The Spymasters

A Men at War Novel, Book 7

By: W.E.B. Griffin, William E. Butterworth IV

Narrated by: Christopher Lane

Length: 11 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

Critics and fans everywhere love the Men at War series, books “rich with witty banter and nail-biting undercover work” (Entertainment Weekly).

It is summer 1943. Two of the Allies’ most important plans are at grave risk: Operation Overlord’s invasion of France and the Manhattan Project’s race to build the atomic bomb. A furious President Roosevelt turns to OSS spy chief Wild Bill Donovan — and Donovan turns to Dick Canidy and his teams behind enemy lines. They’ve certainly got their work cut out for them. In the weeks to come, they must fight the Axis in many ways, to try to find and sabotage Germany’s new “aerial torpedo” rockets, some of which are rumored to be fitted out with deadly nerve gas and aimed at London; to rescue a missing covert OSS team bearing vital secrets; and to exploit German intelligence agents and generals disgruntled enough with Hitler to maybe try to topple him.

And as if all that weren’t enough, they must battle the enemy within, as well: The Soviets are using moles to steal Manhattan Project secrets, and if the Soviets build their own atomic bomb... who knows where that might lead?

Filled to the brim with action, character, and the deep understanding of the military heart and mind that have made Griffin’s novels outstanding, The Spymasters is simply great listening.

©2012 W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Good Series, Getting Better

If you could sum up The Spymasters in three words, what would they be?

Pretty Good

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

Kept me interested, not on the edge of my seat though

Which character – as performed by Christopher Lane – was your favorite?

I have always liked Dick Canady

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Not really, there was some humor, but not real heavy laughable humor, it is not that type of book

Started slowly and picked up

I enjoy all of griffin’s work particularly the historic aspect. One observation, he is obsessed with large breasts, teats and voluptuous bosoms by constantly mentioning them.

W.E.B Griffin Fans Will Like This

Would you try another book from W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV and/or Christopher Lane?

Yes, I am a W.E.B Griffin fan and enjoy all of his war novel efforts.

What about Christopher Lane’s performance did you like?

I thought his performance fit the narrative of the book..

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No. The best parts of these novels are the narratives among the characters and the history included in the background. A movie would have to contrive more action, which would ruin it for me.

Any additional comments?

I can see where this novel would appeal to only a select group of people. You would have to be interested in the history of the time period and enjoy the banter of males during difficult times.

fact check

The United Nations was not founded until 1945. the team of father and son are getting better still not as good as web alone

Good Story, Poor Audio Performance

What made the experience of listening to The Spymasters the most enjoyable?

I love the storylines.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I like all of his protagonists.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Christopher Lane?

Well, Eric Dove for starters. Christopher Lane's very slow, almost monotonic voice made listening to this story very difficult. Here's the fix though: If using the Audible App, on the bottom left corner of the phone screen, you can mess with the speed of the reading. Setting it to 1.25% makes it only slightly too fast, but infinitely better. I'd wager that having a setting of 1.15% would have been perfect.

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

No.

Any additional comments?

This isn't one of Griffin's best, but it certainly isn't as bad as many of the other reviews seem to think. Griffin really is, to me, the Danielle Steele of historical fiction. Perhaps low brow, sure, but certainly a guilty pleasure. Griffin just plays around in history really. If you are looking for a fictional representation of what really occurred, this isn't the best author for that purpose. If you want an easier foray into what can be a very difficult genre to get into and war stories are interesting, Griffin is a good choice.

Narration could be better

Narrator would often drop the different accents or use the wrong accent on the wrong character. There was also long pauses in middle of chapters.

Great read.

Good story 9/10. Reader was 7/10. Interesting fusion between magi and burgeoning intelligence apparatus & special operations in an oft overlooked theatre of WWII

Story deserved better

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

World War II buffs may be interested, but I found myself loosing interest during some sections. Story was good but with an abrupt ending that seemed to be forced.

Author off his feed.

Would you try another book from W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV and/or Christopher Lane?

Maybe, but probably not. It was disappointing.

If you’ve listened to books by W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV before, how does this one compare?

Not as good

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes

Do you think The Spymasters needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Not for me. Hard to keep attentive.

Any additional comments?

no

OK but not great.

Would you try another book from W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV and/or Christopher Lane?

Oh yes

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Christopher Lane?

No offense but he was not up to the great job Scott Brick does.

Any additional comments?

I am a huge fan of Griffin and am lessening to all of them.