The November 2006 poisoning death of Alexander Litvinenko in London drew headlines around the world as investigators tried to learn what was slowly killing the 44-year-old former Russian agent. Cowell's story digs deeply—sometimes almost too deeply—into the background of Litvinenko and assorted associates. Simon Vance has a clear British accent, and he varies his voice ever so slightly when quoting one of the assorted spies, politicians, and businessmen who spin their way into Litvinenko's life. Listeners expecting tales of James Bond-like escapades will be disappointed; Litvinenko was simply a soldier who rose in ranks—until he questioned authority. The book's highlights are its focus on radioactive materials and a key account of an attempt on a spy's life decades earlier.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2008
Duration: 14 hrs, 15 mins
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
The events of the Tom Capano-Anne Marie Fahey case are not unusual. A philandering, self-centered man has relationships with women who are easily controlled. He seduces them, provides the gentle concern they crave and, once caught, demeans them until their self-esteem is gone, leaving them completely dependent upon him. Sadly, this scenario happens all too often. This time, the result is a brutal murder. Because the principals were prominent in Delaware politics, the story attracted media attention. Rule handles the sensational details crisply, professionally, and with a storyteller's flair. Narrator Laura Hicks provides exactly the reading Rule's book demands, keeping listeners riveted. She manages to maintain interest through necessary passages of mundane exposition. Some of her pronunciations are suspect, but with her pleasing voice, Hicks gives a balanced, nonjudgmental performance.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2003
Duration: 21 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: BBC Audiobooks America/ Sound Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Is this book for burglars, or those who fear them? It's a little hard to tell, which is a problem. Another is that it is more a padded blog or magazine piece than an audiobook with a coherent thesis. While much of the material is interesting the first time you hear it, the second and third times tend to pall, as do lists of things like shapes of lockpicks we will never see or care about. Scott Aiello, so good at fiction, here gets in the way as he tries to breathe drama into material that has no emotional content, and overplays any hint of wit or irony, as if he were performing a snarky SNL skit instead of letting the listener hear what's there.
Pub Date: April 5, 2016
Duration: 8 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781524702212
Publisher: Random House Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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