The Secret Soldier

By: Alex Berenson

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

John Wells goes undercover in Saudi Arabia in a cutting-edge novel of modern suspense from the #1 New York Times best-selling author.

John Wells may have left the CIA, but it hasn't left him. A mysterious call brings a surprise meeting with the aged monarch of Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah. "My kingdom is on a precipice," he tells Wells. "Powerful factions are plotting against me, and my own family is in danger. I don't know who I can trust, but I'm told I can trust you."

Reluctantly, and with the secret blessing of the CIA, Wells goes undercover; but the more he learns, the more complicated things become, and soon he, too, is unsure whom to trust, in Saudi Arabia or Washington. One thing, however, is clear: If the conspirators prevail, it will mean more than the fall of a monarch-it may be the beginning of the final conflagration between America and Islam.

©2011 Alex Berenson (P)2011 Penguin

Big bad John

John Wells continues as a great central character. Super narration and a good, sometimes complex, story. I will continue to read Alex Berenson.

Great series, but this book was not so great.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

yes, the series overall is very good and I don't like missing books in a series.

Have you listened to any of George Guidall’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

George is the best!

Save my cat John Wells, on please!!!!!

Good fun, recommended in the style of covert spy "read and toss" airplane books. Not particularly believable in any way shape or form, but so what? Pops rights along, good background but at times reads like an action hero story written by wikipedia. Has the pace and form of the movie The Kingdom, which was great. Hmmm, a good portion of this book reads as if it was written while actually watching The Kingdom. And Berenson should bail on trying to write in the love interests in his stories. Why bother, they're thin, pointless and a distraction. "Yes I killed 6 people today, but I love you. Let's have pancakes." Narration and sound is perfectly fine, but Guidall is at times so sonorous that he'll put you right to sleep if you're listening while lying down. Go for it. The Middle East background is reasonably legit, and you'll have a fun listen.

The Prisoner, #11 in the John Wells series,...

....will be released in 6 weeks so I am writing a review of one of the earlier books in the series. Alex Berenson is not among the top tier of espionage thriller writers, but his Wells novels are consistently 4 star or better. This series is unique in that John Wells is a Muslim and a CIA agent deeply involved in the war on terror. Do not compare Alex Berenson to the great Vince Flynn or even to Ben Coes or Mark Greaney because he is simply not at their level, but his books are entertaining. Comparisons to the John Rain series by Barry Eisler and the Jericho Quinn series by Marc Cameron are more apt. The fabulous George Guidall narrates and he always makes a novel better.

No regrets

I enjoyed the story however I compare every counter terrorist authors skills to Vince Flynn's excellence. This Berenson novel had about 25% of the action that I find in Flynn's action novels. Still, I have no regrets thanks to the superb narration of George Guidall.

Not quite as exciting a storyline as previous book

Would you listen to The Secret Soldier again? Why?

Possibly. I did not find the storyline to be as exciting as previous books but it was still an enjoyable listen. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

The plot was good but I was not quite on the edge of my seat like I have been with the previous novels.

Have you listened to any of George Guidall’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, several. George Guidall is awesome as always. My favorite narrator!

Any additional comments?

Berenson has proven to be an excellent story teller and does an excellent job of keeping you on the edge of your seat, making your want to read the next book. Well done.

A lot of body, but not too deep.

What made the experience of listening to The Secret Soldier the most enjoyable?

I liked the way the story fit in with much of what is going on in Arabic countries currently.

Which scene was your favorite?

The rescue attempt.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When she explains why the Ambassador's message to his wife was not "I love you".

Good book

The story I admit is a little far fetched in terms of believability but it is very entertaining and full of suspense. It is a very good book overall and a great listen for those John Wells fans.

Better Than Faithful

The Action is fair but the story moves and doesnt bog down on you. Guidall is fabulous as usual . His narration made the book more enjoyable for me. I liked this side of the Wells character much better than the brooding, pouty guy in Faithful Spy. I thought a request from the King of the House of Saud was a bit out there but we are reading fiction here.. arent we?? Perhaps I will try another in this series.

Good Listen

I found this book a little hard getting into this time. I love Berenson and Guidall and will always be a fan. I couldn't give it a high five because some of the story was a little far fetched and it did lag in some areas. I also felt the ending was a bit trite. I loved the Secret Spy much better.