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Book giveaway this week: A Foreign Country by Charles Cumming

34 replies

RachelMumsnet · 11/07/2013 17:57

If you're looking for a gripping and suspenseful spy thriller to take on your hols, Charles Cumming's A Foreign Country is a great choice.

Amelia Lavene is about to take up her post as the first female head of M16 when she goes missing without trace. M16 is plunged into crisis and are desperately trying to figure out what's happened before the story is leaked. However, the crisis offers disgraced M16 Thomas Kell a chance of redemption and he embarks on a dangerous journey throughout France and North Africa to track her down.

A Foreign Country was winner of the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger 2012 for Best Thriller of the Year and selected by Sunday Times and The Guardian as best thriller. Author Charles Cumming has written a special note to tell mumsnetters about the inspiration behind his novel. Read his note and apply for a free copy. If you're one of the lucky 50 do come back when you've read and discuss.

OP posts:
thecatfromjapan · 11/07/2013 22:25

I've read this - because it was recommended on mumsnet! You're a bit slow, Mr Cumming's publishers! Wink Just kidding.

It was a page-turner. Will say no more for fear of spoiling the surprise/discussion.

aristocat · 13/07/2013 11:14

Love the sound of this Smile Keeping fingers crossed I get a book.

SisterMatic · 14/07/2013 18:42

Fingers crossed for this one, sounds a real page turner.

countingdown · 19/07/2013 11:35

Just had an email saying I'll be getting a copy of this book. Looking forward to reading this, sounds like it will be gripping.

aristocat · 19/07/2013 12:35

Thank you for the email ...... cannot wait to get started on this one!

BookwormMummy · 20/07/2013 10:12

Getting a copy of this book. Can't wait. Not my usual type of book I would pick but I'm always looking for new genres...

SisterMatic · 29/07/2013 20:45

Received my copy today, thank you i will start it tonight..I'll be back Grin

tinypumpkin · 30/07/2013 18:22

Received it yesterday and made a start. I did enjoy the little bit I read. Will be back when I have more to say but I am really looking forward to reading this :)

aristocat · 30/07/2013 20:33

Have just started reading Smile. All good so far.

lottietiger · 31/07/2013 22:15

Received my copy today, thank you.. hopefully its ok to wait a little for the review as i would love to take this on holiday to read on the beach

hanbee · 01/08/2013 09:38

Arrived home from our holiday yesterday and found a copy of this waiting for me. Was very pleased as I hadn't received an email telling me I was getting one. Perfect timing as I had just finished my last book. Thank you!

BookwormMummy · 01/08/2013 09:56

Wow! Surprisingly enough this turned out to be a book that I just had to stay up and finish off...

When I saw my favorite L.P Hartley quote at the beginning I was curious although I was not expecting to enjoy this book because it's not a genre that I would usually chose to read. I think it's because the whole spy genre tends to be written in a very masculine way, and full of testosterone which I just have no enthusiasm for but Charles has managed to write in such a way that makes it approachable for a woman to read, understand and even enjoy this subject whilst not losing any credibility.

Amelia was such a well drawn character but above all believable. What made her even more refreshing though was how she conducted herself. Not once did we see her stumble, fluff or embarrass herself with some stupid phrases or awkward conversations, not once did she falter in the presence of other males and not once did we have to witness her deciding on her wardrobe, make-up, etc or droning on about her emotions.

I read constantly like there's no tomorrow and I have yet to come across a female character like Amelia and it makes me realise just how much we are missing out on by not having such strong characters both in the literary sense and in real life.

(Charles' note to Mumsnet summed this up perfectly)

I have to admit though, I loved the character of Kell. Everything about his character was commendable especially when placed against a barrage of unscrupulous characters such as Luc.

I actually gave this book 5 stars on Goodreads after I finished it and I do believe I may just go and buy another of his books. If anything I think I have now found myself a new genre...

mirai · 02/08/2013 05:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bettybooboo1 · 02/08/2013 13:46

I received a free copy which was great., I started the book but couldn't really get into it, the prose was a bit clunky and it felt a bit too much of a boy's thriller - the sort of thing my DH loves in fact so he will be taking it on holiday. I'll report back on his thoughts.

mirai · 02/08/2013 13:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tinypumpkin · 02/08/2013 17:54

I have to say that I really enjoyed this too. I could not put it down at all which is a good sign. I really liked the short chapters, perhaps that is just more reflective of reading when you have small children!

I found the characters believable and really did think the plot was well written. I was not able to second guess anything so that was all good.

Thank you very much. Off to find more of the same by the author.

aristocat · 04/08/2013 16:33

I am loving this book and unable to put it down. It is one that I would easily recommend. i also have found myself a new stash of books to read - thank you Mr Cumming.

BookwormMummy · 04/08/2013 17:11

tinypumpkin I know what you mean, short chapters can be lifelines when you're a mother!

clux73 · 05/08/2013 16:28

Hello, received my copy but only starting it today. Will read and post feedback as quickly as I can!

SisterMatic · 05/08/2013 20:03

I too am enjoying the short chapters..I will come and write my thoughts down when I have finished it..taking me longer than usual but then there is a lot of teething going on in the SisterMatic household!

aristocat · 05/08/2013 21:51

Finished reading this now and I cannot say how much I enjoyed it Smile Super writing and great characters especially Amelia and Kell.

I am looking forward to reading more Thomas Kell books .....

clux73 · 07/08/2013 14:58

Hello, I've finished this now, read it in about two days. I enjoyed the book but found the ending a bit rushed. Thought there were some good strong characters and it wasn't as unbelievable as some spy based books I've read. I would read another book by this author.

wibblyjelly · 08/08/2013 18:34

I'm still reading through this on the tube into work. I'm enjoying it so far, hoping to read most of it tonight.

fedupofpoo · 09/08/2013 15:25

Not my cup of tea I'm afraid,found it slow and not interesting,didn't even finish it,and that doesn't happen often!

wibblyjelly · 09/08/2013 22:46

Just finished it. I will admit it took me a while to get into the story. The first half of the book was quite slow, but I enjoyed the 2nd half where there was a lot more action. I think it would make a good film as well.

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