This intensely interesting spy novel by WASHINGTON POST foreign affairs columnist David Ignatius makes for a gripping audiobook. The setup: Volkov, a mathematically gifted, socially awkward Russian student doing graduate work in Beijing in the '90s, falls for a lively American girl. She abruptly dumps him and disappears. (But why?) Decades later, the world's balance of power among Russia, China, and the U.S. may depend upon the fact that the girl once gave Volkov her parents' home address in Massachusetts, and he kept it. Ballerini uses fairly generic foreign-sounding accents to suggest the otherness of the Chinese and Russian scientists and spymasters, but it works fine. He is attentive and expressive, letting Ignatius's all-too-believable and frankly terrifying scenario keep the listener in thrall.
Pub Date: May 7, 2024
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781705087541
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Ballerini’s versatile narration takes an already interesting story and makes it riveting for the listener.
Nate Wilde, a Green Beret turned graduate student, reunites his former military team for a mission to find a lost city in the Middle East. Dekker does a great job developing the characters in this well-paced thriller, and Edoardo Ballerini elevates it beautifully. He consistently uses a variety of accents—southern U.S., assorted Middle Eastern and British voices, and others—while conveying the emotions, especially in tense fight scenes and dangerous situations. The author, a former Green Beret himself, has laid out a story that blends brains and brawn, academics and action.
Ballerini’s versatile narration takes an already interesting story and makes it riveting for the listener.Pub Date: July 28, 2026
Duration: 12 hrs, 2 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668133033
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Aug. 17, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2026
With his colorful palette of accents, Ballerini makes this fast-paced listen a treat.
Narrator Edoardo Ballerini returns to deliver the further adventures of retired legendary spy Gabriel Allon, alongside both familiar and new characters. Allon, now a full-time art restorer, devoted husband, and father of young twins, takes on the ransom negotiations for kidnapped social media celebrity Alice Winter, at the behest of her wealthy husband. While self-absorbed Alice might be challenging for listeners to relate to, the story eventually takes on international significance worthy of an Allon intervention. Ballerini masterfully differentiates the full cast of characters and ratchets up the tension. Listeners will be glued to their earphones as drones threaten world order.
With his colorful palette of accents, Ballerini makes this fast-paced listen a treat.Pub Date: July 14, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 48 mins
DD ISBN: 9780063384316
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: July 27, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
