Your audiobook is waiting!
Enjoy a free trial on us
$0.00
  • One credit a month to pick any title from our entire premium selection to keep (you’ll use your first credit now).
  • Unlimited listening on select audiobooks, Audible Originals, and podcasts.
  • You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
  • $14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel online anytime.
Learn more about membership
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company
List Price: $21.60
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible’s Conditions Of Use. and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company

Hornet Flight Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Ken Follett (Author), John Lee (Narrator), Penguin Audio (Publisher)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 14,507 ratings
See all formats and editions
It's June 1941, and the low point of the war. England throws wave after wave of RAF bombers across the Channel, but somehow the Luftwaffe is able to shoot them down at will. The skies, indeed, the war itself seem to belong to Hitler.

On a Danish island across the North Sea, Harald Olufsen stumbles upon a secret German installation. With England preparing its largest aerial assault, what Harald has discovered may turn the course of the war, but the race to convey the information could have terrible consequences for everyone close to him. For his older brother, Arne, a pilot in the Danish air force, and for Arne's fiancee, Hermia, an intelligence analyst desperate to resurrect the foundering Danish resistance. And most of all, for Harald himself.

Filled with knife-edge suspense and rich, tantalizing characters, this is Ken Follett writing at the top of his form, unforgettable storytelling from an unforgettable writer.

Previous slide of product details
  1. Listening Length
    14 hours and 1 minute
  2. Author
    Ken Follett
  3. Narrator
    John Lee
  4. Audible release date
    January 28, 2005
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Penguin Audio
  7. ASIN
    B0007OB5B2
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
Next slide of product details

Read & Listen

Switch between reading the Kindle book & listening to the Audible audiobook with Whispersync for Voice.
Get the Audible audiobook for the reduced price of $9.99 after you buy the Kindle book.
Audible Free Trial
Discover top titles, podcasts, and more on Audible. Try 30 days free.

Product details

Listening Length 14 hours and 1 minute
Author Ken Follett
Narrator John Lee
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date January 28, 2005
Publisher Penguin Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B0007OB5B2
Best Sellers Rank #19,438 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#1,610 in Suspense (Audible Books & Originals)
#5,283 in Suspense Thrillers
#7,164 in Literature & Fiction (Audible Books & Originals)

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
14,507 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book easy to read with a good plot and exciting scenes. They praise the well-written, fluid prose and the author's attention to detail. The characters are described as strong and brave. Readers appreciate the interesting war story about the Dutch resistance movement in WWII. They describe the pacing as fast and smooth. The book keeps them entertained and educated about occupied Denmark.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more
ReadabilityWriterCharacter developmentWar storyPacingEntertainment valueDetailPage turner
420 customers mention "Readability"383 positive37 negative

Customers enjoyed the book's story and plot. They found it exciting, with an interesting plot and well-developed characters. The book kept them guessing until the thrilling conclusion. Readers appreciated the historical elements woven into the plot. Overall, it was described as an action-packed thriller that gripped their emotions.

"A story of opposing forces, prejudice, acceptance, revenge and heroism...." Read more

"A great tale of the start of the resistance movement in occupied Denmark, characters and descriptions accurate and illustrative of the times." Read more

"outstanding- intrigue, tension, suspence, history, technology, love and even a bit of sex all together in a perfect Follet story." Read more

"...Much like the best of Uris or Michener, Follett has crafted a terrific book that is hard to put down." Read more

118 customers mention "Writer"107 positive11 negative

Customers find the book well-written with a captivating story and easy to read prose. They appreciate the author's skill with language and find the plot engaging and believable.

"...of the resistance movement in occupied Denmark, characters and descriptions accurate and illustrative of the times." Read more

"Reading Ken Follett is easy. His facility with language makes it effortless...." Read more

"...And the plot flows rapidly but not completely predictably; the read is not difficult, but still holds your attention...." Read more

"...with the common goal of defeating Hitler combine to make this a real page turner." Read more

80 customers mention "Character development"75 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the well-developed characters. They find the two main female characters strong and brave, as well as the main young male hero. There are no super heroes or villains in this spy novel, but some historical characters of interest. The author continues to describe people, places, and things in a manner that makes you feel immersed in the story.

"...tale of the start of the resistance movement in occupied Denmark, characters and descriptions accurate and illustrative of the times." Read more

"...This is a well paced and taut thriller with nicely drawn likable protagonists and a streamlined plot...." Read more

"As always, Follet develops his characters and writes beautifully...." Read more

"Enjoyed the interactions among the different characters gave new insights into to the difficulties living under Nazism...." Read more

48 customers mention "War story"48 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it an engaging read about the Allied bombing problems with new German radar during World War II. The story covers the Dutch resistance movement in WWII and Danish resistance during World War II. Readers appreciate the human interactions during wartime, as well as the bravery and determination of the characters. Overall, they describe the book as a great history with interesting aspects of the Nazi occupation of Denmark.

"...two young people find a way to solve a mystery and help England in the war against Germany." Read more

"...In telling this tale, Follett has captured why the Danish Resistance was so successful with very few captures where others in Occupied Europe were..." Read more

"...The resistance is in its infancy with a few brave Danes loosely organized to take on the Nazi war machine. Follett comes through again!" Read more

"Excellent and exciting plot, World War II story, tells about Denmark's role, spy story with much human interest...." Read more

46 customers mention "Pacing"38 positive8 negative

Customers find the book's pacing good. They say the plot flows smoothly and the action is riveting. The book is described as a fast-paced WWII novel with suspenseful moments.

"outstanding- intrigue, tension, suspence, history, technology, love and even a bit of sex all together in a perfect Follet story." Read more

"...His facility with language makes it effortless. This is a well paced and taut thriller with nicely drawn likable protagonists and a streamlined plot...." Read more

"...(The Hornet fascinates.) And the plot flows rapidly but not completely predictably; the read is not difficult, but still holds your attention...." Read more

"...A quick, fast-paced read ... but then, it’s Ken Follett." Read more

32 customers mention "Entertainment value"32 positive0 negative

Customers find the book entertaining and educational. They say it's a light read that keeps them engaged, providing knowledge of occupied Denmark. The book is described as predictable yet great fun, with no dull moments. Readers praise the well-researched novel and the author's talent for entertaining.

"...It never becomes tiresome and it is doubtful you’ll skim many pages...." Read more

"...in his stories makes them not only incredibly interesting but educational as well. You will actually learn some important facts and enjoy doing so...." Read more

"...Follet never fails to educate and entertain. Highly recommend." Read more

"Never a dull moment! Good plot and interesting characters, with some war history thrown in. Made me want to try more of the same😊..." Read more

28 customers mention "Detail"23 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate the book's attention to detail. They find the descriptions of aircraft and flight maneuvers accurate. Readers also appreciate the technical explanations, historical and technical backgrounds, and geography.

"...He continues to describe people, places and things in such a manner that you seem to feel you are in the middle of each setting within the plot...." Read more

"Lots of detail regarding geography and aviation. Great character development and always a new problem to work out...." Read more

"...I was particularly pleased with the detailed descriptions of the aircraft and flight maneuvers referenced throughout the story, but especially in..." Read more

"...NAZI Germany presented to the world in 194, as well as an accurate description of a plane, the Hornet Moth, of which I had not previously heard...." Read more

11 customers mention "Page turner"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging. They say the final chapters are page-turners that keep them turning the pages.

"Very readable and a page turner. Hard to put down. Great hero. Great villain. Enough twists to keep it from becoming predictable. Nice escapist read...." Read more

"A page turner, with the usual Ken Follet “touch of class.”" Read more

"...I like his characters and the way he tells a story. This book was another page turner." Read more

"...The final chapters were page turners" Read more

Great
5 out of 5 stars
Great
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

  • Wombat
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excitement and sadness, an incredable novel
    Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A story of opposing forces, prejudice, acceptance, revenge and heroism. In spite of losses, two young people find a way to solve a mystery and help England in the war against Germany.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Daryl Pleggenkuhle
    4.0 out of 5 stars great tale
    Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A great tale of the start of the resistance movement in occupied Denmark, characters and descriptions accurate and illustrative of the times.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Maureen L.
    5.0 out of 5 stars a perfect Follet story.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    outstanding- intrigue, tension, suspence, history, technology, love and even a bit of sex all together in a perfect Follet story.
    Helpful
     Report
  • GDSmith
    5.0 out of 5 stars Hornet Flight - an awesome book!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    If you are looking for historical fiction that also has pulse pounding, twists and turns that will keep you up at night, then this book is for you! Much like the best of Uris or Michener, Follett has crafted a terrific book that is hard to put down.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Beardragon
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sturdy Ken Follett
    Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Reading Ken Follett is easy. His facility with language makes it effortless. This is a well paced and taut thriller with nicely drawn likable protagonists and a streamlined plot. It never becomes tiresome and it is doubtful you’ll skim many pages. Not his best literary work but a solid contribution to the current fascination with the resistance movement in the occupied countries of World War II.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • principle instigator
    5.0 out of 5 stars I want to see the Movie
    Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The locations (Copenhagen, Danish islands, towns and their ferries), the characters (earnest young men, a sassy redhead), the action sequences (repairing and flying the Hornet Moth, photographing Freya), all produced vivid images in my mind. But I am an “ear person”: I do not “see” or recall pictures, but rather capture and recall sounds as if I were a magpie or parrot. This book has given me several hours of scenes that even I can visualize, and which have piqued my curiosity to the point that I’ve even gone to the Wiki for more. (The Hornet fascinates.) And the plot flows rapidly but not completely predictably; the read is not difficult, but still holds your attention. It’s a perfect summer vacation book.
    4 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Louis E Martin Sr.
    3.0 out of 5 stars Missed opportunities.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    The book was reasonably entertaining most of the time, but the storyline also dragged a good portion of the time. I like, and follow this author and was disappointed in the overall read. Other than the entertaining portion of the story dealing with the exciting escape of the characters from capture by the Nazi's, and the harrowing brush with death over the English channel, the book left me feeling like I had wasted my time. LM
    3 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Bonnie Toews
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Master Has Returned!
    Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2003
    Verified Purchase
    Ken Follett's research has turned what could have been a very implausible plot into a daring possibility, and he has achieved it with ordinary people who, under unimaginable circumstances, discover the resources within themselves to do extraordinary things. Every detail reflects realism, for I too researched this era and the Danish Resistance for my novel and recognize the truth behind Follett's characters, setting, time and plot. I trained on an aircraft very similar to the Hornet Moth in 1965--a fabric and wood Canuck made in the 1930s that could not be insured and flew with just a joystick and rudders between me and destiny. People who have never flown a plane like this don't realize how remarkable they are--they fly in spite of you--and so all the flight sequences and the rebuilding of the Hornet ring absolutely true. Someone like Harold who had good reflexes and instincts could fly a Hornet as easily as he did in the escape to England, and Karen's understanding of flying, the structure and the mechanics of the aircraft is normal for a women who takes up flying because she really wants to do it, not because she has to do it like so many roles women have to play simply because they are female.
    In telling this tale, Follett has captured why the Danish Resistance was so successful with very few captures where others in Occupied Europe were so corrupted that betrayal became a chronic cancer crippling their operations. Even the king displayed stoic courage while retaining dignity for himself and his country's citizens.
    This is a true thriller and a spectacular read!
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Mike D.
    5.0 out of 5 stars great read
    Reviewed in Canada on October 25, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Good book I enjoy Ken Follett
    Report
  • Rafael Garcia Tamarit
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excelente trama y narrativa
    Reviewed in Spain on March 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Como siempre, Ken Follet no defrauda. Es uno de mis autores favoritos.
    La trama va poco a poco haciéndose cada vez en más interesante. La descripción de los personajes y su actitud va revelando también sus rasgos y personalidad. Todo ello bien unido para hacer de la lectura un disfrute.
    Report
  • Cantegreil
    5.0 out of 5 stars PASSIONNANT
    Reviewed in France on August 23, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    LECTURE PASSIONNANTE
    Report
  • S.K.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nail biting thriller
    Reviewed in India on January 11, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This and Jackdaws are among the best of Follett's war stories.
    Report
  • Lincoln Chaves G Costa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Livro TOP
    Reviewed in Brazil on January 14, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Otimo livro
    Report