The Book of Spies

I forced myself to listen all the way to the end but often while standing in line at places or sitting on planes...just passing the time and figuring, what the heck, I paid for it, I'll listen. It was another book about secret documents and all kinds of clues that are just bizarre and not believable (and I'm willing to suspend a LOT of disbelief when I read). So, I would have to say, thumbs down on this one. The narrator, however was good with her many voices. A few word pronunciation problems but not many. I would listen to other books she narrates.

This is a book worth downloading only if you have an extra credit kicking around. I picked it up on a whim, and kind of wish I had my credit back.

It is not often that I am predisposed to write any sort of review, however, I felt I had to comment on this one - the story itself has good momentum, and ultimately it ends well - very James Bond kind of a tale - but then there is the hour long history lesson at the end. I'm not adverse to learning about illuminated manuscripts and their corresponding history, and while it is interesting to me (I minored in art history with a focus on medieval art & architecture) the gross amount of historiana coupled with a James Bond type spy story was much like eating chocolate and then topping that off with a big bowl of bran.

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The Book of Spies
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Title:
"Poor on all counts."
Review:
I've been listening to audible spy stories for as long as I can remember and this is one of the very worst. The writing is pompous and boring and reminded me why I don't read/listen to Ludlum any more (and I read all his early books). This is my first time with the narrator (Reading) and the last. She has a Laura Linney voice (no offense Ms Linney) -- totaly expressionless -- flat as a mill pond. She uses the same tone of voice for 70 mph car wrecks as she does for making toast in the morning. She does a wonderful Brit accent, but unfortunately that is only 2% of the story. She does enjoy saying "pea coat" which the author uses about every 5 pages or so, and it's refreshing to hear her find something she enjoys in the book. All-in-all, could have been a good yarn, but this author/narrator combo took care of that. Save your hard-earned money.

It was entertaining and a good "Filler" book until my credits became available. It is worth the download but not anywhere near the best I've read lately.

Biggest problem - I didn't like the reader. A good reader makes me forget that he or sheis there. This reader was bad enough that I was constantly aware of timing, vocal inflection, etc. This really takes away from the book.
The story itself is definitely cookie cutter. I probably would have enjoyed it more with a different reader.

I have insomnia so I listen to books in the middle of the night - I like to be read back to sleep ... well I can not recommend this book for that purpose ... I started this book at 1:30 in the morning for the second time thinking I could sleep thru it ... no such luck! ... 4 hours later I realized I was hooked - AGAIN! ... my preference leans to straight up fast paced mystery-thrillers and this one is a very entertaining story - good twists and turns without feeling like your lost in the plot ... Kate Reading does a superb job reading the story ... another fun listen!

Here is a great story and all credit to Gayle Lynds as author and Kate Reading as narrator. This fast paced adventure has plenty of goodies and baddies and surprises once the identity of each became apparent. I liked the frequent inclusion of first person dialogue and that tedious passages of over detailed description were kept to a minimum. I will certainly be looking for more from this author.

It was a very interesting listening! With action, suspense, mystery and a lost library to find! Not the fisrt time someone uses the library of Alexandria, but still a most exciting listen.

I came to this book after Gayle Lynds Covert novel (Ludlum) and was very pleased with the story and the narration. Even my non-audiobook daughter loved it. And this narrator is perfect for this book.