First published in 1967, The Tyranny of Love was the second in a quartet of novels by Colin Spencer concerning the Simpson family. At the forefront of this story is Matthew, only son of Eddy and Hester Simpson. He loathes his lecherous father and wants to avenge his mother's misery. He begins an obsessive, sexless relationship with Jane, the girl next door, but his driving passion tends in another direction, and threatens to cause chaos.

This edition of the novel includes a new preface by Colin Spencer.

'[The novel] has a passionate feeling for the sensuous world; the characters live at full blast, a family driven by dark and uncontrollable forces, but always flesh and blood people.' London Illustrated News