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An Officer and a Spy

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An Officer and a Spy

By: Robert Harris
Narrated by: David Rintoul
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About this listen

IN THE HUNT FOR A SPY, HE EXPOSED A CONSPIRACY

'Seriously riveting . . . a testament to Robert Harris's storytelling power' The Times

'Taut and exciting' Guardian

Paris, 1895: an army officer, Georges Picquart, watches a convicted spy, Alfred Dreyfus, being publicly humiliated in front of a baying crowd.

Dreyfus is exiled for life to Devil's Island; Picquart is promoted to run the intelligence until that tracked him down.

But when Picquart discovers that secrets are still being handed over to the Germans, he is forced to confront the dangerous truth that Dreyfus may be innocent.

Soon Picquart is being drawn into a labyrinth of deceit and corruption that threatens not just his honour but his life . . .

'Menace and suspense twist tight in a narrative of tremendous tension' Sunday Times

 Espionage Historical Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense Fiction Suspense Mystery

Critic Reviews

The fact that this novel is seriously riveting is a testament to Robert Harris's storytelling power; he conjures knuckle-blanching suspense from a very well-known piece of history. (BOOKS OF THE YEAR)
Harris’ retelling of the Dreyfus case is as taut and exciting as anything by Forsyth or Follet. (BOOKS OF THE YEAR)
Menace and suspense twist tight in a narrative of tremendous tension. (BOOKS OF THE YEAR)
Superb . . . Harris demonstrates his unique ability to recreate historical events and turn them into spellbinding thriller . . . Written with scalpel-like precision and the elegance we expect of Harris, there is a passion here that justifies calling it a masterpiece. (BOOKS OF THE YEAR)
A brilliant retelling of a scandal that became one of the most famous miscarriages of justice . . . the most gripping book I've read this year. (BOOKS OF THE YEAR)
A gripping tale, its shocking power heightened by Harris’s narrative skills.
A master storyteller at the top of his game
A compelling tale of power, cover-ups and idealism.
Many readers prize him as our supreme exponent of the “literary” thriller. His novels are not difficult – they are whizzing page-turners… They also combine masterly suspense and mystery with historical insight and political shrewdness. His latest novel is no exception: it is a cracking read from start to finish… It offers a bravura display of Harris’s fictional skills. The first is sureness of historical touch. In both general and specific terms the period comes alive… There is no need to wait for the film: it can scarcely be more exciting than the book.
Harris is committed to the belief that you can get at a truth as a novelist that you can’t as an historian… and he does give us the look, sensations, sounds and smells as no historian could… it is informative, accomplished and highly enjoyable
All stars
Most relevant
A fantastic novel delving into the history of a different time and world events. Sadly, the same prejudices exist today.

brilliant story

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Well, that is my humble opinion.
Great story.
Well written.
And superbly preformed. David Rintoul is without peer.

Robert Harris' Best Work...

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Harris steers among the shoals of historical fiction adroitly. The reading brings humanity to a fascinating era and episode.

Great story, well read

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A terrific story, well written and well read. All up, very well told and utterly absorbing. On top of that, the story is timely. In essence, it’s a story of fake news and competing narratives relevant to our current politics. Highly recommended.

First rate historical novel

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It is hard to explain why this story is so compelling. As an historical event it is not about something so extraordinary . It is a very good listen.

great performance.

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