Whole Story Audio Books

Price: £19.99

A compelling espionage thriller that updates the spy novel for the 21st century. Starting with a plot to blow up the London Marathon, this is an 'edge of the seat' action thriller in the vein of James Bond and Jason Bourne, with the writing style of John le Carré, involving a complex plot covering terrorism, modern espionage and torture.

Synopsis

Daniel Marchant, a suspended MI6 officer, is running the London Marathon. He is also running out of time. A competitor is strapped with explosives: if he drops his pace, everyone around him will be killed, including the US ambassador to London. Marchant tries to thwart the attack, but is he secretly working for the terrorists?

There are those in America who already suspect Marchant of treachery. Just like they suspected his late father, the former head of MI6. On the run from the CIA, Marchant is determined to prove his father's innocence in a personal journey that takes him from Wiltshire, via Poland, to India. It was here that the former MI6 chief once met with one of the world's most wanted terrorists, and where the new President of America is shortly to visit.

But was that meeting proof of a mole within MI6 or the best penetration of Al Qaeda the West has ever had? And was Marchant's father the keeper of another, darker secret?

About The Author

Jon Stock is currently Weekend Editor of The Daily Telegraph. He is the author of two spy novels, The Riot Act and The Cardamom Club.

After reading English at Cambridge University, he worked as freelance journalist in London, writing features for most of Britain's national newspapers, as well as contributing regularly to BBC Radio 4. He lives in Wiltshire with his wife and family.

Reviews and Press Quotes

Karen Meek (Guest Reviewer)

“This audio book version of Dead Spy Running will be available on 1 June, nearly a month before the print version. Quite a coup for Whole Story Audio Books and a noteworthy event. Like Stephen Fry, I am a big fan of audio books...” Read Full Review »

Lee Child

“As elegant as le Carre and as cynical as the twenty-first century... exactly what we need from a spy novel now.”

Meg Gardiner

“The setup is such an absolute cracker - and as a former competitive runner, I cannot conceive of any nightmare greater than having to keep running, fast, or die. Excellent.”

Robert Goddard

“Dead Spy Running is a rip-roaring race of a read that never lets up until the finishing tape - and a bit beyond.”

The Guardian

“The CIA is hostile to MI6, and MI6 distrusts MI5, which doesn't want to work with the CIA - but they all dream of placing a western mole in the upper echelons of 'AQ' (work it out). Welcome to the secret services - or their fictional avatars - for the 21st century. Fans of Spooks, the slick and stylish television spy drama, will feel at home in Stock's world: sexy young agents, cunning old chiefs, lots of clever stuff with mobile-phone and surveillance-camera technology, an intriguing sexual technique called the narcissus and an AQ plot to assassinate Barack Obama. From 'Legoland' (the spies' name for MI6's HQ) to Iran to a terrorist lair in a remote Indian village, the pace fizzes and crackles as MI6's Daniel Marchant tries to stay one step ahead of his many enemies. However, if you forgive one ludicrously incredible plot twist, and the disappointingly unsurprising double- and double-double-crosses among the agents, this is a compelling thriller. And audio fans can buy Paul Panting's performance a whole month before the book comes out in print.”

The Observer, Rachel Redford

“Daniel Marchant is determined to prove his disgraced MI6 father innocent. A terrorist infiltrated London Marathon is the chilling opening; high-level lies, rendition to Poland and waterboarding follow. An elegant, unstoppable front runner of a spy thriller, which has been released as an audiobook a month ahead of the hardback.”

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