The Cormorant Hunt

Name: The Cormorant Hunt
Brand: Simon & Schuster Audio
Availability: InStock
Author: Michael Idov
ISBN: 9781668123232

Author: Michael Idov

Series: The Cormorant Trilogy

Narrator: Santino Fontana

Unabridged: 1404 hr 7 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Published: 01/27/2026

Categories: Fiction, Suspense & Thriller, Espionage

Synopsis

A renegade CIA officer must infiltrate an extremist group in the heart of Europe in a novel offering “spy fiction at its headiest and most addictive” (Kirkus).

"[The Cormorant Hunt] left me breathless with its nimble plot work and sheer storytelling audacity." —Sarah Weinman, The New York Times

Ari Falk has just blown the lid off a massive conspiracy at the highest level within the CIA. While some hail him as a hero for exposing government corruption, others brand him as a dangerous traitor to his country. His quiet exile in the Republic of Georgia is shattered when a new mission arises — one perfectly suited for someone as jaded and unpredictable as him.

A hot war in Europe and shadowy political schemes set the stage for danger at every turn. Enter Asha Tamaskar, a brilliant, neurodivergent CIA officer with her own secrets, and Felix Burnham, a chilling antagonist with radical alliances that could change the global balance of power. From Tbilisi to Prague and Andorra to Bethesda, Falk’s quest for justice takes him on a high-stakes journey around the world.

The Cormorant Hunt explores geopolitics with grit and authenticity, weaving together a narrative that is both urgent and unforgettable. Razor-sharp dialogue, heart-pounding twists, and complex characters abound — blending suspense, wit, and brilliant storytelling, this is a must-read for fans of political intrigue, espionage, and thrillers that don’t play by the rules.

About Michael Idov

Michael Idov is a novelist, director, and screenwriter. A Latvian-born American raised in Riga under Soviet occupation, he moved to New York after graduating from the University of Michigan. Michael’s writing career began at New York magazine, where his features won three National Magazine Awards, and he has served as the editor-in-chief of GQ Russia. He is also the author of The Collaborators, Ground Up, and Dressed Up for a Riot. Michael has worked on numerous film and TV projects, including Londongrad, Deutschland 83, Leto, and The Humorist. He and his wife and screenwriting partner, Lily, divide their time between Los Angeles, Berlin, and Portugal.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Sarah Dressler on February 04, 2026

I always step outside of my typical reading zone for these spycraft thrillers and I am happy to say that this second book in the series is better than the first! Thank you for my early finished reading and listening copies! I highly recommend going between the print and audio copies, they are both we......more

Goodreads review by Debra on January 19, 2026

Thank you Scribner for my gifted ARC. My opinions are my own. It's December of 2023 and Ari Falk is still on the run, currently hiding in the Republic of Georgia two years after unmasking the massive conspiracy at the highest levels of the CIA. Asha Tamaskar, the head of Covert Activities now that Re......more

Goodreads review by Brad on February 05, 2026

The Cormorant Hunt is the 2nd Ari Falk spy thriller from Michael Idov. "Ari Falk is hiding in the Republic of Georgia. Some call him a hero, others call him traitor for exposing corruption at the agency. His cover is blown and he ends up in an off-the-books op searching for the shadowy figure behind-......more

Goodreads review by Brian on November 30, 2025

As in The Collaborators, I thought there could've been more to this story. There were parts the just seemed skipped over that I would've like to have seen. Not essential to the point of the story, but I would've like to have read about them nonetheless. I also found The Cormorant Hunt not quite as a......more

Goodreads review by Lou on January 18, 2026

THE CORMORANT HUNT by Michael Idol Publication: 01/ 27/2026 by Scribner: Simon & Schuster Page Count: 272 Graded: “A” Michael Idol, noted novelist, director and screenwriter delivers his second stand-alone cinematic spy thriller. Steeped in realistic, relevant international plots with fresh vibrant mul......more

Quotes

"Fontana’s strong performance is the perfect vehicle for this tale of modern-day spycraft."

"Disgraced former CIA operative Ari Falk’s self-imposed exile in the Republic of Georgia ends abruptly, and he finds himself at the heart of a mission to save the world from the leader of an extremist group intent on changing the balance of political power in Europe. Narrator Santino Fontana demonstrates a wide variety of accents, bringing to life characters from across the globe. His careful characterizations ensure the polished flow of the plot, and his skills are highlighted during dialogue-heavy scenes, where he seamlessly moves between characters and accents. Fontana’s timing and spot-on pacing keep the tension building as the twisting plot unfolds."