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A Single Spy  By  cover art

A Single Spy

By: William Christie
Narrated by: Ari Fliakos
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Publisher's summary

"A single spy - in the right place and at the right moment - may change the course of history."

Aleksi Ivanovich Smirnov, an orphan and a thief, has been living by his wits and surviving below the ever-watchful eye of the Soviet system until his luck finally runs out. In 1936, at the age of 16, Aleksi is caught by the NKVD and transported to Moscow. There, in the notorious headquarters of the secret police, he is given a choice: be trained and inserted as a spy into Nazi Germany under the identity of his best friend, the long-lost nephew of a high-ranking Nazi official, or disappear forever in the basement of the Lubyanka. For Aleksi it's no choice at all.

Over the course of the next seven years, Aleksi has to live his role, that of the devoted nephew of a high Nazi official, and ultimately works for the legendary German spymaster Wilhelm Canaris as an intelligence agent in the Abwehr. All the while acting as a double agent - reporting back to the NKVD and avoiding detection by the Gestapo. Trapped between the implacable forces of two of the most notorious dictatorships in history and truly loyal to no one but himself, Aleksi's goal remains the same - survival.

In 1943 Aleksi is chosen by the Gestapo to spearhead one of the most desperate operations of the war - to infiltrate the site of the upcoming Tehran conference between Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin and set them up to be assassinated. For Aleksi it's the moment of truth; for the rest of the world, the future is at stake.

©2017 William Christie (P)2017 Macmillan Audio

What listeners say about A Single Spy

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

Young Adult Spy/Fantasy?

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Not to bash. I think William Christie has great potential. But one of the reasons I purchased this was I read a review that stated .....the most intelligent spy novel I've read since the early LeCarre books.... This is not the case. If your looking for a unrealistic spy book written at the teen level, this is for you. I cant believe someone said this was like LeCarre. Also, the location is Russia but the narrator is unable to create a Russian accent so the characters are all American. Also, the Alexei's handler sounds like an over dramatic marvel comics villain.. If your in the mood for an ultra realistic, sophisticated and satisfying spy book try Typhoon by Charles Cumming, or I just finished a fabulous investigative thriller called A Dying Breed by Peter Hanington...

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I didnt finish it.

Did Ari Fliakos do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

I wish he created Russian accents for the Russians.

Did A Single Spy inspire you to do anything?

Look for something more sophisticated.

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18 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Wandered Away from Reality Then Just Stopped

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

No, it started out fine, but then the lead character turned into a super hero and it left reality behind.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I would have made his skills more realistic and actually given it a proper ending - it just stopped. I thought something was wrong with my iPod, but no, that was the end.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No, because if it ended the way the book did, I would feel cheated.

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6 people found this helpful

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

Best spy novel since the early LeCarre books!

I rarely bother to write reviews, but this book deserves kudos since it is the most intelligent spy novel I've read since the early LeCarre books. Terrific plot and wonderful lead character. I hope to see a great deal more of author William Christie and the fascinating spy, Aleksi Ivanovich Smirnov. Narration was also excellent.

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6 people found this helpful

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

Low-quality "spy" novel

This is one of the least impressive novels of this kind I've ever read. There is barely any plot, the characters are wooden, the dialogue is contrived, the action is geographically barren, and the story relies so much on unbelievable coincidences that it is laughable. A waste of money and time.

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4 people found this helpful

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

Great

Complex Characters Interesting twists and turns
Good readers
Keeps you guessing as to what next

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1 person found this helpful

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

I only wish that there was a second book

If you enjoy history,military and about war’s and spies this is the book for you. I have read this 3 times the audiobook is the best. It’s just like watching a movie but only listening. If you have ever read, watched movies or anything about war’ and spies if you listen to this in a audiobook you can picture everything, it puts you right there. Like I said, I only wish that there was a second book that takes off where it ends

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1 person found this helpful

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

Great story but...

If you narrate a multilingual story you need to be able to sound convincing and besides English none of the languages were... great story though

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1 person found this helpful

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

Excellent, Fast-Paced and I wish there was more

I am so pleased to have found this book. I knew mothing of the author but will now seek out his work. There is only one other short novel on audible. This book, A Single Spy, has a well-developed and conplex protagonist and a tight, fast-paced story. I read the post comparing this to LeCarre’s older work and I read the review attacking that review. I feel its safe to say that this book is much closer to the depth of LeCarre than to other current espionage/hero novelists. No, this is not LeCarre but its very good and if only we can get a series going from Christie, I would be pleased as a tinker, tailor, soldier, spy.

I cannot recommend this book more highly.

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1 person found this helpful

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

A SPY WAS BORN

very well done. Historically accurate. intrigue from Russia,Iran. From Germany to England. quite well done.

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1 person found this helpful

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

I haven't read any of Christie's others, but This

Any additional comments?

Is Really, Really Good. Everything about it is fabulous. Great story. Great central character. Good writing, really well put together, and fantastic narration. I didn't want this one to end. Risk a credit on it - you'll be happy you did.

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1 person found this helpful