At Risk

By: Stella Rimington

Narrated by: Jennifer McMahon

Length: 11 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

A tense, fast-moving debut thriller from the ex-head of MI5.

“Our concern - and we’ve communicated this over the weekend to all stations, is that the opposition may be about to deploy an invisible.”

An “invisible” is CIA-speak for the ultimate intelligence nightmare: The terrorist who, because he or she is an ethnic native of the target country, can cross its borders unchecked, move around that country unquestioned, and infiltrate its institutions with ease. An invisible on mainland Britain was the worst possible news.

For Liz Carlyle, an MI5 Intelligence Officer, this report from MI6 marks the start of an operation that will test her to the limit and put her own life in jeopardy. As she sifts the incoming evidence and gets reports from her agents, she realizes the terrorist threat is imminent. But who or what is the target? And who or where is the invisible? Time is of the essence in this desperate search, and it becomes clear that it is Liz’s intuitive skills - her ability to get inside her enemy’s head - that offer the only hope of averting disaster.

In this terrifying and tautly drawn debut thriller, Stella Rimington takes us to the heart of the intelligence world. It is a place she is uniquely qualified to describe.

©2004 Stella Rimington (P)2005 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Rimington speaks smartly about workplace issues while ratcheting the tension high in her authoritative debut thriller....It doesn't get more exciting than this." (Publishers Weekly)

Praise for Stella Rimington’s autobiography Open Secret: “The story of MI5’s transformation is fascinating. So too is Rimington’s account of her rise in what was very definitely a man’s world.” (Guardian)

Authentic, real humans, not super spies.

Very enjoyable, excellent narration. I wish someone would record the rest of Stella Rimingtons work.

Great listen.

I Couldn't stop listening. Great listen. First in a series lots of twists. Moving on to book 2

I think it's skipped from Chapter 2 to Chapter 7

at about 57 minutes. I tried re-downloadding it on my computer and it still says CHAPTER 7 in the middle of chapter 2. I have no idea what's going on.

Rimington is the BEST!

Only three of the six (soon to be seven) Rimington thrillers are on audible. I can't wait til they are all recorded. Rimington, former director general of MI-5--Britain's CIA--writes realistic and modern spy thrillers that are the best I've ever read.

Heart of Terrorism

Sometimes fiction on terrorism offers more intelligence than fact-sodden books on the subject. This eye-opening thriller by a former director general of MI5 reveals the complex motivations of the players. Great reading, too.

A feminist thriller

I really liked this book, written by the first female head of MI5. Fast moving plot and compelling characters, even the minor ones. The two principal antagonists are both women, smart and dedicated, and both patronized, underestimated and ultimately lied to and betrayed by male colleagues.
The only sour note comes from the narrator (or the producer): the text says that the well-educated Mansour spoke with a cut-glass BBC accent, but the narrator gives him an obscure middle-eastern fake accent, which I found annoying.
I nevertheless definitely look forward to more by this author.

Taut intelligent espionage

Intense storytelling, smartly paced, unexpected turns, wonderfully performed. Relatable characters who find themselves in the mist of today’s headlines. I am now a fan of this series! Recommend!!

Excellent - Well plotted and a great narrator!

It was exciting to find an espionage type novel with a female protagonist. The book held my interest from the beginning with a tense and believable plot centered around trying to find and stop a couple of terrorists. The characters were developed - not just cardboard cutouts like many spy novels. The main character, Liz Carlyle, was likable and easy to root for - I am thrilled that this is just the first book in a series!

Excellent - very enjoyable

Especially well read. Felt very realistic. As though this is how an actual investigation of this kind would play out.

Too many characters to keep straight.

This is a solid and interesting story line with a good twist at the end. The ending was abrupt and I had to listen again to make sure I understood the conclusion.There are too many characters and names to remember in this story. Perhaps it would be easier to follow if I actually read the book, rather than listening to it. I did enjoy the heroine and will give the next book in the series a try.