The Key to RebeccaThe Key to Rebecca
Score Classic
What it's about
In 1942, as Rommel's army sweeps across North Africa toward Cairo, a German spy, Alex Wolff, crosses the desert to the city. He uses a copy of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca as the key to the code he radios to Rommel, passing on British military secrets. Major William Vandam of British intelligence is determined to catch him, with the help of a beautiful courtesan.
Why it's worth reading
It spent weeks at #1 on the New York Times list. It's a classic wartime spy thriller from the author of Eye of the Needle, based on a real spy.
You'll love it if you liked
The Eagle Has Landed
The English Patient
The Day of the JackalGood to know
There's violence and sexual content.
By the numbers
- Readers40 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller47 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #337 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #560 of the 762 classics we rank
- #1945 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous, Gripping
More by Ken Follett
The Pillars of the Earth
World Without End
Fall of Giants
The Evening and the MorningIf you like this, read next
The Bourne Supremacy
Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland
Curtain
Sleeping Murder
The Moonstone
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Quick answers
Is The Key to Rebecca worth reading?
Yes. It spent weeks at #1 on the New York Times list. It ranks #1,945 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 64.4 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Key to Rebecca about?
In 1942, as Rommel's army sweeps across North Africa toward Cairo, a German spy, Alex Wolff, crosses the desert to the city. He uses a copy of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca as the key to the code he radios to Rommel, passing on British military secrets. Major William Vandam of British intelligence is determined to catch him, with the help of a beautiful courtesan.
How long does it take to read The Key to Rebecca?
About 10 hours (405 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Key to Rebecca?
If you liked it, try The Eagle Has Landed by Jack Higgins, The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje or The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth.