The Kingmaker

Sean Drummond Series, Book 3

By: Brian Haig

Narrated by: Joe Barrett

Length: 11 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

"Listen, Drummond, your client betrayed this country in ways too horrible to contemplate..."

In the history of espionage, there's never been one like him. But Major Sean Drummond never says die. Especially when an old flame begs him to defend her brigadier general husband in the biggest treason case in US history. And even when Drummond is up against the fiercest prosecutor in the Army and fighting two murder charges. With an unconventional and beautiful co-counsel, Drummond plunges into an investigation that will unearth a damning array of secrets and cover-ups - and reveal a master manipulator who doesn't care who or what goes up in flames - as long as Drummond's client burns.

©2003 Brian Haig (P)2016 Tantor

Critic Reviews

"Haig seems to get better with each book, and Drummond is a marvelously imperfect hero." (Library Journal)

Sean Drummond is forever bucking the big shots

This is the third book in the Sean Drummond series. I am so glad that this has finally been done on Audible. As with the other books in this series it has nail biting tension, action, humor, sarcasm and a Great espionage story. Brian Haig is in my opinion the best author for this genre. I am really hoping that since the series is being filled in that maybe he will begin actively writing again.
Joe Barrett does an excellent job narrating. His timing is perfect and he gets where to emphasize, especially the sarcasm.
This book is MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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Drummond is such a jerk & I love him

This one was a little different, especially toward the end. In the first books I listened to the narrator drove me crazy but guess he's grown on me. The DeMille type humor captures me every time. Haig doesn't employ exactly DeMille humor but both make me laugh with their disrespectful attitudes.

I enjoyed this a bit more than the rest so far. Good listen.

Audible finally has all 9 Brian Haig novels!

It's true that Private Sector is not yet available in unabridged format, but the other 8 are. Brian Haig is an outstanding author of legal, military, and espionage thrillers. But he has released only 9 novels in 15 years as an author. Haig and Vince Flynn were scheduled to release a jointly written novel when Flynn died of prostate cancer in 2013. I still hope that Haig will complete and release that novel.

The Kingmaker is a great legal and espionage thriller and it is Novel 3 in the Sean Drummond military legal thriller series. Seven of Haig's novels are in the Drummond series. Major Drummond (who is a colonel in more recent novels) is a wise cracking Army JAG lawyer who always manages to win against long odds. In Kingmaker he teams up with a Russian speaking female civilian lawyer to defend an one star Army general indicted for treason. The general is married to Drummond's college girl friend. Joe Barrett does a stellar job of narration. I VERY HIGHLY RECOMMEND Kingmaker and all of Brian Haig's novels.

3/4 of the book is great, the ending not so much

Haig writes a more sophisticated thriller than many. He incorporates many shades of grey often showing how black and white often doesn't exist. My complaint is how this story wrapped up. Spoiler alert: From the point in the story where Sean goes off to Siberia to the end was a disappointment and really didn't fit with the rest of the book. I have listened to all of Haig's books that are available and enjoyed everyone except this one. Am I glad I listened? yes, but will I ever listen to it again, no. Book is better than most but I don't think up to the standards of other novels by this author.

A good balance of intrigue and entertainment.

Sean Drummond is a likable lawyer with a sense of humor and a clever wit. This is my third in the series and I look forward to more. As a JAG lawyer, Sean manages to become involved in some of the darker secret puzzles plaguing the CIA, FBI and other government agencies. This book has him defending a military officer who is charged with espionage. Just so happens the accused officer is married to one of Sean's old flames. It's complicated.

Awesome story line!!

Really enjoyed the twists and turns of this book. I didn't figure out who did it till almost the end. Love the narrator too!!!

Again, Another Great Read.

Would you listen to The Kingmaker again? Why?

I would if I wasn't too excited to listen to the next one. I have found Brian Haig to be my favorite author. His books hav twists and turns till the last chapter.

Have you listened to any of Joe Barrett’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, with this series, it's my first time, and I find myself enjoying his presentations.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

For the most part, yes.

One of those wonderful combinations of talent

Would you listen to The Kingmaker again? Why?

I don't listen to books twice--but I will listen to everything Brian Haig has available

What did you like best about this story?

This is a really special combination of author and narrator. I've listened to over 700 books from Audible, most in this genre and this author has an amazing ability to create a unique and believable plot using memorable prose. In how many such books can you say that you stopped to ponder a turn of phrase or a wonderful, knowing observation about life and shared emotion? I seriously wanted to stop and write down some of the illusions he made throughout.---Just Great

Which character – as performed by Joe Barrett – was your favorite?

Joe is one of a handful of the top narrators working in this category

Any additional comments?

If you haven't tried one of Haig's books you are missing something special

Great book, excellent. narrator!

Great follow up to the first book, can't wait for book 3. Sean Drummond rules!

Another homerun from Haig and Barrett.

I can't get enough of the books. The writing and narration are just phenomenal. Drummond and the stories themselves would make a great movie.