The Umbrella Murder cover art

The Umbrella Murder

The Hunt for the Cold War's Most Notorious Killer

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The Umbrella Murder

By: Ulrik Skotte
Narrated by: Justin Avoth
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

London, September 1978: exiled Bulgarian dissident Georgi Markov is murdered in broad daylight on Waterloo Bridge with what appears to be a poison-tipped umbrella. It would become the most infamous unsolved killing of the Cold War.

Many years later, young journalist Ulrik Skotte is approached with explosive new information about a man alleged to be responsible for Markov’s death – a spy code-named Piccadilly who worked for the Bulgarian secret service. This meeting launched Skotte into a hunt for the killer lasting more than a quarter of a century, bringing him face to face with eccentric conspiracy theorists, a washed-up former dictator, ageing Danish spooks – and, ultimately, with Agent Piccadilly himself.

Drawing on an incredible cache of original documents, interviews and archive material, The Umbrella Murder provides jaw-dropping answers to questions that have persisted for nearly five decades: who killed Georgi Markov? And who has been protecting the assassin ever since?

©2024 Ulrik Skotte (P)2024 Penguin Audio Espionage Freedom & Security Murder Politics & Government True Crime Inspiring Cold War

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An astounding feat of research and dogged determination in the pursuit of truth. A remarkable thriller, all the more so as so many readers will remember the incident and the mystery surrounding the assination of Georgi Markov.

A gripping tale, perfect narration an insight to the murky world of espionage

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Excellent book about a strange murder. I was a kid when it happened - but have always remembered it. It was interesting to know more of the circumstances surrounding it.

Excellent

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This is an extraordinary story, well told that grips the imagination from the very beginning. Markov's murder stood out amongst the many crimes, committed by both sides, in the cold war, brazen and ruthless yet also mysterious. Bulgaria I know well, and this book captures the atmosphere of a post cold war Sofia, struggling against having to deal with its past. Whatever the equivalent of a page turner is in Audible, this is it.

Totally Gripping

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This is a masterpiece. The writing and the narration are outstanding. I wish all audiobooks were this well narrated. The story is gripping and wonderfully written. A must listen. This is one that I will listen to over and over. Simply superb.

In my top three audiobooks of all time.

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I thought this story was well presented from start to finish and it managed to keep my attention throughout.

Great story

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As a Bulgarian I am very interested in knowing the truth about Georgi Markov's murder. It was a common knowledge that the Bulgarian secret service was behind it. However this book gives a lot of detail on the subject.
Very well written and read.

A real story, told as interesting as a novel.

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Liked the story but it could’ve been more succinct. And at least it had an end!

Interesting story - bit long

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