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Epitaph for a Spy Audiobook
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(3.04) - 846 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Vadassy was just another name on the guest list at the seedy Mediterranean Hotel until he was accused of spying. Then, suddenly, he was on everybody's list.
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"It's becoming a pet peeve of mine how almost every book written during WWII (in this case just before) has at least one review complaining about how it doesn't have enough period detail. Period detail laid on is the biggest giveaway of inauthenticity. Anyway, I liked the atmosphere of this book. It's always nice in genre fiction when the author goes for the "How would this play out if this was real life and not a genre novel?" route, and here we have a hero placed in the role of detective who just isn't cut out for the role, no matter what's at stake. The identity of the spy, when we discover it, isn't especially interesting, but it was still good getting there. I liked the dark note at the end."
— Leonie (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Ambler successfully combines excitement, entertainment, and social significance.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“This is a tale well worth acquaintance.”
— New York Herald Tribune -
“A genuine classic.”
— Times (London) -
“An uncommonly good story of international intrigue.”
— Atlantic -
“Graham Greene called Ambler the greatest thriller writer, and this is one of his best.”
— Library Journal -
“An amusing, agile performance.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Epitaph for a Spy Listener Reviews
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" The beginning of the genre. "
— Leaking, 2/11/2014 -
" Another very good spy novel by Ambler. You really feel the political and cultural turmoil in his books. And there's a surprisingly touching ending. "
— Tom, 2/8/2014 -
" Quality yarn, in that Amblerish way, you have to read him really - would recommend highly "
— Michael, 2/6/2014 -
" Reminiscent of Graham Greene, but with less humor. Interesting ideas about what it would be like to be thrust into the role of spy, whether you like it or not. "
— Patrick, 2/6/2014 -
" Written at the height of the cold war/commie scare, this hunt for a spy centers on a French resort and our guileless narrator. With LOTS of conversation and introspection, I was continually reminded of Agatha Christie. I had no idea who the real spy was until the end. Excellent! "
— Nicole, 2/5/2014 -
" Great fun pre-world war two novel about a man caught up in a fascist plot against France. "
— Colin, 2/5/2014 -
" my dive into the world of espionage literarture was a success. this creep will keep you guessing until the end. sort of like if camus had survived his accident and started to write spy novels. "
— carl, 1/21/2014 -
" Another re-read. I can't remember where I found Eric Ambler but I really enjoy his retro thrillers. Well, they aren't actually retro because they were written just after WWII. Less violence, more interior, more plot. I've picked up Graham Greene for the same reason. "
— Peregrina651, 1/18/2014 -
" An excellent story. An engaging and sympathetic protagonist for whom I felt deeply when he was being treated more like a pawn than a person. Beautifully written by Ambler. Will definitely be hunting for more of his stories at the library. "
— Michele, 1/17/2014 -
" A sort of old-fashioned Golden Age whodunit told as a spy story. Masterful storytelling, though, and although it was written in the late 1930s the prose has not aged or diminished. A good read. "
— Paul, 1/13/2014 -
" Eric Ambler is often considered the father of the espionage/suspense novel. This one is a personal favorite. I bet I have read (and listened to) at least 4 times. "
— Dave, 1/10/2014 -
" Classico giallo anni 30, dove l'autore ricostruisce sapientemente le atmosfere, gli usi e i dialoghi di un tempo che sembra ormai lontanissimo. Consigliato. "
— Roberto, 11/23/2013 -
" Ambler's books are always a pleasure, and this one is no exception. It plays in pre-World War II France and involves an innocent and somewhat hapless civilian who gets caught up in some nasty espionage. "
— Paul, 11/13/2013 -
" Good old school spy novel. Would make a great, slowly paced black and white French film. "
— Kit, 11/5/2013 -
" An engaging, fun read. I love the Hitchcock-esque tale of a person who unwittingly gets pulled into a conspiracy. Eric Ambler has the right alchemy of drama, intrigue and humor mixed together in this one. It will not be my last read of his. "
— Jake, 4/26/2013 -
" Ambler is good stuff. I never liked mysteries until my late 20's, but I'm glad I found him. "
— Arne, 11/11/2012 -
" A spy in France between the wars "
— Dan, 5/22/2012 -
" economical and insightful writing; gripping in a cerebral laid-back way. "
— John, 10/12/2011 -
" As good a thriller and spy novel as can be found. "
— Bill, 8/26/2011 -
" A spy in France between the wars "
— Dan, 4/27/2011 -
" Classico giallo anni 30, dove l'autore ricostruisce sapientemente le atmosfere, gli usi e i dialoghi di un tempo che sembra ormai lontanissimo. Consigliato. "
— Roberto, 1/10/2011 -
" Another classic spy novel, love how timeless Eric Ambler's books are. Wrong place at the wrong time, love how the main character is a bit clueless. "
— Erin, 9/19/2010 -
" Another very good spy novel by Ambler. You really feel the political and cultural turmoil in his books. And there's a surprisingly touching ending. "
— Tom, 3/29/2010 -
" Reminiscent of Graham Greene, but with less humor. Interesting ideas about what it would be like to be thrust into the role of spy, whether you like it or not. "
— Patrick, 3/6/2010 -
" Ambler's books are always a pleasure, and this one is no exception. It plays in pre-World War II France and involves an innocent and somewhat hapless civilian who gets caught up in some nasty espionage. "
— Paul, 2/6/2010 -
" Really enjoying these...perhaps I should read more spy fiction? Alhough...I hadn't for years because, as much as I like Bond films, Ian Fleming's fiction was pretty <em>bad</em>. <br/> <br/>Maybe Ambler is all I'm likely to like in the genre? "
— Richard, 8/18/2009 -
" Eric Ambler is often considered the father of the espionage/suspense novel. This one is a personal favorite. I bet I have read (and listened to) at least 4 times. "
— Dave, 6/23/2008 -
" Written at the height of the cold war/commie scare, this hunt for a spy centers on a French resort and our guileless narrator. With LOTS of conversation and introspection, I was continually reminded of Agatha Christie. I had no idea who the real spy was until the end. Excellent! "
— Nicole, 12/31/2007 -
" Good old school spy novel. Would make a great, slowly paced black and white French film. "
— Kit, 11/29/2007
About Eric Ambler
Eric Ambler (1909–1998) graduated from London University and established himself as a writer with five classic novels of intrigue published between 1937 and 1940: Background to Danger, Epitaph for a Spy, Cause for Alarm, A Coffin for Dimitrios, and Journey into Fear. During World War II he served in the British Army and was discharged as a lieutenant colonel. He wrote and produced a number of motion pictures and was nominated for an Academy Award for his screenplay of Nicholas Monsarrat’s The Cruel Sea. He then returned to writing novels, many of which became New York Times bestsellers. He is widely considered the father of spy-espionage thrillers.
About Alexander Spencer
Alexander Spencer was born on July 31, 1946 in Cambuslang, Strathclyde, Scotland. He is an actor, known for The Soldier (1982).