The Talbot Odyssey

By: Nelson DeMille

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 22 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's Summary

For 40 years Western intelligence agents have known a terrible secret: the Russians have a mole - code-named Talbot - inside the CIA. At first Talbot is suspected of killing European agents. Then a street-smart ex-cop uncovers a storm of espionage and murder on the streets of New York, while in a Long Island suburb a civic demonstration against the Russian mission masks a desperate duel of nerves and wits.

Engineered by Talbot, a shadow world of suspicion and deceit is spilling onto the streets - leading to a new Soviet weapon and a first-strike war plan threatening the foundations of American government.

For the U.S., time is running out. For Talbot, the time is now.

©2001 Nelson DeMille (P)2010 Hachette Audio

Too bloody

I would say it is a series of inventive ways to kill people. The story is about trying to prevent an attack by Russia on the US. In preventing a mass killing numerous people are knocked off individually.

Too Many Characters

Would you try another book from Nelson DeMille and/or Scott Brick?

I'm a Nelson DeMille fan and have enjoyed every other book he has written. Scott Brick is my favorite narrator - if he read the phone book I might be interested in listening - but even he couldn't save this book.

What could Nelson DeMille have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

There were just too many characters. It was hard to keep track of the plot while trying to keep track of who was doing what to whom.

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

Scott Brick does a wonderful Russian accent, but with so many to characterize it was difficult to distinguish who was speaking and with the addition of the characters with British accents, it became auditory chaos for me.

What character would you cut from The Talbot Odyssey?

I can't decide which character should have been cut, I think the better choice would be to combine several characters into one and streamline the cast.

13 in a dozen

How a good writer like DeMille can start off a terrific book and then convert to a plot which can be found in 99% of cheap thrill books is unclear to me.
A former NY cop, some old farts and his rich girlfriend save the world from total destruction within the last minute .... throughout the book I feared such an outcome but then I though DeMille might surprise us ... he didn't ... all in all great writer, boring story 13 in a dozen plots.... very dissapointed

Not My Favorite

Love DeMille, read all his books, this one left me a bit disappointed. Too many superfluous characters, time line really hard to follow. Story line was totally not believable. Only thing that saved the book was the amazing read by Scott Brick.

Read the John Corey Books or Charm School Instead

What disappointed you about The Talbot Odyssey?

I'm a big DeMille fan. Really liked all the John Corey books. This one is a disappointment, though. Plot is a bit confusing, characters aren't convincing, and action seems forced. Scott Brick does a great job, as always, but can't rescue the story.

Too Unbelievable and Too Violent

I love Scott Brick and Nelson DeMille but I was disappointed by this book. It was just a bit too unbelievable for me. It was downright silly in parts and I'm not into gratuitous violence. I actually didn't bother to finish the book.

Enjoyed

I liked this book, I like almost everything Nelson DeMille writes and Scott Brick narrates. I always listen to unabridged when available and the only minor issue I had with this book is given its length at times I had to go back and listen to a parts again. My issue I suspect.

As always great book and great narrator!

The good old days.

We had a well defined enemy. They captivated our imaginations and kept us from eating each other. Alas no more. Who would have thought it possible to miss the Great Bear of the USSR? And not just for some possible election meddling.

a fun flashback to the cold war

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Any one who remembers the cold war will love this book. It is an interesting read full of plot twist and surprises. A really fun listen filled his DeMille’s sly humor. It captures the tone of the nation before the fall of the wall.

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Scott Brick’s mastery of the different accents really makes this book one that should be listened to. He is also able to amplify the humor.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Just very entertained and glad that the cold war is over

Not his best but still worth the read

I liked this book and as a fan of all thing DeMille I found this to satisfy. I love the hero always a wise cracking and often an "accidental" charter in volved in something they had no intention or want to be in but seem to make the best of it.