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The Insider

BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE SCARLET PAPERS: THE TIMES THRILLER OF THE YEAR 2023

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The Insider

By: Matthew Richardson
Narrated by: Sean Barrett
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

A thrilling novel of espionage and murder in the dark heart of Westminster, from the UK's most exciting new spy writer

A Russian defector is found brutally murdered in a London hotel.

Only four people knew he had turned - the four most important and powerful figures in Whitehall.

There's only one conclusion - a mole has infiltrated the highest levels of the nation's security.

Operating in secret from within Westminster's darkest corners, former spy, Solomon Vine, must uncover the traitor.

Because Britain's future hangs in the balance.

And with it the fate of the whole world . . .


Praise for Matthew Richardson

Proof that the spy genre is flourishing in the 21st century . . . [Richardson's] plotting has an old-school, Swiss-clock precision - The Guardian

Compelling, intense and sharply authentic - James Swallow, bestselling author of Nomad

A splendid tale of espionage starring an old-fashioned MI6 hero . . . exciting spy literature - The Times

A bang-up-to-date thriller told with old-school panache. A great read. - Mick Herron, CWA Gold Dagger-winning author of the Slough House Series

© Matthew Richardson 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

 Espionage Genre Fiction Political Spies & Politics Suspense Thriller & Suspense Exciting

Critic reviews

Praise for Matthew Richardson
Proof that the spy genre is flourishing in the 21st century . . . [Richardson's] plotting has an old-school, Swiss-clock precision
Compelling, intense and sharply authentic (James Swallow, bestselling author of Nomad)
A bang-up-to-date thriller told with old-school panache. A great read. (Mick Herron, CWA Gold Dagger-winning author of Dead Lions)
A splendid tale of espionage starring an old-fashioned MI6 hero . . . exciting spy literature
Combines immaculate Cold War tradecraft with modern tech savvy as our maverick hero comes up against a le Carré-esque establishment while trying to find a mole
Supremely confident . . . told with panache and a taste for spy craft that mark it as outstanding
Authentic, mysterious, fraught with deception, betrayal, and uncertain allegiances, it captures perfectly the foggy world of spies (Jason Matthews, author of Red Sparrow)
Calls to mind early le Carré (Gregg Hurwitz, bestselling author of Orphan X)
Truly authentic and frighteningly so . . . a remarkable thriller
All stars
Most relevant
An excellent spy story, top quality writing beautifully read, looking forward to more from this author

Class…!

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A good read with a decent but not gripping plot, excellent narration. Second Solomon Vine book I’ve read and would read more.

Finished in two days

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Sincerely the best I’ve ever read. On ALL fronts … cannot wait for the next book!

Best I’ve ever read!

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it was a really interesting tight story with a fantastic twist at the end. Excellently read by the narrator.

superb plot and exciting story

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Really enjoyed this. Sean Barrett is excellent as ever as a narrator. Great story from Matthew Richardson. If you enjoyed Mick Herron’s Slough House series I dare you not to enjoy this.

Great modern spy fiction

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