The Saboteur

A Novel

By: Andrew Gross

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

Length: 11 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

February 1943. Both the Allies and the Nazis are closing in on attempts to construct the decisive weapon of the war.

Kurt Nordstrum, an engineer in Oslo, puts his life aside to take up arms against the Germans as part of the Norwegian resistance. After the loss of his fiancée, his outfit whittled to shreds, he commandeers a coastal steamer and escapes to England to transmit secret evidence of the Nazis' progress toward an atomic bomb at an isolated factory in Norway. There, he joins a team of dedicated Norwegians in training in the Scottish Highlands for a mission to disrupt the Nazis' plans before they advance any further.

Parachuted onto the most unforgiving terrain in Europe, braving the fiercest of mountain storms, Nordstrum and his team attempt the most daring raid of the war, targeting the heavily guarded factory built on a shelf of rock thought to be impregnable, a mission even they know they likely will not survive. Months later Nordstrum is called upon again to do the impossible, opposed by both elite Nazi soldiers and a long-standing enemy who is now a local collaborator - one man against overwhelming odds, with the fate of the war in the balance, but the choice to act means putting the one person he has a chance to love in peril.

Based on the stirring true story, The Saboteur is Andrew Gross's follow-up to the riveting historical thriller The One Man. A richly woven story probing the limits of heroism, sacrifice, and determination, The Saboteur portrays a hero who must weigh duty against his heart in order to single-handedly end the one threat that could alter the course of the war.

©2017 Andrew Gross (P)2017 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Gross's saboteur is a champion of patriotic devotion and physical endurance, and Ballerini captures his grace and humanity, as well as his courage, in a manly timbre." - AudioFile Magazine

Wonderful Story

I am a big fan of World War II stories. This one was unlike any I’ve ever read. I found the story fascinating, liked the characters and the way the author brought them to life. Understanding what was happening in Norway gave me new insights into the war as a whole. This book is a tribute to the brave men who sacrificed their lives to save all of us from the Nazi atomic program.

Reads like a recycled movie script

I am a big fan of Mr. Gross. His last book was so well done it brought to life an important story from WWII. He tries again with a different event but this time he makes it a straight-up melodrama. First half fells like a remake of The Dirty Dozen. Last section is right out of Titanic. Know this was not going well when the plot points are telegraphed 5o pages early. Mr. Ballerini narration style did not work for this material. He reads each line with heavy melodrama. Kind of like he want us to think every line is profound and important. Had the opposite effect on me.

This is a diverting listen but not in the same league with his last book.

Slow at times but great ending

Love this narrator, such a dependable strong voice for characters. Had never read much about Norway in the World War II efforts, great historical fiction. Had some significantly slow parts in the beginning and middle, but great ending. Which also means it was a horrible and slightly suspenseful ending, but great nonetheless

Even better than The One Man!

Another well written, very engrossing highly believable (because it did happen-sort of) story by Andrew Gross. Terrific plot with great dialog and very well read. 10/10.

not Edoardo Ballerini

The description is incorrect on who is narrating this book. I love Edoardo Ballerini and this isn't him. sounds like Scott brick

Did not like

I enjoyed the book about the Holocaust but this one was really slow and the story was pretty boring. I forced myself to get through 1/2 the book and just lost interest. I would not recommend this book to anyone. The narrator did a fair job, but it didnt help the overall story. Wont be getting another book by this author.

Bravo!

Another winner from Andrew Gross. I purchased and enjoyed “The One Man” and this is another thrilling, suspenseful masterpiece of historical fiction that kept me on the edge of my seat. As with The One Man, Edoardo Ballerini gives a masterful performance that adds so much richness to the telling of this story.

Excellent

This was an excellent book. The story line kept me interested. The storyteller did a great job, I would listen to him again and again.

Another good one

I read “The Man” and loved it. Thought I would try another. I was pleased again.

A great book

A great book, loved the anticipation. One two three four five six seven eight nine