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The Intelligencer (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook
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(3.00) - 749 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
On May 30, 1593, London's most popular playwright was stabbed to death. The royal coroner ruled that Christopher Marlowe was killed in self-defense, but historians have long suspected otherwise, given his role as an "intelligencer" in the queen's secret service.
In sixteenth-century London, Marlowe embarks on his final intelligence assignment, hoping to find the culprits behind a high-stakes smuggling scheme.
In present-day New York, grad student turned private eye Kate Morgan is called in on an urgent matter. One of her firm's top clients, a London-based financier, has chanced upon a mysterious manuscript that had been buried for centuries -- one that someone is desperate to steal. What secret lurks in those yellowed ciphered pages? And how, so many years later, could it drive someone to kill?
As Kate sets off for England, she received a second assignment. An enigmatic art dealer has made an eleven million-dollar purchase from an Iranian intelligence officer. Is it a black-market antiquities deal, or something far more sinister? Like Marlowe, Kate moonlights as a spy -- her P.I firm doubles as an off-the-books U.S. intelligence unit -- and she is soon caught like a pawn in a deadly international game. As The Intelligencer's interlocking narratives race toward a stunning collision, and Kate closes in on the truth behind Marlowe's sudden death, it becomes clear that she may have sealed a similar fate for herself.
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"My mother gave me this book. You might notice a trend in my books. I really enjoy reading books that take place in London or England. This book is not well known, and I believe it's the only book about the main character. The author sets it up for there to be more, but I don't think she's finished them?? But I did really enjoy this book. There were lots of twists and turns, and I couldn't put it down. It goes back and forth between present day London and 16th century London. It also has a lot of information about playwrights in London. I'm sure not all the information is factual, but you could tell the author had done her research. If you're into London and espionage, I would definitely recommend this book."
— Erin (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“This is terrific. Think Shakespeare In Love meets James Bond.”
— Lee Child -
“Cool and glamorous and witty…keeps us guessing all the way.”
— Los Angeles Times -
“Delightfully literate…a cracking good page-turner.”
— Minneapolis Star Tribune -
“The tale moves at a refreshing clip, and Silbert provides plenty of engaging backstory about Elizabethan history.”
— Publishers Weekly
Awards
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A 2005 Dilys Award Finalist
The Intelligencer Listener Reviews
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" It was really complicated trying to keep track of all the characters in this book. I don't know if the author intended to do a sequel with some of the same characters but there was way too many extraneous ones. "
— Isabelle, 2/18/2014 -
" A very interesting view of Christopher Marlowe "
— Jon, 2/4/2014 -
" If you liked The Da Vinci Code, you will like this book. "
— Betty, 2/2/2014 -
" It was ok. Not the best I've read and not terribly exciting. "
— Mel, 1/28/2014 -
" I really liked this book!! Loved the historical Elizabethan aspect and it was like reading three stories at the same time in two different time periods!!! "
— Robin, 1/2/2014 -
" I had higher hopes for this book. It started out decently, and then it just decided to ... end. "
— Ona, 12/26/2013 -
" This is a pulp type novel that flashes back and forth between present day and the time of Christopher Marlowe. It is nothing special and I had low expectations, but I thought it was a fun read. A little suspense, a little mystery, and not too much substance. "
— Atanu, 12/12/2013 -
" The author has an amazing background, which obviously comes into play in the plot. She has a degree in Renaissance literature and spy training. I would compare this to the DaVinci code- a historical mystery, set in Elizabethan England and U.S. today. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to friends. "
— Barbara, 9/30/2013 -
" It was interesting, but hard to follow, especially since in every chapter it would switch from current time to hundreds of years ago. If you only read a chapter at a time you really loose your train of thought. "
— Wendy, 9/29/2013 -
" I loved this book because I am a big historical fiction reader and this had it all - plus a present day twist and a mystery!! The word, "intelligencer" was the word they used for spy back in the Elizabethan times. Very enjoyable. "
— Kelly, 8/30/2013 -
" Ugh. Too much icky language! "
— Holly, 3/31/2013 -
" A nice airline read that combines a bit of historical fiction with a modern action thriller. The late 16th century setting was fitting as I was with my wife in Amsterdam at the time-made it easier to relate to (including the prison museum here with a rack :) "
— John, 10/30/2012 -
" Complicated plot with enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. The world of espionage has changed little since Christopher Marlowe's day. Only the technology is different. "
— Kathleen, 8/31/2012 -
" I enjoyed this book very much. Many critics say it comes off as trying to be as clever as the Da Vinci Code. I disagree, The Intelligencer is extreme clever in its own way. It had a great plot and background. Amazing page-turner! "
— Alex, 7/29/2012 -
" Reminded me of another book I read, about the "Pink Carnation." A pleasant book to read, eventhough it's very predictable. I saw numerous of the "gotcha" plot points well in advance. "
— Lauren, 5/8/2012 -
" I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Excellent historical detail well-blended with a contemporary mystery. "
— Lynn, 12/15/2011 -
" The problem with reading a book that gets a praise like "if you like Dan Brown, you will love this"- get's only to one truth that I have been dodging for a long time now. I hate him and his works!! "
— Lowed, 5/24/2011 -
" The female protagonist suffers from a severe case of "The Author - Only Awesomer!", and frequent exposition dumps take time away from the character development that's needed to make the plot at all sensible. Fast-paced, but the poor writing bugs. "
— Jessica, 4/18/2011 -
" Fun. There is a theory that Christopher Marlowe, an English playwright who was a contemporary of Shakespeare, was a spy for the crown and that's why he was murdered. This book takes that theory and turns it into a novel. I liked it. "
— Sarah, 4/15/2011 -
" The author has an amazing background, which obviously comes into play in the plot. She has a degree in Renaissance literature and spy training. I would compare this to the DaVinci code- a historical mystery, set in Elizabethan England and U.S. today. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to friends. "
— Barbara, 3/6/2011 -
" I had higher hopes for this book. It started out decently, and then it just decided to ... end. "
— Ona, 1/2/2011 -
" Interesting concept but it could have been better executed. "
— Chanda, 9/25/2010 -
" The problem with reading a book that gets a praise like "if you like Dan Brown, you will love this"- get's only to one truth that I have been dodging for a long time now. I hate him and his works!! "
— Lowed, 9/1/2010 -
" I wish I could go back in time and get the winning lotto numbers, but I really wish I could go back in time and not read this book! "
— Garrett, 2/7/2010 -
" I don't know why it was an international best seller. Meh. It'll probably be made into a movie and I'll recant in a few years. "
— Caitlin, 1/30/2010 -
" Complicated plot with enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. The world of espionage has changed little since Christopher Marlowe's day. Only the technology is different. "
— Kathleen, 9/6/2009 -
" I enjoyed this book but I wished that I had saved it for a summer read. It is very long with details that are much needed to remember each character. It was similar to The Davinci Code in that they were looking for a treasure that was buried back in the 1500's. "
— Cathy, 8/4/2009
About Leslie Silbert
Leslie Silbert studied science and Renaissance literature before entering the secretive world of private investigation under the guidance of a former CIA officer. Using her studies and career as inspiration, she began the Kate Morgan novel series with her book Intelligencer which gained attention from numerous major publications.
About the Narrators
Jan Maxwell is an American stage and television actress. She made her Broadway debut in the musical City of Angels and has been nominated for two Tony Awards and two Drama Desk Awards. She won the 2005 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Her Broadway credits include Sixteen Wounded, Match, and The Dinner Party. She is the sister of Obie Award–winning playwright Richard Maxwell.
Alfred Molina is an actor and winner of numerous Earphones Awards for audiobook narration. His films include Spiderman II, Frida, Magnolia, Chocolat, Boogie Nights, The Perez Family, Maverick, Enchanted April, Not Without My Daughter, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Prick Up Your Ears. He has appeared extensively on British and American television, including the TV series Bram & Alice and Ladies’ Man. He received a Tony Award nomination, a Drama Desk Award, and an Outer Critics Circle Award for his performance in Art on Broadway. He also performed on Broadway in Molly Sweeney and in Speed the Plow for the National Theatre in London.