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Ascension

an absolutely gripping BBC Two Between the Covers Book Club pick

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Ascension

By: Oliver Harris
Narrated by: James Langton
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About this listen

A BBC 2 Between the Covers Book Club Pick 2021.

Three friends from a mission many years ago reconnect when one of them dies in mysterious circumstances on remote Ascension Island. Rory Bannatyne had been tasked with tapping a new transatlantic data cable, but a day before he was due to return home, he is found hanged. When Kathryn Taylor, on the South Atlantic MI5 desk, begs ex-spy Elliot Kane to go over and investigate, he can't say no, but it's an uneasy reintroduction to the intelligence game.

Entirely isolated from the world, the disappearance of a young girl on the island at the same time as Rory's death means local tensions are high. Elliot needs to discover what happened to her as well as to Rory. But the island contains more secrets than even the government knows, and it's not going to give them up without a fight.

©2021 Oliver Harris (P)2021 Hachette Audio UK
Espionage Spies & Politics Suspense Thriller & Suspense Island

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Critic reviews

"Oliver Harris' Ascension is a stunner. What a pleasure it is to read a book with a powerful story, an unusual and fully realised setting, a convincing hero, all written in a style of luminous clarity." (Philip Pullman)

"A fascinating tale of modern espionage in a unique setting." (Irish Independent)

What listeners say about Ascension

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Excellent

Fantastic stuff. Oliver Harris' books are generally excellent, and this is no exception. Enjoy.

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What a find!

I literally downloaded this book because I like the cover and because I love spy novels. What a fantastic book! Gripping, well read and such a good story full of twists. Really enjoyed it.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Exciting and well written spy thriller

Excellent second Elliott Kane novel. Pacy and well plotted. X x x x x x x

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Good book!

I kind of wanted to go to Ascension after hearing this. Good spy thriller. Narration excellent.

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    3 out of 5 stars

good spy novel

The first Elliot Kent book was much better but this one was good too. the ending is a bit simple

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Thoroughly enjoyable

A real romp! Spies and murder and missing children, a heady mix. I've been a fan of Oliver Harris since reading The Hollow Man, this does not disappoint.

Well researched, interesting for that reason alone.

The plot is stretched a little at the end, however the entertainment lading up to that point more than compensates.

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Good follow up to Shadow Intelligence

Great details of life on Ascension Island and another outing for spy Elliot Kane. However, I found the story tailed off towards the end and seemed to lose credibility. But overall a good follow up to Shadow Intelligence, just not as gripping.

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Great thriller

Really enjoyed this. It’s a bit different to the previous Elliot Kane novel, but there are so many good twists and turns.

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Enjoyable listen

Enjoyed the story although I thought the ending was slightly predictable and rushed. The narrator was clear but his reading was rather emotionless even when he was trying to convey the characters speech. Hence only giving the book 4 stars.

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Absorbing and exciting listening

A gripping spy story with a captivating ending. Beautifully written text - tight prose and plenty of background to Kane’s world. Another excellent listening experience .

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