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Preview
  • Killing Thatcher

  • The IRA, the Manhunt and the Long War on the Crown
  • By: Rory Carroll
  • Narrated by: Gary Trainor
  • Length: 11 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (747 ratings)

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Killing Thatcher

By: Rory Carroll
Narrated by: Gary Trainor
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Summary

The Sunday Times Bestseller

A Sunday Times History Book of the Year

A Spectator Book of the Year

The Irish Times No.1 Bestseller

‘As taut as a fictional thriller’ Mail on Sunday

‘Gripping, detailed and richly layered’ Guardian

KILLING THATCHER is the gripping account of how the IRA came astonishingly close to killing Margaret Thatcher and to wiping out the British Cabinet – an extraordinary assassination attempt linked to the Northern Ireland Troubles and the most daring conspiracy against the Crown since the Gunpowder Plot.

In this fascinating and compelling book, veteran journalist Rory Carroll retraces the road to the infamous Brighton bombing in 1984 – an incident that shaped the political landscape in the UK for decades to come. He begins with the infamous execution of Lord Mountbatten in 1979 – for which the IRA took full responsibility – before tracing the rise of Margaret Thatcher, her response to the ‘Troubles’ in Ireland and the chain of events that culminated in the hunger strikes of 1981 and the death of 10 republican prisoners, including Bobby Sands. From that moment on Thatcher became an enemy of the IRA – and the organisation swore revenge.

Opening with a brilliantly-paced prologue that introduces bomber Patrick Magee in the build up to the incident, Carroll sets out to deftly explore the intrigue before and after the assassination attempt – with the story spanning three continents, from pubs and palaces, safe houses and interrogation rooms, hotels and barracks. On one side, an elite IRA team aided by a renegade priest, US-raised funds and Libya’s Qaddafi and on the other, intelligence officers, police detectives, informers and bomb disposal officers. An exciting narrative that blends true crime with political history, this is the first major book to investigate the Brighton attack.

©2023 Rory Carroll (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
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What listeners say about Killing Thatcher

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Very enjoyable

Really enjoyed listening to this and found it very engrossing. Story portrayed excellently, 10 out of 10

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Superb

The best non fiction audio book I’ve downloaded in years. A fascinating story told with just the right level of detail to keep it fast paced and gripping. Narration excellent. A real virtual turn pager.

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An absolute must!

This book is a work of non fiction that reads like a thriller, exceptionally researched, never boring and full of many interesting nuggets, never before known. It is not a boring standard history of the Troubles but a superb tale of daring and do, really enjoyed it, five stars !!!

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Outstanding

Brilliantly told. Well researched and gripping. Highly recommended insight into the IRA and the Brighton bomb.

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Fantastic

Killing Thatcher is an incredible mixture of research with addictive narrative and storytelling. I couldn’t put it down (although it was an audiobook so that’s not entirely he right phrase) 🙏

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Excellent

Excellent read demonstrating painstaking research from multiple angles finishing up in the present day. Reminded of a Ben MacIntyre story.

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Brilliant Listen

An absolute brilliant listen. Gripping from start to finish and the best book on the troubles by far.

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Inch perfect analysis of IRA versus Brits

This audiobook is a unique perspective on armed struggle of IRA, told from a UK mainland and police procedural viewpoint. This has not been done before. This was intriguing and not depressing as is usually the case.

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Absolutely brilliant

Amazing historical account of the Brighton bombing and the lead up to it, told from a neutral stand point and focusing on facts, whilst keeping the pace of most thrillers 5*

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Fantastic book

Fantastic book. Really well written and read, like a real life thriller. I would recommend.

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