Watchman

By: Ian Rankin

Narrated by: John Lee

Miles Flint is a government spy who has been making some serious mistakes. His last assignment led to the death of a foreign official in London, and after getting too close to his current subject, he wound up in police custody. But something is wrong at the agency that has nothing to do with Miles’s errors. Why did his last suspect know more about Miles’s assignment than Miles did? Why have so many operatives recently resigned? Has the agency hired someone to watch him?

Despite the Director’s assurances, Miles begins his own internal investigation, to the dismay of his colleagues and even his wife. Then Miles is sent to Belfast to oversee the arrest of two suspected terrorists, a supposedly routine mission that only strengthens his darkest suspicions. Has the Director issued Miles his final assignment?

Determined to discover the truth, Miles enters a dangerous world he normally only observes–even as it threatens his life at every turn. With the riveting suspense and razor-sharp dialogue that have made him an internationally renowned bestseller, Ian Rankin examines an ordinary man forced into extraordinary circumstances, and proves why he “just keeps getting better and better” (Michele Ross, Cleveland Plain Dealer ).©2007 Ian Rankin; (P)2007 Books on Tape

Wish Ian Rankin would write more spy fiction

A terrific book read by the ever wonderful John Lee. Great plot and great characters. Highly satisfying conclusion. Highly recommended.

I want more...

I really enjoyed the narrator's rendition of this whip-smart spy story. His characterizations and mastery of the Scots and Irish brogues were music to my ears. The protagonist is all too human, and very sympathetic. Although the plot is involved, I was easily able to follow the intricacies. I loved it!

Things fall apart....

This audiobook has two things going for it.

Ian Rankin wrote it. The blurb here on Audible doesn't tell you it was written in the '80s, but Rankin does, in a forward to this edition. I think I've read nearly all of Rankin's novels, and enjoyed them all, this one no less.

John Lee read it. He has to be one of my favorite readers. He really brings Rankin's dialog to life, and seems to effortlessly navigate all the myriad dialects of English. His accents are always subtle; he never falls into the trap of allowing an accent to overpower the dialog. Lee is an artist.

If you've read any of my reviews, you know I like spy novels. In my estimation, a bad spy novel deserves death by firing squad. Luckily, this is one of the better ones.

Long and boring. Kept hoping it would end soon.

Did not enjoy this book. Am a Rankin fan but this one was a dud for me.