Agent 6
Tom Rob Smith, read by Dennis Boutsikaris. Hachette Audio, unabridged, 11 CDs, 13 hrs., $34.98 ISBN 978-1-61113-990-7
In his third and final novel featuring Russian policeman Leo Demidov, Smith covers three decades in his protagonist’s life, beginning in Stalinist Russia in 1950 when Demidov meets his soon-to-be-wife, Raisa. Then it’s on to 1965, when the cold war thaws enough for Raisa and their two adopted daughters to travel to New York and get caught up in a deadly conspiracy. The book operates on several levels, as a spy thriller, a study of obsession, and a harsh criticism of political expediency, and narrator Dennis Boutsikaris finds a splendidly sardonic voice that captures all three. When it comes to dialogue, much of it from the mouths of Smith’s carefully crafted Russian characters, Boutsikaris uses a minimal accent and a slightly brusque, typically Slavic manner of speech. Equally commendable is his subtle approach to female voices: a softening and mild shift in pitch. Worthy of special notice is his vocal choice for Jessie Austin, a world famous African-American singer and avowed Communist. It’s vaguely Southern, educated, and filled with the wonder of the politically naïve. A Grand Central hardcover. (Jan.)
Details
Reviewed on: 03/26/2012
Genre: Audio
Compact Disc - 6 pages - 978-0-85720-640-4
Compact Disc - 12 pages - 978-0-85720-641-1
Compact Disc - 978-1-61969-295-4
Compact Disc - 978-1-60788-683-9
Downloadable Audio - 798 pages - 978-1-4423-4803-5
Downloadable Audio - 978-1-3985-2509-2
Hardcover - 704 pages - 978-1-4555-0726-9
Hardcover - 543 pages - 978-1-84737-567-4
Hardcover - 545 pages - 978-1-84737-568-1
Hardcover - 480 pages - 978-0-446-55076-5
MP3 CD - 978-1-61113-101-7
Open Ebook - 330 pages - 978-1-60941-653-9
Open Ebook - 1 pages - 978-1-61113-102-4
Other - 560 pages - 978-1-84737-976-4
Other - 978-0-446-57399-3
Paperback - 544 pages - 978-0-446-58308-4
Paperback - 560 pages - 978-1-4711-3349-7
Pre-Recorded Audio Player - 978-1-61113-062-1
