Enjoyable New Series

I just heard the fifth book came out so I decided I had better get on board and start listening with this one.
Immediately the book draws you into the story wanting to see what happens to characters you don't even know yet. John Wells is so deep undercover neither side in the War on Terror trusts him.
Berenson quickly establishes Wells' isolation and drive. He's sent back into the US by al qaeda's #2, zawahiri, with an unknown objective.
I found it very interesting to see America through Wells' eyes after he's been in Afghanistan and Pakistan for several years as the extravagant wealth assaults his senses. He struggles to be trusted by the CIA, who believe he may have turned, and isn't trusted by his al qaeda contacts inside the country. I found myself moving through the pages eagerly to find out if Wells ever gets the upper hand and stops the terrorists.
I was glad to see that the book's resolution doesn't miraculously end the War on Terror or destroy al qaedea or any pie-in-the-sky wrap up like that. My only issues was that the book ended very abruptly however I still enjoyed listening to this book very much and am planning on continuing in the series very soon.

Robertson Dean was excellent with the delivery of the story

25 people found this helpful

Faithful Spy

Very good book, in the post 911 anti-terrorist genre. I am really into spy novels, and I am glad I found Alex Bereson. I have exhausted classic master such as John Le Carre, and read through all of Daniel Silva's books. Berenson's is pretty close. For the female spy novel fans, there is just enough romance and internal character emotional struggle to make it not 100% macho.

58 people found this helpful

Riveting and Timely

The reader does an excellent job with a good story line. This is one of those rare espionage books about Al Queda that is easy to follow, well read, with a main character that you learn to care about. I almost gave it 4 stars instead because there are a few scenarios that seem unlikely. However, when I ask myself how this book compares to the scores of other books I've listened to in this genre I have to admit I was thoroughly entertained. This book has less action and bravado than a Vince Flynn novel but is a smarter read. You will not be disappointed.

56 people found this helpful

I suppose it's unfair to be dissappointed

When I want to lose myself in a thriller, I'm hoping to be swept up in a sophisticated plot, believable dialogue, and complex characters in a well described, interesting setting. I'm thinking of the works of Le Carre, Alan Furst, Cruz Smith. I made it through "The Faithful Spy", in the same way you can make it through a mediocre meal. A bit of a slog, but you paid for it, it probably won't hurt you, and it seems somehow impolite not to clean your plate..

Berenson has won an Edgar award and so I expected better. While this book isn't driven by sex scenes or much pointless gore, it just doesn't have much in it that was very interesting to me. The descriptions of the methods and plots of the terrorists were adequately captivating and terrifying, by far the most interesting aspects of the book, but the rest of the story was a trudge.

I found the characters to be shallow and unengaging, the plot mundane and predictable. Berenson's powers of description rate a C at best. I'm still chuckling at the image of the hero lying critically ill and wounded while his boss is "hopping around the hospital room on his skinny legs"; and wondering what sort of noise the heroine made that was "between a grunt and a sigh". The stereotypical stoic hero, bad boss, love at first sight, and evil terrorists are all included and nothing about any of them is intriguing, and so none of them are very memorable. I'll be surprised if I have any recollection of this book in six weeks and I certainly won't be looking for "more like this".

The narration is within the realm of what seems to be considered competent, but no better than that. For me, this was a mediocre listen. It is, at best, a pretty standard thriller. Looking back at the promotion and other comments I think I should have been able to surmise that.

8 people found this helpful

Great start to the John Wells series!

Alex Berenson writes superb espionage action thrillers. This 10 year old novel is among the very best of the John Wells series. The development of the Wells character is outstanding. Wells is absolutely unique among the espionage characters. He is likely closest Victor the Assassin by Tom Wood. Great read! This is the only book in the series not narrated by George Guidall, Dean is not as good as Guidall, but he does an excellent job.

I highly recommend The Faithful Spy and all other novels in the Wells series.

14 people found this helpful

magnificent

This is a tremendously successful effort by this author. I found this novel spellbinding and could not put my iPod down until I had heard the entire book. Why are there not more of Berenson's novels on Audible???

21 people found this helpful

What a Ride!

My job commute was never so enthralling as I listened to The Faithful Spy. John is a strong and believable character due to the excellent reading by Robertson Dean. Mr. Dean brought the story alive and Alex Berenson can surely put together an intriguing spin on the current machinations of the Taliban and their minions. Thank you for the ride of a lifetime on my car stereo, you made traffic just disappear from my mind. Awesome job to both writer and reader!!

26 people found this helpful

Changing reader a good idea

What did you like best about The Faithful Spy? What did you like least?

I thought the story was good. Held my interest most of the way.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

no. Good strong voice but did a poor job on some of the characters.

Was The Faithful Spy worth the listening time?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Changing readers for later novels was a great idea.

5 people found this helpful

Once You've Listened to Vince Flynn, well.......

I really wish I had found Vince Flynn AFTER listening to a number of other authors, including this one. Of course the Bourne Identity rates right up there too. But everything else I've listened to pales in comparison. Based on the reviews, I am going to listen to one more book from Alex Berenson, and I have not tried Barry Eisner yet, but to those who really like Spy thrillers, who have not read Vince Flynn yet, try these first. You might find less disappointment when you finally get to Vince Flynn.

5 people found this helpful

Great spy story

The book feels as if Alex Berenson took this right out of the daily news. John Wells is a deep spy who has worked his way up in al Qaeda. He has been under cover for years and this is beginning to take its' toil on him. He is sent to the U.S. to be ready for a strike against America. Is this to be a "dirty bomb", chemical or biological attack? The story suspense builds as he waits and is sent on trial missions to test his loyalty. Then every thing happens at a brake neck speed. Lots of suspense, action and a great ending to the story. Robertson Dean did a great job narrating the story. This was my first book by Alex Berenson but it won't be the last.

29 people found this helpful