The Secret Speech

By: Tom Rob Smith

Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris

Length: 11 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

It is 1956. Three years ago, Leo Demidov moved on from his career as a member of the state security force. As an MGB officer, Leo had been responsible for untold numbers of arrests and interrogations. But as a reward for his heroic service in stopping a killer who had terrorized citizens throughout the country, Leo was granted the authority to establish and run a homicide department in Moscow.

Now, he strives to see justice done on behalf of murder victims in the Soviet capital, while at the same time working to build a life with his wife Raisa and their adopted daughters, Zoya and Elena.

Leo's past, however, can not be left behind so easily, and the legacy of his former career - the friends and families of those he had arrested as a state security officer - continues to hound him. Now, a new string of murders in the capital threaten to bring Leo's past crashing into the present, shattering the fragile foundations of his new life in Moscow, and putting his daughter Zoya's life at risk.

Faced with a threat to his family, Leo is launched on a desperate, personal mission that will take him to the harsh Siberian Gulags, to the depths of the hidden criminal underworld, and into the heart of Budapest and the Hungarian uprising.

©2009 Grand Central Publishing (P)2009 Hachette

A thrill ride through history!

Our flawed hero is back, making right the wrongs of the past. But with so many wrongs, Leo must risk everything to save his family. Great author/story... great narrator/production. Got the third one ready to go!

Really enjoyed this

As soon as I finished Child 44 I started listening to The Secret Speech. This book had several suspenseful moments and it was just great to delve deeper into the main characters Leo and Raisa and their complex but loving relationship. Can't wait to start Agent 6!

Interesting Story!

I absolutely loved Child 44 and was really looking forward to something similar to come after it. That being said this book was again very well written and very interesting, but not quite what I’d expected. It was a little slower and a little harder to get into but once the real story came out it sucked you in just like Child 44. Following Leo and his family into a life that you would never imagine for them, the twist and turns, the love and hate really kept it going. Now time for the final book.

Great Story

I'd recommend listening to the first book, Child 44, before listening to this story. Could not stop listening to it...

I love this series! I can't wait for the next book

If you love Russian history this is a great story and series. Leo is such a compelling and complex character. The details, the story line are so rich with detail and emotion.

Excellent Follow Up to Child 44

Would you consider the audio edition of The Secret Speech to be better than the print version?

Absolutely, Boutsikaris' performance makes the story so much richer and really engages the listener in the story.

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

The marriage of fictional intrigue and history was fascinating. Being an American that grew up in the latter years of the Cold War, it's fascinating to hear about the Russian side of things during some of these years. And while this is fictional, it's still so interesting to see how this culture reacts to the many leadership changes they have endured and how that effected all areas of life. For us in the States it was just headlines, we didn't know how this might effect people personally in the USSR, this book gives a peek inside.

Which scene was your favorite?

I like the scene where Raisa goes toe-to-toe with Anisya, who tries to manipulate her by suggesting that Malysh is Raisa's son. Anisya, who is so embroiled in deception and manipulation can't imagine that Raisa and Leo have disclosed everything about their pasts and thinks she will blow them apart by revealing this "secret" of Raisa's. But Raisa maintains her grace and dignity, Leo knows her past but she tells the story of her son for Malysh's benefit and is shown to be a true woman of strength versus Anisya's forced/perceived strength.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I didn't want to stop listening and looked forward to every opportunity to get further in to the story.

Any additional comments?

While it's not as strong as Child 44, The Secret Speech is still a great thriller. Again the characters are complicated, life isn't all sunshine and butterflies for our heroes Leo and Raisa, they're living real life and it's messy and sometimes unpleasant. I like that Smith doesn't go for the traditional happy ending and he doesn't make his heroes cloying. They're strong but also flawed, you root for them but sometimes you don't like them and somehow that makes them appealing.

just as good as the first book! I loved it

was a great book!
I loved it, and the story, and everything else!

just as good as the first book!

Epic story

great story of life and sorrow during very turbulent times. narration was flawless. I recommend!

AMAZING! SUPERB story & detailed history!

Tom Rob Smith is truly an amazing historical fiction writer. The 3 book series is a historical fiction master piece. I cannot think of a better series that describes the details about Stalinist era Soviet Union, the transition into the Krucherov era than Child 44 & The Secret Speech. The historical accuracy blended with a fascinating story line & great characters is something Smith does better than anyone today.

Highly recommended, great read, great listen! Definitely start on Child 44, it is worth it!

Enjoyed it.

Great series of books. Hope to see this one on the big screen. Tyyy you