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Watchman

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Watchman

By: Ian Rankin
Narrated by: Roger Allam
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About this listen

 Bombs are exploding in the streets of London, but life seems to have planted more subtle booby-traps for Miles Flint. Miles is a spy. His job is to watch and to listen, then to report back to his superiors - nothing more. The job, affording glimpses into the most private lives of his victims, appeals to Miles. He doesn't lust after promotion, and he doesn't want action. He wants, just for once, not to botch a case.

Having lost one suspect, with horrific consequences, Miles becomes too involved with another, a young Irishwoman. His marriage seems ready to crumble. So does his home. But Miles is given one last chance for redemption: a trip to Belfast, which quickly becomes a flight of terror, murder, and shocking discoveries. Can the voyeur survive in a world of violent action?

©1988 Ian Rankin; © and (P)2003 Orion Publishing Group Ltd. Crime Fiction Detective Espionage Fiction Mystery Police Procedural Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Crime Suspense

Critic reviews

"Intriguing to compare it with [Rankin's] Rebus books. It's less introspective, but still a must." ( Glasgow Evening Times)
"This is a biting and superbly wrought thriller that will enthrall." ( Waterstones Books Quarterly)
All stars
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Oh, Mr Rankin, what a fabulous foray into the world of cloak and daggers. A rip-roaring story full of characterisation AND I could listen to Roger Allam all day long. Thank you both so very much.

Fabulous Story and Narration

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This is a different style of book compared with Ian Rankin's Rebus detective series. It's closer to his style when writing under his nom de plume of Jack Harvey. It's in the same genre as John Le Carre's spy stories and is similarly complicated with lots of twists and turns and many characters which makes it a bit more difficult to follow as an audio book. It's excellently read, which helps, and is a good story, but you have to concentrate and not leave too long a gap between listening sessions otherwise you forget who is a goody and who a baddy.

Complex spy story

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Lots of twists and turns, the novel gathers speed about half way through, try putting the book down then.

Great spy novel.

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didn't like found it slow going .. would not my cup of tea at all

Not up to par

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