• The Good Son

  • By: Michael Gruber
  • Narrated by: Neil Shah
  • Length: 17 hrs and 5 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (248 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
The Good Son  By  cover art

The Good Son

By: Michael Gruber
Narrated by: Neil Shah
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $21.80

Buy for $21.80

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Michael Gruber, a member of the elite ranks of those who can both “chill the blood and challenge the mind” (Denver Post), delivers a taut, multilayered, riveting novel of suspense.

Somewhere in Pakistan, Sonia Laghari and eight fellow members of a symposium on peace are being held captive by armed terrorists. Laghari, a deeply religious woman as well as a Jungian psychologist, has become the de facto leader of the kidnapped group. While her son, Theo, an ex-Delta soldier, uses his military connections to find and free the victims, Sonia Laghari tries to keep them all alive by working her way into the kidnappers’ psyches and interpreting their dreams. With her knowledge of their language, her familiarity with their religion, and her Jungian training, she confounds her captors with her insights and beliefs. When the kidnappers decide to kill their captives one by one, in retaliation for perceived crimes against their country, Theo races against the clock to try and save their lives.

©2010 Michael Gruber (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Superb….the brilliant character development and labyrinthine plot line, not to mention the absorbing history of modern jihadism and the U.S. war on terrorism, make this a provocative thriller that readers won't soon forget.” ( Publishers Weekly)
“Gruber leaves his own mark on the thriller scene.” ( New York Times)
“Gruber weaves the threads together masterfully while successfully exploring themes of family, duty, loyalty, cultural identity and more, without ever slowing the momentum. Smart, tense and vastly entertaining.” ( Kirkus Reviews)

What listeners say about The Good Son

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    105
  • 4 Stars
    84
  • 3 Stars
    39
  • 2 Stars
    11
  • 1 Stars
    9
Performance
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    85
  • 4 Stars
    56
  • 3 Stars
    22
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    3
Story
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    81
  • 4 Stars
    49
  • 3 Stars
    28
  • 2 Stars
    7
  • 1 Stars
    4

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

The Last Hour Was Good ...

... the first 17, not so much. I found no sympathy for the two principal characters. Only Cynthia, the NSA employee, was interesting because she introduced some tension into the story. Add to that - Mr. Shah read the story as one would deliver a parable or fairy tale, rendering each description and dialogue broad and sweeping. A poor reading can ruin a good book; perhaps I would have enjoyed the story more had the delivery been more straightforward. Another of Mr. Gruber's books I read in hard copy was very good. But that's beside the point. *This* product was long, tiring, and boring.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!