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A Spy by Nature

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A Spy by Nature

By: Charles Cumming
Narrated by: Charlie Anson
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About this listen

For all fans of TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY comes this masterclass in suspense about a spy caught up in his own web of deception…

Alec Milius is young, smart and ambitious – with a talent for deception. When a chance encounter opens the door to a career with MI6, he is desperate to make his mark.

But life as a spy begins to take a terrible toll on himself and those around him, and soon Alec is chasing not just success but survival. Forced to work alone, he spins a web of deceit that traps him centre stage in a game of global espionage.

In this new job, the difference between truth and a lie can be a matter of life and death. And for Alec, it’s getting harder to tell them apart…

A Spy By Nature is the bestselling novel with which Charles Cumming announced his arrival as heir apparent to masters like John le Carré and Len Deighton; compellingly told, utterly authentic and heart-racingly intense, it will grip you till the very last page.

A Spy by Nature is the bestselling novel with which Charles Cumming announced his arrival as heir apparent to masters like John le Carré and Len Deighton; compellingly told, utterly authentic and heart-racingly intense, it will grip you till the very last page.

 Espionage Genre Fiction International Mystery & Crime Literary Fiction Mystery Spies & Politics Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Heartfelt

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Critic reviews

Praise for A Spy by Nature:

'Gripping, exciting and deftly plotted…A book one would be seriously annoyed to have put down' Sunday Telegraph

'Tautly written and believable… a complex tale of code words, betrayal of friendship, bluff and counterbluff… Cumming writes it like it is’ Mail on Sunday

'Eerily good… a strong and serious entertainment. Don't miss' Literary Review

Praise for Charles Cumming:

'From the first page to the last it has the ring of absolute authenticity. Tautly written, cleverly plotted…it reminded me strongly of the early books of John le Carré' Robert Harris, author of Fatherland and The Ghost

'The master of the modern spy thriller' Mail On Sunday

'A wholly compelling and sophisticated spy novel – vivid and disturbing – immaculately researched and full of harrowing contemporary relevance' William Boyd, author of Restless

‘Terrific…vividly realised…as strong on emotional literacy as it is on spycraft’ New Statesman
All stars
Most relevant
Story Very slow to develop- at times painfully so - unlikely to read more by this author

A spy by nature

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Interesting tale, initially a bit slow but once it got in it's stride, quite enjoyable.

At first a bit slow stick with it.

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Great story and excellent performance by narrator. i just hated the ending - maybe a sequel would be possibility.

👍

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Recently discovered Charles Cummings. Now hooked. The narrator who reads this is amazing and keeps you gripped to the end

Narrator and this book amazing

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I could not put down this splendid story. A young potential spy must act as bait for two CIA oppratives in this tale of industrial espionage.

Spy story with a gripping edge.

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