The Cardinal of the Kremlin

During the period of the Cold War, the U.S.S.R. and the U.S. are racing to build the first Star Wars missile defense system, and two men, Colonel Filitov, a Russian war hero and CIA operative, and Jack Ryan, a CIA analyst, are trying to assess the Soviets' capabilities. Michael Prichard, a standout narrator, presents Clancy's thriller as it careens through espionage missions, counterintelligence ops, and missile-reduction negotiations. With strength and vigor, Prichard smoothly devises unique voices for the multitude of dominating male characters and delivers Clancy's techno-jargon with aplomb. Filitov's code name is Cardinal, and Ryan must outwit the KGB to get him out alive. S.C.A. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine

Narrating one of Tom Clancy's early novels is a tough job. They're long; filled with numerous heroes and villains, many of them foreign; switch abruptly from subplot to subplot; feature high-tech language; and usually reach nail-biting climaxes. This CD issue of Clancy's 1989 work, which has all of these characteristics, richly rewards listeners eager to marvel at Clancy's favorite hero, CIA operative Jack Ryan, who must rescue a Russian colonel, a longtime U.S. spy code-named "Cardinal." Michael Prichard is highly competent, though his matter-of-fact delivery sometimes fails to match the ever-increasing suspense. On balance, however, this is a creditable performance sure to please Clancy's fans. T.H. (c) AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine