Amsterdam

By: Ian McEwan

Narrated by: Adrian Scarborough

Brought to you by Penguin.

On a chilly February day two old friends meet in the throng outside a crematorium to pay their last respects to Molly Lane. Both Clive Linley and Vernon Halliday had been Molly's lovers in the days before they reached their current eminence, Clive as Britain's most successful modern composer, Vernon as editor of the quality broadsheet, The Judge.Gorgeous, feisty Molly had had other lovers too, notably Julian Garmony, Foreign Secretary, a notorious right-winger tipped to be the next prime minister.

In the days that follow Molly's funeral Clive and Vernon will make a pact that will have consequences neither has foreseen. Each will make a disastrous moral decision, their friendship will be tested to its limits and Julian Garmony will be fighting for his political life.

WINNER OF THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE

Earthy, modern and meticulous.

A dense tale, full of character, wit and insight too. The pace and length make for a very enjoyable medium-length 'read' that's compelling, rich and far from flimsy. Meticulous detail and character in both the writing and the superb performance - I can only imagine the preparation that went into both, thank you.