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A Spy Alone

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A Spy Alone

By: Charles Beaumont
Narrated by: David Thorpe
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Everyone knows about the Cambridge Spies from the 1950s, but no spy ring was ever unearthed at Oxford. Because one never existed? Or because it was never found...?

2022: Former spy Simon Sharman is eking out a living in the private sector. When a commission to delve into the financial dealings of a mysterious Russian oligarch comes across his desk, he jumps at the chance. But as Simon investigates, worrying patterns begin to emerge. His subject made regular trips to Oxford, but for no apparent reason. There are payments from offshore accounts that suddenly just...stop. Has he found what none of his former colleagues believed possible, a Russian spy ring now nestled at the heart of the British Establishment? Or is he just another paranoid ex-spook left out in the cold, obsessed with redemption?

©2023 Charles Beaumont (P)2023 Isis Audio Action & Adventure Espionage Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense Russia Suspense
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I am about 2/3rds through this - will keep plodding on but really have lost interest.
All the people seem absolutely ghastly - starting with the " charismatic" Mckenzie whose voice is most unpleasant.
Hard to believe our hero Simon has been a secret agent for 20 years, he seems curiously naive.
I think part of the problem (as with most modern thrillers) is that the book is about 100 pages too long - the 39 Steps, the Spy who came in from the cold, etc. are about 250 pages. Le Carre got quite dull when he forgot his audience and real marathon books,
However, shall look out for Beaumont's next books.

This seems interminable

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Really enjoyed the story and the performance. It being set in very recent times (2022) made it very interesting for me.

A very good story based in current times.

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Found this after Bill Nighy recommended it. Good characters. Great fun. Looking forward to the sequel.

Excellent spy fun

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I loved the premise of the story - an Oxford Spy ring, what could be better ? Well as it turned out , a lot of other spy stories ! There was v little suspense as it veered off into an another & unadvertised direction where the enemy appeared to be Brexit rather than Russia. I wanted a good spy story not a lecture on why Brexit was ( in the author’s opinion) wrong & why anyone who voted for it was stupid & gullible . I didn’t like any of the so called “ good guys” and the villains were for the most part completely absent & when they appeared were painted as utterly detestable. I always know it’s not a winner for me when I find myself counting up the minutes left to endure & shouting aloud “ oh just get on with it”. I enjoy books like The Company ( Robert Littell) where even after 40 hours of listening I’m craving more and feel bereft for weeks after the final words are spoken .

Not what it says on the tin

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One of the best spy stories I have read in many years. Gripping, frustrating and exciting in equal measure. The style is excellent and the narrative voice is first class. Outstanding all round, from story and plot through to narration.

Superb!

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