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At Risk Audiobook
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(3.02) - 738 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
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.
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"I took up this book because it was written by a woman who became the first female director of MI5. That's a pretty remarkable thing, even today. And unlike similar books I have read, the author creates in this novel a world that is decidedly real. One of the most thrilling aspects of this story is that it very well could happen at any time. It also honestly explores the darker side to government operations. The missions and accidents that people are not so proud of, that they don't want the press or the people to hear. That said, there are a couple of reason why I gave it the rating I did. For one, the flow of the story was a bit choppy at times. She brought the necessary bits and pieces together, but sometimes in a way that was completely disruptive to the narrative. It would have earned 5 stars, even still, if Ms. Rimington had tied up a few of the loose ends a little more clearly, and had alluded to and explained some of the surprises a little more thoroughly. One thing that frustrates me in a book is a seemingly abandoned subplot. And the one I am referring to isn't even that important to the story, but the fact that she repeatedly brought it up, yet there was no real resolution to it perhaps because it was so minor, is annoying. But all other things considered, it was a very good first outing, and I am looking forward to trying her other books."
— Lauren (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Exciting…[Rimington] bids to join the ranks of such secret agent authors as Graham Greene [and] John le Carré. At Risk is an exciting debut novel.”
— Wall Street Journal -
“Entertaining…Briskly told…[Will] keep you turning the pages.”
— Washington Post Book World -
“As engrossing and hard to resist as Frederick Forsyth’s The Day of the Jackal.”
— Orlando Sentinel -
“A smart, clever, and brilliantly paced thriller that seems ripped from the headlines—if not today’s, then probably tomorrow’s…This is a tightly drawn, expertly told tale…It marks a promising second career for its author, whose future success will doubtless be much more public than her earlier accomplishments.
— Amazon.com, editorial review -
“Rimington speaks smartly about workplace issues while ratcheting the tension high in her authoritative debut thriller.”
— Publishers Weekly -
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
At Risk Listener Reviews
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" This is my first Stella Rimington novel. I enjoyed it very much; it was a real page-turner. It would make the ideal holiday read. The narration was superb-Jennifer McMahon has the most delicious voice. I plan to read/listen to another in the future, probably when I require a light read and some escapism. "
— VintagePenny55, 3/28/2024 -
" I thought this book was quite well done, but of course the main motivation for reading it was because the author was involved in the world of espionage herself. I really enjoyed the strong female character and thought the work place politics were totally believable. The disappointing part of the book was the ending. While it wraps up the best that it can, I found it slightly less believable that the "invisible" would be so easily dissuaded from the task at hand. But I'd definitely read another one. "
— Shelley, 2/5/2014 -
" Fun, thoughtful thriller with smart, strong female characters. Enjoyed the depiction of how the British handle terrorism threats. This was a holiday gift in a genre in which I rarely read and it was a page-turner. "
— Polo, 1/19/2014 -
" This book was about a terrorist incident in England, and the agents working desperately to thwart it. I thought it was slow in the beginning, but interesting toward the end as it approached the climax of the story. I liked the main character, Liz, as she raced against the clock to figure out the target of the terrorists and their identities. "
— Jane, 1/13/2014 -
" It was an amazing read! I am going to start reading other rimington books! "
— Samia, 1/4/2014 -
" okay. takes a long time getting to the best part. "
— Michele, 12/7/2013 -
" Wow...another great series! This one kept me on the edge of my seat (and WAY past my bedtime). Thanks, Seattle Mystery Bookshop and the Seattle Tiems, for the great recommendation. "
— Julie, 12/3/2013 -
" One of the first books I've read about a woman in British intelligence. "
— Laurie, 11/21/2013 -
" Very good. I am looking forward to reading the next in the series. "
— Elizabeth, 9/10/2013 -
" Entertaining thriller; keeps you guessing about the outcome. "
— Karin, 8/25/2013 -
" Great start to a super series. Very well done spy thriller. Extremely satisfying. If you like this sort of spy story, this is a definite read for you. "
— Tom, 5/28/2013 -
" Written as fiction, a former head of MI5 creates the counterterrorist agent, Liz Carlyle, who is given limited time to find the worst kind of terrorist , an "invisible"-someone traveling on a British passport. As taunt, and suspenseful as a Robert Ludlum. Very Good. "
— Rosie, 5/24/2013 -
" I read this a long time ago. Great, can't put it down MI-5 versus Terrorism! The author was in MI-5 and knows her stuff. "
— Linda, 12/8/2012 -
" I was hoping this would be Bridget Jones meets James Bond. It was dry and not good at all..... "
— Heather, 6/14/2011 -
" Fun read---nothing too deep, about par for a thriller, but well-written. "
— Kevin, 10/4/2010 -
" The former head of MI6 first novel. A good start looking forward to her later books, as she knows spycraft "
— Gail, 6/5/2010 -
" I really enjoyed this novel! The story was really compelling and it seemed sort of terrifyingly plausible. I also think the author set up the heroine's life in such a way that there will be plenty to explore in future books. "
— Carolyn, 5/18/2009 -
" A punchy first novel by the former Head of MI5 that has an exciting and seemingly realistic plot line concerning the smuggling of terrorists into Britain in Norfolk. Made a change from reading very glamorous and blockbuster thrillers. "
— Tim, 5/4/2009 -
" First volume of a counter-espionage series written by the former head of MI-5. Well written and well paced. Story is a welcome variation from the modern nuclear terrorist novel. "
— Jeff, 7/29/2008 -
" An fast, easy read . . . even for me. Very entertaining with a strong female lead. "
— Inga, 7/26/2008 -
" Loved the authenticity, and personal-life parts weren't as great as the intelligence services, but still a good read. "
— Karen, 11/12/2007 -
" Rimington is my new favorite espionage/thriller author. Former head of MI5, updating John LeCarre with a smart and likable female agent of counter-terrorism. Great at slowly revealing clues that advance the plot, great at keeping up the pace. Just wonderful. "
— Joanne, 3/19/2007 -
" Good. I listened to it on audio and the british accent was perfect for the setting. Interesting how some vocabulary is so different! I will go find more of ms. Liz. "
— Susan, 2/7/2007 -
" Escapist spy novel written by a former MI-6 director. Entertaining read, if not intellectually high-brow. "
— Matt, 4/13/2006
About Stella Rimington
Dame Stella Rimington joined the Security Service (MI5) in 1968. During her career she worked in all the main fields of the service: countersubversion, counterespionage, and counterterrorism. She was appointed director general in 1992, the first woman to hold the post. She has written her autobiography and eight Liz Carlyle novels. She lives in London and Norfolk, England.
About Jennifer McMahon
Jennifer McMahon is the author of eleven novels, including the New York Times bestsellers Promise Not to Tell and The Winter People. She graduated with a BA from Goddard College and then studied poetry for a year in the MFA in writing program at Vermont College. Visit her at Jennifer-McMahon.com or connect with her on Instagram @JenniferMcMahonWrites and Facebook @JenniferMcMahonBook