A Foreign Country

By: Charles Cumming

Narrated by: Jot Davies

Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

From the internationally acclaimed, New York Times best-selling author of The Trinity Six, Charles Cumming, comes A Foreign Country, a compelling tale of deceit and betrayal, conspiracy and redemption.

On the vacation of a lifetime in Egypt, an elderly French couple are brutally murdered. Days later, a meticulously planned kidnapping takes place on the streets of Paris. Amelia Levene, the first female Chief of MI6, has disappeared without a trace, six weeks before she is due to take over as the most influential spy in Europe. It is the gravest crisis MI6 has faced in more than a decade. Desperate not only to find her, but to keep her disappearance a secret, Britain’s top intelligence agents turn to one of their own: disgraced MI6 officer Thomas Kell. Tossed out of the Service only months before, Kell is given one final chance to redeem himself - find Amelia Levene at any cost. The trail leads Kell to France and Tunisia, where he uncovers a shocking secret and a conspiracy that could have unimaginable repercussions for Britain and its allies. Only Kell stands in the way of personal and political catastrophe.

©2012 Charles Cumming (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

More, please!!

Excellent! Intricate, coherent plot, superb narration. I am looking forward to more of Thomas Kell and Amelia Levene.

The art of spycraft

Nothing I have read previously describes the cunning process of specific acts of spycraft better than this book. I plan to read anyting Charles Comings writes or Jot Davies performs. These are realistic modern-day stories on the level of Salinger's exploits, only a little more believable.

Great British spy novel

I love British spy stories and this one is spot on. Well developed characters, suspenseful, tense action. This is a great story of redemption and spy craft. On to the next one!

A gripping story with an awesome climax

This was a really excellent listen. The story was gripping, brought to life by truly exceptional narration.

Bravo!!

Cumming is the heir apparent to Le Carre

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This was recommended to me by my son who knows I am a Le Carre fan and I was not disappointed. I would have no hesitation recommending this book to a fan of intelligent, well written spy thrillers such as those written by John Le Carre or Len Deighton.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Terrific plot. Realistic with enough twists to keep you guessing, and occasional explosive action.

What about Jot Davies’s performance did you like?

His narration was excellent and his accents spot on without being distracting.

Any additional comments?

I look forward to listening to more of Cummings books.

Fantastic!

Would you listen to A Foreign Country again? Why?

I did, in fact, listen to it again, immediately after the first listen. I didn't want to miss a bit of the detail.

What did you like best about this story?

The prose, the detail, and the characters all worked so well together to keep me plugged in long after my walk was finished.

What does Jot Davies bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His narration was excellent. He was seamless, switching between characters and genders. I didn't notice narration quirks, which is a sign of a good narrator.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

U.K.'s top-secret holder has secrets of her own. And her past could bring down her country.

Any additional comments?

I'd highly recommend this story. First-rate!

Great spy novel

well written and we'll narrated. I look forward to more Thomas Kell in this series!

Kept waiting for it to get interesting

It felt like a summary, not a complete book. Narrator did not hold my attention.

Entertaining...

What made the experience of listening to A Foreign Country the most enjoyable?

The main character was likeable and the story engaging.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Foreign Country?

The story starts off strong, but wanes a bot toward the last third.

What does Jot Davies bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He does the different accents well and gives them character.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

no

Any additional comments?

It's a solid, engaging caper, but not a must-hear.

Mi 6 Brits versus French

Kell leads efforts to prevent breach of Mi 6. Set in France, Tunisia and England. The plot is successfully stopped.