The Factory and Other Stories

by Brian Freemantle

Twelve short stories, centered around the Director General of an overseas branch of British Intelligence, Samuel Bell. He realises there is a Soviet mole in the organization leaking information to the Eastern bloc and decides to entrap the traitor himself, which proves disastrous.

Genres: Short Stories, Audiobook, Fiction

188 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1990

About the author

Aka John Maxwell, Jonathan Evans, Jack Winchester, Harry Asher and Richard Gant.

Brian Freemantle [b. 1936] is one of Britain's most acclaimed authors of spy fiction. His novels have sold over ten million copies worldwide. Born in Southampton, Freemantle entered his career as a journalist, and began writing espionage thrillers in the late 1960s. Charlie M (1977) introduced the world to Charlie Muffin and won Freemantle international recognition—he would go on to publish fourteen titles in the series.

Freemantle has written dozens of other novels, including two featuring Sebastian Holmes, an illegitimate son of Sherlock Holmes, and the Cowley and Danilov series, about an American FBI agent and a Russian militia detective who work together to comabt organized crime in the post-Cold War world. Freemantle lives and works in London, Englad.

Reviews

[Shane]

Thoroughly enjoyed these short stories by Brian Freemantle. As ever there is always a sting in the tale. I have the book and it’s also very well narrated by Robin Sachs (RIP)

Please note these short stories can be read standalone but there is a common thread that runs through them all namely the head of the Factory's search for the mole. For those who asked this book does not feature Charlie Muffin or his world. 'Muffinverse'?

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered this one like Freemantle’s Charlie Muffin books, from Shane Whaley’s Spybrary podast and discussion group, in this case from Shane himself. I really enjoyed it too, it’s a book of short stories set within and without a British Intelligence service department dubbed “The Factory.” Although each story stands on its own merit they are linked by and contribute to, a clever framing device - the hunt for a mole in “The Factory.” Recommended.

[Dennis D. Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great spy craft!

The stories were woven together seamlessly. The overall plot keeps your interest and does not disappoint. Good insight into the workings and machinations of a covert cold war organization. Freemantle is too notch and, I believe, reads better than LeCarre.

[Jelena · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

I guess I'll read anything if it has less than 200 pages! I was looking to try the espionage genre, so I went with one of the best authors of the theme, but it didn't really work for me. I was expecting short stories, but ended up with disconnected novel, which was a little disappointing. The story itself probably deserves more than 2.5 starts, but I just didn't have that much fun with it.

[Steve In Ludlow · Rating 3 out of 5]

***** Excellent
**** Good
*** OK
** Poor
* DNF

Short and relatively pacey tale of the hunt for a mole. The twist isn't much of a surprise but the journey was enjoyable enough.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Audible; Robin Sachs, narrator) Superb collection of 12 short stories that really comprise a short novel about spycraft between Britain and Russia during the early 90s.