A MOST WANTED MAN

Roger Rees and John le Carré make a mesmerizing pair in this newest of the author’s morality tales disguised as an espionage novel. The bare bones of the plot, which takes place in Hamburg, concern Issa, who is either a tortured refuge from Chechnya or a Muslim extremist. He is aided by Annabelle, an idealistic German lawyer, and Tommy Brue, an aging ex-pat British banker who would like to do something good. The story of Issa's interaction with the West is complicated by German police, and British, German, and Russian intelligence. Narrated by Rees, with many character voices and limpid narrative, the story is un-put-downable. His characterization of Issa, in particular, is beautiful, creating a personality that sounds naïve, stubborn, and mysterious. Grab your earphones and listen to a great performance. A.C.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2008]