“Both narratives share a laconic edge and a focus on action, reminiscent of Ian Fleming’s James Bond, right down to the hero’s wry stoicism. The contrast between the eager young Terry and the jaded elder Terry adds pathos…[An] appealing espionage caper strongly reminiscent of vintage spy fiction.” Kirkus Reviews
Description
Inspired by the author’s own experience, The Vicar introduces Terry Nolan, an MI5 operative who, when he discovers his cover is blown and millions of lives are at stake, will do whatever it takes to stop enemy forces.
Terry Nolan, an off-the-books MI5 operative known as the Vicar, has been officially dead for the past thirty years. But when Nolan is attacked in Boston, it becomes clear his cover is blown. Even worse, his Parishioners—the network of spies who work under the Vicar—have all been compromised.
Nolan races to New York to try and find his last remaining agent, Shae, whom he personally recruited years ago. Instead, he finds Kristen, a young civilian who is determined to save Shae, too—and who may know more than she’s letting on.
In the search for his missing agent, Nolan intercepts intelligence that indicates weapons of mass destruction are on their way to Britain’s four largest cities. Working directly with the ruthless head of MI5, Nolan must call upon all his clandestine skills to save the final Parishioner and find out who is behind the attacks and why. But he’s playing a dangerous game, and the dark secrets of his past are about to catch up with him.
Praise
“Both narratives share a laconic edge and a focus on action, reminiscent of Ian Fleming’s James Bond, right down to the hero’s wry stoicism. The contrast between the eager young Terry and the jaded elder Terry adds pathos…[An] appealing espionage caper strongly reminiscent of vintage spy fiction.” Kirkus Reviews
“Barnett adds all the narrative fuel required for this action-packed story…With gusto, Barnett captures the danger and impromptu violence between Nolan…Barnett’s delivery of all the accents helps listeners follow the plot and principals.” AudioFile
“I love good spy yarns: I love intrigue, I love being surprised at the character’s choices as the plot twists, and I love falling so deeply into the story that I wonder what is real and what is fiction. A. J. Chambers’s The Vicar checks each of those desires. It took me into a fascinating environment and did what only the best books do: it kept me up reading far later into the night than I intended. This is a spy thriller that will thrill you—and when you close your eyes you’ll see the inevitable movie.” David Fisher, New York Times bestselling author of The War Magician
“Top-class gut-punch credibility. Chambers has a skill of delivering chilling reality through compelling fiction.” Humphrey Hawksley, BBC correspondent and bestselling author of the Dragon Strike and Rake Ozenna series
“With his crackling debut novel The Vicar, A. J. Chambers vaults into the ranks of classic espionage authors like John le Carré, Frederick Forsyth, and Daniel Silva. His MI5 operative Terry Nolan is no over-amped superhero, but a complex, appealingly human character who is deeply aware of the world’s painful deceptions and sacrifices. As one turns the book’s pages with bated breath, it seems evident Chambers is all too familiar with the dangerous, shadowy landscape he writes about … but if so we won’t blow his cover. It’s rare to discover a great new writer, and we want him sticking around for a long time to come.” Jerome Preisler, New York Times bestselling author
Details
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Release Day | Sep 18, 2023 |
| Release Date | September 19, 2023 |
| Release Date Machine | 1695081600 |
| Imprint | Blackstone Publishing |
| Provider | Blackstone Publishing |
| Categories | Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Literature & Fiction, Thriller & Suspense, Suspense, Action & Adventure, Military |
Author Bio
A. J. Chambers was born and raised in the north of England. He joined the British Army in the 1980s and was primarily based in Northern Ireland. He was also stationed in various countries around the world. After leaving the military, he worked as a chef for over twenty years. The Vicar is his debut novel.
Narrator Bio
Rory Barnett is a voice talent and audiobook narrator.
Overview
Inspired by the author’s own experience, The Vicar introduces Terry Nolan, an MI5 operative who, when he discovers his cover is blown and millions of lives are at stake, will do whatever it takes to stop enemy forces.
Terry Nolan, an off-the-books MI5 operative known as the Vicar, has been officially dead for the past thirty years. But when Nolan is attacked in Boston, it becomes clear his cover is blown. Even worse, his Parishioners—the network of spies who work under the Vicar—have all been compromised.
Nolan races to New York to try and find his last remaining agent, Shae, whom he personally recruited years ago. Instead, he finds Kristen, a young civilian who is determined to save Shae, too—and who may know more than she’s letting on.
In the search for his missing agent, Nolan intercepts intelligence that indicates weapons of mass destruction are on their way to Britain’s four largest cities. Working directly with the ruthless head of MI5, Nolan must call upon all his clandestine skills to save the final Parishioner and find out who is behind the attacks and why. But he’s playing a dangerous game, and the dark secrets of his past are about to catch up with him.