The Tristan Betrayal (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook, by Robert Ludlum Play Audiobook Sample

The Tristan Betrayal (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook

The Tristan Betrayal (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook, by Robert Ludlum Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Paul Michael Publisher: Macmillan Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 4.17 hours at 1.5x Speed 3.13 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: October 2003 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781593973445

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

110

Longest Chapter Length:

05:00 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

01:16 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

03:25 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

41

Other Audiobooks Written by Robert Ludlum: > View All...

Publisher Description

In the bestselling tradition of The Scarlatti Inheritance and The Rheineman Exchange, a compelling thriller in which one man's actions can change the course of history.

In the fall of 1940, the Nazis are at the height of their power—France is occupied, Britain is enduring the Blitz and is under threat of invasion, America is neutral, and Russia is in an uneasy alliance with Germany. Stephen Metcalfe, the younger son of a prominent American family, is a well-known man about town in occupied Paris. He's also a minor asset in the U.S.'s secret intelligence forces in Europe. Through a wild twist of fate, it falls to Metcalfe to instigate a bold plan that may be the only hope for what remains of the free world. Now he must travel to wartime Moscow to find, and possibly betray, a former lover—a fiery ballerina whose own loyalties are in question—in a delicate dance that could destroy all he loves and honors.

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"The Tristan Betrayal is shockingly a very interesting book to read. Kinda has the old Ludlum flair of the Bourne and Matarese mixed in. Although sadly Ludlum never finished the story, the story at the beginning is pure Ludlum, with the end showing the loopholes of a less creative mind. The story starts with Stephen Metcalfe receiving word from a woman he thought had forgotten him. The love of his life at a time when the Cold War was at its peak. Stephen is the youngest son of a prominent American family who is invited to all diplomatic functions. Seeing his well placed connections, his charms and his smartness, the CIA hires him as their spy. In the course of his mission he falls in love with the Russian contact who later allegedly betrays him. The intricacy of the story leaves behind the spy world in this book. The attraction, the love, the very essence of loyalty is questioned on both ends. A compelling read for those who loved the olden ways..."

— PenNPaper52 (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “One heck of a thriller...loaded with all the intrigue, paranoia, and real-life parallels that made Ludlum famous.

    — People on The Janson Directive
  • Finely crafted...the plot packs more twists than a Rold Gold factory.

    — Entertainment Weekly on The Janson Directive

The Tristan Betrayal Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.04347826086957 out of 53.04347826086957 out of 53.04347826086957 out of 53.04347826086957 out of 53.04347826086957 out of 5 (3.04)
5 Stars: 7
4 Stars: 21
3 Stars: 15
2 Stars: 20
1 Stars: 6
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I have always loved Robert Ludlum novels. This one was especially entertaining to me. Most of it was set in the early forties, prior to the time the US entered ww2. I really enjoyed the premise of the book and wonder if it really could have happened the way the author has portrayed it. "

    — Clint, 2/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Action, intrigue, and suspense are all good words to describe this book. Stephen Metcalfe is sent back to Russia undercover to undermine an attempt by hardcore Communists to take control of the country back into their own hands. There he meets the true love of his life from his first trip there, and she plays an important role in his duty. The book is written much in the same style as the Bourne series and is a good read. "

    — Peggy, 2/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Definitely NOT by Ludlum, and maybe Lustbader was too greedy, but this impersonation is below all standards: clunky plot, no style, stay away. "

    — Michel, 2/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Loved this book. I thought it was a solid read. The ending floored me with an unexpected twist. "

    — Samuel, 2/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I'll keep it short. I read this book a few months back and have to say it was even better than I expected. The book is very well-written with great action excitement suspense and characters . In Tristan Betrayl The book focuses on american spy stephen Metcalfe is sent to Russia during WWII to meet up with a former love and soon finds himself in a plot to turn the soviets against the germans . Overall the book is highly entertaining it's style fits that of Ludlum's eariler books and starts and ends very well. Although not written by Ludlum it's still worth a read and will entertain fans new and old in fact I'd like to see this book become a film . In conclusion I'd call Tristan Betrayl a must-read 4/5 "

    — Tim, 2/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Although this book was only written in 2003, it feels dated. The story follows Stephen Metcalfe, a young American playboy thrown in to the world of European espionage prior to the US's entry in WW2. Metcalfe flips between Paris, Moscow, and Berlin in an attempt to find secrets, love, and possibly start (and conversely stop) a war. Interspersed throughout the book are flash forwards to an older Metcalfe who is helping to broker a deal to bring a resolution to the Cold War. Maybe its just that I have read a lot of these WW2 spy novels, but I was not overly impressed. However, it is a good airplane read. "

    — Alex, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " It was very action-packed. It is based on events in Russia during WWII so I actually reviewed and learned more about history while reading this book. It discusses the story of Tristan & Isolde so I learned more about that and I hope to see the movie and/or the opera soon! "

    — Laura, 2/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " This was a fun, quick read. I wouldn't consider it to be literature by any stretch, but it's a fun don't-have-to-think-much novel. It reads almost like a movie script. "

    — Rachel, 2/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Definitely NOT by Ludlum, and maybe Lustbader was too greedy, but this impersonation is below all standards: clunky plot, no style, stay away. "

    — Michel, 2/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Brilliant work. I usually can see the end of mystery/thrillers pretty quickly, but I didn't see the end of this one at all. Each turn was a surprise. Excellent writing, fun read, and highly recommended. "

    — r3ing, 1/28/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " Seriously bad book. Clunky writing, a stupid main character (a spy whose cover is blown about every 100 pages), dialogue that reads like history lessons, absolutely no suspense. The premise -- that the Americans and Brits tricked Nazi Germany into attacking Russia, and thus spread itself to thin -- is interesting. But the book is so poorly written and so illogically plotted that I could barely get through it. "

    — Fran, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I'm a fan of Ludlum and a sucker for just about anything art in WWII era, Fast pace start, a little slower in the middle and a masterful twist of an ending. "

    — Andrew, 1/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " An original if there is one. "

    — Suby, 1/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Loved this book. I thought it was a solid read. The ending floored me with an unexpected twist. "

    — Samuel, 1/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Apparently one of the novels that Ludlum wrote after his death. His game does seem a bit off. "

    — Rob, 12/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " A BIG yawn. Another protagonist that should have been left on the shelf. I mean really this was bad. "

    — Bruce, 12/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Enjoyable spy-thriller novel. Ludlum does a great job of plotting out the story of an American spy in Russia. For whatever reason, Ludlum's books are forever long, but once I finally got hooked, I truly enjoyed the book. "

    — Michael, 11/23/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A decent thriller all around, but I saw the "twist" coming a mile off. Still, a good read and worth the short time it took to read it. "

    — Jeffrey, 11/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Rambles a bit,weird flow, good plot though. "

    — Thomas, 11/9/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Rambles a bit,weird flow, good plot though. "

    — Thomas, 10/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Apparently one of the novels that Ludlum wrote after his death. His game does seem a bit off. "

    — Rob, 10/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A good spy novel from a master when it comes to spy novels. "

    — P.e.lolo, 10/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I really liked this book. It is a best seller plot. However, I really liked how it was set in WWII instead of today. It makes you wonder about how many secret plots there are in our world. "

    — Lori, 10/6/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Enjoyable spy-thriller novel. Ludlum does a great job of plotting out the story of an American spy in Russia. For whatever reason, Ludlum's books are forever long, but once I finally got hooked, I truly enjoyed the book. "

    — Michael, 9/27/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The book is OK ,definitely not Ludlum's best ,the book does portray the atmosphere as it was in Stalin's Russia and Nazi Germany,some the scenarios in the book should have been worked on (ie Metcalf lying his way out Lubiyanka). "

    — Sam, 9/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Not read, but listened to the audio book. Exciting and very entertaining. "

    — Stephen, 9/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " It isn't as mesmerizing as the Bourne books, but I enjoyed it. "

    — Geni, 7/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " beautiful ending. couldn't have ever predicted! "

    — Hazique, 5/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Good typical Ludlum spy thriller, did feel a little long at some points. "

    — Nick, 3/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I liked this story. most of the book takes place during world war II so you kind of know he is able to escape the dangers but they are still interesting to see how he is able to get away. "

    — Spencer, 1/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Fun spy novel, not predictable, great author "

    — Sarah, 1/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " An original if there is one. "

    — Suby, 1/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " A very boring novel. I can not understand how I managed to finish it. "

    — Titah, 1/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Back to good old spy action novels. I have liked other Ludlum novels better b ut it was still a good read "

    — Brent, 10/11/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I was definitely expecting better from Ludlum. I thought the plot was elementary as were the characters. After disc 2 (of 5) I knew what was going to happen and who the "bad guy" was. At least I got this on loan... "

    — Cynthiaj, 9/12/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " a spy novel set in the last stages of the world war II. It has got lot of drama, suspense, love, betrayal, action in typical Ludlum fashion. "

    — Ram, 8/12/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " ahhhh, the mindless plunge into spy schlock. "

    — Ben, 7/9/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " This was an interesting read as Russia was moving in on Georgia. I'm not completely up on my WWII history, but it appears one conference depicted in Moscow is entirely fictional. I guess it needed to work for the book. "

    — Alice, 7/8/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " I have always been a fan of Lundlum, and he's even kept up his writing after his death. Go figure. This is another one of those good sitting-on-the-beach page-turning spy novels with not much else to say about it. "

    — Mitchell, 5/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " keeps you on the edge!Kind of tells you why Germany actually lost the war!! "

    — Sana, 3/28/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Okay but I guess not particularly memorable. Granted, I did read it five years ago. "

    — rabbitprincess, 2/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " beautiful ending. couldn't have ever predicted! "

    — Hazique, 2/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " An OK thriller. Not as good as most of Ludlum's books. "

    — Linda, 2/3/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A pretty good, fast paced spy thriller set in the days before there were proper spies. Nothing too intellectually taxing but a bit of a good time. "

    — Nick, 12/4/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " A very boring novel. I can not understand how I managed to finish it. "

    — Titah, 11/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A good spy novel from a master when it comes to spy novels. "

    — P.e.lolo, 11/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Back to good old spy action novels. I have liked other Ludlum novels better b ut it was still a good read "

    — Brent, 9/11/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " A decent thriller all around, but I saw the "twist" coming a mile off. Still, a good read and worth the short time it took to read it. "

    — Jeffrey, 8/28/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Ghostwritten and it shows. Apparently Ludlum only wrote the outline. Lame. "

    — Kristina, 8/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I was definitely expecting better from Ludlum. I thought the plot was elementary as were the characters. After disc 2 (of 5) I knew what was going to happen and who the "bad guy" was. At least I got this on loan... "

    — Cynthiaj, 6/13/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Loved this book! Lots of suspense. I couldn't wait til my lunch break every day so I could read further and I was disappointed to have it end. This is the first novel I've read by this author - haven't even seen any of the movies based on his books either. I'll definitely have to read more by him... "

    — Nranger7, 5/2/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Very slow moving book. I don't think his style is my cup of tea. I did however love the ending! "

    — Bill1971, 12/31/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Very slow moving book. I don't think his style is my cup of tea. I did however love the ending! "

    — Bill1971, 12/31/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Ghostwritten and it shows. Apparently Ludlum only wrote the outline. Lame. "

    — Kristina, 9/21/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Ghostwritten and it shows. Apparently Ludlum only wrote the outline. Lame. "

    — Kristina, 9/21/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Back to good old spy action novels. I have liked other Ludlum novels better b ut it was still a good read "

    — Brent, 9/15/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Back to good old spy action novels. I have liked other Ludlum novels better b ut it was still a good read "

    — Brent, 9/15/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I'm a fan of Ludlum and a sucker for just about anything art in WWII era, Fast pace start, a little slower in the middle and a masterful twist of an ending. "

    — Andrew, 8/28/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I'm a fan of Ludlum and a sucker for just about anything art in WWII era, Fast pace start, a little slower in the middle and a masterful twist of an ending. "

    — Andrew, 8/28/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " An OK thriller. Not as good as most of Ludlum's books. "

    — Linda, 8/19/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " An OK thriller. Not as good as most of Ludlum's books. "

    — Linda, 8/19/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Definitely NOT by Ludlum, and maybe Lustbader was too greedy, but this impersonation is below all standards: clunky plot, no style, stay away. "

    — Michel, 3/10/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Definitely NOT by Ludlum, and maybe Lustbader was too greedy, but this impersonation is below all standards: clunky plot, no style, stay away. "

    — Michel, 3/10/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " It was very action-packed. It is based on events in Russia during WWII so I actually reviewed and learned more about history while reading this book. It discusses the story of Tristan & Isolde so I learned more about that and I hope to see the movie and/or the opera soon! "

    — Laura, 2/7/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " It was very action-packed. It is based on events in Russia during WWII so I actually reviewed and learned more about history while reading this book. It discusses the story of Tristan & Isolde so I learned more about that and I hope to see the movie and/or the opera soon! "

    — Laura, 2/7/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I really liked this book. It is a best seller plot. However, I really liked how it was set in WWII instead of today. It makes you wonder about how many secret plots there are in our world. "

    — Lori, 2/5/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I really liked this book. It is a best seller plot. However, I really liked how it was set in WWII instead of today. It makes you wonder about how many secret plots there are in our world. "

    — Lori, 2/5/2010
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " My mom-in-law left this at my house, so I read it. He wrote Borne Identity too. I loved that movie, but didn't really enjoy reading that book either. "

    — Emily, 1/23/2010
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " My mom-in-law left this at my house, so I read it. He wrote Borne Identity too. I loved that movie, but didn't really enjoy reading that book either. "

    — Emily, 1/23/2010

About Robert Ludlum

Eric Van Lustbader is the author of more than twenty-five bestselling novels, including New York Times bestsellers The Ninja and The Testament. His novels have been translated into over twenty languages. He has also written several novels in Robert Ludlum’s highly successful Bourne series, including The Bourne Legacy, The Bourne Betrayal, The Bourne Sanction, and others. Before turning to writing full-time, he enjoyed a highly successful career in the New York City public school system, where he holds licenses in both elementary and early childhood education. 

About Paul Michael

Paul Michael, winner of several Earphones Awards, has also won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. He has acted on stage, radio, television, and in feature films in Canada, Great Britain, and the United States. He has had leading roles in series and made-for-television movies and has guest starred in such series as VIP and Alias. He has been nominated for a Canadian Emmy and has recorded over 150 audiobooks, including the international bestseller The Da Vinci Code.