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The Key to Rebecca

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The Key to Rebecca

By: Ken Follett
Narrated by: Tim Downie
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£5.99/mo after 3 months. Offer ends on 5 July 2026 at 11:59 BST. Cancel monthly.

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The Key to Rebecca is a gripping espionage thriller set during the Second World War, from master storyteller and author of The Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follett.

A Ruthless Spy

1942. Alex Wolff’s goal is Cairo. Following a relentless trek across the scorching Sahara, he arrives in the city with a copy of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca, a lethal blade and a trail of bodies in his wake. Known to his handlers as the ‘Sphinx’, Wolff is a Nazi spy with a brutal desire to succeed.

A Failing Campaign

The British campaign in North Africa hangs in the balance. Led by Rommel, the Germans are closing in and the Sphinx’s reports on British troop movements and strategic plans are giving them the edge. Intelligence officer Major William Vandam is tasked with hunting down the Sphinx before the British are defeated.

A Deadly Chase

Vandam enlists the help of courtesan Elene Fontana, who agrees to try and ensnare the spy in exchange for a better life in Palestine. Can they catch the master spy before he uncovers Cairo’s secrets and the campaign fails?

 20th Century Espionage Historical Fiction Spies & Politics Suspense Thriller & Suspense Exciting Scary Middle East Africa
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Critic reviews

Master storyteller
Top-notch entertainment – shrewdly paced, cannily crafted
Absolutely riveting
All stars
Most relevant
What a story! I am not normally particularly keen on espionage, but this book had me captivated from chapter 1. And once I had got to chapter 7 or 8 I could not stop listening. Adventure, history, culture, romance, well-portrayed characters, this story has it all. Some scenes are quite hard core but still I carried on listening in horror!!

Tim Downie does a fantastic job of narrating the story in a lively and exciting way. He impersonates all characters admirably and truly brings them to life.

I am a big fan of Ken Follett in general but was not expecting to like this particular one so much. A brilliant book.

Gripping!

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One man's struggle to win the war and find love. He's done a lot better

Formulaic

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Love his historical stories. Always gripping and full of tension. He always seems to have a very strong female character which i really like. Would highly recommend. Got something for everyone, espionage, war, humanity, love and relationships.

Love Ken Follet

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I do not always write reviews but I thoroughly enjoyed this story and the narration. Not too dragged out and and interesting setting, well written.

Very enjoyable

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I thoroughly enjoyed this trip to wartime Cairo. A ‘ripping yarn’ and it was difficult to loathe the villain as to me, he started as the hero!

Excellent

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