Old Boys

By: Charles McCarry

Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki

Length: 13 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Charles McCarry is considered by many to be the master of world-class spy fiction, garnering praise from peers and critics alike for his riveting novels. Christopher Buckley wrote that McCarry “is not only one of the best writers in America but one of the most important. He dazzles, from epigraph to epilogue,” and the Los Angeles Times hailed his work as “first rate, in the tradition of the best espionage fiction, John Buchan to Eric Ambler and John le Carré.”

In this magnificent novel, Charles McCarry returns to the world of his legendary character Paul Christopher—the savvy intelligence agent as skilled at choosing a fine wine as he is at tradecraft, at once sophisticated and dangerous, and no stranger to the world of dirty tricks.

Now Paul Christopher has mysteriously disappeared. Months pass and a memorial service is held for him in Washington. But a group of his retired colleagues - the “Old Boys” from the Outfit - refuse to believe Christopher is dead. Led by Christopher’s cousin Horace, the Old Boys embark on a thrilling worldwide search for the master spy and an ancient scroll that may reveal an unspeakably dangerous truth.

Charles McCarry is the author of 10 critically acclaimed novels and nine nonfiction books. He is a former editor at large of National Geographic and has contributed dozens of articles, short stories, and poems to leading national magazines. His op-ed pieces and other essays have appeared in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post. For 10 years he served under deep cover as a CIA operations officer.

©2004 Charles McCarry (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“ Old Boys is like the best parts of ten John le Carré novels all put together.” ( Time)

“ Old Boys is, at heart, a lament for a dying generation of American spies, an elegy for the human twilight, Cocoon with a cloak and dagger.” ( Washington Post)

“McCarry's latest is an old-fashioned, rollicking adventure that beats Ludlum and Cussler at their own game…Tremendous fun.” ( Booklist)

Less plausible Charles McCarry still worth it.

McCarry writes with such an authentic voice he can be forgiven for a less plausible storyline. Not in the same class as Tears of Autumn or the Meernik Dossier, but enjoyable nonetheless. Stefan Rudnicki excellent as usual.

The final chapter in the Paul Christopher saga is a good one.

Don’t start with this one, but if you’ve read any of the others this is where they all lead.

The stirring conclusion to the life of McCarry’s super spy.

great story

easy to listen to and a great voice actor!
I could not put it down

Excellent

This is the second piece from the author I’ve listened to and I enjoyed this one immensely. More so than “The Last Supper” which was also very good. Definite recommend.

One more chance to live a life of adventure

I really like the narrator on this book he does a great job. The story was interesting, although some of the parts for a little bit hard to swallow, but I like the book.

A great and haunting book

I just read the Old Boys a second time, and it is as fresh as the first time. Great reader, inventive plot, and a sadness that it was not twice as long. A memorable piece of fiction, written by a master.

Excellent Story

I love this narrator and picked this book because of him. This is a great story, full of twists and turns. Also I love a good mystery with strong characters and this has both.

Probably the best

Charles McCarry is thought of in some circles as the best spy novelist ever and this book is good evidence that it’s true. It’s the last story so it’s way better to have the earlier ones but either way it’s brilliant

The best of his works

Certainly among the best of his works. Globetrotting old men on several spying missions deserves a movie or miniseries… I’d love to watch!

Literary jewel

BTW best Rudnicki narration. The strory winds and turns, not boring, but revealing in little steps the brush strokes of the tapestry. This may be the most beautifully “literate” of any novels I’ve read in this genre. And a lot of this literacy isn’t found until the last third of the book. Well worth every minute of my time.