The Charm School

I have read at least 200 books in the last couple of years and mostly murder mysteries. This book falls into that category but also a great history lesson with Russia in years past and possibly present. It is fiction, but truly possible. Maybe the Charm School itself is not truly realistic but it doesn't matter. This was a book that made me want to call in sick from work and just get into it until the end. It is not a happy book and not totally a happy ending but it is a glimpse of a piece of our history with Russia that certainly could have happened and in other ways, probably did. I consider this book one of two that I have read that I consider the best I've ever listened to. The other book of this caliber is "Black Cross" by Greg Iles. Do not miss this one either. I love murder mysteries with cops and robbers and all of that but these are truly special and not to be missed. I will definitely read this book and Black Cross again in the future. They are both astounding in my estimation.

This is a bit like "The Truman Show" mixed in with espionage and the KGB. The premise is plausible and that's what makes it SO terrifying. Of course there are some unbelievable events - that's fiction for you - but listening to this now reminded me of the fear we all had of the Russians back when I was a kid.

I never really knew how this would go and that's what I like about DeMille as an author. His books are just as good today as they are when they were new. This is a good, long listen.

This book does not insult the intelligence. It feeds thrills upon thrills of unexpected plot twist and turns. I lost so many hours of sleep because I could not turn off my bedside compact audio book player tuned for 30 min and then sleep. I kept resetting it for another 30 min....and then another 30 minutes...and then...heck, I was so stimulated I could not sleep and had to take a sleep aid if I wanted 6.5 hours sleep before work. Nelson Demille has created a true fan in me. Just get this book. It is one of the best I have read in 60 years, to include 4.5 years as a USMC officer. Love spy craft? This is a fine read.

Very very gripping. Scott Brick's reading is superb. He imitates accents and inflections really well. While I know the book is fiction. It's also feasible at least by analogy and in that disturbing.

DeMille has a talent of making me laugh even in the most outrageous circumstances. This was a very different setting than the typical DeMille books, but I found it to be very informative and entertaining. No matter what the subject matter, his dry humor and wit make his books interesting plus this one adds a history lesson. A little long and rambling in some spots, but easy to overlook if you just enjoy the story rather than analyze the circumstances behind it.

I almost passed on this book. I could not see how
this supposed 'thriller' could be related to a 'Charm School'. Wow! Was I ever wrong.
The detailed description of the Country was so thorough I felt as though I were on a tour.
I love this author. Mr. Brick did a yeoman's job
The last quarter of the story was totally unexpected.

I have listened to 2-3 books per month for 3 years. This is a top 5, for sure. I am going back to see what other Nelson DeMille books I will download next!

This is the best Audio Book I have listened to since joining many years ago. Scott Brick's naration is superb.

I know a lot of you love Scott Brick as a narrator, and I will give him credit for his Russian. That being said, I find his sing-song narrating obnoxious. There! I said it!

I have listened to all of Nelson DeMille's books that audible has and I've read others in print. I have to say, this book had real potential and then went absolutely nowhere. This is the first book I've actually fast forwarded through. Also, I used to love listening to Scott Brick but he's really wearing on me. Far too dramatic. There were times where he may have been reading a non-dramatic sentence but read it with such thrust and drama that I was becoming annoyed.

This book could have been cut in half and it might have been better. The xenophobia was over the top in this one. Bad, bad Russia -- enough already! We get it! Overall, I was very disappointed.