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  • The Whistleblower

  • By: Robert Peston
  • Narrated by: Matt Addis
  • Length: 12 hrs and 18 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (237 ratings)
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The Whistleblower

By: Robert Peston
Narrated by: Matt Addis
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Summary

THE GRIPPING DEBUT THRILLER FROM THE UK'S TOP POLITICAL JOURNALIST, ROBERT PESTON.

1997. A desperate government clings to power; a hungry opposition will do anything to win. And journalist Gil Peck watches from the sidelines, a respected commentator on the sport of power politics. He thinks he knows how things work. He thinks he knows the rules.

But when Gil's estranged sister Clare dies in a hit-and-run, he begins to believe it was no accident. Clare knew some of the most sensitive secrets in government. One of them might have got her killed.

As election day approaches, Gil follows the story into the dark web of interests that link politics, finance and the media. And the deeper he goes, the more he realises how wrong he has been.

Power isn't sport: it's war. And if Gil doesn't stop digging, he might be the next casualty.

©2021 Robert Peston (P)2021 Bonnier Books UK

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What listeners say about The Whistleblower

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Author's message overrides story.

Mildly entertaining, but the first half was too slow and had none of the sense of jeopardy I expect in a thriller. The central character was quite well drawn, but the other characters are caricatures of real people thinly disguised in order for the author to make political points.

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12 people found this helpful

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

Great debut novel by Robert Peston

I am a great lover of the books by Mick Herron and Anthony Horowitz and I found this debut novel by Robert Peston echoing both styles of writing and the clever use of characters which leaves you guessing which figure in politics and business were parodied here. Our hero is no James Bond and could be said to be a bit clueless at times. However, I did enjoy this book and look forward to Mr Peston's next offering.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Surprising Good Read

Well paced narration and captivating storyline.
Looking forward to listening to more titles by Peston.


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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
  • SE
  • 21-07-22

Disappointed

I admire Robert Peston as a political and economic journalist. Therefore, in a book interweaving both, I had high expectations. However, the book is laden with caricatures and the plot is barely believable. On the subject of pensions fraud, in outline, Peston is correct but in that aspect the story is derivative of the Mirror Group pensions scandal. But I knew Robert Maxwell quite well. There is nothing other than superficiality in this book to explore the contradictions and complexities of a monster who would do such a thing, the legions of professionals who turned a blind eye and enabled it. The only moment in which I found empathy with any of the characters was in the closing chapters, the occasion of a family gathering. The manifestation of angst alone is not enough - I have to like someone - but in this book I didn’t. It is set in times preceding Trump, the Referendum and the doctrine of Fake News. However, spin became a flourishing industry around the time in which this novel os set and, today, for me, it was an era which heralded manipulation of people by broadband and the assumption of risible shibboleths by politicians in raw pursuit of power. To that extent, this book hit the mark. But stereotypes, however knowledgeably drawn do not a good novel make. I stayed to the end, curious as to the denouement but probably only because of the narration of Matt Addis of whom I am a great fan. Whether this book would have been commercial absent the eminence of its author is anyone’s guess - but probably. Mr Peston, don’t give up, please, you are too good for that but for your next oeuvre I hope that you will think about the remarks I have made with humility. Good luck.

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5 people found this helpful

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

Easier if you’re an economics graduate, but ….

An excellent tale told well and at a good pace. I’m not familiar with most of the financial stuff but managed to ride that to get the gist of the story. Lots of characters so careful listening is required.

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5 people found this helpful

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

A little bit of a stretch, but a ripping good yarn

I am not a fan of Peston as a political editor, but I enjoyed this book. The story was occasionally contrived, but the characters were well thought out and developed with both flaws and empathy, making it an immersive audible experience. A page turner in the traditional sense, but very well read so nothing lost as an audio book.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Gilbert Peck - what a work of man indeed

I don’t think I’ve ever come across a more loathsome character than Peck. The incessant whining, the self-absorption and the irritating repetition are enough to put me off ever reading another novel by Peston. Even allowing for the setting,

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Confused and unconvincing plot

Well read. Interesting and entertaining political context to story. Clare character unconvincing, seems to take moral high ground whilst personal values very questionable. Perhaps too many twists to plot

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Disappointing

Is Peston trying to rehabilitate the c word?
Ploughed through it whilst cleaning windows, kept me company but not to be repeated.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely excellent

This is an absolutely excellent story, totally believable, not at all overdone, and very well narrated. And with an unexpected ending that just appeared in totally unexpected fashion! A great listen.

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2 people found this helpful