ADAPTED FROM 500 DAYS, BY KURT EICHENWALD, TO BE PUBLISHED THIS MONTH BY SIMON & SCHUSTER; (C) 2012 BY THE AUTHOR.

The Chilterns lie northwest of London, a vista of sweeping grasslands, honeysuckle-draped cottages and the crack of cricket bats on plush village greens. Church bells ring out across the leafy stillness, adding an almost mystical aura to the scene