The Ghost Writer

A Novel

By: Robert Harris

Narrated by: Roger Rees

Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Adam Lang has been Britain’s longest serving—and most controversial—prime minister of the last half century. And now that he’s left office, he’s accepted one of history’s largest cash advances to compose a tell-all (or at least, tell-some) memoir of his life and years of power.

As pressure mounts for Lang to complete this magnum opus, he hires a professional ghostwriter to finish the book. As he sets to work, the ghostwriter discovers many more secrets than Lang intends to reveal, secrets with the power to alter world politics - secrets with the power to kill.

Tense, gripping, and savvy, The Ghost Writer puts forth all the author’s long-term know-how about high stakes politics, journalism, and governmental deception. Set in America, on Martha’s Vineyard, The Ghost Writer is Harris’s finest foray into political fiction since Fatherland.

©2007 Robert Harris (P)2007 Simon and Schuster Inc.

Critic reviews

• Thriller Award, Best Novel, 2008

Great Book, Excellent Production!

Ah... how satisfying, a wonderful thriller, thoroughly engaging, well written and the first-rate audio production brings it all to life - Roger Rees is just terrific. I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Now what new book can I read that will match this quality... I've been totally spoiled.

This is an excellent book

I am a fan of Robert Harris and I was not disappointed by the The Ghost which has first person narration and a killer ending. Another British based novel but takes place in the USA. Also try some of his others such as Fatherland and Imperium. The length is great as well.

Harris at his best.

I’m a bit biased because I’m a fan, but that’s what keeps bringing me back. This book captures the post 9/11 political & social landscape perfectly. With that climate as a backdrop he delivers a gripping story full of intrigue and suspense. I love following his flawed human character’s through their trials.
If you’ve never read anything by Harris, this is a good place to start. The narrator is perfect.

It was OK

For the most part, this was a good story. Some parts moved slow while other times it just clicked right along.

Most of the plot lines seemed obvious but a couple were "didn't see that coming!"

Other reviewers said they couldn't finish it. By no means would I agree.

Better than expected!

Good mystery, right up until the end. I didn’t figure it out until the ghost did! This was better than I expected it to be.

Some nice twists

Any additional comments?

Okay, I'm a political junky and this is about politcs---kind of. The former prime minister of England has a huge prepayment to get a book out and his ghost writer--a long-time staff member--dies mysteriously. His replacement finds the book is nearly hopeless but everyone is very nice---and very watchful.

A Great Read That Falls Off a Little at the End

This is a clever imaginative novel, quite ingenious, very well read. The first half set in Martha's Vineyard is brilliant in description and characterization but when the story becomes a more familiar action/mystery it seems somewhat contrived. It is still highly recommended, a page turner. Harris is among our most reliable and most intellectual authors of historical and creative fiction.

Such a good book!

I loved this book. The characters were interesting and so were the plot twists. I couldn’t put it down!

Excellent Political Thriller

If you like political thrillers in the best tradition of John Le Carre this book is highly recommended. I read this book after having read Harris' "Fatherland", another very enjoyable read. The story is compelling, and the text is full of wit and drama. The reader Roger Rees does an excellent job narrating this book. Read this, and enjoy!

Hard to believe

I like Robert Harris' books. I have read most of them either in print or in audible format. He has a way with words that makes even simple descriptions of forests in the rain seem memorable. And the reader of the book does a great job in rendering voices and characters. I should have enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed his other books.

All books of this type require a suspension of belief, however I found the underlying premise of the plot of this book beyond belief. If you believe that the US government and its agencies are out to control (not influence, but control) other nations, even our friends, then this is the book for you. If you find that premise hard to credit then you may want to pass this book by. Even given its wonderful writing and reader.