Scan barcode
riverdeboz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
flobi's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
mariakatharjna's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
book_concierge's review
4.0
Book on CD narrated by Eric Lincoln and performed by a full cast.
4.5****
From the book jacket: One enemy spy knows the secret to the Allies' greatest deception, a brilliant aristocrat and ruthless assassin -- code name: "The Needle" -- who holds the key to ultimate Nazi victory. Only one person stands in his way: a lonely Englishwoman on an isolated island, who is beginning to love the killer who has mysteriously entered her life.
My reactions:
Wow. Just, WOW.
Fast-paced and engaging, this was Follett’s first successful endeavor as a novelist; he wrote it when he was only 27 years old!
Follet uses three story arcs which converge in a heart-stopping scenario. He begins with Henry Faber, the pseudonym used by the German spy known as The Needle, and quickly shows the reader just how determined, ruthless and dangerous this man is. Then he starts the story of Percival Godliman, an aging professor of history, with a background the British want to employ to help them catch spies, and Detective Inspector Bloggs, who will act as Godliman’s man on the ground during the big chase. And finally the third side of the triangle: Lucy, a young woman about to be married and embark on the life of a war bride. Follet continues to craft the story moving from one story line to the other, keeping the reader off balance and eager to find out more. Virtually every chapter ends in a cliffhanger.
The audiobook is much like a radio drama. Erik Lincoln narrates the story, but each time there is dialogue, internal or external, the character is played by a different, talented voice artist. I found it a little off at first, but quickly grew used to it, and I found it really entertaining in the end.
4.5****
From the book jacket: One enemy spy knows the secret to the Allies' greatest deception, a brilliant aristocrat and ruthless assassin -- code name: "The Needle" -- who holds the key to ultimate Nazi victory. Only one person stands in his way: a lonely Englishwoman on an isolated island, who is beginning to love the killer who has mysteriously entered her life.
My reactions:
Wow. Just, WOW.
Fast-paced and engaging, this was Follett’s first successful endeavor as a novelist; he wrote it when he was only 27 years old!
Follet uses three story arcs which converge in a heart-stopping scenario. He begins with Henry Faber, the pseudonym used by the German spy known as The Needle, and quickly shows the reader just how determined, ruthless and dangerous this man is. Then he starts the story of Percival Godliman, an aging professor of history, with a background the British want to employ to help them catch spies, and Detective Inspector Bloggs, who will act as Godliman’s man on the ground during the big chase. And finally the third side of the triangle: Lucy, a young woman about to be married and embark on the life of a war bride. Follet continues to craft the story moving from one story line to the other, keeping the reader off balance and eager to find out more. Virtually every chapter ends in a cliffhanger.
The audiobook is much like a radio drama. Erik Lincoln narrates the story, but each time there is dialogue, internal or external, the character is played by a different, talented voice artist. I found it a little off at first, but quickly grew used to it, and I found it really entertaining in the end.
markbez's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
4.25
pranjuli's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Good book if you're in a thriller mood. Keeps you quite engaged even though you already know the actual ending of it all because you want to actually know how the story and the characters eventually end.
Some of the problems with the plot and writing -
after reaching the island in the sefond half, it becomes sort of obvious how it will end. The writer, however, does a good job of distracting you from that part by engaging you in sex and a bit of emotions.
I did NOT enjoy the fact that the cold-blooded murdered spy just kept on neglecting to kill that ONE woman at the very end and brought about the defeat of his country. I mean COME ON. That really was stupid after all his cold-bloodedness throughout the chase.
And the continuous repetition by EVERY character ever, about how 'Die Nadel' was the only spy of value in Germany and how the entire war depended on him. After the third time, I was just constantly eye-rolling.
Thr author kept introducing new characters with names and backgrounds of a full page even though they are hardly mentioned for two lines. This was happening even in the final act. Felt like it needed a bit of editing.
Anyway, despite my seemingly many problems with it, I did quite enjoy this WWII spy-thriller. It could have been better edited, but nevertheless it's not a waste of time, I can assure you.
Additionally, I did learn about the FUSAG and realised the reason behind the hue and cry of the landing of the allies at Normandy. So yay to that.
Some of the problems with the plot and writing -
I did NOT enjoy the fact that the cold-blooded murdered spy just kept on neglecting to kill that ONE woman at the very end and brought about the defeat of his country. I mean COME ON. That really was stupid after all his cold-bloodedness throughout the chase.
And the continuous repetition by EVERY character ever, about how 'Die Nadel' was the only spy of value in Germany and how the entire war depended on him. After the third time, I was just constantly eye-rolling.
Thr author kept introducing new characters with names and backgrounds of a full page even though they are hardly mentioned for two lines. This was happening even in the final act. Felt like it needed a bit of editing.
Anyway, despite my seemingly many problems with it, I did quite enjoy this WWII spy-thriller. It could have been better edited, but nevertheless it's not a waste of time, I can assure you.
Additionally, I did learn about the FUSAG and realised the reason behind the hue and cry of the landing of the allies at Normandy. So yay to that.
thewormer's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
geparker95's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5