The Persian

A Novel

De: David McCloskey

Narrado por: Fajer Al-Kaisi

From former CIA analyst and best-selling author David McCloskey, a novel that takes listeners deep into the shadow war between Iran and Israel.

Kamran Esfahani, a dentist living out a dreary existence in Stockholm, agrees to spy for the Mossad after he’s recruited by Arik Glitzman, the chief of a clandestine unit tasked with running targeted assassinations and sabotage inside Iran. At Glitzman’s direction, Kam returns to his native Tehran and opens a dental practice there, using it as a cover for the Israeli intelligence agency. Kam proves to be a skillful asset, quietly earning money helping Glitzman smuggle weapons, run surveillance, and conduct kidnappings. But when Kam tries to recruit an Iranian widow seeking to avenge the death of her husband at the hands of the Mossad, the operation goes terribly wrong, landing him in prison under the watchful eye of a sadistic officer whom he knows only as the “General.”

And now, after enduring three years of torture in captivity, Kamran Esfahani sits in an interrogation room across from the General, preparing to write his final confession.

Kam knows it is too late to save himself. But he has managed to keep one secret—only one—and he just might be able to save that. In this haunting thriller, careening between Tehran and Tel Aviv, Istanbul and Stockholm, David McCloskey delivers an intricate story of vengeance, deceit, and the power of love and forgiveness in a world of lies.

©2025 David McCloskey (P)2025 Audible, Inc.

The narrator keeps you listening

For the first time ever, for me, the narrator kept me listening to this slow starting story. It was also McCloskey’s reputation as a brilliant writer that kept me going. It was difficult to get into this book but then it really takes off. The narrator did a beautiful job narrating. I am sure, I’m assuming from his name, that the characters were easy to play for him. The accents were beautifully acted, as well as the male and female characters. McCloskey's last book was so hard to get over. A great book with a heart wrenching ending. I thought this one was going to be the same. Phew. Many times in this book I cheered and booed at the same characters, most especially Glitman. Such a unique way of telling this story. You sort of know the ending…. Kamran gets caught. The back and forth between the present and the past is cleverly told. This book makes me wonder, today in 2025, if there will ever be peace in these historic areas, Iran, Israel, Iraq, Jordan etc. So many thrillers I have read, written well over 20 years, tell the same sad story. McCloskey is such a talented, creative and clever storyteller. Bravo, congratulations and a job well done!

Well done

Good intrigue, compelling characters, and a satisfying ending make this an excellent espionage novel. David McCloskey is joining the ranks of the top writers in the genre today

McCloskey's best yet

Engrossing story and extraordinary narration. I've just discovered this contemporary writer and his books have been the hit of my summer reading/listening. Keep them coming!

Really unique use of the timeline!

Exciting read that touches on current events. Does not seem far fetched at all in today’s world.

Slow start - Excellent Finish

The author was ambitious in his use of timeline and it really grates at the start - similarly the narrator over acts - but both the story and narrator improve markedly … overall it was a great read that I am glad I stuck with

How flat the main character, Kam, feels.

I really wanted to like The Persian. I’ve enjoyed David McCloskey’s earlier work but this one just didn’t land for me. I spent five chapters trying to figure out why I should even care about Kam and the character never quite took shape. The story feels a bit weak and familiar. Not terrible, just uninspired. Maybe it will click for someone else but it wasn’t my cup of tea this time. I’d say skip it and wait for his next one.