What do you think?
Rate this book
Gil Peck series #1
The Whistleblower
1997. A desperate government clings to power; a hungry opposition will do anything to win. And journalist Gil Peck watches from the sidelines, a respected commentator on the sport of power politics. He thinks he knows how things work. He thinks he knows the rules.
But when Gil's estranged sister Clare dies in a hit-and-run, he begins to believe it was no accident. Clare knew some of the most sensitive secrets in government. One of them might have got her killed.
As election day approaches, Gil follows the story into the dark web of interests that link politics, finance and the media. And the deeper he goes, the more he realises how wrong he has been.
But power isn't sport: it's war. And if Gil doesn't stop digging, he might be the next casualty...
But when Gil's estranged sister Clare dies in a hit-and-run, he begins to believe it was no accident. Clare knew some of the most sensitive secrets in government. One of them might have got her killed.
As election day approaches, Gil follows the story into the dark web of interests that link politics, finance and the media. And the deeper he goes, the more he realises how wrong he has been.
But power isn't sport: it's war. And if Gil doesn't stop digging, he might be the next casualty...
425 pages, Hardcover
First published October 7, 2021
373 people are currently reading
859 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 352 reviews
September 8, 2021
There is a question when a high profile celebrity (and Robert Peston is very much a celebrity journalist) as to how much they will be edited. "He's a journalist, he can write" seems to be a fair assumption. But there is some distance between being able to make financial copy sing on the page to making a punchy thriller and that distance is yawningly traversed here. Perhaps a paragraph long description on how to use a D-Lock to secure a bike in the rain which strings an alliterative run of six S words would work as colour in a newspaper long read, here every modifier thuds like a hammer. In the acknowledgements Peston thanks his wife to removing his clunkier metaphors. How much clunkier were they than the ones that make it through? I advise any creative writing class to read the first chapter to see how not to do it; Peston is trying way too hard and it is painful to read.
I'd like to say it gets better as we get into the meat and potatoes of this political thriller, and after a while the prose streamlines a touch,. You cannot relax though, as around every page turn there is a far too in-depth travelogue of the "knocking shops of Finsbury Park", or people singing along to Blur's Song 2. Woo-Hoo. And in-case that needed emphasis. Woo-Hoo. And why not throw in a Woo-Fucking-Hoo in italics to underscore the point. All of which cripples the attempt at breathless prose, punctures the pacing and makes you step back to look into the funhouse mirror that Peston has attempted to set up. Because in The Whistleblower it is March 1997, just before the General Election. Our hero Gil Peck is a somewhat sleazy reporter for the Financial Chronicle (Financial Times), chasing stories on the rise of Modern Labour (New Labour) and their charismatic leader Johnny Todd (Tony Blair). And so it goes, there is a crude South African owner of Media Corp who is Rupert Murdoch, a Welsh Gordon Brown, a thinly disguised John Prescott and as if these one dimensional caricatures aren't enough, even Joan Collins turns up in the guise of Jackie Elstree. Obviously Peston has written a fiction, but he wants us to know that he was there in 1997 and since then has become really really upset with Tony Blair. The horse has bolted and the stable door never needed some Peston invented malfeasance to show he was rotten from the get go.
The problem is (and this is all a problem since its tough to read and the analogies are paper -thin) even when he is trying to develop a character from fresh cloth he can't. His lead, Gil Peck, works for the FC as Peston worked for the FT. Now I am not suggesting this amoral, coke snorting alcoholic is Peston, but those are all cliched journalist takes and he tries to give us a humanising back-story. Except the back-story is that Peck is the son of an immigrant socialist political theorist, and you give him a brilliant sister and - hold on - Gil Peck is Ed Millband. And its odd because the very nature of the semi-lurid thriller that Peston is trying to write means that for Peck to have foresight about how rotten Johnty Todd - he invents something that as far as I know (and my ear is relatively close to the ground on these things) that Blair never actually did. The current Prime Minister however....
A first novel is often where you try everything out and there is a fair bit of kitchen sink here, not least with the adverbs, adjectives and unwanted exposition. Its not as if he didn't get help, there is effusive praise heaped upon a thriller writer who gave him invaluable advice (it may be ghostwritten though the regular occurrence of terrible sentences suggests not). The plot works, it is exciting enough in a Jeffrey Archer/Michael Dobbs conspiracy thriller way. But Peston is best known for his strange TV news delivery, his pauses, his hanging on words. What's interesting here is that he has found a completely different way to transfer that clunkiness into prose. Woo-fucking-hoo indeed.
I'd like to say it gets better as we get into the meat and potatoes of this political thriller, and after a while the prose streamlines a touch,. You cannot relax though, as around every page turn there is a far too in-depth travelogue of the "knocking shops of Finsbury Park", or people singing along to Blur's Song 2. Woo-Hoo. And in-case that needed emphasis. Woo-Hoo. And why not throw in a Woo-Fucking-Hoo in italics to underscore the point. All of which cripples the attempt at breathless prose, punctures the pacing and makes you step back to look into the funhouse mirror that Peston has attempted to set up. Because in The Whistleblower it is March 1997, just before the General Election. Our hero Gil Peck is a somewhat sleazy reporter for the Financial Chronicle (Financial Times), chasing stories on the rise of Modern Labour (New Labour) and their charismatic leader Johnny Todd (Tony Blair). And so it goes, there is a crude South African owner of Media Corp who is Rupert Murdoch, a Welsh Gordon Brown, a thinly disguised John Prescott and as if these one dimensional caricatures aren't enough, even Joan Collins turns up in the guise of Jackie Elstree. Obviously Peston has written a fiction, but he wants us to know that he was there in 1997 and since then has become really really upset with Tony Blair. The horse has bolted and the stable door never needed some Peston invented malfeasance to show he was rotten from the get go.
The problem is (and this is all a problem since its tough to read and the analogies are paper -thin) even when he is trying to develop a character from fresh cloth he can't. His lead, Gil Peck, works for the FC as Peston worked for the FT. Now I am not suggesting this amoral, coke snorting alcoholic is Peston, but those are all cliched journalist takes and he tries to give us a humanising back-story. Except the back-story is that Peck is the son of an immigrant socialist political theorist, and you give him a brilliant sister and - hold on - Gil Peck is Ed Millband. And its odd because the very nature of the semi-lurid thriller that Peston is trying to write means that for Peck to have foresight about how rotten Johnty Todd - he invents something that as far as I know (and my ear is relatively close to the ground on these things) that Blair never actually did. The current Prime Minister however....
A first novel is often where you try everything out and there is a fair bit of kitchen sink here, not least with the adverbs, adjectives and unwanted exposition. Its not as if he didn't get help, there is effusive praise heaped upon a thriller writer who gave him invaluable advice (it may be ghostwritten though the regular occurrence of terrible sentences suggests not). The plot works, it is exciting enough in a Jeffrey Archer/Michael Dobbs conspiracy thriller way. But Peston is best known for his strange TV news delivery, his pauses, his hanging on words. What's interesting here is that he has found a completely different way to transfer that clunkiness into prose. Woo-fucking-hoo indeed.
September 6, 2021
The Whistleblower is an exciting and compulsively readable debut political thriller from the UK's foremost political journalist, ITV News' Political Editor Robert Peston. It's the first in a proposed duology featuring avid cyclist and irascible journalist Gil Peck who very much enjoys sadistically weaponising people’s secrets and exposing them to the world in the form of a scoop. Set in 1997 in the run-up to an election, it follows the political editor of a British broadsheet newspaper known as The Financial Courier as he navigates the corridors of power to bag the biggest stories. Gil's methods could be described as unconventional or even immoral and he is a tenacious, arrogant, ruthlessly driven and wildly ambitious and he knows this game like the back of his hand. He has also been described as like a sledgehammer trying to crack a nut. But when Gil’s estranged sister Clare dies in an apparent hit-and-run while out on her bike, he begins to believe it was no accident. Clare knew some of the most sensitive secrets in government – could one of them have got her killed? As election day approaches, Gil follows the story into the dark web of interests that link politics, finance and the media.
This is a compulsive and superbly woven contemporary political thriller mixed with a family drama and a timely and page-turning thriller revolving around government conspiracies. Gil isn't a particularly likeable character, but what he lacks in that department he makes up for by being a fascinating bloke who has a seemingly insatiable appetite for blowing up politicians’ best-laid plans, regardless of party or ideological allegiance. He enjoys controlling the narrative and wanders ”between the communities of politicians, financiers and businessmen, trading nuggets of information" until he has enough to tell a tale that you’ll pay to read. Combining his unprecedented knowledge of the inner workings of politics, business and power together with his unparalleled sense of a good story - having broken so many over his career - Peston has crafted an insightful, sardonic, terrifying and excellently paced thriller with a distinctive cast of characters, ample use of twists and misdirection, and an engrossing plot centred around the interaction between media, politics, government and the use of spin. Highly recommended.
This is a compulsive and superbly woven contemporary political thriller mixed with a family drama and a timely and page-turning thriller revolving around government conspiracies. Gil isn't a particularly likeable character, but what he lacks in that department he makes up for by being a fascinating bloke who has a seemingly insatiable appetite for blowing up politicians’ best-laid plans, regardless of party or ideological allegiance. He enjoys controlling the narrative and wanders ”between the communities of politicians, financiers and businessmen, trading nuggets of information" until he has enough to tell a tale that you’ll pay to read. Combining his unprecedented knowledge of the inner workings of politics, business and power together with his unparalleled sense of a good story - having broken so many over his career - Peston has crafted an insightful, sardonic, terrifying and excellently paced thriller with a distinctive cast of characters, ample use of twists and misdirection, and an engrossing plot centred around the interaction between media, politics, government and the use of spin. Highly recommended.
October 16, 2021
I’m a fan of politics as I always read the political pages in the newspaper.
The Whistleblower is political fiction.
I enjoyed reading The Whistleblower right from page one up to the very last page.
The author Robert Peston, may have wrote a novel based on what he knows, but he has weaved tragedy into the storyline.
Gil Peck is a political journalist. I felt literally quite upset for Gil, when he finds out his sister has been involved in an accident suffering a traumatic brain injury, and has been unconscious since the accident.
This legal thriller story takes another turn. Gil is going to find out exactly how this accident happened.
The whistleblower by Robert Peston, is his first novel, he has his own politics show and often talks on the news about political matters.
As I enjoyed this novel so much I would definitely read another book by Robert Peston. I’m actually wondering what Robert Peston will write about next. On that note I wouldn’t mind if Robert based his next book as political fiction, too.
The Whistleblower is political fiction.
I enjoyed reading The Whistleblower right from page one up to the very last page.
The author Robert Peston, may have wrote a novel based on what he knows, but he has weaved tragedy into the storyline.
Gil Peck is a political journalist. I felt literally quite upset for Gil, when he finds out his sister has been involved in an accident suffering a traumatic brain injury, and has been unconscious since the accident.
This legal thriller story takes another turn. Gil is going to find out exactly how this accident happened.
The whistleblower by Robert Peston, is his first novel, he has his own politics show and often talks on the news about political matters.
As I enjoyed this novel so much I would definitely read another book by Robert Peston. I’m actually wondering what Robert Peston will write about next. On that note I wouldn’t mind if Robert based his next book as political fiction, too.
September 1, 2021
The Whistleblower is, in the end, quite a good political thriller. Journalists don’t always make good novelists, but Robert Peston has made a decent fist of this, his first work of fiction.
Set just before the 1997 General Election, the book is narrated by Gilbert Peck, political editor for a major national broadsheet. The death of someone close to him leads to suggestions of some major skulduggery at the top of government which Peck begins to investigate. The book is peopled with some very thinly disguised characters of the time; a charismatic leader of “Modern Labour” with a high-profile spin doctor and a southern-hemisphere newspaper magnate who is trying to move into TV...and so on. This works quite well, although I found the large number of dodgy PR people, MPs, journalists, political advisors and so on rather hard to keep track of some of the time.
I have to say that I found the first 100 pages or so pretty hard going in places. It is a long time before any plot really begins to emerge, with lots and lots of background but not much development. Peston is obviously very familiar with the relationship between politicians and journalists and with the official systems and much less official contacts which exist. It is interesting, but it does read a little like a beginner’s guide to the political lobby system at times (with some fairly extensive instruction on Jewish funerals thrown in for good measure). Add to this an immoral, untrustworthy, self-centred, drug-and-alcohol-fuelled protagonist whom people frequently and justifiably liken to the exit from the human digestive tract and it was a bit of a struggle at times.
However, the book does pick up when things actually begin to happen and I became quite involved in the plot. The well painted background did actually become background rather than a seminar on How Things Work, and was all the better for it. There were some rather unlikely events but I could forgive them, and the way in which the powerful protect themselves, each other and their institutions was very well and rather horrifyingly illustrated.
Overall, I found this an interesting and ultimately exciting political thriller. It’s not a classic, but it’s a good start and I will certainly give Robert Peston’s next book a try.
(My thanks to Bonnier for an ARC via NetGalley.)
Set just before the 1997 General Election, the book is narrated by Gilbert Peck, political editor for a major national broadsheet. The death of someone close to him leads to suggestions of some major skulduggery at the top of government which Peck begins to investigate. The book is peopled with some very thinly disguised characters of the time; a charismatic leader of “Modern Labour” with a high-profile spin doctor and a southern-hemisphere newspaper magnate who is trying to move into TV...and so on. This works quite well, although I found the large number of dodgy PR people, MPs, journalists, political advisors and so on rather hard to keep track of some of the time.
I have to say that I found the first 100 pages or so pretty hard going in places. It is a long time before any plot really begins to emerge, with lots and lots of background but not much development. Peston is obviously very familiar with the relationship between politicians and journalists and with the official systems and much less official contacts which exist. It is interesting, but it does read a little like a beginner’s guide to the political lobby system at times (with some fairly extensive instruction on Jewish funerals thrown in for good measure). Add to this an immoral, untrustworthy, self-centred, drug-and-alcohol-fuelled protagonist whom people frequently and justifiably liken to the exit from the human digestive tract and it was a bit of a struggle at times.
However, the book does pick up when things actually begin to happen and I became quite involved in the plot. The well painted background did actually become background rather than a seminar on How Things Work, and was all the better for it. There were some rather unlikely events but I could forgive them, and the way in which the powerful protect themselves, each other and their institutions was very well and rather horrifyingly illustrated.
Overall, I found this an interesting and ultimately exciting political thriller. It’s not a classic, but it’s a good start and I will certainly give Robert Peston’s next book a try.
(My thanks to Bonnier for an ARC via NetGalley.)
August 8, 2021
Robert Peston's political thriller is a right old page turner featuring a genuinely engaging main protagonist and a plot filled with twists and turns all the way.
Political shenanigans abound in this tale of corruption money and murder and the writing is excellent, keeping you involved throughout and often on the edge of your seat.
Authentic feeling (which I would expect considering the author) and clever it brings home everything you half guess about what may go on in the higher echelons of power, it is all scarily believable and highly addictive.
It has the potential to be ongoing and I found it to be wildly entertaining and also deeply observant. Recommended.
Political shenanigans abound in this tale of corruption money and murder and the writing is excellent, keeping you involved throughout and often on the edge of your seat.
Authentic feeling (which I would expect considering the author) and clever it brings home everything you half guess about what may go on in the higher echelons of power, it is all scarily believable and highly addictive.
It has the potential to be ongoing and I found it to be wildly entertaining and also deeply observant. Recommended.
January 17, 2022
Couldn’t say I enjoyed this one. Only purchased it as it was on offer over Christmas for the irresistible price of £1.98 and I thought a political thriller by such a well known journalist would be right up my street.
It wasn’t. The story plods along and the protagonist Gil is incredibly irritating to spend time with. It’s never a good sign to have to continuously tell your reader that “I know this sounds boring but trust me, it’s REALLY IMPORTANT”. If you find yourself repeatedly writing that than maybe it’s a sign you should find a more interesting scandal for your debut novel.
Everyone was deeply annoying, the chummy and brash Oxbridge journalists were painful and leave it to the blatant Tony Blair rip off that is “Johnny Todd” (a name that irrationally enraged me because NO ONE in Britain is going to be Prime Minister with the name Johnny Todd, come ON!) I’m somewhat baffled by the high rating this has but I’m guessing it has to be on the back of Peston’s reputation as opposed to the finished article. Disappointing.
It wasn’t. The story plods along and the protagonist Gil is incredibly irritating to spend time with. It’s never a good sign to have to continuously tell your reader that “I know this sounds boring but trust me, it’s REALLY IMPORTANT”. If you find yourself repeatedly writing that than maybe it’s a sign you should find a more interesting scandal for your debut novel.
Everyone was deeply annoying, the chummy and brash Oxbridge journalists were painful and leave it to the blatant Tony Blair rip off that is “Johnny Todd” (a name that irrationally enraged me because NO ONE in Britain is going to be Prime Minister with the name Johnny Todd, come ON!) I’m somewhat baffled by the high rating this has but I’m guessing it has to be on the back of Peston’s reputation as opposed to the finished article. Disappointing.
July 23, 2022
If you read the blurb of this and think you know how this political thriller ends, you are correct. But there are interesting moments, and I very much appreciate the political insight Peston brings to the world of the novel. There were some common thriller techniques that would not have been necessary to hold the reader's attention (cheap cliffhangers at the end of chapters). The most interesting thing about this novel is the way in which the private and public concerns of the protagonist interfere with one another.
![Profile Image for [ J o ].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1673171874i%2F4639825._UY200_CR4%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
October 16, 2021
I'm not the biggest fan of political thrillers, but I made 2021 the year of trying new things, and that also extended to genres of books I had either dismissed a few years ago or never really go in to in the first place.
I'm sure everyone is at least somewhat vaguely aware of Robert Peston and I found it surprising that he'd written a book: unsurprised was I about the topic. But as the old adage goes, "write what you know about" and there is no doubt that Peston knows about Politics and all of the seedy little ins and outs within.
It is very readable: a fast-paced political thriller with a likeable protagonist in Gilbert Peck. Some of the other characters may well be a little more familiar than I would have liked, but they all seemed nicely fleshed out and obviously written by someone who has been engrossed in British politics for many decades.
I never truly got on with the plot as honestly politics bores the living flesh off my bones, but I was very much involved throughout the entire read. It had slow moments and boring moments, but isn't that politics anyway? I found it to be a pretty nice debut in a genre I don't really enjoy, but it has allowed me to rethink what I'll read next.
I'm sure everyone is at least somewhat vaguely aware of Robert Peston and I found it surprising that he'd written a book: unsurprised was I about the topic. But as the old adage goes, "write what you know about" and there is no doubt that Peston knows about Politics and all of the seedy little ins and outs within.
It is very readable: a fast-paced political thriller with a likeable protagonist in Gilbert Peck. Some of the other characters may well be a little more familiar than I would have liked, but they all seemed nicely fleshed out and obviously written by someone who has been engrossed in British politics for many decades.
I never truly got on with the plot as honestly politics bores the living flesh off my bones, but I was very much involved throughout the entire read. It had slow moments and boring moments, but isn't that politics anyway? I found it to be a pretty nice debut in a genre I don't really enjoy, but it has allowed me to rethink what I'll read next.
September 26, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
A fast paced political thriller. I found myself wondering if any of the characters or events were based on real people or events. There certainly were some sensational events in the novel.
A fast paced political thriller. I found myself wondering if any of the characters or events were based on real people or events. There certainly were some sensational events in the novel.
October 15, 2024
I enjoyed this book, slightly heavy at times, but none the less, an enjoyable read.
I am also of the age that I believe the concept of the book was in fact based on the Blair administration of the similar date line of the book. But that is my own personal view.
As a person who detests modern “politics”, with all its greed, manipulation, self righteousness and bludgeoning ignorance, it is quite a believable novel!
I am also of the age that I believe the concept of the book was in fact based on the Blair administration of the similar date line of the book. But that is my own personal view.
As a person who detests modern “politics”, with all its greed, manipulation, self righteousness and bludgeoning ignorance, it is quite a believable novel!
May 18, 2023
This was a decent political thriller, following what was essentially the 1997 election with a darker twist. Thought it did a good job of emphasising Tory scandal but wasn’t a fan of the portrayal of Blairites particularly, given it was coming from a political journalist.
Felt at times there was a bit too much telling not showing, and the relationship between the media and politics was full of cliched phrases and repeated references. But ultimately I did want to finish it off, with a few unexpected twists along the way, so it is a solid 3 stars for me.
Felt at times there was a bit too much telling not showing, and the relationship between the media and politics was full of cliched phrases and repeated references. But ultimately I did want to finish it off, with a few unexpected twists along the way, so it is a solid 3 stars for me.
April 30, 2023
Not a bad plot, though a bit convoluted, and a predictable twist at the end. However the characters were very two dimensional and lacked any sympathy.
October 21, 2021
Rating: 3.3/5
I can be a bit wary of reading novels by celebrities who have made their name doing something else. However, even though "The Whistleblower" is Robert Peston's fictional debut, I was given confidence by the fact that he has already been the author of a number of non-fiction books and is, of course, a trained and very experienced political journalist. That said, I have also read enough disappointing novels by journalists hoping to make the leap into published fiction to know that not all of them make a particularly good fist of it.
Thankfully, Robert Peston's fictional debut is a solid enough piece of work. I won't rehash the plot, as I have no wish to divulge annoying spoilers and the official synopsis already provides you with as much background information as you need. This is part political thriller and part murder mystery, amidst a perpetual background of conspiracy theories. It is said that you should "write what you know" and Robert Peston has certainly followed that adage by putting his background in the world of journalism - and especially political journalism - to good use. You can't help but think that certain elements have an autobiographical feel to them. Certainly, anyone who remembers the late 1990s well will immediately recognize a number of well-known characters from that time, who have only been very thinly disguised and reinvented as fictional protagonists in this story.
The "three Ps" of premise, plot and pace hang together pretty well and make for engaging and entertaining reading. I would suggest that the main thing holding the novel back, so that it remains as being "good" rather than "very good" is that the author's style is a little erratic at times. I sensed that Robert Peston was still (understandably) searching for his fiction-writing DNA , which will almost certainly develop over time, assuming he continues with this new aspect of his writing career. A sound debut.
I can be a bit wary of reading novels by celebrities who have made their name doing something else. However, even though "The Whistleblower" is Robert Peston's fictional debut, I was given confidence by the fact that he has already been the author of a number of non-fiction books and is, of course, a trained and very experienced political journalist. That said, I have also read enough disappointing novels by journalists hoping to make the leap into published fiction to know that not all of them make a particularly good fist of it.
Thankfully, Robert Peston's fictional debut is a solid enough piece of work. I won't rehash the plot, as I have no wish to divulge annoying spoilers and the official synopsis already provides you with as much background information as you need. This is part political thriller and part murder mystery, amidst a perpetual background of conspiracy theories. It is said that you should "write what you know" and Robert Peston has certainly followed that adage by putting his background in the world of journalism - and especially political journalism - to good use. You can't help but think that certain elements have an autobiographical feel to them. Certainly, anyone who remembers the late 1990s well will immediately recognize a number of well-known characters from that time, who have only been very thinly disguised and reinvented as fictional protagonists in this story.
The "three Ps" of premise, plot and pace hang together pretty well and make for engaging and entertaining reading. I would suggest that the main thing holding the novel back, so that it remains as being "good" rather than "very good" is that the author's style is a little erratic at times. I sensed that Robert Peston was still (understandably) searching for his fiction-writing DNA , which will almost certainly develop over time, assuming he continues with this new aspect of his writing career. A sound debut.
September 20, 2021
I’ll be honest, this isn’t my usual type of book to read but I do like to branch of of my comfort zone and try new books.
I wasn’t blown away, the story seems fairly basic with desperate journalists trying to uncover the truth and expose power hungry politicians. This has been done many times before and no doubt will be done many times more!
I wasn’t grabbed enough by the story, I wasn’t really bothered about reading on, I just hoped it got better.
I’m sure readers will be trying to work out which politicians have been rewritten in here and to be honest I didn’t care.
Overall, not the best book ever written, not even the best political thriller ever written but an average one with a well known author. Without his name I doubt it would do so well.
If political thrillers are your thing then give it go, I’m going to pass it on to my Dad to see if he enjoys it more than me!
I wasn’t blown away, the story seems fairly basic with desperate journalists trying to uncover the truth and expose power hungry politicians. This has been done many times before and no doubt will be done many times more!
I wasn’t grabbed enough by the story, I wasn’t really bothered about reading on, I just hoped it got better.
I’m sure readers will be trying to work out which politicians have been rewritten in here and to be honest I didn’t care.
Overall, not the best book ever written, not even the best political thriller ever written but an average one with a well known author. Without his name I doubt it would do so well.
If political thrillers are your thing then give it go, I’m going to pass it on to my Dad to see if he enjoys it more than me!
October 28, 2021
I found this surprisingly enjoyable. The plot did not require too much suspension of disbelief and recognising the thinly disguised characters from the political landscape of the 1990s made it interesting. But I did get a bit fed up with the frequent descriptions of the hero's clothing, brand names and all.
December 14, 2021
Set in the late 1990s, a political journalist is stunned by the sudden death of his sister. The circumstances of the accident don't quite add up to the character of Clare. Gil's sister Clare has a job that means she is privy to a lot of top government procedures, policies and bureaucracy. She has an idea in mind that could be beneficial to many people. Not everyone agrees with her proposal.
This was a book that I had seen and it was the author who sparked my interest. Peston is someone I am used to seeing on the news and this book intrigued me. What I found was a book that initially was slower starting, the first section took some time before the actual main story as such started to emerge. In this time, however, it gave me a chance to learn a bit about Gil and also his character.
AS Gil digs further and askes more questions he finds himself deeper and deeper in a rabbit hole. Most people have their doubts about politicians and journalists and this book definitely feeds the mind for the conspiracies, secrets and lies that abound Parliament and also the tabloids.
As more information is gathered, the theories change, it left this reader wondering who was playing who and ultimately how on earth the ending was going to be achieved. This is a story that shows the upper echelons of society in a very corrupt way, blackmail, secret rendevous, meetings and power play are rife. The journalists are looking for their stories but there seems to be a camaraderie, well one of sorts that comes through.
From a slower start, this story certainly gains speed. I really liked this build-up and it fits in well with the election that is upcoming in the book. Time is of the essence and it is one that has been worked well.
For someone who isn't that fussed about politics and who doesn't really read that much in the way of political fiction, I really enjoyed this book. I found it addictive and I loved the corruption in the halls of power. If you are a fan of thrillers that have far-reaching implications within the main story then I do think this is one many would enjoy.
This was a book that I had seen and it was the author who sparked my interest. Peston is someone I am used to seeing on the news and this book intrigued me. What I found was a book that initially was slower starting, the first section took some time before the actual main story as such started to emerge. In this time, however, it gave me a chance to learn a bit about Gil and also his character.
AS Gil digs further and askes more questions he finds himself deeper and deeper in a rabbit hole. Most people have their doubts about politicians and journalists and this book definitely feeds the mind for the conspiracies, secrets and lies that abound Parliament and also the tabloids.
As more information is gathered, the theories change, it left this reader wondering who was playing who and ultimately how on earth the ending was going to be achieved. This is a story that shows the upper echelons of society in a very corrupt way, blackmail, secret rendevous, meetings and power play are rife. The journalists are looking for their stories but there seems to be a camaraderie, well one of sorts that comes through.
From a slower start, this story certainly gains speed. I really liked this build-up and it fits in well with the election that is upcoming in the book. Time is of the essence and it is one that has been worked well.
For someone who isn't that fussed about politics and who doesn't really read that much in the way of political fiction, I really enjoyed this book. I found it addictive and I loved the corruption in the halls of power. If you are a fan of thrillers that have far-reaching implications within the main story then I do think this is one many would enjoy.
March 6, 2023
I am usually a fairly slow reader but this 425 page blockbuster had me so riveted that I completed it in three days, including reading until 1:00am in the morning. This is the BEST political thriller I have ever read. Insightful and scary and beautifully paced. Political machinations, high finance, private banks, media moguls, billionaires and media hacks are all here in a narrative that takes us from Monday 3rd March 1997 up to Thursday 1st May 1997 - General Election day. Although this is a fictional thriller it won't escape your notice that this was indeed the date of the 1997 election when the governing Conservative Party led by Prime Minister John Major was defeated in a landslide by the Labour Party led by Tony Blair, achieving a 179-seat majority.
The Whistleblower is fiction but you might think otherwise when you read it. For Tony Blair read Johnny Todd, a Prime Minister in waiting. Any skeletons in his cupboard? You bet!
Gil (Gilbert) Peck is a respected commentator on the sport of power politics - political editor of the FC (Financial Chronicle). I wondered if it might be pink coloured... Gil's sister Clare is a high flyer at the Treasury. She advises Kendall, the Chancellor. She knows some of the most sensitive secrets in government. She has come up with a proposal that could save the incumbent government £5 billion a year (£11.9 billion in today's money). When Clare dies in a hit-and-run Gil begins to believe it was no accident. Did one of those secrets get her killed?
Gil is tenacious - a revered journalist and he follows the story into the dark web of interests that link politics, finance and the media and the deeper he goes, the more he realises how wrong he has been. At times it feels like you need a Double First in Politics and Economics to understand all of the revelations. But, no matter. When you get going with this tour de force you won't be able to put the brakes on as you navigate this labyrinthine thriller. A breathtaking, halter-skelter ride through the halls of Westminster and all the high profile areas of London.
If Gil doesn't stop digging might he be the next casualty?
You need to read this!
The Whistleblower is fiction but you might think otherwise when you read it. For Tony Blair read Johnny Todd, a Prime Minister in waiting. Any skeletons in his cupboard? You bet!
Gil (Gilbert) Peck is a respected commentator on the sport of power politics - political editor of the FC (Financial Chronicle). I wondered if it might be pink coloured... Gil's sister Clare is a high flyer at the Treasury. She advises Kendall, the Chancellor. She knows some of the most sensitive secrets in government. She has come up with a proposal that could save the incumbent government £5 billion a year (£11.9 billion in today's money). When Clare dies in a hit-and-run Gil begins to believe it was no accident. Did one of those secrets get her killed?
Gil is tenacious - a revered journalist and he follows the story into the dark web of interests that link politics, finance and the media and the deeper he goes, the more he realises how wrong he has been. At times it feels like you need a Double First in Politics and Economics to understand all of the revelations. But, no matter. When you get going with this tour de force you won't be able to put the brakes on as you navigate this labyrinthine thriller. A breathtaking, halter-skelter ride through the halls of Westminster and all the high profile areas of London.
If Gil doesn't stop digging might he be the next casualty?
You need to read this!
September 7, 2021
Prior to this book, my knowledge of the author had been limited to him being the dude from ITV who asked mostly awkward questions at the end of the daily government covid press conferences. Actually I have since found out, he has his own TV show and has also written several non-fiction books as well as having a stellar political journalist career to date. This however is his first foray into the world of fiction and, tell the truth, it's not half bad either!
What he does do very well is explain the ins and outs of political journalism at the time the book is set, occasionally these bits do get a bit dry but they are necessary both to scene setting and plot development, and are few and far between, so not too painful. Certainly he doesn't drag it out half as long as he does his questions to Boris!
Our main protagonist is journalist (write what you know) Gil Peck who, on the death of his sister in a cycling accident, is thrown more into the murky world of politics than he already was, or wants to be. On examining things a bit closer, Gil starts to believe that this was no accident. Clare held a prestigious job in the treasury and was privy to a lot of hush hush stuff. Even more so in the run up to the latest election. And so begins a veritable cats and mice (there are many balls in the air most of the way through) game which had me spinning around as I tried to figure it all out... and failed.
Pacing (apart from my comment earlier) is good and follows the narrative well. The story is also both interesting and intriguing, and gets on with itself well too and I was held captive throughout my time reading.
So much so that when I finished the book I was desperate to talk to someone about it. So I immediately went out and purchased a physical copy for my brother. He isn't an e-reader, nor is he as voracious as me. Hopefully he will be as sucked in as I was and we can talk soon...
Oh and Gil... what an interesting character he is... maybe this is the start of a series...? Hope so.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
What he does do very well is explain the ins and outs of political journalism at the time the book is set, occasionally these bits do get a bit dry but they are necessary both to scene setting and plot development, and are few and far between, so not too painful. Certainly he doesn't drag it out half as long as he does his questions to Boris!
Our main protagonist is journalist (write what you know) Gil Peck who, on the death of his sister in a cycling accident, is thrown more into the murky world of politics than he already was, or wants to be. On examining things a bit closer, Gil starts to believe that this was no accident. Clare held a prestigious job in the treasury and was privy to a lot of hush hush stuff. Even more so in the run up to the latest election. And so begins a veritable cats and mice (there are many balls in the air most of the way through) game which had me spinning around as I tried to figure it all out... and failed.
Pacing (apart from my comment earlier) is good and follows the narrative well. The story is also both interesting and intriguing, and gets on with itself well too and I was held captive throughout my time reading.
So much so that when I finished the book I was desperate to talk to someone about it. So I immediately went out and purchased a physical copy for my brother. He isn't an e-reader, nor is he as voracious as me. Hopefully he will be as sucked in as I was and we can talk soon...
Oh and Gil... what an interesting character he is... maybe this is the start of a series...? Hope so.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
December 30, 2021
I am not normally a fan of political thrillers, but seeing that The Whistleblower was written by one of my favourite broadcasters, the award-winning journalist Robert Peston, I thought I’d give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was considering this is not always the case when journalists decide to try their hand at fiction. Set in the run-up to the 1997 general election, he seamlessly weaves thinly disguised, real-life people into the narrative, and paints a warts-and-all portrait of what goes on behind the scenes at Westminster. If you were following the news at the time, the atmosphere of hope and desire for change will be instantly recognisable.
The story is told from the point of view of Gil(bert) Peck, political reporter for the Financial Chronicle. He is already a deeply flawed character, but his sister’s death pushes him over the edge. His guilt is overwhelming as they had not spoken for many years. As Gil’s backstory is slowly revealed we begin to feel more empathy and understand his desperate need to find out the truth about what happened to his sister.
The Whistleblower is a fast-paced thriller that lays bare the corrupt relationship between politics and the media, and how little importance is given to the needs of the electorate. It is an intelligent and readable story, with well-drawn characters, that would be a good choice for a book group discussion. I enjoyed Gil’s self-deprecating inner voice and dry humour, and the contemporary culture references, and will definitely look out for the next novel by this author. Thanks to Zaffre and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.
The story is told from the point of view of Gil(bert) Peck, political reporter for the Financial Chronicle. He is already a deeply flawed character, but his sister’s death pushes him over the edge. His guilt is overwhelming as they had not spoken for many years. As Gil’s backstory is slowly revealed we begin to feel more empathy and understand his desperate need to find out the truth about what happened to his sister.
The Whistleblower is a fast-paced thriller that lays bare the corrupt relationship between politics and the media, and how little importance is given to the needs of the electorate. It is an intelligent and readable story, with well-drawn characters, that would be a good choice for a book group discussion. I enjoyed Gil’s self-deprecating inner voice and dry humour, and the contemporary culture references, and will definitely look out for the next novel by this author. Thanks to Zaffre and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.
September 13, 2021
Robert Peston's political thriller features a rather engaging main protagonist named Gilbert (Gil) Peck. With a veritable bucketload of twists, action and general shenanigans this reader was totally absorbed from the outset. Gil is the political editor for a major national newspaper. The death of someone close to him results in him playing detective, using some unconventional methods. Set in 1997, many incidents described in the story are wholly captivating and perfectly, if alarmingly believable and plausible. Sporting many excellent characters besides Gil, The Whistleblower is well worth picking up.
I read The Whistleblower in staves with other Pigeonholers as part of a group. A special thank you to Bonnier Books UK, Zaffre, Robert Peston, NetGalley and The Pigeonhole for a complimentary copy of this novel at my request. This review is my unbiased opinion.
I read The Whistleblower in staves with other Pigeonholers as part of a group. A special thank you to Bonnier Books UK, Zaffre, Robert Peston, NetGalley and The Pigeonhole for a complimentary copy of this novel at my request. This review is my unbiased opinion.
September 4, 2021
Lots of enjoyment to be had in this book. Peston has made a pretty good job of his first political thriller and it’s certainly fun to try identify the characters in this fictional 1997 world, where a charming Labour politician seems likely to seize power from the Tories, aided by a media mogul.
Gil, our journalist hero thinks his sister’s death in a bicycle accident may be murder and sets out to uncover the truth. I could have perhaps done with a bit less writing about pensions but the premise is sound, and sadly the political shenanigans seem all too plausible.
My understanding is that this might be the start of a series and I’d certainly read more.
Gil, our journalist hero thinks his sister’s death in a bicycle accident may be murder and sets out to uncover the truth. I could have perhaps done with a bit less writing about pensions but the premise is sound, and sadly the political shenanigans seem all too plausible.
My understanding is that this might be the start of a series and I’d certainly read more.
February 15, 2022
I have always liked Robert Peston as a journalist. He's erudite and his questions are always interesting. I picked this up because of that and was not disappointed. It's a well-crafted thriller with loads of twists and turns. The protagonist is not particularly likeable, but I warmed to him. As far as story goes, I found it engaging, although some of the political ramifications went over my head.
It was a tough read. I found the world Peston depicts quite nauseating. The political and journalistic shenanigans are rife with lousy ethics and truly disgraceful behaviour. Of course this is a thriller and it's fiction, but Robert Peston knows this world and one suspects there is a hard core of truth underlying the "story".
Nevertheless, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good mystery thriller.
It was a tough read. I found the world Peston depicts quite nauseating. The political and journalistic shenanigans are rife with lousy ethics and truly disgraceful behaviour. Of course this is a thriller and it's fiction, but Robert Peston knows this world and one suspects there is a hard core of truth underlying the "story".
Nevertheless, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good mystery thriller.
Read
March 31, 2022I know Robert Peston from news, as a journalist and non-fiction author. His political thriller, The Whistleblower, caught my eye around Christmas and I asked for this book as a Christmas present :). It was good, entertaining and fast paced. Also made me realise that I prefer legal thrillers to political ones but enjoyed it nevertheless. Oh and I could not escape my brain constantly feeding me Robert Peston picture as the main character; not a bad thing.
#books #bookstagram #ilovebooks #ilovereading #książki #czytambolubię #kochamksiążki #kochamczytać #ksiazka #robertpeston #robertpestonthewhistleblower
#books #bookstagram #ilovebooks #ilovereading #książki #czytambolubię #kochamksiążki #kochamczytać #ksiazka #robertpeston #robertpestonthewhistleblower
October 6, 2021
It's 1997 and journalist Gil Peck is watching from afar the election and all the shenanigans attendant to it.
But then suddenly his sister Clare is killed in a hit and run.
Originally believing it to be a pure accident, Clare who also deals in politics could have been in the line of fire as she knew a LITTLE too much going on behind closed doors.
Could it have been enough to have got her killed?
Election Day is looming and Gil is determined to find out the truth and try to get justice for Clare.
But he is now treading on his sister's footsteps so as Election Day looms is he any safer?
His search for the truth leads him down some dark political alleys and it seems Clare knew a lot more than she ever told...
A solid thriller but I feel the ending let it down a little, it just didn't seem as neatly tied up as I wanted it to be.
Thought that's just personal opinion and will differ with other readers.
But then suddenly his sister Clare is killed in a hit and run.
Originally believing it to be a pure accident, Clare who also deals in politics could have been in the line of fire as she knew a LITTLE too much going on behind closed doors.
Could it have been enough to have got her killed?
Election Day is looming and Gil is determined to find out the truth and try to get justice for Clare.
But he is now treading on his sister's footsteps so as Election Day looms is he any safer?
His search for the truth leads him down some dark political alleys and it seems Clare knew a lot more than she ever told...
A solid thriller but I feel the ending let it down a little, it just didn't seem as neatly tied up as I wanted it to be.
Thought that's just personal opinion and will differ with other readers.
October 18, 2021
Political intrigue...
The Whistleblower by Robert Peston is definitely not a book I would normally pick up. Set against the political backdrop of a general election, politics would normally switch me right off.
However, I actually found myself really enjoying this...part thriller, part murder mystery, part political tale.
Whilst Gil is most certainly a flawed character, I found myself warming to him and cheering him on to uncover the truth. Given we don't actually meet his sister, she is still a central figure to the book and one who adds to the political intrigue.
There were times when I felt a little lost and confused (more my fault than the book I think), but overall this was an engaging read and made me think there must be so much more we don't know about those in politics.
I was kept guessing right up until the end - something I love - with plenty of suspense thrown in along the way.
Thanks to Readers First for providing an ARC.
The Whistleblower by Robert Peston is definitely not a book I would normally pick up. Set against the political backdrop of a general election, politics would normally switch me right off.
However, I actually found myself really enjoying this...part thriller, part murder mystery, part political tale.
Whilst Gil is most certainly a flawed character, I found myself warming to him and cheering him on to uncover the truth. Given we don't actually meet his sister, she is still a central figure to the book and one who adds to the political intrigue.
There were times when I felt a little lost and confused (more my fault than the book I think), but overall this was an engaging read and made me think there must be so much more we don't know about those in politics.
I was kept guessing right up until the end - something I love - with plenty of suspense thrown in along the way.
Thanks to Readers First for providing an ARC.
December 18, 2021
For a debut political novel this was right on point.
I enjoyed the dialogue and the story was great and I enjoyed the twist at the end. I just wish there was less of the C word!!! Kind of ruined using it too much.
I found this novel encapsulated the 90s really well!
I’m assuming Peston is of Jewish decent and supports Arsenal or Tottenham by the use of the Era
I feel some of what’s in this May or may not be based on his life as journo in current affairs as it was 30 years ago.
I thought this was very time specific and did well with the nostalgia side like arsene wenger coming in as nobody and and the technology like Nokias and 308s considering this is a 2021 novel.
I personally was too young to remember and articulate the politics and Blair and labour getting power so I can’t relate to this part. But over all I enjoyed the mystery and enjoyed the read of this ARC thanks readersfirst I will be passing this On.
I enjoyed the dialogue and the story was great and I enjoyed the twist at the end. I just wish there was less of the C word!!! Kind of ruined using it too much.
I found this novel encapsulated the 90s really well!
I’m assuming Peston is of Jewish decent and supports Arsenal or Tottenham by the use of the Era
I feel some of what’s in this May or may not be based on his life as journo in current affairs as it was 30 years ago.
I thought this was very time specific and did well with the nostalgia side like arsene wenger coming in as nobody and and the technology like Nokias and 308s considering this is a 2021 novel.
I personally was too young to remember and articulate the politics and Blair and labour getting power so I can’t relate to this part. But over all I enjoyed the mystery and enjoyed the read of this ARC thanks readersfirst I will be passing this On.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2023
An enjoyable thriller we’ll worth picking up, especially if you have an interest in politics and lived through the rise of New Labour in the late 90s - as although this is fiction, the characters are clearly caricatures of Blair and co.
The only issue I had was largely due to my professional background in PR - as the lead regularly berates the industry as being a haven for the dark arts. Having worked on both sides of the fence, I find this quite grating. It is set in the 90s though so it’s probably in tune with the time, maybe just slightly overdone here.
The only issue I had was largely due to my professional background in PR - as the lead regularly berates the industry as being a haven for the dark arts. Having worked on both sides of the fence, I find this quite grating. It is set in the 90s though so it’s probably in tune with the time, maybe just slightly overdone here.
August 10, 2023
I normally love a political thriller but I'm afraid this just didn't do it for me. I found the plot confusing; I didn't really grasp the drama of the issue under investigation for a long time and I also felt there were far too many characters and couldn't keep track of who was who. A list of characters would have really helped.
November 17, 2021
Enjoyable political thriller. Not mind-boggling but definitely serves its entertainment purpose! Made even better that I now understand London and could visualize his locations and understand (a bit) of the politics.
December 19, 2021
I did enjoy this book although some of the political parts bored me a bit. I liked hearing about Gil Peck’s life and that of his family. The storyline running through the book was good and he never gave up trying to find out what really happened to his sister. That was an interesting read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 352 reviews