Red Swan

By: P. T. Deutermann

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Set in contemporary Washington, DC, Red Swan begins with an ominous phone call from Carson McGill, the deputy director of operations in the CIA, to retired CIA officer Preston Allender: Henry Wallace is dead.

A behind-the-scenes operator at the CIA, Wallace was integral to the agency's secret war against China's national intelligence service, which infiltrates government and military offices, major businesses, and systems crucial to our security. Wallace had severely damaged China's Washington spy ring with a devastating ruse, a so-called "black swan", in which a deep-undercover female agent targeted and destroyed a key Chinese official. Now, Wallace's mysterious death suggests that the CIA itself has been compromised and that China has someone inside the agency.

But as Allender quietly investigates, he makes a shocking discovery that will upend the entire American intelligence apparatus. For Wallace's black swan operation may have been turned against the CIA; a red swan is flying and the question is who is she, what is her target, and where will she land?

©2017 P. T. Deutermann (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Really? This from Deuterman? No thanks!

Can't finish it. An overwrought story line, unbelievable characters, and Hill's typically monotonous style are too much to listen to.

ho hum

gave up half way through. pretty dull. only high point is Dick Hill reading it. not up to Deuterman's usual action plots.

All the right ingredients

Great character development, engaging plot, humor, and skillful narration came together to make this a wonderful listening experience.

Great as always

Great story keeps you going and guessing what is happening next. I just love listening to Dock Hill reading books he has such a remarkable talent and relaxing voice. Between the great writing and outstanding reading you can’t ask for much more!!!

Terrific espionage story!

The combination of author P. T. Deutermann and narrator Dick Hill guarantees a 5 star novel. Red Swan, released one year ago is a novel about issues in the relationship between the US and China with a focus on the CIA targeting a high ranking Chinese official with a misleading operation. But beware of surprises because little is as it seems in Red Swan.

Promising but...

Noboby but nobody reads Lee Child like Dick Hill; his deep voice and reading style lend a sense of strength and irony that suits Reacher perfectly and makes Reacher addictive, and his name on a book nudges me to listen. But this is not a Reacher novel (not that Reacher novels are all good, though Dick Hill invariably gives them a particular charm). Red Swan does have intriguing elements and some good scenes, but the first half I found rather boring, and in the end I did not feel satisfied. Other reviewers have cited implausibility and poor research, and I agree. But I would not discourage you from listening for yourself.

Some reviewers dislike Dick Hill, and the slow, rather tedious beginning of this novel could create a certain distaste through association. But you have not heard Dick Hill unless you have heard him read Lee Child,

A classic spy thriller - Excellent

This well-spun story keeps moving and keeps you guessing what's going on. And, as always, Dick Hill is a wonderful reader.

Good story and narration but weak ending

Dick Hill made this story interesting. But the ending was somewhat disappointing. Still, I recommend this book.

Easy listen

Enjoyed an easy listen intrigue story with a hint of romance. There were times the voice editing was awkward; pitch was off for an edited phrase or at times sounded like someone else was editing.

Not a book that's easy to put down...

Once again, Mr. Deutermann hits a homerun with a spy story with so many twists and turns right up till the end of the book. That's hard to do, but he did it. The book does start slow, but grind through that. It will be worth it.

I have no idea what "dragon eyes" look like in a human. Are they simply the rare eye color hazel? The character "Dragon Eyes" is such a compelling figure, that I sincerely hope that Mr. Deutermann will consider creating a series around this very interesting character.

By the way, it's always interesting to note small little details authors seemingly throw in to a story. One I noted was "fat pill!"