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  • Eye of the Needle

  • A Novel
  • Written by: Ken Follett
  • Narrated by: Samuel West
  • Length: 11 hrs and 2 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (101 ratings)

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Eye of the Needle cover art

Eye of the Needle

Written by: Ken Follett
Narrated by: Samuel West
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Publisher's Summary

The worldwide phenomenon from the best-selling author of The Pillars of the Earth, World Without End, A Column of Fire, and The Evening and the Morning

His code name was “The Needle.” He was a German aristocrat of extraordinary intelligence - a master spy with a legacy of violence in his blood, and the object of the most desperate manhunt in history....

But his fate lay in the hands of a young and vulnerable English woman, whose loyalty, if swayed, would assure his freedom - and win the war for the Nazis....

©1978 Ken Follett (P)2021 Penguin Audio

What the critics say

"Top-notch suspense . . . a terrific thriller . . . spellbinding." (The Miami Herald)

"Great . . . one of the twelve best thrillers from the last fifty years." (Rocky Mountain News)

"Extraordinarily satisfying . . . a truly suspenseful novel . . . heart-stopping, nerve-freezing terror." (Los Angeles Times)

What listeners say about Eye of the Needle

Average Customer Ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Not my favorite Follett novel

This is a fine novel but character development was a bit lacking. On the other hand, while the outcome of the story is never really in doubt, Follett managed to throw a few curveballs along the way. The narration was very good as well.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant

So fine. Story is one of the very best spy stories ever. Reader quintessentially British but an actor so we have Churchill Hitler Rommel our Heroine and a dozen other voices all believable. 5 stars all round!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent blend of historical fact and spy thriller!

Detailed character and setting portrayal sparked my imagination and coupled with a thrilling but believable storyline to deliver an awesome read.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
  • Ian
  • 2023-10-25

Entertaining and Convincing

I found the story engaging and the characters convincing and interesting. The plot was a bit predictable but with enough surprises to keep me listening.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Slow start

Really enjoyed this book. I did find it had a slow start but as always in Follett style, it came together brilliantly and I loved it! I do agree with others though, that some of the sexual graphics are unnecessary and just not to my personal taste and I by no means consider myself a prude.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Must Listen to!

This is a fantastic edition of this wonderful novel Highly believable story amd lots of suspense

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • ash
  • 2023-03-27

Too good!

Simply brilliant! This is an absolute master piece. Will hear it again in the future!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

THE MOVIE WAS AWESOME...THE BOOK IS EVEN BETTER!

Samuel West's narration of Ken Follett's "THE EYE OF THE NEEDLE" is superb. German accents, various English accents just expertly presented. Great pacing. Then there is the story, a WW2 spy thriller, pitting MI5 and civilian intellectuals against a most capable German spy.
A spy with information that could change the fortunes of the D-Day landings! I would listen to this Audible book and then back up and repeat sections to make sure I missed nothing! As the understated Brits would say, " a real swell story!".

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • DG
  • 2023-05-21

Absolutely fantastic

Gripping story especially the 2nd half. Probably best I have listened to on audible. Narration was superb.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story

Liked the characters Great ending Will be listening to this audiobook again in the near future

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