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The Insider

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The Insider

By: Matthew Richardson
Narrated by: Sean Barrett
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

A thrilling novel of espionage and murder in the dark heart of Westminster, from the UK's most exciting new spy writer.

A Russian defector is found brutally murdered in a London hotel.

Only four people knew he had turned - the four most important and powerful figures in Whitehall.

There's only one conclusion - a mole has infiltrated the highest levels of the nation's security.

Operating in secret from within Westminster's darkest corners, former spy Solomon Vine must uncover the traitor.

Because Britain's future hangs in the balance.

And with it the fate of the whole world....

©2021 Matthew Richardson (P)2021 Penguin Audio Espionage Political Spies & Politics Suspense Thriller & Suspense Exciting

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Critic reviews

"Proof that the spy genre is flourishing in the 21st century.... [Richardson's] plotting has an old-school, Swiss-clock precision." (Guardian)

"Compelling, intense and sharply authentic." (James Swallow, best-selling author of Nomad)

"A splendid tale of espionage starring an old-fashioned MI6 hero...exciting spy literature." (Times)
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Narrator's sense of timing is brilliant, loved the story line and the main character's mind

Gripping, well paced story. Loved it.

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I love a good spy story and this does not disappoint. Sean Barrett is very good.

Great story - we'll read by Sean Barrett

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loved it. veryauthentic. very cinvincing. a good way to spend a few hours on a journey.

excellent

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I love a spy story, and this is a well-paced, engaging book.

But what makes it great is the legend that is Sean Barrett. There is no better narrator. (PS if you want to hear more from him, try the Slough House series by Mick Herron)

Great for spook lovers

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I love listening to Sean Barrett, so bought this, I would not usually be drawn to a spy novel, but this was really interesting , very detailed .

The Insider

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Briliant plot, Full of twists and turns and exquisitely narrated by Sean Barrett. Looking forward to more of this writer on Audible.

The Insider

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Bought on the strength of narrator Sean Barrett. It is very much in the vein of John le Carre and though I guessed the ‘mole’ at the very beginning it was an enjoyable story and keep me interested.
I’ve not heard of the author before but look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Enjoyable espionage

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There’s always room in the world for another world-weary spy and this is a very satisfying London thriller. I’ve not read the previous book, which may explain Solomon’s backstory, however this can definitely be enjoyed as a stand-alone book.
Very much in the vein of Charles Cumming’s Box 88 and Mick Herron’s Slough House series, especially the latter with gravely narration by Sean Barratt.
My only complaint was that, at 7 hours, it was a little short and another couple of hours would have given space to flesh out some of the details. But thoroughly enjoyable.

All spy books should be narrated by Sean Barratt

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Have to say I loved this. First off it has Sean Barratt, and hes just great at this stuff. You just relax and let him tell you a story.

This book has all the tropes you love if your into Le Carre and McBain. Moscow Rules, chalk, dead letter boxes, rude politicians, clever enemies. It borrows a lot from Tinker Tailor, but clearly with some love.

Personally I like my spy stories really slow and this book could have been longer. Also Im not sure I got one particular bit of plot - but I didnt care by that point. Listened to it over three days and was sad when it finished. Hope he does some more as hes found a way to do Le Carre in a modern setting with modern tech (that sort of ruins the Cold War vibe).

Good book! Get it!

Ripping yarn - like finding a new Le Carre/McBain

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Outstanding narration - suited absolutely to the genre.

Firstly it was super refreshing to have a book that for once didn't rely on sex scenes, brutal violence, foul language, drug and alcohol use - bravo!! It proves indeed that the above is not a requirement for a book to be satisfying, indeed for myself it elevated the writing to not have to rely on vulgarity and kept me involved throughout.

If you want sex, drugs, alcohol, depraved language and violence this is not for you - go elsewhere.

Is the outcome of the "mole" surprising? Considering the whole book, no - however that does not detract from the storyline at all.

I have bought the paperback for my elderly dad as an extra Christmas gift as I know he will enjoy the intrigue but the lack of the usual fluff and nonsense that many writers rely on to sell their books.

Thoroughly enjoyable

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