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The Riddle of the Sands

Audiobook
0 of 1 copy available
Wait time: About 2 weeks
0 of 1 copy available
Wait time: About 2 weeks

A classic spy thriller that takes readers on an exhilarating journey along the treacherous North Sea coast of Germany. The story unfolds through the eyes of Carruthers, a young British yachtsman who embarks on a seemingly innocent sailing trip with his friend Davies. However, they soon uncover a sinister plot involving secret naval preparations that could jeopardize British national security. As they navigate foggy waters, shifting tides, and suspicious locals, Carruthers and Davies race against time to unravel the riddle and save their country. Erskine Childers' gripping narrative skillfully combines elements of espionage, adventure, and nautical expertise, making it a pioneer in the genre of spy fiction.


Erskine Childers was an Irish author, diplomat, and Irish nationalist. Best known for his espionage thriller "The Riddle of the Sands," published in 1903, he gained recognition for his insightful portrayals of political tensions and espionage. Beyond his literary pursuits, Childers played an active role in Irish politics, advocating for Irish independence and serving as a key negotiator during the Irish Treaty negotiations in 1921

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    • Publisher's Weekly

      February 14, 2011
      An insightful introduction by the author's great-grandson distinguishes this reissue of a seminal work of spy fiction first published in 1903. At the dawn of the 20th century, Carruthers, a young Foreign Office functionary, is lamenting being stuck in London with little to do when he receives a surprising communiqué from Oxford classmate Arthur Davies. Davies's request to join him on a yacht in Schleswig-Holstein includes an eccentric laundry-list of items that Davies wants his friend to bring. With nothing else on his horizon, Carruthers accepts, and ends up enmeshed in intrigue centering on Davies's concern that Germany's growing sea-power poses a threat to England. Childers (1870–1922) couples his patiently developed plot with richly imagined lead characters. Davies himself is the standout, rounded out by numerous quirks, including a craving for throwing items overboard from his small vessel. Eric Ambler fans will find this a fascinating antecedent.

Formats

  • OverDrive Listen audiobook

Languages

  • English

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