The story … It is the 1960s and the small African country Nmkwami is preparing for independence from Britain. The prime minister is looking forward to becoming the first president. The last colonial governor is looking forward to a quiet retirement. The ordinary people are looking forward to a good party. But into this peaceful scene comes the shadowy figure of Mark Changeover. Is he an international terrorist? An anarchist bomber? Or really, nobody at all? As the hunt for Changeover brings chaos and confusion to Nmkwami, Diana Wynne Jones has fun with colonial attitudes, communist students, military coups and more …