Jackdaws

By: Ken Follett

Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat, Colin Stinton

Length: 13 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

D-Day is approaching. They don’t know where or when, but the Germans know it’ll be soon, and for Felicity "Flick" Clariet, the stakes have never been higher. A senior agent in the ranks of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) responsible for sabotage, Flick has survived to become one of Britain’s most effective operatives in Northern France. She knows that the Germans’ ability to thwart the Allied attack depends upon their lines of communications, and in the days before the invasion, no target is of greater strategic importance than the largest telephone exchange in Europe.

But when Flick and her Resistance-leader husband try a direct, head-on assault that goes horribly wrong, her world turns upside down. Her group destroyed, her husband missing, her superiors unsure of her, her own confidence badly shaken, she has one last chance at the target, but the challenge, once daunting, is now near impossible. The new plan requires an all-woman team, none of them professionals, to be assembled and trained within days. Code-named the Jackdaws, they will attempt to infiltrate the exchange under the noses of the Germans - but the Germans are waiting for them now and have plans of their own. There are secrets Flick does not know - secrets within the German ranks, secrets among her hastily recruited team, secrets among those she trusts the most. And as the hours tick down to the point of no return, most daunting of all, there are secrets within herself....

Filled with the powerful storytelling, unforgettable characters, and authentic detail that have become his hallmarks, Jackdaws is Ken Follett writing at the height of his powers.

PLEASE NOTE: This is the abridged edition. An unabridged version is also available.

Don't miss Ken Follet discussing the history of the thriller and its role in literature at the 92nd Street Y.

©2001 Ken Follett (P)2001 Penguin Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"[A] celebration of uncommon courage and unlikely heroes." (People)

"A very entertaining, very cinematic thriller about a ragtag, all-female band of British agents, code-named Jackdaws, sent to blow up a key telephone exchange in France on the eve of D day...adventure, romance, derring-do.... [Jackdaws] promises to be one of Follett's most popular novels ever." (Publishers Weekly)

"Compelling reading...great entertainment." (The Baltimore Sun)

historical reality

As usual, mr follett wrote an historically fictional story that is continuously interesting, and page-turningly gripping. loved it!

no jack splat

With two different readers , I thought it would would slow the progress of the book and I found it more interesting than loss of momentum.
I loved the build up of the cast of characters along with attention to detail. Flick was a wonderful addition to the exciting display of courage and female strength.In fact , all the characters were believable and I felt a part of the book as an added commando. Even though there were some gory descriptions , it can be conceived that those torture chambers really existed and became a viable part of the Gestapo interrogation. I was sorry to see it end but look forward to another of Ken Follett's books, which now numbers three( Hornet Flight and Whiteout).Please keep them coming.

Thrilling from the first word to the last!

A friend highly recommended Jackdaws and it did not disappoint. The narration was very well done and kept us fully engaged for the entire book.

Story and performance

Another great story by Ken Follett. Unfortunately it was overshadowed by misplaced music and lackluster narrators.

Women hold the key to Victory..4 STARS

1944~ France and the Secret to D Day is at stake.

Flick (Felicity) Clariet is the head of an elite "all woman"...secret operation. to be dropped into Nazi Occupied France days before D Day. The Stakes are high since most of the PREVIOUS agents were caught.... SOE...special operations executive decided to try with women who speak excellent French. Flick gathers her team and has a mixed bag of dedicated women train for one last high risk mission. Code name the Jackdaws. but the twist is the Germans have tortured NEW information out of agents in France and know Flick and the new scheme. This is a very good story. Flick is fascinating as she instinctively has the ability to change her plans as a moments notice and elude the Germans. Hot on the trail of the Jackdaws is a Nazi Intelligence office who will use any means including torture to stop Jackdaws. This is interesting as we see both the Nazi get wind of the plan and "wait" for them to parachute into France. But Flick who changes the landing zone at the last minutes lives to land in another region of France. Now disguised with a dark wig and new plans Flick and the Jackdaws have one last chance "complete the mission" while the Nazis are nipping at their heels at every turn. This is an excellent story and fascinating female team plot. I liked the story and the readers both keep me glued to the story. I give it 4 out of 5 all the way.

Another hit for Ken Follett

Exciting WWII story.
Very well read! Best reader of all Follett novels. 5⭐️ for Follett,
5⭐️ and an extra ⭐️for the Narration!

Favorites

I enjoy Ken Follette books and have read all I could find on audible and Libby. Jackdaws is probably my fav. It makes me appreciate our wonderful nation and marvel at the courage of those that resisted the evil enemy. Thank you Ken blessings to you and a yay to Barbara Rosenblat you are an awesome narrator.

Great Thriller

Follette delivers again in his classic thriller writing style. Enjoyable for all fans of spy genre set in World War Two.

Great story but the music added, distracting

great book, I think the unabridged version would be better. the music added for dramatic effect was distracting at best, annoying at worst.

Sadists will love this one

I know Follett prides himself on unflinching realism, but detailed and prolonged torture scenes are not my idea of entertainment or education. Not a fun read