Ascension

an absolutely gripping BBC Two Between the Covers Book Club pick

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Ascension

By: Oliver Harris

Narrated by: James Langton

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About this listen

A BBC 2 Between the Covers Book Club Pick 2021.

Three friends from a mission many years ago reconnect when one of them dies in mysterious circumstances on remote Ascension Island. Rory Bannatyne had been tasked with tapping a new transatlantic data cable, but a day before he was due to return home, he is found hanged. When Kathryn Taylor, on the South Atlantic MI5 desk, begs ex-spy Elliot Kane to go over and investigate, he can't say no, but it's an uneasy reintroduction to the intelligence game.

Entirely isolated from the world, the disappearance of a young girl on the island at the same time as Rory's death means local tensions are high. Elliot needs to discover what happened to her as well as to Rory. But the island contains more secrets than even the government knows, and it's not going to give them up without a fight.

Espionage

Spies & Politics

Suspense

Thriller & Suspense

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Critic reviews

"Oliver Harris' Ascension is a stunner. What a pleasure it is to read a book with a powerful story, an unusual and fully realised setting, a convincing hero, all written in a style of luminous clarity." (Philip Pullman)

"A fascinating tale of modern espionage in a unique setting." (Irish Independent)

Most relevant

Fantastic stuff. Oliver Harris' books are generally excellent, and this is no exception. Enjoy.