The Trinity Six

By: Charles Cumming

Narrated by: Jot Davies

Length: 11 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Europe is still littered with the darkest secrets of the Cold War. And the most deadly revelation of them all is about to be made…Hard-up Russia expert Dr Sam Gaddis finally has a lead for a book that could set his career back on track. He has staggering new information about an unknown sixth member of the infamous Cambridge spy ring – a man who has evaded detection for his entire life.

But when his source suddenly dies, Gaddis is left with just shreds of his investigation, and no idea that he is already in too deep. He is threatened, betrayed, hunted – and alone. To get his life back, he must scour a continent still laced with lies to find the truth behind the Trinity Six.

Both Moscow and MI6 will use everything in their power to keep their fragile peace intact. But why murder people to hide secrets that should by now be history? Gaddis starts to understand – far too late – that he is closing in on a discovery that will shake Europe to its foundations…

©2011 Charles Cumming (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

"The master of the modern spy thriller." ( Mail On Sunday)

"Cumming has clearly researched widely and his portrayal of life among China's louche foreign community is particularly convincing, if depressing. This novel adds to his reputation as one of the UK's best young espionage writers." ( Daily Telegraph)

Better to savour slowly

It helps to have some understanding of the Cambridge 5, and a little of the alliances during WW11, as well as the post war Cold War

Charles Cummings in this novel, is putting up a sixth man as a double agent. Curiously, Robert Goddard in his 'Set in Stone' ( 1999 and available on Audible) also has a sixth man who was a double agent. While the stories are very different, I do wonder if fact is being hidden in fiction. There are a few similarities that feed my curiosity.

While I would have stayed up all night reading a LeCarre, I have found this story is better taken more slowly. Having an urbane specialist in History as our hero, is a little refreshing.
It is an interesting story and Jot Davies reads well. It is possible to break and pick up again without losing the plot or being late for work because of needing to finish a chapter.

The interest is sustained and the breaks allow you to do your own searching on the famous four in the Cambridge 5 as well some background on 'this or that'.
All up, this was not too bad a story and one, a person may want to go back to again.

Perfect match between story and narrator

Where does The Trinity Six rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top third. Fast paced and intriguing.

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

Yes, great plotting and point of view.

Have you listened to any of Jot Davies’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, he is my favourite narrator of all time. Subtle, nuanced, intelligent.

Outstanding Listen!!

Wow! What a listen!! Not only was the story most interesting, it was read in an outstanding manner! Well done! I couldn't stop myself, had to finish it ASAP!!

A great listen.

If you like John LeCarre's style of writing you will enjoy this one thoroughly. It is complex and fast paced and interesting from beginning to end. Worthwhile.

Too complicated for me!

I must admit that I lost interest in this story some way through when the story turned from what happened here and know to long conservations about what happened in the past. All these names, of people with "old faces", who "turned" or "betrayed" or "went over" at what time is very hard, for me, to remember and, frankly, care much about. I suppose hard core fans of spy novels in the le Carré genre might like this. I am not sure how to rate an experience like this: for me personaly it was a one star, but I realize this is not for me so I give it a 3.

Brilliant thriller perfectly narrated

This would be one of my favorite audiobooks that I've listened to. The novel was tight and well-written, a brilliant spy thriller that kept you guessing which traversed several countries and several decades of history. The narration by Jot Davies was absolutely perfect. I loved this audiobook and couldn't wait to keep listening to it. 5 stars.

Could not stop listening

What made the experience of listening to The Trinity Six the most enjoyable?

The plot blended history of the Cambridge Five skillfully wih fiction. The novel is well constructed and suspenseful. This guy is definitely high on my espionage list, along with LeCarre and Daniel Silva.

What about Jot Davies???s performance did you like?

Good narrator - subtle use of accents. Very listenable.