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  • 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 (138 ratings)

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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

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

Not an interesting read

This is an unremarkable story about people i couldn't come to care about involved in some morally ambiguous "spying" that just didn't really seem to matter to anyone. Oh, and the ending fizzled away any energy built up by accident over the preceding hours of tedium. Not recommended.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

No plot, no ending

It's a book about a basically dishonest man who does everything wrong. The book has little story, no plot and no real ending. The story just comes to an end with no conclusion.

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4 people found this helpful