THE BROKER

In the last days of his term, a departing president pardons controversial Washington lawyer Joel Backman, convicted of illegal involvement in a surveillance satellite program. He begins a new life in Italy as a marked man, with the CIA watching his every move and preparing to leak the information to international agencies that may want him dead. Dennis Boutsikaris narrates with a conspiratorial tone, as if he's slyly letting listeners in on a secret. That tone holds listeners' fascination as the CIA meticulously prepares its trap and Backman prepares his escape with equal care. This thriller, which rests on clockwork planning rather than action, will keep listeners on the edge of their seats. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 05]