Legends

by Guy Stanton, Peter Walsh

Inghilterra, primi anni Novanta. L’eroina invade le strade e falcia giovani vite, sconvolgendo l’opinione pubblica. Il governo Thatcher risponde lanciando una «guerra alla droga» sul modello degli Usa. Ma il Regno Unito non è l’America. Mancano le risorse per condurre un’operazione antidroga su larga scala e mancano soprattutto le forze dell’ordine… A eccezione dei Doganieri di Sua Maestà. È così che dei semplici civili, impiegati d’ufficio o addetti ai controlli doganali negli aeroporti, vengono reclutati in fretta, addestrati ancor più in fretta, e inviati sul campo come agenti sotto copertura.
Il loro primo compito è inventarsi una nuova storia personale credibile, quella che in gergo si chiama leggenda. Il loro secondo compito è indossare questa leggenda come una nuova pelle, iniziare una doppia vita e infiltrarsi nei cartelli del narcotraffico per smantellarlo alla radice. Il terzo compito è il più impedire che la propria leggenda li divori.
Perché quando inizi una vita sotto copertura – piena di pericoli, adrenalina, tradimenti e rischi – è facile dimenticarti chi sei davvero. Ed è questa la prima causa di morte degli agenti infiltrati.
Legends è il racconto dal vero di un’operazione senza precedenti, realizzata con risorse minime, e fatta di azioni ad altissimo rischio. La storia autentica, narrata in prima persona da uno degli agenti più brillanti della squadra, di uomini e donne come tanti che con incredibile coraggio e nervi d’acciaio hanno affrontato i peggiori criminali del mondo.

Genres: Nonfiction, Crime, True Crime, Memoir, Biography Memoir, History, British Literature

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 18, 2026

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing book by a truly inspiring amazing person!
This book made me laugh, cry and all the emotions in between. I would highly recommend this read to anyone to understand the hard work that goes on behind the scenes of tackling organised crime when most people are just living their everyday lives
Inspirational x

[Katie Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review is slightly biased as Dad worked in his department 🤪

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that the television series Legends is based on.

Guy Stanton worked for HM Customs & Excise for over 30 years. Twenty plus as a customs officer, the remaining decade as an undercover operative. This book is the story of those years, recounting various operations he took part in whilst with The Beta Team (no longer in existence).

The TV series concentrates on just one small part of an outstanding career that in itself makes James Bind look like a cartoon. It’s an extraordinary piece of writing from a remarkable human being.

I would highly recommend reading if you enjoy non-fiction in this genre.

[David E A Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

A privileged insight into a world of heroic public service. In an analogue world, the tradecraft of an undercover operator required a physical and moral courage that is nothing but extraordinary and is exemplified in spades by Guy Stanton and his peers. Well done and thank you to Guy, Branch 10 and all those who served in ID, and I trust that the lessons of this epic have been learned and inherited by the leaders and operators in the successor departments and agencies of HMCE

[Pink Panther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watch 1995 World in Action “The Informer”. The Target named in this book Birmingham Frank ,was amongst the top players in Jamaica …..For the greater good , Scotland Yard’s then Commander John Grieve should have been the recipient of Frank, it would have proved a Goldmine for his team. Instead of an egotistical buffoon like Guy Stanton rubbishing it……

[Malvika · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 3.5

[Rhys Hornett-Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good non-fiction read with some genuinely powerful and fascinating moments, but the pacing and structure meant it didn't fully hold my attention throughout.

The strongest parts are the insights into undercover policing and the complex investigations Guy Stanton was involved in. Some of the stories are gripping and offer a rare look into a world most people never see. However, the book felt longer than it needed to be. While the cases were different, some sections felt repetitive, and the pace occasionally slowed as a result.

I would also have liked more detail on the cultures and communities surrounding the various investigations. Given the range of locations and operations covered, a deeper sense of place would have added another layer to the story.

One thing that surprised me was that I rarely felt the level of jeopardy that must have existed in an undercover role. It's clear that there were significant risks, but the narrative doesn't always convey how close Guy came to being discovered. In places, the undercover work almost seemed too straightforward, and I think more focus on near misses and moments of tension would have made the dangers feel more real.

With so many individuals introduced throughout the book, it was sometimes difficult to keep track of who belonged to which investigation, which occasionally detracted from the flow.

I think it is a good 3.5 stars book, I'd reccomned to anyone who might enjoy this genre or the Netflix adaption.

[Amy Sunahara · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

This book was well written, but it was not at all what I expected, which was disappointing. After watching the Legends series on Netflix, which was incredibly well done, I wanted to read the book on which the series was based. I thought it would provide more insight and details that the series would not have been able to include; I was wrong. I would split the book into three parts: The first gave a lot of background on how the undercover operations got started in HM Customs, the second third focused on many of Guy Stanton’s operations that technically “failed” in terms of making the “big, final” arrests (but provided lots of intelligence for other officers), and the final section did concentrate more on Stanton’s successes but also how his health was severely affected by the number of years he don’t undercover. The only things I felt that translated/made it to the TV series was Stanton as a character, Keravnos (Stanton’s link to the underworld) and the trawler boat - there were little other details that explained more of the story that was told visually and really none of the storyline from the show, which is where I found the book disappointing. After doing some research after finishing the book, I discovered that the screenwriter used the book as a “framework,” but the majority of the story told via the series was based on extensive interviews from sources Stanton provided, as well as other research the screenwriter did during this time frame of rampant drug smuggling into the UK. It was not a bad read by any means, but it did not delve at all into more of the story told in the series, which is what I was hoping for/looking forward to learning more about.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like some other reviewers, I came to this book as a result of watching “Legends” on Netflix. The show was better - it benefitted from a tighter plot, fewer characters with distinct roles and personalities, and period visuals. However, the book is more of an overview of Stanton’s career in undercover work and a personal accounting of his efforts, which resulted in some successes and some failures. It also places Stanton’s escapades in the context of international crime-fighting generally, so his story is not unique, but that’s what makes this scary - there is a world of criminals and investigators battling it out amongst us. “The Betrayer” is part memoir, and part textbook, and I found the two separate streams a bit jarring. Although Stanton’s side provided a lot of action and derring-do, he didn’t reveal much personal anxiety during his active service. I think the show provides a more nuanced understanding of the emotional toll an undercover role takes. Have fun, it’s an easy read, a page-turner.

[Noel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book highlights authors career in Customs. Most of his adventures seemed to end in failure. Each tale told quite formulaically. Always presents himself as a hero in each adventure sometimes rings hollow i.e. barked at these criminals and they backed down as his alter ego was volatile. He definitely was caught up by some of the smarter more cautious operators i.e. they drop contact. He touches on corruption scandal that caused a breakdown and that he was innocent. Name drops leading criminals with household names though Im not convinced he met everyone he mentions and seems aimed to spice up the narrative/sell the book. Co-Author Peter Walsh provides wider historical context on HM Customs. Peter writes well and is a reliable journalist. I would recommend if you are interested in true crime genre.

[Ella Greenwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

So I bought this book after watching ‘Legends’ on netflix. I was quite disappointed to be honest, although it was an interesting read I felt as though the different stories Guy was involved in wasnt explained deeply enough to enjoy due to there being so many. If the book focused on the same story as the series on netflix, and delved deep like it did on netflix id have found it more engaging as the series was brilliant

[Emma Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good insight into the role of an under cover agent within HMCE (His Majesty's Customs & Excise). Guy explained the training that the agents go though as well as the lengths these agents and their teams need to go to, to infiltrate drug dealers and cartels.
I listened to the audio version of the book and enjoyed the narration, it was an easy listen.

[Stuart Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read, though understandably a bit light on detail. He does come across as having a huge ego, but also explains that this is a problem with the type of individual suited/attracted to the type of work. If you're looking purely for entertainment, the Netflix series is better.

[Jim Milway · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this after watching the series :legends. Not a lot of connection - but that's fine. I was expecting one big story in this book but instead it offered many vignettes in Stanton's undercover career. A bit disappointing. Well written.

[Christine Lapping · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating insight into how the drug trade and undercover operatives work. Really farcical at times and shows just how hit and miss so many of these smuggling operations are.

[Linval · Rating 1 out of 5]

Writing this book has compromised the safety of others.. for commercial gain. He has no qualms about betraying his former employer Custom & Excise. I think he needs som “ Home truths “…

[Sandra Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating read

Gives the real story behind the Netflix series, the legend. Amazing stories of undercover work to stop narco trafficking mainly in the UK

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witty memoir - exciting read!

[Graham Sillars · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

[MICHAEL ATTWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting

Amazing true life career of a larger than life character. Makes you wonder who you’re sitting next to in the pub!

[William Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good and interesting book

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the optimism that pervaded this book. He truly enjoyed catching the bad guys.

[Beth Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book after watching Legends on Netflix. I found the book to be really intriguing and showed a polar opposite way of living to the standard life. However, perhaps due to the nature of the role, I generally found the book lacking in detail in areas. It also seemed to be a book of many anecdotes, rather than one significant case.