The Secret Speech

By: Tom Rob Smith

Narrated by: Dennis Boutsikaris

It is 1956. Three years ago, Leo Demidov moved on from his career as a member of the state security force. As an MGB officer, Leo had been responsible for untold numbers of arrests and interrogations. But as a reward for his heroic service in stopping a killer who had terrorized citizens throughout the country, Leo was granted the authority to establish and run a homicide department in Moscow.

Now, he strives to see justice done on behalf of murder victims in the Soviet capital, while at the same time working to build a life with his wife Raisa and their adopted daughters, Zoya and Elena.

Leo's past, however, can not be left behind so easily, and the legacy of his former career - the friends and families of those he had arrested as a state security officer - continues to hound him. Now, a new string of murders in the capital threaten to bring Leo's past crashing into the present, shattering the fragile foundations of his new life in Moscow, and putting his daughter Zoya's life at risk.

Faced with a threat to his family, Leo is launched on a desperate, personal mission that will take him to the harsh Siberian Gulags, to the depths of the hidden criminal underworld, and into the heart of Budapest and the Hungarian uprising.

©2009 Grand Central Publishing (P)2009 Hachette

Excellent Book

The book is excellent and flows right in from the first. Can't wait to read the third book! Good read!

another great from tom rob smith

If you could sum up The Secret Speech in three words, what would they be?

the suspense never lets up, cannot wait to read the next installment. the narrator is terrific. I recommend to whomever likes a thriller taking place in a country other than england or usa. tom rob smith is terrific.

Another hit!

Tom Rob Smith is an excellent author and Dennis Boutsikaris does a fabulous job narrating.
This is an amazing sequel because it acknowledges that people don't just "live happily ever after" as so many fabulous books would have you believe.

Definetly recommend that you read Child 44 before reading this book, as Child 44 is the first book and explains the characters and their motivations very well.

Awesome read!

Great Listen again

I let six months pass after listening to CHILD 44 before I started this book as other listeners found it a disappointment.
I didn't. I enjoyed it very much. There were a couple of clunky moments but otherwise I was so emotionally invested in these characters I was desperate for a Happy Ever After.

brilliant

brilliant sequel to one of my favorite stories. no boring recap of the prior or attempt to drag out the story line. greatly enjoyed.

Good

IT is a very good book. I enjoyed it very much. You might too, or maybe not. I don't really care.

Stop at the first book

I stuck with it, but it felt like it was a really over the top action movie put into novel form. Too much
Every single scene

Solid sequel

I didn't quite feel this one as much as I did Child 44. The stakes weren't quite as high and it dragged a bit in the middle. But it was good to spend more time with Leo. But I enjoyed the book both as a thrill ride and as a look at the immediate post Stalin Russia. But I hope Smith's next novel has a case that feels more urgent.

Not as good as the earlier book.

Much preferred the first book to this one. Mainly due to the story. Rather far fetched is an understatement. Many of the side stories and tangents not getting enough attention or detail leading to disappointment. Especially for readers of the first book.

I LOVE THIS AUTHOR!

I love how this Author writes. This is one of my all time favorites! When is the next book coming out??