The Whistleblower: The explosive thriller from Britain's top political journalist Paperback – 7 July 2022

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.

A pleasant, if predictable story, leant some realism by the plot line being so natural. A little bit tabloid style, but an enjoyable diversion.

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.

This is a Must read.It's a hard read because it's so overwhelming heartbreaking , what Stace went through in her young life but such a positive outcome for such a strong, forgiving and caring young lady

The grubby worlds of journalism, politics and big business merge in this fast-paced, occasionally unevenly written first novel from Robert Peston. Set in 1997, with fictional characters thinly disguised versions of some real players from the time, Peston captures well the mood of the time. Unlikeable journalist Gil Peck finds himself mixed up in a family tragedy with wider links to personal and professional shenanigans taking place. Some bits work well, other elements seem unlikely and over-worked. Peston clearly knows these murky worlds only too well, and the overwhelming message that emerges (even though this is a work of fiction) is that everyone is on the make and that politics is rarely about anything but power, manipulation, personal ambition and avarice. Perhaps no surprises there, but what is revealing is the universally dark nature of the book. No-one comes out of The Whisteblower particularly well, none of the characters have much likeable about them, and there is no happy ending. Mirroring the General Election result from 1997 in his own universe of "Modern Labour, Modern Britain", Peston provides a real insight into the transfer of power from one bunch of fat cats and political chancers to another. Lyrics from The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again" spring to mind reading the section set on London's South Bank during the victory celebrations: "meet the new boss, same as the old boss". It's a reminder that this indeed, is pretty much what happened at the time, and that nothing really changes.Heaps better than a lot of thrillers written by fellow journalists, Peston shows himself more than capable of producing a readable, earthy, (sometimes even crude) thriller, with a directness of style on the page somewhat removed from his faltering, awkward delivery on screen.

Whilst not a big fan of Robert Peston, I really enjoyed his writing style. It was easy to spot the basis of the various characters within the Westminster bubble and their dialogue was quite believable in the context of the story. Gil Peck is a well written, unreliable and unpredictable hero!

I enjoyed this, and just about kept up with all the pensions stuff - kudos to him for putting a heavy-going, dullish topic at the heart of the book, and he wears his learning quite lightly. I liked Gil, but there was too much stuff in italics, and too many characters, actually, few of them admirable, but I will certainly read the next one, which I hope leaves the stranglehold of his family behind him.