The Protector

By: Mike Lunnon-Wood

Narrated by: John Telfer

Length: 12 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Titus Quayle was the best MI6 ever had - an operative of exceptional and lethal ability. But they burned him, abandoned him and left him for dead.

Holly Morton is the daughter of the spymaster who first recognised Quayle’s potential and the key to unlocking a global conspiracy her father died trying to bring down.

To uncover the truth, Quayle must keep her safe from the threat of a powerful enemy in a globetrotting race against time.

Nowhere is safe.

But to survive in a secret world of spies and assassins, kill orders and kingpins, there’s no one you’d rather have by your side than Titus Quayle....

©2020 Mike Lunnon-Wood. (P)2020 Audible, Ltd

Great fun!

I had started to worry when I was 3 hours in and Quail had only been introduced. (Worried it was going to turn out to be all about an MI6 mole hunt)
But once it’s all set up, it settles in the more active bad-ass guy takes on the world story.

There are some interesting developments, who becomes an ally, Titus’s backstory, his relationships, some of the plot… not twists, I guess—aspects. There’s a love aspect to it I didn’t expect— but unlike some books like this, it wasn’t obligatory in theory but superfluous in reality. ( like the bond-girl, or annoying but always sexy person the hero has to save ). I felt it added to the story and characters. Gave them depth and heart. Made me care for “their” sake, not just me wanting to know what happens.

The narrator is fun. It’s like being told a story— not childrens bedtime story like some of them do. More like a campfire story, or someone acting out a scene. Sometimes a bit incongruous with action scenes, but I didn’t mind. His voices are excellent. Different accents as they travelled around the world. Differentiating voices, including a distinct voice and pacing for narration vs voices. It was fun to listen to. He hooked me.

Written differently or possibly with different narrator I might have gotten impatient… but I didn’t. It’s a very Rich book, as in layers and details. Excessive scene or supporting character details , wanting him to get to the exciting stuff. But again, I didn’t. More like I settled in and surrendered to the story. Ok Titus/John- you win. Set the scene, paint me a picture—I’m in for the ride.