In a spy thriller, atmosphere is everything. For an audiobook set primarily in Moscow, having a narrator such as Edoardo Ballerini, who can handily discharge Russian phrases and provide a convincing local accent, is essential. In this third volume in the Charles Jenkins series, Ballerini sturdily voices the intrepid spy, who returns to Russia to locate two missing double agents despite his being on a kill list. The well-meaning Jenkins also sticks his nose in where he shouldn't, resulting in his being hunted by one of Russia's foremost crime families. Ballerini is equally adept at bringing to life the pugnacious men hunting Jenkins and the two spy “sisters” who are his objectives. The result is a pulse-pounding listen. D.E.M. 2023 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
Pub Date: Feb. 22, 2022
Duration: 10 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781713614319
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 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
Henning’s sparkling performance is appropriately outrageous.
Daniel Henning is simply delightful in Rudnick’s hilarious venture into satirical espionage. Struggling gay actor Andrew Birnbaum is approached by the Tuxedo Society, an “off the books, queer special ops unit,” to become its newest member. What follows is a series of Bond-style adventures, from saving the gorgeous first lady to recovering stolen jewels. There is a wide variety of ridiculous special gadgets, among them a deadly yoga mat, exploding candy bars, and a backpack that expands into an inflatable raft. Henning picks up on every nuance without missing a beat. His characterization of Andrew is flawless, while his voices for Andrew’s parents and his Tuxedo Society compatriots are wonderfully campy. Warning! This audiobook may cause uncontrollable laughter.
Henning’s sparkling performance is appropriately outrageous.Pub Date: May 26, 2026
Duration: 9 hrs, 41 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668149171
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Review Posted Online: June 30, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: today
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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