The Starling Project: An Audible Drama

I will definitely listen to this audio drama again. The experience was not like listening to an audiobook, but more like listening to a movie soundtrack, with sound effects, music and overlapping dialogue, all which made the experience richer. I listened in the car, but would love to listen lying down on my sofa, through headphones. I feel like I could listen this way and pick up even more details of the story. The sound effects almost become their own character, helping you to feel immersed in the environments the characters find themselves in, whether the lobby of a hotel, or a Mexican jungle.

My favorite thing about this drama is that I felt like I was carried along with Harry and his team, almost becoming one of them, as they worked to complete their mission.

Alfred Molina is always great, but I particularly enjoyed relationship between the characters of Carter and Mustafa. They were the "buddy film" within the story.

As a lover of mystery and stories of international intrigue, this selection was right up my alley. If you're looking for an Oprah Book Club selection--a tearjerker, or a romance--go elsewhere. I want a story that challenges me, takes me to places I've never been. This one did.

FYI - Other reviewers for this audio drama seemed to be disappointed that this wasn't more like a book. One mentioned a lack of description. But this story is more like listening to a movie or play, told for the most part in dialogue. You should know this going in. If you do, and this is the kind of entertainment you like, you won't be disappointed!

Alfred Molina's voice and character. He can do no wrong. No one else could have done it justice.

Yes! Especially the bank scene and the bomb disposal. I kept jumping, it was so realistic. It was like listening to a movie with the picture off.

I liked the Harold Middleton and Sonja scenes. They sounded very natural, and it was very romantic.

I wanted to, but couldn't. I finished during 3 commutes. I actually sat in the driveway for the last few minutes so I could hear the end.

I loved it. I just joined as a member and this was a free book for joining. I had to get it because it was Alfred Molina.

Absolutely. The production values are incredible. I listened with headphones and was immediately transported to a mind-movie. There are also so many twists and turns, it definitely warrants a second, if not third, listen.

Mustapha and Devon. They were the quintessential buddy pair, with a lot of light humor and tension.

The storyline is fairly decent, with a dynamite opening and a number of false trails that keep you guessing and scratching your head. It maddeningly ends without the villain being caught (not a spoiler), inviting the hope of a sequel.

I listen to a lot of audio drama, mainly British (Perfectly Normal, Crazy Dog, BBC) because Americans seem to have lost the ability to create in this medium. But this production has canceled those doubts, and I look forward to more Audible Dramas!

I've not read the print version as I have very little time to read which is why I listen to audio books!

There are audio dramas that could be similar in terms of pace and vivid characterization, The Cleansed comes to mind, and this book may not be on a par with that series, it is definitely in the ballpark

Alfred and cast made gutsy character choices and really propelled the action forward

In depicting the stakes in the bank/hostage scene, I was riveted by the complex and emotional agendas at play.

This was a bit of a risk for me in listening to something outside my usual preferences, but this is a listen I'll recommend to everyone I know on Audible!

This audio drama was incredible. I am a Jeffery Deaver fan and this time I thought I would try the audio version first rather than reading the book...I was totally impressed! What I like about reading the books, is that your own imagination creates scenes in your mind, but this production was full of amazing acting and brilliant sound effects - so it transported me right into the world of the action!

This was an action film waiting to happen! So many twists and turns as the story develops and the music and acting delivered the right amount of suspense, drama and comedy.

I really loved the relationship between Sonya and Middleton - Alfred Molina was stunning. I also loved the dynamic between Davey and the Australian Katherine Hughes. Flirtatious but deadly! I'm Australian so I have a soft spot for Hughes and the accent was perfect throughout. All the characters were great. I don't want to pick just one!

YES. The tension was so clever and the acting so convincing that I got drawn into the world and got lost in it. All of the acting, accents and sound effects were exceptional, so I believed every minute of it.

I think the writing isn't Deaver's strongest, but the production quality on this is amazing, plus Alfred Molina is the perfect person to play Middleton. A fantastic audio drama and I will definitely be coming back to Audible to buy more in the future!

I loved how much it reminded me of listening to radio dramas with my dad when I was growing up. He used to put on The Shadow or Mystery Theatre and we'd just lie on the living room floor, imagining the whole story as it unfolded. He really taught me to listen, and it's great to be able to pass on new stories to my teens so they can enjoy the same experience. They love graphic novels--it's kind of the audio version of that.

I gave the story 4 out of 5 stars because I'm not usually drawn to this kind of plot, but as an example of its genre it's told very well, with clearly delineated characters and exciting situations. A great escape into another world.

I haven't, but the best thing was how I always knew who was talking. I think it might've been easy to have the characters blend together too much, but they were all so individual, I got a great mental image of each one and kind of anticipated how they might react in the different situations. Alfred Molina is so smooth--what a pleasure to listen to him! A master.

I just really liked the adventure of it. Looking forward to listening to this one on a road trip, with all of the sound effects and music.

I listen to a lot of memoirs and nonfiction which tend to be more straightforward but this was just really fun, like a "popcorn listen". I think it's so fantastic that Audible also offers this "audio movie" more fully produced option, since audiobook listeners are looking for all kinds of different experiences, for a varied listening menu. I'd like to see more titles like this one, could definitely see myself using a credit for this genre again.

Most definitely. And I would point out to that friend that this is not a single narrator audiobook but an audio DRAMA. Very different medium. Why? I liked it, don't need a better reason than that.

In all seriousness, the entire cast was good, not just Alfred Molina. Pulling together that many voices was quite an achievement in itself. And honestly, the Starling's identity? There were "twists and turns" that I saw coming from a mile away, but that last twist I DIDN'T see coming.

Also 4 hours is a good amount of time for a production of this nature; I was able to hear it all in one sitting rather than break it up into chunks to hear here and there.

Well if you mean full-cast audio dramas, I've heard quite a few, especially from the BBC (Hitchhiker's Guide, Down the Line, the BBC Radio versions of The Good Life, and the like), and this production is just as good.

The scenes between Molina and Ms. Stathoplos. Not to mention they were a good break in the action.

Quite a few: let's start with the fact that this is not old time radio, or a radio drama. Works of this magnitude don't get played on American radio, not with a handful of corporations controlling the airwaves. This exemplifies what's best about MODERN AUDIO DRAMA. I don't listen to single narrator audio books, I prefer reading physical books while I can! So if I am going to listen to something I would rather it be an audio drama; multiple voices expand the world of the piece far more than a single narrator audio book can.

What this has shown me is that rather than being the odd man out in the world of American audio, there needs to be MORE of this kind of work coming not only from Audible but from every major audio book publisher out there. Yes, I'm looking at YOU Random House; and you, Hachette, and Blackstone, Brilliance, and Tantor.

Moreover, with the end of audio drama on the CBC, here's a perfect opportunity to bring the medium back for Canadian audiences via Audible's Canadian division. And why not provide BBC 4 Radio with a little competition, Audible United Kingdom? Other authors I can think of to get the audio drama treatment: Stephen King, Michael Chabon, Diana Gabaldon, classic authors from the last century (Fitzgerald, Thorne Smith, Dos Passos). How about JK Rowling's new adult detective series ("The Cuckoo's Calling")?

Finally, speaking of authors, a message for Mr. Deaver: I hope we don't have to wait too long between "The Starling Project" and the next or concluding chapter ("Starling's Endgame" maybe?); I want to hear Middleton and the Starling come face to face...

Being of a certain generation, I have always enjoyed vintage radio drama. There is something wonderful about listening in the dark to a great story and seeing it take place in your own imagination. The Starling Project takes that kind of entertainment and raises it to another level. The production quality, the actors' ability to create believable characters, and an edge of your seat story add up to a rich and extremely satisfying listening experience.

Will listen to again! This book is awesome what a phenomenal story, and the cast made the book come to life. Audible did a masterful job producing this book. The action is fast paced and the sound effects made the book even better. If there is any criticism is that sometimes you would get lost on who was speaking.

Professor Harold Middleton. He is so brilliant and when you think he is going to be outsmarted by the bad guy he is able to flip it on them. The book has lots of great twists!

The Scene where the bad guys had taken the hostages in the bank, and the team had to save the hostages and the head of the World Bank.

The whole book moved me. It was this great James Bond Style book. I highly recommend this book. Killed the book in 1 day!!!

The whole cast made this book so great and this my first Alfred Molina narrated book, but it surely will not be my last. I highly suggest this book as a must listen to.

I liked the action scenes in the jungle and in the bank but I also really loved the characters in total. The relationship between Devon and Mustafa and Middleton and Tadic were so honest and natural but each character really came to life believably!

This is a new discovery for me-audio drama- and I just think it's great! Unlike an audiobook where someone is simply reading you a story, this medium creates a tangible experience- like listening to a wonderful movie. It's fabulous that it is my imagination completing the picture!

I am new to Jeffery Deaver but it's a great ride to hear this story in this new and exciting way and I'll certainly be looking for more audio dramas in the future. Can you get Molina again? AND this terrific cast?

It wasn't narrated; it was acted and superbly!

Please, more books done as audio drama, please, please? Such a rich experience.