The Travelers

A Novel

By: Chris Pavone

Narrated by: Paul Michael

In this “Hitchcockian thriller” (The Washington Post), an ordinary man becomes embroiled in a deadly plot with terrifying global implications—from the New York Times bestselling author of The Doorman.

“When it comes to quick-witted, breathless thrillers that trot the globe, [Pavone’s] are top-tier.”—The New York Times

A NEW YORK POST AND ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

It’s 3:00am. Do you know where your husband is?

Will Rhodes’s life as a travel writer and a new husband look perfect from the outside. But behind this façade, he’s barely solvent, his idealism rapidly giving way to disillusionment, to the increasing worry that he’s living the wrong life, with the wrong person. Then one night in Argentina, a beautiful woman makes him an offer that he can’t resist, then a very different sort of offer that he can’t refuse.

Soon Will’s bad choices and dark secrets take him across Europe, from a Bordeaux chateau to a midnight raid in Paris, from a mega-yacht in the Mediterranean to an isolated cabin perched on the rugged cliffs of Iceland. It quickly becomes clear that nothing about Will’s life was ever ordinary. That the network of deception ensnaring him is part of an immense conspiracy with complex origins in World War II—and that the people closest to him pose the greatest threat of all.

It’s 3:00am. Your husband has just become a spy.

Very satisfying book

Well written, beautiful narration. Well worth the investment of time and money. If you like spy novels you should like this one!

Chris Pavone Does It Again

Chris Pavone's writing is awe inspiring. He character development is something you only find among the best writers in any form of writing. To me his books are two in one. One obviously is the thriller which doesn't try to glamorize the ruthless world of spies. The other "book" is his study of people, how we think, what makes us tick, and the questions we ask ourselves about our lives everyday. In other words it is the thinking person's thriller. Great reader.

An entertaining and cinematic spy thriller

It felt like a lot like a film, not only in its premise and spy thriller genre hallmarks but in the way it was written. Not a bad thing at all, kept me engaged and entertained throughout.
Great escapism, also nicely situated in reality, one could really imagine something like this happening in real life.
I have no doubt this will be developed into a film and I'm sure it won't live up to the book :)

A fresh new take on the espionage thriller

What did you love best about The Travelers?

It felt a little more realistic than many espionage thrillers. The "reluctant hero" wasn't quite the trope that we're used to and I felt that the situations were realistic and kept my interest.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Absolutely. There was just enough back and forth between scenes and characters to keep me listening.

Which scene was your favorite?

There were several good scenes, but the final "showdown" was particularly well done without being over the top.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I wouldn't say I was "moved", but I really enjoyed the novel and expect that I'll be reading/listening to more of Mr. Pavone's work.

Any additional comments?

Very enjoyable book. Definitely worth the listen or read.

I was looking for a great book ...

I found it. It doesn’t peak and valley. It builds and builds and never looks back. It’s brilliantly paced and manages to surprise again and again. Really hoping to read more about Will Rhodes. Paul Michael as a narrator is everything a professional narrator should aspire to be. Not one complaint. Get this book. You always have room for one more amazing experience.