This frightening thriller is set in the near future when Earth's oil reserves are depleted and nations are scrambling to come up with alternative energy sources. Narrator Amy Landon breathes life into characters who try to do the right thing--once they figure out what the right thing is. Juliet Arroway works for a shadowy group called the Syndicate, which is trying to preserve peace in a world divided by greed, religion, and power-crazed leaders. Landon makes it easy to follow the complicated plot by creating memorable performances of the main characters, including Mariam, the Syndicate spy who is also the daughter of a Saudi Arabian king who is at the center of a controversy. This is a scary, compelling work because it feels so close to home.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2023
Duration: 11 hrs
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Fontana’s strong performance is the perfect vehicle for this tale of modern-day spycraft.
Disgraced former CIA operative Ari Falk’s self-imposed exile in the Republic of Georgia ends abruptly, and he finds himself at the heart of a mission to save the world from the leader of an extremist group intent on changing the balance of political power in Europe. Narrator Santino Fontana demonstrates a wide variety of accents, bringing to life characters from across the globe. His careful characterizations ensure the polished flow of the plot, and his skills are highlighted during dialogue-heavy scenes, where he seamlessly moves between characters and accents. Fontana’s timing and spot-on pacing keep the tension building as the twisting plot unfolds.
Fontana’s strong performance is the perfect vehicle for this tale of modern-day spycraft.Pub Date: Jan. 27, 2026
Duration: 8 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668123232
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: March 25, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2026
Lakin makes this globe-trotting thriller feel breathlessly personal.
Christine Lakin's narration transforms an espionage thriller into a taut psychological journey. Lakin captures Anna Vaughn's evolution from a B-list actress to a reluctant spy with remarkable vocal precision. When Anna goes undercover to rescue her missing friend, Lakin doesn't rely on dramatic vocal flourishes; instead, she conveys tension through subtle shifts in pacing and breath control that mirror Anna's mounting fear. Her portrayal of FBI handler Kevin Matthews balances authority with ambiguity, keeping listeners guessing about his true loyalties. Lakin maintains clarity during the fraught action sequences without sacrificing urgency, making combat choreography comprehensible. Her vocal distinctions among supporting characters, from menacing oligarchs to Anna's troubled sister, feel organic.
Lakin makes this globe-trotting thriller feel breathlessly personal.Pub Date: Jan. 20, 2026
Duration: 12 hrs, 15 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063393073
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Feb. 10, 2026
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