Watchman

by Ian Rankin
Watchman cover
Good Books rating 2.62
Thriller/Suspense
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Paperback • £9.99
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Technical
  • ID: 8561
  • Added: 2025-12-22
  • Updated: 2026-01-05
  • ISBN: 9780316024181
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2007-12-11
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

Miles Flint, a spy with a history of mistakes, finds himself in hot water after a botched assignment. Sent to Belfast on what seems like a routine mission, Miles begins to suspect that something is seriously amiss within his agency. His investigation leads him to uncover a dark conspiracy that puts his life in danger. As he delves deeper, he realizes that his own colleagues may not be who they seem, and his trust in the system is shattered. The stakes are high, and Miles must use all his skills to survive and expose the truth.

Reviews
The Storygraph · rosseroo · 2025-12-22
disappointing 1.00

The book fails to be either thoughtful or entertaining enough to recommend. Fans of the author might find more to appreciate, but it did not resonate with the reviewer.

The reviewer finds that the book lacks the depth and entertainment value needed to make it a recommended read. They feel it falls short in both thought-provoking content and engaging storytelling. While they acknowledge that fans of the author might find more to enjoy, the reviewer personally did not find the book compelling. The overall sentiment is one of disappointment, as the book did not meet the reviewer's expectations in terms of quality and enjoyment.

Quick quotes

    On the whole, it's neither thoughtful or entertaining enough for me to recommend it.

    I suppose Rankin fans may find more to like, but it didn't work for me.

    It's neither thoughtful or entertaining enough for me to recommend it.

Nigel Bird's Blog · Nigel Bird · 2025-03-03
engaging 3.50

The reviewer wishes they had read the book earlier but still enjoyed it. The story of Miles Flint is engaging and worth the read.

In this review, the reviewer expresses regret for not reading the book earlier but still finds it enjoyable. They appreciate the story of Miles Flint, a long-time spy, and find it engaging. The reviewer suggests that the book is worth reading, despite the delay in picking it up. They highlight the engaging narrative and the intriguing character of Miles Flint, making it a satisfying read for fans of spy thrillers.

Quick quotes

    This one I should have read years ago.

    Still, better late than never.

    Watchman tells the tale of Miles Flint, a long-time spy who spends his ...

nwhyte.livejournal.com · nwhyte · 2012-08-07
mixed 2.50

The book is filled with violence and unlikable characters, but the depiction of the Boston Catholic community is well done. The narrative feels uneven and lacks depth in character development.

The reviewer notes that the book is quite violent, with many characters meeting unfortunate ends. However, they appreciate the detailed portrayal of the Boston Catholic community, which adds a rich backdrop to the story. The characters themselves are not particularly endearing, which might make it hard for some readers to connect with the narrative. Overall, the book feels uneven, with a lack of depth in character development that could have made the story more engaging. The reviewer's takeaway is that while the setting is well-crafted, the execution falls short in other areas.

Quick quotes

    Lots of people get killed.

    None of the characters is especially likeable.

    The Boston Catholic community is nicely depicted as a backdrop, though.

The Times · 2004-01-25
good 3.50

The story builds to a tense conclusion, but the pacing is inconsistent due to its abridgement. The narrative is engaging despite its flaws.

The reviewer points out that the story's pacing is uneven, likely due to its abridgement for audio. This inconsistency makes the narrative feel disjointed at times. However, the story builds to a nail-biting conclusion that keeps readers engaged. Despite the flaws in pacing, the reviewer finds the narrative compelling and worth the read. The overall impression is that the book has its issues but delivers a satisfying end.

Quick quotes

    The story develops unevenly, a drawback of its abridgement for audio, to a nail-biting end game.

    The story builds to a nail-biting end game.

    The story develops unevenly.

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