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The Book of Spies
- Author
- Gayle Lynds
- Narrator
- Kate Reading
- Publisher
- Blackstone Publishing
- Publish Date
- 30 March 2010
- Run Time
- 14 hours 43 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
Spoken of in hushed tones by those who know the story, the Library of Gold is a legendary collection of rare, priceless books from ages past. Lost to the world for centuries, its existence has come to be regarded as myth. But the Library of Gold is real, and secretly controlled by a mysterious cabal of the world's richest, most powerful men, who will stop at nothing to protect their interests.
Eva Blake, a rare-book expert and conservator, is in prison for a drunk-driving accident that she doesn’t remember—one that resulted in the death of her husband, an even more famous rare-book expert. When an undercover CIA agent named Tucker Andersen offers to get her released in exchange for her help and expertise on the Library of Gold, she is eager to oblige. A book said to be from the Library of Gold has recently surfaced, delivered anonymously to the CIA, and it is now on exhibit at the British Museum as bait to draw out those with knowledge of the library. Eva is sent to investigate the scene, and while there, she sees the one person she never expected to see again: her dead husband, Charles.
After Charles first flees, then tries to kill her, Eva finds herself in the midst of several powerful, secret forces who either want her dead or want to use her to find the Library of Gold. The only person unequivocally on her side is Judd Ryder, the son of an undercover CIA agent who was killed after he discovered a mysterious bank account tied to Islamic terrorists. Judd believes the bank account is somehow connected to the library, and he is determined to find those responsible for his father's death. Alone against the world, Eva and Judd must fight a wide net of ruthless enemies as they race to unravel the clues to the library's whereabouts before it vanishes once again into the sands of time.
Critics Review
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“Gayle Lynds is one of the best suspense writers in the world. The Book of Spies is…Da Vinci Code meets Bourne Identity.”
James Patterson, #1 New York Times bestselling author
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“Fascinating characters, nerve-tingling pace, and a great story…Gayle Lynds is one of the premiere espionage writers of our time.”
Vince Flynn, #1 New York Times bestselling author
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“Hands down the best book I’ve read all year. Grippingly paced, poignant, surprising with every turn of the page.”
James Rollins, New York Times bestselling author
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“Rich with history, breathtaking in plot and pacing, ripe with living, breathing characters we truly care about—or utterly fear—The Book of Spies will consume you from page one.”
Jeffery Deaver, New York Times bestselling author
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“Lynds has written more books with the team of Blake and Ryder at the helm but this is the one that started it all.“
Strand Magazine
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“Lynds’ new series features two multidimensional characters whose hidden depths are just starting to be revealed. When you begin a Lynds book, a roller-coaster ride is in store. This superbly fashioned tale is rich with history and never misses a beat as it jumps from one around-the-world stop to another. You never quite catch a breath as the many secrets are revealed, since you aren’t sure what might be around the corner. But then isn’t that why we love those thrill-seeking rides to begin with?”
RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick!)
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“Two complicated, appealing characters complement the satisfying, conspiracy-laden plot that smoothly moves throughout Europe at breakneck speed.”
Publishers Weekly
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“A thrilling, spy-laden, history-rich page-turner…Readers of both espionage and artifact novels should be well sated but will crave subsequent escapades with these characters.”
Library Journal
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“The pace is unrelenting and the villains unbelievably efficient and prescient…The story is tense and exciting…Kate Reading wrings every last drop of drama from the story; she handles the characterizations exceedingly well, creates plausible female and male characters of all age and accents, and keeps her audience enraptured.”
Publishers Weekly (starred audio review)
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“Actress-narrator Kate Reading brilliantly captures Lynds’ colorful descriptions, employing multiple accents and conveying a wide range of emotions…This thrilling tale of intrigue is perfect for audio and will appeal to listeners enjoying a complex story with roller-coaster turns.”
Library Journal (audio review)
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“There are plots within plots as the story progresses, with surprises at every turn…The end of the story is followed by a lengthy and fascinating piece in which the author traces the very real history of the Library of Gold.”
SoundCommentary.com
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“Narrator Kate Reading gives a well-paced performance that conveys the emotions tormenting Eva as she searches for the book, the library, and the ruthless men behind them. Reading never intrudes on the story. Rather, her style complements Eva’s intensity.”
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Details
- Author
- Gayle Lynds
- Narrator
- Kate Reading
- Duration
- 14 hours 43 minutes
- Release Date
- 30 March 2010
- ISBN
- 9781483066691
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Blackstone Publishing
- Genre
- Espionage and spy thriller
Synopsis
Spoken of in hushed tones by those who know the story, the Library of Gold is a legendary collection of rare, priceless books from ages past. Lost to the world for centuries, its existence has come to be regarded as myth. But the Library of Gold is real, and secretly controlled by a mysterious cabal of the world's richest, most powerful men, who will stop at nothing to protect their interests.Eva Blake, a rare-book expert and conservator, is in prison for a drunk-driving accident that she doesn’t remember—one that resulted in the death of her husband, an even more famous rare-book expert. When an undercover CIA agent named Tucker Andersen offers to get her released in exchange for her help and expertise on the Library of Gold, she is eager to oblige. A book said to be from the Library of Gold has recently surfaced, delivered anonymously to the CIA, and it is now on exhibit at the British Museum as bait to draw out those with knowledge of the library. Eva is sent to investigate the scene, and while there, she sees the one person she never expected to see again: her dead husband, Charles.After Charles first flees, then tries to kill her, Eva finds herself in the midst of several powerful, secret forces who either want her dead or want to use her to find the Library of Gold. The only person unequivocally on her side is Judd Ryder, the son of an undercover CIA agent who was killed after he discovered a mysterious bank account tied to Islamic terrorists. Judd believes the bank account is somehow connected to the library, and he is determined to find those responsible for his father's death. Alone against the world, Eva and Judd must fight a wide net of ruthless enemies as they race to unravel the clues to the library's whereabouts before it vanishes once again into the sands of time.
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