Black Vault

A Short Story

By: Alma Katsu

Narrated by: David de Vries

Length: 2 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

From the acclaimed author of Red London and Red Widow comes a heart-pounding thriller about a dispirited spy who gets a chance to find the truth as he tackles the mystery of unexplained aerial phenomena.

When CIA officer Craig Norton glimpses an unexplainable object in the sky over Mongolia, he can’t quite believe it. Frankly, he isn’t sure Langley will either. Despite his misgivings, Craig reports the sighting in a cable to headquarters detailing the incident.

Fast-forward fifteen years. Craig is still reeling from the report that tanked his career and his personal life. That fleeting moment on the Mongolian steppe made him a pariah at the Agency, and he still hasn’t recovered. At this point, he doubts he ever will.

But when the navy confirms on national television reports of unexplained aerial phenomena, Craig finds himself pulled back into the fold. Assigned to a CIA task force investigating sightings of unexplained aerial phenomena—including his own—Craig stumbles upon a mystery that could strain global relations and expose an international cover-up.

For a spy humbled by his own instincts, the search for the truth could finally mean a chance at redemption—or place him directly in the path of a dangerous conspiracy.

©2023 Alma Katsu. (P)2023 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Alma Katsu doesn’t miss

I love spies and office politics. This was a delightful story. I’m off to read all her backlist now.

I saw one, too

In the late 1950s - 60s, everyone was consumed with two almost-conspiracy headlines: Commies and UFOs. McCarthy beat the drum on the Commies behind every bush. ruined lives e.g. Oppenheimer er al, and was finally drummed out of the government. UFOs, on the other hand, persisted. from middle class housewives to alcoholic wackos living in trailers in the desert, the belief persisted. It has become embedded in our societal fabric. The Truth was out there.

So the book - a short that encapsulates our views of secret government programs so good at hiding the truth that they even hide it from themselves. This is a rich, delightful story about a man and one singular incident that shaped his career and his life. All he wanted was to not be labeled a crackpot or used as a scapegoat but he was. This is his revenge tour.

Well worth the 2+ hour listen.
Bravo, Alma Katsu.

Not What I Expected-Great Narration

I had read Wehr Wolf, another short story by this author and it was excellent. This had an intriguing premise. It had a lot of character development but was disappointing. The main character didn't seem suitable for the profession and his actions were often questionable. The story was mostly told in flashbacks and the ending was very disappointing to me. I guess after reading Preston and Child and expecting great payoffs, few can match. Narration fit the book.

Excellent

I love all of Alma Katsu’s novels. She is a brilliant author. I really enjoy reading her books about the CIA and spy world which she knows about because she worked for them and lived in Northern VA and Maryland so can write about the area and it brings back memories as I’m from Northern Virginia. This book was great. I loved the story and it parallels what is occurring with the government declassifying UFOs. All her books are recommended.

I will look for more books read by David de Vries.

I liked the story. There is certainly a possibility for a more robust book in the future. Who wouldn't enjoy reading about uncovering the mysteries hidden by the 'spooks' of the world. There's plenty in the news to raise questions about the truth. I think someone once said The Truth Is Out There, but what could be harder, finding the TRUTH or a reliable (living) source?
I believe the narration by David de Vries set the right tone for the story.

Quick story that keeps your attention

A CIA analyst who has been ‘blacklisted’ for 15yrs because of something he reported, gets a chance to redeem himself…and uncovers a deep spy. Maybe Craig wasn’t such a mediocre agent after all.

The truth is out there!

Completely different from my other Alma Katsu reads. I’ve read her horror books and they are outstanding. I wanted to try her spy novels next… it did not disappoint. Go in without expectations.

zzzzzzzzzzz

i can't tell you how many times i nodded off while listening to this short story. the whiney, woe is me narrative inside the main character's head was maddening. i definitely would've stopped if it had been a book, but figured i could do anything for 2 1/2 hours. the ONLY redeeming factor was the ending. i couldn't wait for Audible Hopes You Enjoyed.........