The Collaborator

I give this book four stars rather than five that it could have had from me, not because of the writing, but for the audio production. Here's why: the book is written in a style that is not at linear. Rather it's written in slices that shift rapidly back and forth between parallel scenes happening simultaneously in different parts of the world. It's more like peeling back the layers of an onion than reading a straightforward narrative. The producer doesn't leave enough time between vignettes to give the listener adequate warning that you've shifted in time and place. It's not the narrator's fault or the author's, it's just a quirk of the recording. HOWEVER, if you stick it out for the first 3 hours you'll get used to it, it's worth it. The story is great, complex, compelling and a rare look at longstanding Balkan hatreds, western indifference, arms dealers and governmental hubris. A really great book that requires diligence. I recommend listening in long stretches at a time to get into the rhythm of it. Perfect for a long drive or daily long commutes.

I have been reading Gerald Seymour Books since his very first novel. I don't recall ever reading a Seymour novel that hasn't gripped me from start to finish. This is my sixth Seymour novel on Audiobook and they have all been top notch and in all probability will get the books I read many years ago to listen to on Audiobook. This particular novel, The Collaborator really is an excellent read, or should I say listen. Seymour fans will not be disappointed by this offering. Long may he reign!

Pretty well gripped me from the off, this one. Stimulating to have central characters that didn't follow familiar stereotypes and a plot that twisted and turned to arrive at an unexpected ending. It required a degree of concentration to keep up with the time and scene shifts, but this did serve to keep my attention. A good value length too!

I'm a keen fan of Gerald Seymour and have read several of his books set in the Middle East.

I had not read this one and the setting in Naples and Rome as well as London was much more familiar and immediately recognisable. This made the thriller all the more fascinating as I could picture the settings.

His story telling is always interesting and varied and he weaves together several apparently different strands in a magical way. An excellent story which was very believable and kept me interested to the very end. I thoroughly recommend it.

One of the best crime thrillers of recent times.