Is Frank Weeks, who defected to Russia during the Cold War, a traitor or a CIA agent victimized by a poor decision? That is the central question in Joseph Kanon's gripping novel, masterfully narrated by John Bedford Lloyd, who employs a mix of accents and tones to provide a convincing complement to the book's dialogue. Set in Moscow in 1961, the story focuses on Frank's decision to defect after his brother, Simon, arrives from America to edit Frank's KGB-approved memoir. Is the plan real or another of Frank's games? Lloyd excels with his portrayal of the Russians, especially Boris, the bodyguard who must keep Frank from leaving his adopted country. Consequently, the listener must speculate about who, if anyone, is telling the truth.
Pub Date: June 6, 2017
Duration: 9 hrs, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781508232902
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Part of the joy of Tom Clancy novels is one's belief that the stories could come true. His latest entry stretches that some as we find international terrorists building a nuclear bomb which is used to set Americans and Russians against one another. Jay Robertson reads with a newscaster's voice, crisp and clear with a light touch of drama. However, he does little to help listeners identify Clancy's huge cast of characters, and dialects seem difficult for him as he occasionally slips in and out of character. Nonetheless, patient listeners are rewarded as the plot unfolds. This will be a welcome addition to any library justifying the price of the multi-cassettte volumes.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 16 hrs
Publisher: Books on Tape
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
John Sanford is back with another psychological thriller in his Prey series. Surgeon, psychopath and serial killer Bekker is on the loose again after the easiest jailbreak in recent memory. Ken Howard's reading moves along with all the brooding energy a reader could want from a suspense book. His narration is deep, clear and well-suited to the gravelly voices of retired detective Lucas Davenport and the other cops. While Howard manages good dialects and shifts in character, his female voices leave a lot to be desired. For the most part, the abridgment gleefully throws logic and characterization overboard in favor of thrills, but the basic flavor of many characters is still fairly well maintained.
Pub Date: N/A
Duration: 3 hrs
Publisher: Harper Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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