David Ignatius's newest techno-thriller is ably served by Edoardo Ballerini's driven narration, which helps propel the story through its many twists and turns. Based on actual science, the plot involves secret efforts to create a functional quantum computer, and the resulting competition between American and Chinese spy agencies to steal each other's information and "turn" each other's spies. The hero is a non-Chinese-speaking American of Chinese heritage, who is used and doubted by both sides. Ballerini builds our empathy by painting both American and Chinese characters with audible personalities. And he reads the women as believably as the men. In between, he narrates in a straight forward "thank you, m'am" tone that sounds direct from CIA headquarters.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2017
Duration: 11 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781501920028
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
C.J. Box writes about life in wild Wyoming, short stories of people living a rugged life by choice or by circumstance. David Chandler narrates in a rough-edged whiskey voice that suggests summer heat, bitter winters, and windswept prairies, guiding the listener through 10 adventures of men like Fish and Game Officer Joe Pickett. Chandler brings the listener into this strange world where, more often than not, men have to create their own justice. His performance of the economical stories, some rarely seen, is perfect. The tale of the frozen body of a Native American basketball player turned speed freak, her arm reaching through the ice of a lake in a final jump shot, is one of the most fascinating in the collection.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 7 hrs, 30 mins
DD ISBN: 9781470392796
Publisher: Recorded Books Inc.
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Dirk Pitt, intrepid adventurer and master explorer, searches the Sahara for the deadly toxin that is killing marine life world wide. This audio, abridged by Harold Schmidt, lacks most of the adventure, as well as the humor, of Cussler's novels. Narrator Tom Wopat brings an unconventional vocal slant to the ever-cocky Pitt. Using lots of vocal characterization, Wopat brings across the smug brashness of Pitt and handles dialogue briskly. Enhanced by sound effects and small pieces of music, this is an interesting and perplexing mystery.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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