The Citizen

by Frederick Forsyth

On a routine flight from Bangkok to Heathrow the captain receives an anonymous tip-off from an overzealous family man that he checks out as a matter of course. Meanwhile, Bill Butler is roused from his bed and, together with his Knock team, must try to outwit the devious smugglers.

Part of the Storycuts series, this short story was previously published in the collection The Veteran.

Genres: Fiction, Suspense

39 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Frederick Forsyth, CBE was a English author and occasional political commentator. He was best known for thrillers such as The Day of the Jackal, The Odessa File, The Fourth Protocol, The Dogs of War, The Devil's Alternative, The Fist of God, Icon, The Veteran, Avenger, The Afghan, and more recently, The Cobra and The Kill List.

The son of a furrier, he was born in Ashford, Kent, educated at Tonbridge School and later attended the University of Granada. He became one of the youngest pilots in the Royal Air Force at 19, where he served on National Service from 1956 to 1958. Becoming a journalist, he joined Reuters in 1961 and later the BBC in 1965, where he served as an assistant diplomatic correspondent. From July to September 1967, he served as a correspondent covering the Nigerian Civil War between the region of Biafra and Nigeria. He left the BBC in 1968 after controversy arose over his alleged bias towards the Biafran cause and accusations that he falsified segments of his reports. Returning to Biafra as a freelance reporter, Forsyth wrote his first book, The Biafra Story in 1969.

Forsyth decided to write a novel using similar research techniques to those used in journalism. His first full length novel, The Day of the Jackal, was published in 1971 and became an international bestseller and gained its author the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel. It was later made into a film of the same name.

Reviews

[David Highton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cocaine smuggling short story

[S.M.Eves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, well well.

I was enthralled at this too short to the point book. I felt as if I was on that plane. What an ending. It was a great little read. Forsyth is a wonderful , gripping writer. Please carry on giving us heart attacks.

[Richard Ponsonby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another engaging short story

[Vivian Byfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

As always Mr Forsyth delivers another great read, with his trademark twist in the tale that I never saw coming. Excellent storytelling a really great read.

[Ganesh Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unputdownable

You will finish it even if you have to read through the night...really a fast read for the night or a short train journey.

[Jacques Obringer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Surprised it was so short, but it was sufficient for a good story.
Well descibed characters and stereotypes.
Enjoy it.

[Andy Blanche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tremendous plot involving suspicion of drug smuggling on a BA flight from Bangkok to London.

Beautifully crafted and it made me think it could be filmed as a ‘Tale of the Unexpected’.

[pierre bovington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great yarn

[Tony Drummond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable short story

[mr. m. howarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

As usual, Mr Forsyth is so accurate and clinical in every description he undertakes, from the Bangkok departure to the landing at Heathrow. Just brilliant.

[william · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great Short read, full marks for it. Enjoy it very much and I'm sure everyone would say the same. Unless of course we all know someone will say different 😜

[Madhukara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Good Mystery.