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Killing Thatcher

The IRA, the Manhunt and the Long War on the Crown

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Killing Thatcher

By: Rory Carroll
Narrated by: Gary Trainor
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About this listen

The Sunday Times Bestseller

A Sunday Times History Book of the Year

A Spectator Book of the Year

The Irish Times No.1 Bestseller

‘As taut as a fictional thriller’ Mail on Sunday

‘Gripping, detailed and richly layered’ Guardian

KILLING THATCHER is the gripping account of how the IRA came astonishingly close to killing Margaret Thatcher and to wiping out the British Cabinet – an extraordinary assassination attempt linked to the Northern Ireland Troubles and the most daring conspiracy against the Crown since the Gunpowder Plot.

In this fascinating and compelling book, veteran journalist Rory Carroll retraces the road to the infamous Brighton bombing in 1984 – an incident that shaped the political landscape in the UK for decades to come. He begins with the infamous execution of Lord Mountbatten in 1979 – for which the IRA took full responsibility – before tracing the rise of Margaret Thatcher, her response to the ‘Troubles’ in Ireland and the chain of events that culminated in the hunger strikes of 1981 and the death of 10 republican prisoners, including Bobby Sands. From that moment on Thatcher became an enemy of the IRA – and the organisation swore revenge.

Opening with a brilliantly-paced prologue that introduces bomber Patrick Magee in the build up to the incident, Carroll sets out to deftly explore the intrigue before and after the assassination attempt – with the story spanning three continents, from pubs and palaces, safe houses and interrogation rooms, hotels and barracks. On one side, an elite IRA team aided by a renegade priest, US-raised funds and Libya’s Qaddafi and on the other, intelligence officers, police detectives, informers and bomb disposal officers. An exciting narrative that blends true crime with political history, this is the first major book to investigate the Brighton attack.

©2023 Rory Carroll (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers Limited
Espionage Europe Politicians Women in Politics Ireland Imperialism

What listeners say about Killing Thatcher

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A Griipping Read.

A gripping account of the manhunt to catch the IRA killers after the Brighton bombing, reads like a thriller. The book is a well researched account of the hunt to catch the IRA bombers, after the Brighton bombing. Performance is brilliant. Historically accurate.

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Fascinating insight

Well written (and well read) history that delves beyond the single incident in Brighton to give a fascinating insight into the business and activities of “The Troubles”.

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Fabulous!

An incredible book, amazingly written and very well researched.
Narrated well.
Absolutely brilliant! Highly recommended

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Outstanding story!

Just one of the best books about the PIRA. The background of the troubles and the subsequent attempts to take many lives. An unstoppable ride of emotion and suspense, all based on fact. I was born in the UK and lived through the nightly news and remember this headline vividly. Loved the book, and I'd give it many more stars if possible!

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Awesome.

Excellent book. Kept me interested from Chapter 1 until the end.
Narration was spot on.
Highly recommended!

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Gripping drama

Was totally gripping, with the story told from many angles. The era was brought to life, excellent research.

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Excellent production

A fantastic, intriguing and true story not previously known and narrated brilliantly; thank-you so much.

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Brilliantly Written and Read

What a fascinating book this is. Brilliantly written, with a richness of detail that brings the past to present day life. The research has clearly been deep and wide ranging and the result is an authoritative history. The narrator is perfect for the book.

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Some Salient Reminders

Aside from the evident bias towards the murderers, for example referring to murdered soldiers as ‘executed’, an interesting reminder of my youth.
Growing up and visiting London in the 80’s discussing the bombing season as we would the likelihood of rain that day. We would go regardless.
Some parallels with what is happening in Britain today with the latest threat to democracy and our way of life. At least then we had Thatcher though we played too soft and too fairly under her clearly. This current mob have assessed our procedurally fair response dealing with IRA terrorists in the 80’s and know we will tie ourselves in knots in due process with the multitude of the latest crop of bombers and rapists. The irony at least, Ireland has imported the same problem.

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An enthralling read.

I heard about this book from Alistair Campbell on his podcast and found it to be compelling, even handed and so interesting.
Gary Trainor’s Irish accented narration was excellent and captured the moment.

At the time these seemed to be background events in Australia and with the timely publication of this account I have filled the gaps in my superficial knowledge of the Troubles to a better understanding.

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