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
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: tomorrow
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
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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