Play Audiobook Sample
Once a Spy: A Novel Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.03) - 620 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
Drummond Clark was once a spy of legendary proportions. Now Alzheimer’s disease has taken its toll and he’s just a confused old man who’s wandered away from home, waiting for his son to fetch him.
When Charlie Clark takes a break from his latest losing streak at the track to bring Drummond back to his Brooklyn home, they find it blown sky high—and then bullets start flying in every direction. At first, Charlie thinks his Russian “creditors” are employing aggressive collection tactics. But once Drummond effortlessly hot-wires a car as their escape vehicle, Charlie begins to suspect there’s much more to his father than meets the eye. He soon discovers that Drummond’s unremarkable career as an appliance salesman was actually a clever cover for an elaborate plan to sell would-be terrorists faulty nuclear detonators. Drummond’s intricate knowledge of the “device” is extremely dangerous information to have rattling around in an Alzheimer’s-addled brain. The CIA wants to “contain” him--and so do some other shady characters who send Charlie and Drummond on a wild chase that gives “father and son quality time” a whole new meaning.
With Once a Spy, Keith Thomson makes his debut on the thriller stage with energy, wit, and style to spare.
Download and start listening now!
"What happens when a former spy retires, developes alzheimers and his mental confusion causes risks to national security? That is the idea behind this well written novel of intrigue. Thomson's main characters are well drawn and appealing. The story moves along quickly and the plot contains plenty of suspense. I am looking forward to reading the sequel and I am told that Once a Spy is being made into a movie. THis book is a must for fans of Daniel Silva and David Baldacci."
— Laura (4 out of 5 stars)
Awards
-
A 2011 Barry Award Nominee for Best First Novel
-
A 2011 Dilys Award Nominee for Best First Novel
Once a Spy Listener Reviews
-
" If this wasn't written to be optioned for a film starring Harrison Ford and Bradley Cooper I'll eat my hat. Very interesting premise which I won't reveal as it would spoil the surprise. It ke[pt me going despite the too many pages of car chases and gun fights which I find better to watch than to read. Otherwise well written and some unique clever twists, in addition to the usual action movie blockbuster stuff. "
— Anthony, 2/13/2014 -
" a very different spy novel-charaacter driven. I liked the sequel, Twice a Spy, much better, less action more meat. "
— Mary, 2/8/2014 -
" An aging spy, once at the top of his game, is now suffering from early onset Alzheimer's and is considered a security risk by those he used to work for. I found this to be a very novel idea. Because the author treated the entire story with humor, it was very different from the usual "spy" genre. Some of the events seemed very far-fetched, but they just added to the humor of the book. "
— Cherie, 1/31/2014 -
" loved this tongue in cheek "over the hill" retired spy. "
— Doreen, 1/29/2014 -
" This book is a hoot about a senior spook and his adult son. Beware, people start dropping like flies only 30 pages into the story leaving a trail of explosions, torture, escaping feats of wonder, and dead bodies knee deep. But, you will actually laugh while enjoying this romp. Mr. Thomson not only knows something about sleuthing and writing, he knows something about Alzheimer's disease. "
— Joanne, 1/26/2014 -
" This was a fun book to read, very exciting and fast paced. "
— Sue, 1/10/2014 -
" A really nice spin on the espionage/thriller genre which is already a favorite of mine when done well. Looking forward to diving into the second book. "
— Ryan, 11/29/2013 -
" A very interesting debut novel of Mr. Thomson. Inventing the Alzheimer patient Drummond Clarke who used to be a high ranking spy, gives the whole story a refreshing twist. The preview of the next book "Twice a spy" indicates a sequel, although I'm not sure that it will have the same freshness to it. "
— Christian, 11/14/2013 -
" Charles estranged father has Alzheimer's and admits to being an undercover spy. "
— Joyce, 3/14/2013 -
" Eh...The idea was good, it just didn't have "it". "
— Melissa, 8/13/2012 -
" What a wonderful surprise. I had ni expectation this would be the pulse-pounding read it was. It's not so much an espionage novel as a chase tale, and the chase seem unending but Charlie and his Alzheimer's-afflicted dad keep coming up with inventive escapes. Fun. "
— Jim, 7/9/2012 -
" Delightful story blending espionage, addiction to gambling, dementia, and humor. "
— Karen, 5/28/2012 -
" I loved this book. It was so much fun. An old spy who now has Alzheimers teams up with his son for a good adventure... it was great. Language warning. "
— Kellie, 5/23/2012 -
" What if a super spy retires and gets Alzheimer, but still occasionally has moments of crisp lucidity that enables him to get himself and his horse-betting son out moments of extreme spy-on-spy danger? That is the premise of this light, fun read. "
— Steve, 4/30/2012 -
" A spy thriller with a twist I actually haven't seen. That alone gives it an extra 1/2 star. "
— Susan, 1/25/2012 -
" Fun concept - spy turned alzheimer's patient. He doesn't remember much and has bouts with lucidity, but always comes through with his "spy" techniques. "
— Jolynne, 1/25/2012 -
" Wow. This was really good, the characters were well developed and it didn't take long for me to care what happened to them. It was non-stop action from beginning to end. I'm going to be looking for more books by this author. "
— David, 12/31/2011 -
" So great! I couldn't put it down... "
— Denise, 10/22/2011 -
" All the high tech weapons and gadgets, plus the spy talk made things too unbelievable. "
— Dad, 8/3/2011 -
" Fun, entertaining spy book. A mindless read that is good for reading on vacation or at work when you just need to escape for a while. The story revolves around a former spy with Alzheimer's and his son as thy try to get away from the bad guys. "
— Michael, 7/10/2011 -
" Loved it! While the story was a bit improbably, I found it entertaining. Quick read. "
— Tammie, 5/6/2011 -
" I loved this book. It was so much fun. An old spy who now has Alzheimers teams up with his son for a good adventure... it was great. Language warning. "
— Kellie, 4/29/2011 -
" Did not get into this book. Did not finish. Found it silly and a waste of time. "
— John, 4/24/2011 -
" Boring, even with all the action happening. I just could not get excited about the story or the writing. "
— Heather, 4/15/2011 -
" I really loved this as an alternative to all of the historical fiction I read. Fast-paced, lots of action and conspiracies, totally exciting. "
— Lisa, 4/9/2011 -
" What a wonderful surprise. I had ni expectation this would be the pulse-pounding read it was. It's not so much an espionage novel as a chase tale, and the chase seem unending but Charlie and his Alzheimer's-afflicted dad keep coming up with inventive escapes. Fun. "
— Jim, 3/22/2011 -
" A pretty good spy novel, with a twist- Drummond has Alzheimer's disease... and his grown son who wasn't aware of his double life gets pulled into the intrigue. "
— Tara, 3/16/2011 -
" This book was really a lot of fun. The concept was a very good one, and the writing was strong enough to carry it. Thoroughly enjoyable. "
— Melanie, 3/15/2011
About Keith Thomson
Keith Thomson is the author of several novels, including Pirates of Pensacola and the New York Times bestseller Once a Spy. The former Columbia history major also writes nonfiction for the New York Times, Garden & Gun, and Huffington Post on a range of topics including national security and piracy.
About Danny Campbell
Danny Campbell is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and an actor who has appeared in CBS’ The Guardian, the films A Pool, a Fool, and a Duel and Greater Than Gravity, and in over twenty-five commercials. He is a company member of the Independent Shakespeare Company in Los Angeles and is an adjunct faculty member at Santa Monica College.