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The alpha list
Dave Marsh and Charlie Kelly grew up together on the backstreets of Birmingham. Now Charlie is a Labour MP and Dave an Intelligence agent.
When Charlie comes under suspicion of passing secrets to the Russians, Dave is given the task of investigating his old friend. He seems to be able to prove his case soon enough, but as Charlie points out, he doesn't know half of what is really going on. He doesn't know about the Alpha List.
THE ALPHA LIST is a classic espionage thriller from one of the true masters of the genre.
When Charlie comes under suspicion of passing secrets to the Russians, Dave is given the task of investigating his old friend. He seems to be able to prove his case soon enough, but as Charlie points out, he doesn't know half of what is really going on. He doesn't know about the Alpha List.
THE ALPHA LIST is a classic espionage thriller from one of the true masters of the genre.
207 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1980
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28 people want to read
About the author
Ted Allbeury
156Ìýbooks42Ìýfollowers1917 - 2005. Also wrote under the pseudonyms Richard Butler and Patrick Kelly.
Ted Allbeury was a lieutenant-colonel in the Intelligence Corps during World War II, and later a successful executive in the fields of marketing, advertising and radio. He began his writing career in the early 1970s and became well known for his espionage novels, but also published one highly-praised general novel, THE CHOICE, and a short story collection, OTHER KINDS OF TREASON. His novels have been published in twenty-three languages, including Russian. He died on 4th December 2005.
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Ted Allbeury was a lieutenant-colonel in the Intelligence Corps during World War II, and later a successful executive in the fields of marketing, advertising and radio. He began his writing career in the early 1970s and became well known for his espionage novels, but also published one highly-praised general novel, THE CHOICE, and a short story collection, OTHER KINDS OF TREASON. His novels have been published in twenty-three languages, including Russian. He died on 4th December 2005.
See also:
and
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 21, 2019
A taunt psychological thriller, give me a break! The biggest problem with this story and also with his, 'Consequence of Fear' was that it wasn't believable and it had a terribly predictable ending. This story in particular relied upon the theme of paranoia and even conspiracy theory which this reader couldn't bring himself to support. He enjoyed the personal relationship between the agent (David Marsh) and the MP (Member of Parliament) Charlie Kelly, but he couldn't bring himself to believe in the Alpha List. The story itself was pretty simple with Charlie Kelly being accused of peddling industrial secrets to the Russians (KGB) and a personal friend who worked for the SIS (Secret Itell. Service) had been sent to investigate.
Ted Allbeury wrote a staggering 42 novels and wrote under two other pen names ~ Richard Butler and Patrick Kelly as well. Here are 28 read’s from Allbeury, all rated accordingly:
THE GOOD (Four to Five Stars): ‘The Lantern Network�, ’Shadow of a Doubt�, ’A Wilderness of Mirrors', 'A Time Without Shadows' aka 'The Rules of the Game', 'The Only Good German' aka ‘Mission Berlin�, 'The Dangerous Edge', ‘Palomino Blonde� aka 'Omega- minus', 'The Lonely Margins', ’The Crossing' aka ‘The Berlin Exchange�, 'Seeds of Treason', 'Other Kinds of Treason', 'Special Forces' aka 'Moscow Quadrille', the feel good, 'The Girl From Addis', 'Pay Any Price' and the rather exceptional, and this person's favourite, 'The Line-Crosser' (published in 1993).
THE AVERAGE (Two or Three Stars): 'Show Me a Hero', 'No Place to Hide' aka ‘Hostage�, ‘The Reckoning�, ’The Twentieth Day of January� a.k.a. ‘Cold Tactics�, 'The Reaper' aka 'The Stalking Angel' and ‘Deep Purple�. He also wrote, ’The Choice' which is not espionage and this reader thought (even though it was critically acclaimed) not a good one.
THE UGLY (One or two stars): It’s, however, probably best to stay away from: ‘Aid and Comfort�, ‘The Assets' aka “Due Process�, 'The Secret Whispers�, 'The Alpha List', ’Consequences of Fear' aka ‘Smokescreen� and ’The Spirit of Liberty'.
Ted Allbeury wrote a staggering 42 novels and wrote under two other pen names ~ Richard Butler and Patrick Kelly as well. Here are 28 read’s from Allbeury, all rated accordingly:
THE GOOD (Four to Five Stars): ‘The Lantern Network�, ’Shadow of a Doubt�, ’A Wilderness of Mirrors', 'A Time Without Shadows' aka 'The Rules of the Game', 'The Only Good German' aka ‘Mission Berlin�, 'The Dangerous Edge', ‘Palomino Blonde� aka 'Omega- minus', 'The Lonely Margins', ’The Crossing' aka ‘The Berlin Exchange�, 'Seeds of Treason', 'Other Kinds of Treason', 'Special Forces' aka 'Moscow Quadrille', the feel good, 'The Girl From Addis', 'Pay Any Price' and the rather exceptional, and this person's favourite, 'The Line-Crosser' (published in 1993).
THE AVERAGE (Two or Three Stars): 'Show Me a Hero', 'No Place to Hide' aka ‘Hostage�, ‘The Reckoning�, ’The Twentieth Day of January� a.k.a. ‘Cold Tactics�, 'The Reaper' aka 'The Stalking Angel' and ‘Deep Purple�. He also wrote, ’The Choice' which is not espionage and this reader thought (even though it was critically acclaimed) not a good one.
THE UGLY (One or two stars): It’s, however, probably best to stay away from: ‘Aid and Comfort�, ‘The Assets' aka “Due Process�, 'The Secret Whispers�, 'The Alpha List', ’Consequences of Fear' aka ‘Smokescreen� and ’The Spirit of Liberty'.
February 9, 2022
An older book with the story set somewhere around the 1960s/70s, it is a reminder of the paranoia gripping the UK regarding a potential nuclear war. I was a child back then but still remember the talk of building concrete bunkers in suburban gardens. The story itself is a refreshing change from the more hi-tech modern thriller. All pay phones and meetings, so it's all about the characters. That said, the plot is a little thin and while lists like the Alpha List did exist, I'm not sure anyone cared enough for it to be the key point in a thriller. Kind of a depressing and unlikely ending though, shades of 'The Spy Who Came in From The Cold'. All in all an OK read, albeit quite short.
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