The Collaborators

By: Michael Idov

Narrated by: Santino Fontana

Named a Best Book of the Year by Vogue

Slow Horses meets Red Sparrow in this “sharp, freshly conceived, [and] thoroughly entertaining” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) spy thriller featuring a brilliant young intelligence officer and a troubled heiress who stumble into a global conspiracy that pits present-day Russia against the CIA.

Combining realistic thrills with sophisticated spycraft and witty dialogue, The Collaborators delivers a gut-punch answer to the biggest geopolitical question of our time: how, exactly, did post-Soviet Russia turn down the wrong path?

Crisscrossing the globe on the way to this shocking revelation are disaffected millennial CIA officer Ari Falk, thrown into a moral and professional crisis by the death of his best asset; and brash, troubled LA heiress Maya Chou, spiraling after the disappearance of her Russian American billionaire father. The duo’s adventures take us to both classic and surprising locales—from Berlin, to Latvia, Belarus, and an abandoned technopark outside Moscow.

Dynamic, fast-paced, and filled with captivating details that provide a window into a secretive world, The Collaborators is a first-rate thriller “with a propulsive plot and fantastic twists” (Chris Pavone, author of The Expats) that pays homage to both meanings of “intelligence.”

Critic reviews

"Narrator Santino Fontana perfectly affects various accents as cynical millennial CIA officer Ari Falk works undercover to help Russian opposition journalists develop stories that damage the Kremlin. As Falk tumbles into an international spy plot involving the disappearance of his best asset, a Russian American billionaire, he is joined by the bold and problematic Maya Chou. Fontana’s calm and collected delivery accentuates the twisty plot and action sequences. Idov’s fresh, intelligent, and intriguing young characters deliver thrills and chills as Falk unravels complex shenanigans. Fontana deliciously delivers witty dialogue and detailed depictions of colorful destinations like Berlin, Tangier, Latvia, Belarus, and Moscow. Fans of gritty novels asking big questions will love this."

Education

The book makes good use of checked facts, the English is tight and insightful.

Entertaining

This is a decent spy caper with enough twists and turns to keep the reader/listener interested. I found the protagonist to be a bit of a jerk (which is fine and true to his occupation---narcissistic folks are the best at this work). My only real beef is having him quickly fall into an affair with a young, good looking (of course) female. Why never a decent, kind, interesting age appropriate person whose physical appearance is never mentioned? Regardless, it did show that he was not the professional, ethical officer whom he perceived himself to be. (touché). I really loved the ending, though, so maybe that plot device was necessary. Despite my nitpicking, I will almost certainly will continue with this series.

Narration was great.

Wish it were longer

Great book. I didn’t know this author but I took a chance and pre-ordered it. My only regret is that it wasn’t longer. The plot and story pull you in almost instantly.

Read this book!

Read this book! It is excellent! In the best traditions of Olen Steinhauser, Len Deighton, and John Buchan

An outstanding story

The author has created an excellent read for readers ( or listeners) on par with LeCarre. This caper runs along familiar lines of recent events to give the listener a flavor of reality while spinning fiction. Well done.