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Deep Cover

By: Shay Doyle, Scott Hesketh
Narrated by: Christopher Coghill
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Shortlisted for the Book of the Year and Audiobook of the Year at the 2023 True Crime Awards.


Street kid turned undercover cop.

'This time he wasn't getting up. Neither were the two young women he'd just murdered. The two unarmed young police officers he cut down in a hail of 32 bullets and the fragments of a grenade, ending their promising lives so savagely, so senselessly. I felt empty. Cold. How had it come to this?'

Shay grew up on a tough Manchester council estate where drugs and gangs were rife. A life of crime would have been an easy path to take. So it went against everything that was expected of him when he joined the police.

It wouldn't be long before Shay's prodigious talent caught the attention of the top. Then came the call that changed his life: an offer to join the secret Level 1 undercover unit known as Omega. And it was easy to see why they wanted him; he wouldn't have to stray too far from what he already knew. He had all the attributes of a professional criminal - the athletic physique of a cage fighter, the talk, the walk. Streetwise and fearless, he'd be a match for the most hardened villain. He was given a new identity, his DNA and fingerprints were removed from the national database, and so began the life of Mikey O'Brien.

In a distinguished covert career spanning 17 years, former solider Shay infiltrated Moss Side gangs, was part of a hand-picked team hunting Dale Cregan and was brought in to break up a gang war wall of silence after the murder of Salford 'Mr Big' Paul Massey. But there would be a heavy price to pay for a life in the shadows, where any mistake could have lethal consequences...

©2022 Shay Doyle (P)2022 Penguin Audio
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Critic reviews

A phenomenal story of the life of a Level 1 undercover police officer with the courage to step into the lion's den every day, not knowing if it would be his last. (James Deegan)

What listeners say about Deep Cover

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What a read / Listen

Brilliant read this.
As addictive as the crack he was getting off the streets.
I found myself driving the long way home just to get through more of it.

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2 people found this helpful

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Wow

I was not to sure on this book but I read the reviews and they were good so I thought I’d give it a go
My headline of WOW is just that
This book is a must listen/read it has been one of very few books that I have done in one day I was gripped by Shane/Mikey
This guy has great courage not only to go toe to toe with anyone but also to face himself in his later years in his career
This is one that I will play again
From the story to the reader and his delivery of the words is 100%
again just wow what a book

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A must read!

This book is superb! a must listen and awe inspiring of a man from a council estate who strived to be the best he could be and he truly achieved that!

The manner in which he was treated by GMP is truly shocking and officers such as the author should be given much more support when over coming the inevitable mental health struggles whilst doing such a dangerous and stressful job.

I couldn't stop listening once I started! An absolutely superb book!

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Great listen

Great story with narration that 100% fits. Shame it wasn't longer as I didn't want to stop listening. Gives an excellent window into the work of an undercover cop and the stresses that life puts on them.

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eye-opening account of an undercover police

a brilliant book
the undercover world of the police

love this gripping book finished it in a day

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Blown away

Had me gripped from the start and hold back tears at the end .

Well done Shay

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Amazing

Absolutely amazing story portraying the life of a selfless hero. Good luck with your future endeavours and stay safe

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Wow..!

Awesome!! Best I've ever heard. Funny, sad, real, insightful, informative, gripping, absolutely awesome book.

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Absolutely brilliant

Best book I’ve listened to in a long time.

Gripping, shocking, exciting and sorrow. Well worth a listen.

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Interesting story

Enjoyed the story and learning about the undercover and criminal world but the story appeared tinged with bitterness and resentment at an unsupportive, sub standard organisation. Some repetition around own abilities but that said, earned my respect. would recommend.

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