Thatcher's Spy cover art

Thatcher's Spy

My Life as an MI5 Agent Inside Sinn Féin

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Thatcher's Spy

By: Willie Carlin
Narrated by: Matthew Forsythe
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About this listen

In Thatcher's Spy, the Cold War meets Northern Ireland's Dirty War in the remarkable real-life story of a deep under-cover British intelligence agent, a man now doomed forever to look over his shoulder.

In March 1985, as he climbed the six steps of Margaret Thatcher's prime-ministerial jet on the runway of RAF Aldergrove, little did Willie Carlin know the role Freddie Scappaticci played in saving his life.

So began the dramatic extraction of Margaret Thatcher's key undercover agent in Sinn Féin. For 11 years, Willie Carlin worked alongside IRA commander Martin McGuinness in the republican movement's political wing in Derry.

He was MI5's man at McGuinness' side and gave the British State unprecedented insight into the IRA leader's strategic thinking. When Carlin's cover was blown in 1985, Thatcher authorised the use of her jet to whisk him to safety. Incredibly, it was another British spy inside the IRA's secretive counter-intelligence unit, the 'nuttin' squad', who saved Carlin's life. This is his story.

©2019 Willie Carlin (P)2019 W. F. Howes Espionage Politicians Politics & Activism True Crime Ireland Thought-Provoking Inspiring

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All stars
Most relevant  
this is an excellent story, giving a great insight into the troubles in Northern Ireland- from both perspectives. Great narator. really gripping.

Excellent

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A Fantastic book. Very well narrated. I Definitely highly recommend this audio book to everyone.

Great insight to the troubles

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Narrator was woeful, I listened on 2x speed. The story itself was fascinating. With someone else narrating this would have been 5 stars.

meh

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Interesting book with insightful writing and perspective, but spoilt by the narrator whose narration presents as barely literate. I wasn't sure if the narrator was trying to act as semi-literate, if so this is a gross insult to the author and his countrymen. Riddled with continually mispronouncing words - not difficult words but words like Army corps, Tank corps, Education corps and Intelligence corps which the narrator constantly pronounced "corps" rather than core. At times he struggled and faltered over even the most simple sentences - very distracting and a disservice to the author.

Interesting book, ruined by dreadful narration.

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Very well read by Matthew Forsythe, he had me transfixed. This a brilliant insight into the lengths that people go to keep us all safe.
Great story that I just kept listing to until it was finished. A must listen and highly recommend.

Brilliant and insightful

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well written
well read
enlightening
a must read for those interested in good Friday agreements

fascinating spy history.

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Over 9 hrs long yet it flew by! Engrossing, informative and tragic at times. An unbelievably brave man who risked life and limb.

If you are interested in the subject matter I highly recommend this. You won’t be disappointed.

Good performance of the audio story. So often the voices are a complete letdown. Efforts made, efforts appreciated.

Buy it!

Sit back and listen

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A must read/listen edge of the seat stuff,amazing true facts this book is by far the best

Thrilling

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a disturbing yet informative account of the world of intelligence during the troubles. Also a reminder that our attitude to each other over race and religion is so often impacted by the accident of birth. It takes a special person to overcome such prejudice and bravery to stand against it while living within it. By the way tell the narrator that "corps" is pronounced "core" even in NI.

Disturbing and informative

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A very interesting but unsurprising first hand recollection of the IRAs most successful era

A must read for anyone interested in The Troubles

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