So Disdained by Nevil Shute

So Disdained is set in Italy during the 1930s. The story follows the character of Stephen Fletcher, an English engineer who is sent to Italy to work on a new project. Fletcher becomes involved in a dangerous game of espionage, as he is recruited by a British intelligence agent to gather information about an Italian weapons manufacturer. Along the way, Fletcher falls in love with a beautiful Italian woman named Marta, who becomes instrumental in his mission. However, as Fletcher becomes increasingly entangled in his role as a spy, he begins to question the morality of his actions and the motives of those around him. The novel explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, love, and the political tensions of pre-World War II Europe. Ultimately, Fletcher must decide where his loyalties lie and what he is willing to risk for the sake of his beliefs and those he cares about.