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When Eight Bells Toll cover art

When Eight Bells Toll

By: Alistair MacLean
Narrated by: Jonathan Oliver
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Summary

From the acclaimed master of action and suspense. The all-time classic.

Millions of pounds in gold bullion are being pirated in the Irish Sea. Investigations by the British Secret Service, and a sixth sense, have bought Philip Calvert to a bleak, lonely bay in the Western Highlands. But the sleepy atmosphere of Torbay is deceptive. The place is the focal point of many mysterious disappearances. Even the unimaginative Highland Police Sergeant seems to be acting a part. But why?

This story is Alistair MacLean at his enthralling best. It has all the edge-of-the-seat suspense and dry humour that millions of fans have enjoyed for years.

©1966 Devoran Trustees Ltd (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Keeps up its high-wire tension all the way. Not to be missed." ( The Guardian)
"A cracker-jack opening. Insistently readable." ( Evening Standard)
"Breathless action...and a sterling plot." ( Financial Times)

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What listeners say about When Eight Bells Toll

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I love this book.

Ive been reading Alastair Maclean since I was a teenager this book. This book has always been one of my favourite books of his so to find it as an audio book has been a delight. It was hugely enjoyable. I devoured it in 3 listenings.

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7 people found this helpful

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When Eight Bells Toll

This has always been one of my favourite Alistair Maclean books. I have read it a dozen times and, in my head, have used accents and dialects that I thought suited the characters. Now I have listened to someone else's interpretation and, to be honest, am disappointed. I missed the little gems of humour that I always found made this book special, but the narrator seems to have played these down. To me, he also seemed to narrate too "loudly" when I have always "read" the lead character especially to be softer spoken. I doubt I will listen to it again, it will be one of the occasions when a book in the hand is better by far.

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4 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Spoilt by poor narrator.

The story is OK, but I didn't enjoy some of the verbal sparring. It's of its time, and society has moved on. The plot is believable and moves at a decent pace.
The narration is poor. I felt like the story was being told from the other side of a busy main road. With the narrator shouting at me. His attempt at character voices and accents is comical.
I enjoyed Ice Station Zebra much more.
I'll give MacLean a rest for a while after this book.

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1 person found this helpful

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AWFUL

The narrator has an unbelievably annoying voice. Much as I like Alistair McLean, I had to stop after 90 minutes. It was utterly intolerable.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Spoiled by narrator

I've enjoyed reading the author in the past so was disappointed that I had to give up this book owing to the poor narration. Some characters spoken too loud with caricature foreign accents or too similar so I lost track of who was speaking. Pity.

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Great story - awful accents

Loved this book for years. Delighted when I discovered it was a talking book.
Accents are very disconcerting and spoiled my enjoyment

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Thoroughly enjoyable spy thriller

Clear and precise narration of a thoroughly enjoyable spy novel, the adventure is partially based at sea and you can feel the damp cold dark waters within every sentence. Cannot praise this enough and will seek out more books in this series and any other books read by this narrator.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

No warmth from this hero.

Story detail adhered to excellently, but narration is haughty and condescending, unlike Macleans original.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Perfect narrator

I read this years ago and enjoyed it even more listening - the narrator has the perfect voice for this wonderful now vintage story.

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  • Overall
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Brilliant

A fantastic listen, thoroughly entertaining and in my opinion the best from the master of thriller novels

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