, who died of a debilitating illness, the "sick-room prisoner" of the possessive, behind-the-scenes villain of the piece, George Lane. Clive is an internationally-acclaimed composer; Vernon is editor of the eminent broadsheet 'The Judge', appointed to boost falling consumer figures. Julian Garmony is the Foreign Secretary and, if he plays his cards right, the Prime Minister's putative successor. Read more of this post