• A Spy by Nature

  • A Novel
  • By: Charles Cumming
  • Narrated by: Simon Vance
  • Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins
  • 3.2 out of 5 stars (131 ratings)

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A Spy by Nature  By  cover art

A Spy by Nature

By: Charles Cumming
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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Publisher's summary

Alec Milius is young, smart, and ambitious. He also has a talent for deception. He is working in a dead-end job when a chance encounter leads him to MI6, the elite British Secret Intelligence Service, handing him an opportunity to play center stage in a dangerous game of espionage.

In his new line of work, Alec finds that the difference between the truth and a lie can mean the difference between life and death - and he is having trouble telling them apart. Isolated and exposed, he must play a role in which the slightest glance or casual remark can seem heavy with unintended menace. Caught between British and American Intelligence, Alec finds himself threatened and alone, unable to confide in even his closest friend. His life as a spy begins to exact a terrible price, both on himself and on those around him.

Richly atmospheric and chillingly plausible, A Spy by Nature announces the arrival of British author Charles Cumming as heir apparent to masters like John le Carre and Len Deighton. A best-seller in England, it's the gripping story of a young man driven by ruthless ambition who finds himself chasing not just success but survival.

©2001 Charles Cumming (P)2007 Tantor

What listeners say about A Spy by Nature

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Confusing title

This is barely a "spy" novel. The story felt hurriedly put together and not thought out. It read like a book missing several chapters. Lots of effort to bring in characters that didn't really have much to do with the story.

What really got to me was the authors obsession with the weight of the characters.

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

Meh

I had just finished the Thomas Kell series and then listened to this. No comparison. I liked the Kell books so much more. This is ok but not a favorite. A matter of taste, I suppose.

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

A coward by birth

I can summarize this entire story with a few lines.
A terrible person turns into a terrible corporate spy. Fails at everything, blames everyone else. Over analyzing spy things is fun and tense. Over analyzing why your girlfriend broke up with you over 2 years ago is sad and cringey.

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

A total bore

A real slog. Total bore about an difficult to like main character. Instead, read the Thomas Kell books.

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

Good read.

Really enjoyed. Kept me engaged. Will start another soon. Difficult to put down. Highly recommend this book.



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

Long boring bad ending

This went on forever
There is a lot of detail but much of it is boring
If author is trying to convey how boring spying might be , he has achieved it. Other books by same author are much better

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

Best narcissistic narrator since American Psycho

...and not a bad treatment of the recruiting process, but overall, moderate results. The constant, thoroughly narcissistic, internal calculation in the narrator is expertly done, without a lot of fussy hand-wringing, and Vance is best at reading that material. The rest of Cumming's characters are significantly less developed, but with such a self-absorbed narrator, perhaps that fits. Vance's American accents aren't quite painful, but they could use some work. The ending is a bit much.

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

This gripping story provided an entirely different perspective of the world of espionage

This was a thoroughly gripping story, which provided an entirely different perspective of the world of espionage.
It presents the reader with the human dimension of spying and it's impact on those close to a member of that profession.
It was a compelling story.

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

Superb spy novel expertly read

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Charles Cumming is my new favorite spy novelist. The plot and characters in his stories are realistic, not far-fetched.

What did you like best about this story?

A SPY BY NATURE is pitch-perfect, giving the reader (or listener) a look at what it's like to be on the outside wanting to get into the business of espionage. It's got all the little things right.

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

Simon Vance is one of my favorite narrators. He tailors the voice of each character so that you don't need any tags to know who is speaking. He knows how to make a few simple words convey a world of complexity.

Any additional comments?

The pacing is wonderful. Never slow, it's never slapdash, either. It gives you plenty of time to anticipate.

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

A different kind of spy novel, ending so-so

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Not sure I would recommend this book.... no major reason to do it.

Has A Spy by Nature turned you off from other books in this genre?

No way

Have you listened to any of Simon Vance’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes - he is great!

Was A Spy by Nature worth the listening time?

Barely

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