• A Foreign Country

  • By: Charles Cumming
  • Narrated by: Jot Davies
  • Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (365 ratings)

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A Foreign Country  By  cover art

A Foreign Country

By: Charles Cumming
Narrated by: Jot Davies
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Publisher's summary

From the internationally acclaimed, New York Times best-selling author of The Trinity Six, Charles Cumming, comes A Foreign Country, a compelling tale of deceit and betrayal, conspiracy and redemption.

On the vacation of a lifetime in Egypt, an elderly French couple are brutally murdered. Days later, a meticulously planned kidnapping takes place on the streets of Paris. Amelia Levene, the first female Chief of MI6, has disappeared without a trace, six weeks before she is due to take over as the most influential spy in Europe. It is the gravest crisis MI6 has faced in more than a decade. Desperate not only to find her, but to keep her disappearance a secret, Britain’s top intelligence agents turn to one of their own: disgraced MI6 officer Thomas Kell. Tossed out of the Service only months before, Kell is given one final chance to redeem himself - find Amelia Levene at any cost. The trail leads Kell to France and Tunisia, where he uncovers a shocking secret and a conspiracy that could have unimaginable repercussions for Britain and its allies. Only Kell stands in the way of personal and political catastrophe.

©2012 Charles Cumming (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

What listeners say about A Foreign Country

Average customer ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Worth listening

So many reviews promise spy thrillers similar to le Carre and Greene. This one does have echoes. I liked it much more than Steinhauer, whose characters I can't seem to care about. Cumming's ending wouldn't have come from le Carre or Greene (planning a series?) but this was the first thriller in a long time I wanted to listen to without a break. Another reviewer suggested it's a slow starter; but I was hooked from the first paragraph.

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8 people found this helpful

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

After a good start, story drifts

What did you like best about A Foreign Country? What did you like least?

After an interesting beginning, the story loses some steam and the plot gets a little far fetched. The reason for the French secret service being the bad guy is given a weak explanation. Over all, this proved to be just an ordinary audiobook.

Jack in Marin

Would you be willing to try another book from Charles Cumming? Why or why not?

Yes! I have listened to several other Cumming books. I enjoy the stories involving the WWI nurse.

What does Jot Davies bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The reader did a good job and made it easier to finish the story. Had I read the book, I might have given it up.

Could you see A Foreign Country being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

It is not a blockbuster story. I doubt it is unique and/or compelling enough for a movie or TV show.

Any additional comments?

I enjoy my Audible membership. On the rare occasions that I have had problem your customer service staff resolved them promptly.

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6 people found this helpful

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

Narrator Great, Story Starts Very slowly

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I enjoyed this book because the narrator was excellent (none of us chronic Audible devotees think the narrator is of marginal importance, of course). But the story got off to a VERY slow start. Once it got rolling, it was worth the wait, but persistence is required.

What does Jot Davies bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He has a wonderful facility with the differentiation of accents and gender.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Depending on the casting, the book would make a good movie.

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4 people found this helpful

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

Ugh! Not great.

After searching for awhile on Audible for a good spy thriller and reviewing the many positives for this book, I eventually spent my credit. My interest piqued on the summary of the book from Audible also and it seemed that an interesting page tuner was in-hand. Oh dear! This book is actually quite interesting on the first few chapters and utterly disappointing the remainder. Sadly, there is no mystery as it is solved early on and the remainder of the plot becomes quite tedious and boring. I don’t think there is anything else to say really.

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2 people found this helpful

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

great intrigue!

this was my first book by Charles Cumming and I thoroughly enjoyed it. those who liked Night Heron and Red Sparrow will enjoy this one.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Great story

This was far above my expectations. I really enjoyed this book. There was a slow start but once it fit together, It was hard to put down.

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

Great British spy novel

I love British spy stories and this one is spot on. Well developed characters, suspenseful, tense action. This is a great story of redemption and spy craft. On to the next one!

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

The art of spycraft

Nothing I have read previously describes the cunning process of specific acts of spycraft better than this book. I plan to read anyting Charles Comings writes or Jot Davies performs. These are realistic modern-day stories on the level of Salinger's exploits, only a little more believable.

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

Kept waiting for it to get interesting

It felt like a summary, not a complete book. Narrator did not hold my attention.

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

Great spy novel

well written and we'll narrated. I look forward to more Thomas Kell in this series!

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