Factual error: During the part of the book where Elspeth Lucas is leaving the Vanguard Motel, she is driving a Corvette. Theo Packman, a spy, has been forced to hide in the trunk of her car because the police have arrived at the motel searching for him. When Elspeth is leaving, the police question her, and shine a flashlight into her car, searching for Theo in the front and back seats. Problem is, Corvettes have never had back seats. They have been a two-seater sports car since they began production in 1953.
Factual error: The main character, Luke, steals a Ford Fiesta to make a getaway from a train station. However, the book takes place in the 1960's, and the Fiesta was not built by Ford in either Europe or North America until 1976, and even then, was only in North America from 1978 to 1980.
Factual error: There are several references in the book to Xeroxes and photocopies in January 1958, when Explorer 1 was launched. However, the Xerox company did not introduce the first photocopier until 1959.
Factual error: July 20 1968, Luke watches Neil Armstrong landing on the moon. The actual date was July 20, 1969.
Factual error: The year of the Epilogue chapter is said to be 1968. However, the Apollo 11 mission to which the chapter refers was in 1969.
