All the Queen's Men

By: Linda Howard

Narrated by: Kate Forbes

Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

No one can get close to John Medina, the CIA's legendary Black Ops specialist who works in the shadows of the government's deadliest missions. He is a virtual invisible man, with no friends, many enemies, and a cloud of suspicion surrounding the death of his wife.

And no one knows the dangers better than Niema Burdock. A sharp, steely-nerved communications expert, Niema and her husband, Dallas, worked side by side with Medina on an explosive mission that went tragically wrong.

She could hear it all play out, horribly, on the radio: Dallas set off the detonators at John Medina's command - and found himself trapped in the crossfire. In a shattering blast, Niema's hope and her love were destroyed....

Now Niema has withdrawn to a quiet Intelligence position, and a safe - if predictable - existence that has helped her heal her scars from five years ago. And she never planned to see Medina again. But now John Medina needs her....

A French arms dealer is supplying international terrorist units, and John Medina must infiltrate his compound and crack the deadly ring. But only Niema can plant the undetectable bugs needed to nail the dealer - a feat that begins by going undercover and winning his trust. But when their careful strategy begins to crack, Niema and John take flight - and find their partnership sparking with an erotically charged, unquenchable electricity. In a world of deception, one thing is clear: John Medina has once again set Niema on a free fall into danger and desire - and one can't exist without the other.

©2012 Linda Howard (P)2012 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A high-suspense romance.... Howard's trademark darkly sensual style and intense, layered plot will delight her fans." ( Booklist)

"Ms. Howard has made the character [of John Medina] irresistible.... A fascinating novel of suspense and sensual tension." ( Rendezvous)

"[A] sexy thriller.... Another explosive hit.... When it comes to mixing that perfect blend of romance and danger, Ms. Howard is unbeatable!" ( Romantic Times)

So Entertaining!!!

love this!! I can't begin to say how I liked the narration!! I was completely entranced, the story sucked you in till you could visually see the people, surroundings and the emotions.
Thank you Linda Howard I hope you use the Narrator, which I believe is Kate Forbes again she did an exceptional job, wonderful voice.

This is book you will enjoy more than once

Kate Forbes does an outstanding job narrating this book. This book has well developed characters in special ops. I have actually listened to this at least three times.

Enjoyable enough, but not Howard's best

Solid narration by Kate Forbes. Fair story. Nothing special, but not bad. I liked the scenes where John Medina (Tucker) was teaching self-defense to Niema Burdoch. There's explicit sex towards the end. The two protagonists did something very stupid, hanging around in France when danger clearly lurked.

Linda Howard's "CIA Spies" series get lots of acclaim, but personally, I think they are half-baked. They didn't feel complete as a romance nor as a suspense thriller.

The three books in the series, in order:

1. Kill and Tell. An old US Marine (retired) sent his "Sniper killbook" to his estranged wife and daughter. It contains evidence that would expose a corrupt senator. When said sniper is murdered, his daughter Karen turns to New Orleans PD detective Marc Chastain for help. A CIA agent (John Medina) gets involved because the bad guys also killed his father. Too much torrid sex in this one, but a decent plot.

2. All the Queen's Men (this book). Covert CIA agent John Medina (introduced in Kill and Tell) puts the sting on a deadly explosives operation, meanwhile putting the moves on CIA techno-geek Niema Burdoch. He's loved her for five years. We also learn that John Medina has a soft spot for Karen and Marc (book 1), keeping watch over them.

3. Kiss Me While I Sleep (very slight overlap with the two previous books). There is a mole in the CIA, and the highly trusted CIA director is in critical condition. Special agent Lucas Swain doesn't know who to trust, so he's on his own, bringing down a renegade operative in France. However, Lily Mansfield is more than he expected. Together, Lucas and Lily put a stop to a bioterrorism plot.

Favorite male character

If you could sum up All the Queen's Men in three words, what would they be?

Intriguing improbable romp

What other book might you compare All the Queen's Men to and why?

Kiss Me While I Sleep, Cry No More, Burn, Shadow Woman, Kill and Tell, Midnight Rainbow

What about Kate Forbes’s performance did you like?

Good strong voice. Easy to understand.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

"Le pant" and cheer

Any additional comments?

Reality isn't nearly as interesting as fiction.

Classic, wonderful Linda Howard

If you could sum up All the Queen's Men in three words, what would they be?

Suspensful, Sexy, Bittersweet.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes. The plot to get the bad guy was so high risk, I kept expecting them to be caught at any moment.

What does Kate Forbes bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I wasn't the biggest fan of her performance. Her reading of the female protagonist seemed off. It was not terrible, just not the best.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The beginning was very emotional.

Great storyline!

I always enjoy linda Howard. This was one of her best; loved it and the narrator was perfection!

A fun listen

I've always enjoyed CIA/spy novels, add in the romance, and this was fun. Good suspense, background, and character development - I want to read the next book!

Unable to read

Some of India Howard’s books are among my favorites but I could not get through this one. It was a great disappointment to me.