The Whistleblower: The explosive thriller from Britain's top political journalist

Great. Book. Moves at great speed through the story. Held me from start to finish. Well done Robert Peston.

1. Unputdownability: got to give it 5*, downloaded it at 11 a.m., finished it at 2 a.m. next day, hardly any nourishment other than coffee and chocolate, nearly stopped because of items 4 and 5 (below), but was carried onwards irresistibly.2. Cast of millions, 3*: main characters memorable, especially principal, but too many latecomers, too many names to remember: would prefer it pared down to chap, sister, squeeze, help, villain; discard parents, in-laws, all children, temporary extras who don’t really contribute (e.g. woman after car-crush incident who makes off with notebook)3. Plot, 4.5*: unusual (though clever) to have the most admirable person and pivot of the action (Clare) dead from the start and not all that likeable (too good and upright), though purveyor of the central interesting message (how Phoney Todd killed Labour); also unusual to have a main chap with so many defects (OCD, ADHD, coke, dreadful driving) yet so fanciable, quite unlike (e.g.) Rebus, Morse, 007, Smiley, Sherlock, Miss-Marple, Lord-Peter.4. Literacy, would have been 5* but for inability to distinguish “discrete” and “discreet” (twice at least), which was quite a shock; maybe it was the result of dictation, but seemingly you had lots of helpers reading and suggesting improvements – how come nobody noticed?5. Money lore probably 5* but consequent boredom quotient huge; I don’t understand money, it’s not real, I’d rather have cowrie shells, I can’t understand why people would want huge amounts of it, though when you don’t have enough to keep you minimally warm and fed it’s very interesting indeed; but in spite of the bits of intense boredom I still had to keep reading, so the star-rating was nearly unaffected.

Robert Peston is a clever man who has intimate knowledge of Journalism and Politics, the two worlds in which this novel is placed. There are some compelling insights into these two professions which do nothing to elevate their tawdry and amoral nature. Rather it confirms the widespread contempt that the public holds for the Professions and their inhabitants. This is an unsatisfying novel where the bad guys ultimately win, although it is difficult to support either side.The plot is complex and credible but is ultimately let down by the unlikely escape scenarios and the highly predictable denouement.Peston writes well and does provide fascinating, albeit depressing, insight into the world of Westminster and Political Journalism. It is a creditable first novel written by a fast- learner (no surprise). I would read the next one, provided it steps further out of Westminster.

What a gripping story by an excellent journalist. I’m intrigued as to how much “Gilbert” is modelled on Robert Peston himself, having read his potted bio on Wikipedia.

Overall this is well put together story we should all know these days - corrupt politicians and news outlets - but I was drawn into Gil and Claire's story so well by the narrative it really didn't matter about the whodunnit - more about the why and how. For that, we do get a nice twist at the end of the book which left me wanting more for sure.A little forumlaic perhaps, but such a well crafted set of characters I was pulled through the book so fast I can forgive some minor issues with the structure of the ending. There is so much material to be pulled from political intrigue in the modern era I'm sure Robert Peston hasn't finished with his revamp of 00's politics - and I can't wait to see what he's got in line next: For Gil and Jess or another protagonist? I can't wait to find out.

I bought this book after watching Robert talk about it on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch. The subject matter interested me as the 1990s were my formative years, when I started work, when I got married, and I look back very fondly on that time as a more carefree, happier society than the one we live in today.More pertinently I worked as a poll clerk on the 1997 General Election, when Tony Blair's New Labour ended 18 years of Tory government and swept to power with a landslide victory, I remember the buzz in the air that day and the light headed atmosphere in the evening and into the night as the opinion polls became reality and an expectant nation looked forward to a bright and exciting new era.Robert's novel is based around the lead up to that 1997 election and is written from the point of Gil Peck, political editor of the fictional Financial Chronicle, thirty something and one of the most respected and resourceful Parliamentary journalists of his time. Peck's estranged sister, a senior government adviser, is killed in a seemingly random, tragic bicycle accident but there are enough suspicious circumstances to make Peck want to investigate further. What he discovers makes for an exciting and hugely readable rollercoaster of a story.The fact that Robert himself was a senior editor for the Financial Times at the time of that election makes Peck's character reassuringly authentic; the book's lead players and events are entirely made up but there enough references to contemporary culture, such as Britpop, private members' clubs, throwaway sexism and casual sex, recreational drug use, pagers and Nokias, to make it all seem highly believable.There are plenty of important characters, so you need to keep on top of who they all are, but the political aspects of the story aren't too difficult to understand, even if you're not too au fait with the workings of the financial sector or the media. It's a real page turner and as a first novel it's absolutely superb. I loved it.I must also credit Robert on managing to include the word "Wotcha" on two occasions.Massively recommended and I hope there's more to come.

Exciting description of the interaction between the worlds of journalism and politics - one gets the feeling that we are very close to the real world in the 90'es. Highly recommended.

Gripping book, could not put it down. Can't wait for another thriller by Robert Peston.

This a great read. Fast-paced with many plot twists and quirky writing. I loved this book.

Easy to read and tense page turner. The British press environment is certainly insightful. However a plot is a bit too schematic.

A fictional novel based on the events preceeding the Blair election of 1997. A masterpiece from Mr Peston... seeing him on TV who would have thought...! That said, he was a newspaper journalist for the Financial Times at the time. Those of us who remember the political scene in the mid-nineties will doubtless be enthralled. A very well written piece of work, reminding us that we were, of course all conned...