Ken Follett

The Key to Rebecca

Ken Follett’s The Key to Rebecca took readers and critics by storm when first published more than twenty years ago. Today, it remains one of the best espionage novels ever written. Look out for Ken's newest book, A Column of Fire, available now. A brilliant and ruthless Nazi master agent is on the loose in Cairo. His mission is to send Rommel’s advancing army the secrets that will unlock the city’s doors. In all of Cairo, only two people can stop him. One is a down-on-his-luck English officer no one will listen to. The other is a vulnerable young Jewish girl. . . .

Simon Harding

Not the usual quicksand of a Follett novel. This one didn't suck me in quite so quickly- rather I just subsided gently into the story like an ageing building. It just didn't have that pizazz, that 'well hello, here we are' Follett's novels usually smack you with, nor that first character that you identify with immediately and are gasping for more when he changes point of view. But once more, his research is flawless. I really don't know how he does it.

I love the weaving of the tale through actual historic events, and as a story, the Key to Rebecca certainly gathers pace. I'm probably being a little harsh with 4 stars, but hey- not all his novels can be perfect. 

If you've not read Follett before, don't start with this one, but if you have- well give it a crack. You won't be disappointed.

The Key to Rebecca

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