From AudioFile Trevanian's seventies-era storytelling loses nothing in this audio treatment. In a story reminiscent of Ian Fleming， we are treated to exotic locales and a spy-versus-spy plot. Reader Joe Barrett embodies the author's voice ably， whether he's enigmatic assassin Nicholai Hel， narcissistic agency head Mr. Diamond， or a laughable Basque sidekick. The story includes a mountain-climbing manhunt， but overall this is a different breed of spy story--one with a philosophical and political agenda--but no less entertaining a listen. The recording quality is crisp but would benefit from the addition of subtle sound effects to bolster the atmosphere. D.J.B. 2006 Audie Award Finalist © AudioFile 2006， Portland， Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile， Portland， Maine --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. Book Description A westerner raised in Japan， he survived the destruction of Hiroshima to emerge as the world's most artful lover and its most accomplished assassin. His greatest desire is to attain a state of effortless perfection . . . shibumi. But he is about to face his most sinister and corrupt enemy -- a supermonolith of espionage and monopoly bent on destroyinghim. . . . --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title. See all Editorial Reviews