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Deep Cover cover art

Deep Cover

By: Shay Doyle, Scott Hesketh
Narrated by: Christopher Coghill
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Publisher's Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

Shortlisted for the Book of the Year and Audiobook of the Year at the 2023 True Crime Awards.


Street kid turned undercover cop.

'This time he wasn't getting up. Neither were the two young women he'd just murdered. The two unarmed young police officers he cut down in a hail of 32 bullets and the fragments of a grenade, ending their promising lives so savagely, so senselessly. I felt empty. Cold. How had it come to this?'

Shay grew up on a tough Manchester council estate where drugs and gangs were rife. A life of crime would have been an easy path to take. So it went against everything that was expected of him when he joined the police.

It wouldn't be long before Shay's prodigious talent caught the attention of the top. Then came the call that changed his life: an offer to join the secret Level 1 undercover unit known as Omega. And it was easy to see why they wanted him; he wouldn't have to stray too far from what he already knew. He had all the attributes of a professional criminal - the athletic physique of a cage fighter, the talk, the walk. Streetwise and fearless, he'd be a match for the most hardened villain. He was given a new identity, his DNA and fingerprints were removed from the national database, and so began the life of Mikey O'Brien.

In a distinguished covert career spanning 17 years, former solider Shay infiltrated Moss Side gangs, was part of a hand-picked team hunting Dale Cregan and was brought in to break up a gang war wall of silence after the murder of Salford 'Mr Big' Paul Massey. But there would be a heavy price to pay for a life in the shadows, where any mistake could have lethal consequences...

©2022 Shay Doyle (P)2022 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

A phenomenal story of the life of a Level 1 undercover police officer with the courage to step into the lion's den every day, not knowing if it would be his last. (James Deegan)

What listeners say about Deep Cover

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Good listen

I’m from the north of England and have police in the family so I really enjoyed this audio book. The fact that it was read by someone with a northern accent really helped keep it real. Shay is an incredible man and I thank him for all he did for the police which came at a cost.

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  • Overall
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Great story

Great story although often difficult to understand the narrators accent. I kept rewinding as I couldn't understand some of it

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  • Overall
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Outstanding Read

Wow Another world , what a great story Thank you for truth and openess

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Awesome Stort

Demonstrates the dedication of the front line, the dishonesty of the senior leadership and the lengths yes men and bag carriers will go to reach the heights they are equipped to reach but unfortunately do. Shay is a hero for his work on the job and since.

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A Must Listen

Brutal, honest, gritty and everything you want from British True Crime. Listened to this over 2 days. A great insight into the criminal underworld in the North West of England over the last 15/20 years. Difficult to determine whether you take Shay's account of things with a pinch of salt, or view him as the real deal. Regardless, still a great listen/read. Best of luck Shay, and Scott.

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Exciting reading

This story and narration really moved me. As I was born in Lancashire I had no problem with the accent and I could easily visualize the protagonist. I found the story riveting and the book difficult to leave alone until I had completed the read. The police did not come out smelling of roses but I'm sure our main character would have been a difficult man to work with. He must have been incredibly dedicated to his work; in fact I'd say obsessed, and totally focused as well as completely confident in his abilities. In my opinion he was mismanaged and let down by people who should have been better at their jobs. I hope he is thriving in his current role.

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Great story of undercover life in the UK

This is a really good account of an undercover officer in the UK. The narrator’s accent is good for the character of the book but quite difficult to understand if you are not British.

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Interesting Subject Matter,

The story had huge potential but lacked a lot of detail as I thought would be presented. Really difficult to understand the narration with such a heavy accent but worse, the story was at times read too quickly.

Other than that, this does delve into some dark places. Makes you wonder why anyone would want to choose this path as a career. I hope Shay gets through the trauma.

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