The Factory cover art

The Factory

And Other Stories

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The Factory

By: Brian Freemantle
Narrated by: Robin Sachs
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About this listen

A dozen stories of espionage in Berlin, from one of the genre’s masters

In 1990—after the Iron Curtain has lifted but before East and West Germany become one—an uneasy truce exists between the spy agencies of Berlin’s two halves. As the governments of the divided state negotiate reunification, espionage continues quietly. That calm is about to explode. An English agent, on a routine collection of microfilm on the other side of Checkpoint Charlie, is arrested for spying, and all hell threatens to break loose. He is the fourth officer in six months to fall, and the arrest confirms everyone’s fear: There is a mole in English intelligence.

Responsibility falls on Samuel Bell, the head of the Berlin espionage department, nicknamed “the Factory.” But Bell’s search for the mole—an unwanted strain on his alcohol-frayed nerves—is only one of this collection’s dozen stories of life in the Factory, where deception is rampant and death is never far behind.

©1990 Brian Freemantle (P)2012 Audible, Inc. Anthologies Anthologies & Short Stories Espionage Mystery Short Stories Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense Fiction Funny

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All stars
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This author certainly knows how to craft intricate plots. This collection weaves through deceit and intrigue on a world stage with MCs we hardly get to know in short stories, which is a shame as several could fill out well. Not the best narrator, who does not characterize the females well, but it was OK.

Even the "goodies" did bad things, and the "baddies" did good things, but then that's life.

ENJOYABLE

Good game, hope you're playing at home

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A genuinely original tale well told. I had worked out who the "mole" was beforehand but the failings, human and otherwise did prevent confirmation to the end. A good tale well told

How devious the world of espionage!!!

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Very rare, do I listen to a full book in one or two sessions, but this had me gripped

Really really good

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It is not randomn short stories so is more a single book than collection of short stories.
I enjoyed.

Conected stories.

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Really enjoyed the whole thing. Robin Sachs was a really great narrator, a sad loss

Brilliant

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This was easy to listen to but was spoiled by the conclusion about the agent responsible and the time it took to unravel by the Head of the Department so you're constantly shouting out "it's obvious!" . Really wonderful narration though.

A decent book about intelligence services

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Well performed and well written. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope for more from this author

Excellent short stories

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My first but not last Brian Freemantle novel. It took myself until chapter 9 to get a idea where this book was leading. I was correct too. I wonder how long it will take you! Great book, story's weaving back and forth to a surprising ending. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Superb!

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Unlike some stories in this genre, the chapters are complete in themselves yet link up throughout to form the all important ‘bigger picture’.

There is an authentic lack of glamour about the characters. Likewise the pace of the narrative is measured though probably gets a bit too exciting than in real life.

Perhaps the primary success lies in how the story draws the listener/reader into how the characters feel and think.

The narrator manages the change in accents and genders well enough so they are easy to listen to and appreciate the change in who’s speaking, but they are possibly a bit too caricatured. All the Russians sounding gruff and the women softly spoken avoids us from being sucked in too deeply. Good or bad? I don’t know. However, possibly I’m pleased that I managed to keep my distance from the unsavoury and brutal goings on.

Thoroughly engaging and thought provoking

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Found this book easy to listen to and an engaging story. Excellent narration, well written. Would recommend this book

Great spy thriller

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