Zoo Station Audiobook By David Downing cover art

Zoo Station

John Russell WWII Spy, Book 1

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Zoo Station

By: David Downing
Narrated by: Simon Prebble
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By 1939, Anglo-American journalist John Russell has spent over a decade in Berlin, where his son lives with his mother. He writes human-interest pieces for British and American papers, avoiding the investigative journalism that could get him deported. But as World War II approaches, he faces having to leave his son as well as his girlfriend of several years, a beautiful German starlet.

When an acquaintance from his old communist days approaches him to do some work for the Soviets, Russell is reluctant, but he is unable to resist the offer. He becomes involved in other dangerous activities, helping a Jewish family and a determined young American reporter. When the British and the Nazis notice his involvement with the Soviets, Russell is dragged into the murky world of warring intelligence services.

©2007 David Downing (P)2021 Recorded Books Inc. Espionage Historical Mystery Political Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense

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Featured Article 10 Thrilling Spy Book Series for Espionage Lovers
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One of my favorite narrators. The story and characters were surprisingly satisfactory. The fact that the characters were woven into a story that followed actual historical events made it even more interesting and the suspense was palpable. The author managed to capture the danger of day-to-day living during an incredible period of time.

Thoroughly enjoyable

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I’ve read the first two and am so excited there are more! Outstanding series!! The characters, the storyline…all of it was amazing.

I love this series!

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Unusual location and time for a spy novel. Great story- it did a great job of capturing the time and place of pre WW II Berlin and Nazi Germany.
Highly recommend and I look forward to listening to the rest of the series

Loved this story

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Strong story about becoming an antiNazi spy in the third reich. Beautifully and simply written. Humane and poetic and subtly thrilling.

Superior narrative fluidity and precision

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Interesting, enlightening and shocking insight of brutality of Nazi regime written to insert reader into those horrific conditions and time.

Great story

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The author, narrator and characters took awhile to grab me, but I appreciated the pace and subtlety of what was being orchestrated and am happy I stuck with it. Beautiful historical detail and believable human dilemmas and suspense. More for those who seek time travel to this dramatic enough historical period than for those looking for action and mayhem.

Atmospheric, subtle work of WW2 fiction

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I thought that the author properly described what life was like pre war in Nazi Germany. And built a story around that miserable experience.

WW2 spy story

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This felt like Act I as I read it. Allowing it to hold that position in the series had me appreciating the way Downing handled the slow burn and intricate and nuanced humanity of espionage. I have high hopes for the rest of the series built upon a solid foundation. I like the characters, the precarious nature of Russell’s position, and his “everyman” approach to spy craft. Not to mention the supporting cast, world building, atmospheric tension, and a nice balance between interiority and plot.

A Spy novel with literary thrust

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For me, born in 1948, it is a lesson in Third Reich history: detailed, educational, thrilling and, in parts, heartbreaking.
Simon Prebble is a great narrator. I only wish he had been given some advice regarding the pronunciation of German words (names, places, streets etc). Nevertheless, I am looking forward to Silesian Station.

A history lesson!

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The story wove intense stories of humans entrenched in a changing world and attempting to cope. The narrator’s voice matched the mood of the times and each character.

Overall great listen!

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