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Never cover art

Never

By: Ken Follett
Narrated by: January LaVoy
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Publisher's Summary

The Sunday Times Thriller of the Month

Expertly researched and visionary in scale, international number one best seller Ken Follett’s Never is more than a thriller. It imagines a scenario we all hope never comes true, one that will keep you transfixed until the final moments....

A stolen US army drone.

A shrinking oasis in the Sahara Desert.

A secret stash of deadly chemicals.

Each is a threat to the stability of the world but individually are problems that can be overcome. In the diplomatic arena though, everyone will have a different way of dealing with such a threat. And when those in charge disagree and refuse to back down, it will kick off an international chain reaction with potentially catastrophic consequences: a world edging closer to war....

Now three people must work tirelessly and with the utmost skill to stop that from happening:

A spy working undercover with jihadists.

A brilliant Chinese spymaster.

A US president beleaguered by a populist rival for the next election.

The only question is, in a game of brinksmanship can the inevitable ever be stopped?

©2021 Ken Follett (P)2021 Macmillan Publishers International Ltd

Critic Reviews

“A compelling story, and only too realistic.” (Lawrence H. Summers, former US treasury secretary)

"Bold in scale and meticulously researched." (Sunday Times)

"A stunning thriller and one of the most compelling reads of the year." (Daily Express)

What listeners say about Never

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Certainly never we hope

Great book with strong characters… really enjoyed how it all came together . Ken Follett really knows how to build a story and keep one in suspense

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  • Overall
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Disconnect

Reader has great diction but does not match the characters in the story particularly the protagonist.

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Brilliant in the edge of your seat

Sublime storyline and so real to today’s world
Not sure if I’m still in the book

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  • Overall
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Master Storyteller

Ken Follett at his best. I admire the deep research that has led to this Part 1 epic and the beautifully woven strands of his storytelling. He allows you to sit inside his characters and you know them intimately at story end. Has certainly busted the myth that historical fiction is his his thing. A real time traveler!

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Never

Another wonderful tale from Ken Follett. Gives a more enlightened view of so called Eastern baddies. Too true and too sad. Should be required reading for people in power.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

50% cool 35% mills & boone 15% cringe...

In my view - NEVER is what you'd end up with if a horny corny juvenile hollywood scriptwriter somehow found himself fleshing out a Tom Clancy plotline and turning it into a book - a far too long book.
It's an ok story I suppose - plausible enough - the problem is that the author seems to think it has to have all that dated hollywood spudge smeared all through it - as if laid on with a garden spatula - you know - the stereotypical sultry spy thriller characters interacting in the only way they know how - through sex and violence and through the lens of the author's own tedious nationalism...
A subtle, original and intelligent interpretation of a complex and intriguing espionage plot?
Nope.
For example - I honestly don't think an important, highly placed female agent would go around telling her French African opposite number: "You betcha cute little ass..." even if she was American... and even if he was the hottest hunk in the Sahara...
The story is well read - the narrator is consistent and concise - but damn it's clunky stuff...

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A great listen

A great book, read by one of the great performers. I love both your works.

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    5 out of 5 stars

long but enjoyable

was a great book for a long drive, very detailed as you'd expect from Ken Follet.

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Recommended

Loved it. The narrator was exceptional and the story moved quickly and fit together well.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enthralling and Riveting. Couldn’t put it down. As usual strong female characters.

This is different from past books. Here he is predicting what may happen in the future rather than the history of the past. He obviously does his meticulous research as usual. This story is about international politics, the threat of Nuclear war, the international drug trade, people smugglers and the international spy networks. Once again he doesn’t disappoint, however, I feel the ending leaves one unsatisfied and I am hoping that he is going to write a sequel to tidy up all the unfinished scenarios. I really hope that this is the case.

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