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A Simple Act of Violence Audiobook, by R. J. Ellory Play Audiobook Sample

A Simple Act of Violence Audiobook

A Simple Act of Violence Audiobook, by R. J. Ellory Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Kevin Kenerly Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 12.33 hours at 1.5x Speed 9.25 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: August 2011 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781483076768

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

62

Longest Chapter Length:

44:08 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

02:22 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

17:50 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

4

Other Audiobooks Written by R. J. Ellory: > View All...

Publisher Description

Washington, embroiled in midterm elections, did not want to hear the truth about an unsettling series of murders. But when the newspapers reported a fourth killing, when they gave the killer a name and details of his horrendous crimes, few people could ignore it.

Detective Robert Miller is assigned to the case and rapidly uncovers a complication: the victims do not officially exist. Their personal details do not register on any known systems, and as Miller unearths ever more disturbing facts, he starts to face truths about the corrupt world he lives in—truths so far removed from his own reality that he begins to fear for his life.

In the tradition of the masters of suspense, R. J. Ellory has written a shocking and tense narrative of politics and violence in the nerve center of America. As Detective Miller becomes more and more embroiled in the shifting realities of the case, the reader is irresistibly propelled through the intrigues and betrayals of Washington’s elite. This controversial and timely novel explores the notions of identity and hidden government dealings, and it is sure to stay with the reader long after the final page.

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"If you have not read RJ Ellory before, then reading the "blurb" for this book, you might be expecting a fairly standard "serial killer thriller". If you are a "constant reader" then you will know that, despite the title, there is probably going to be nothing simple about it. Several women have been murdered in Washington - beaten then strangled to death, a smell of lavender lingers and they all have a ribbon and tag on their bodies. Initially being dealt with by several investigators, the next victim of "The Ribbon Killer", Catherine Sheridan brings Robert Miller onto the scene...in fairly short order, he is in charge of the overall investigation into all the deaths. Nothing is quite as it seems - and there I will stop discussing the plot because, trust me, you want to be discovering the truth right there along with Miller. As is usual for Mr Ellory's books, several characters resonated with me. Millar is interesting to say the least, and his interactions with another terrific character, John Robey, make for scintillating reading. I am never disappointed by this author - ever since I picked up "Candlemoth" which remains, and probably always will remain, my favourite book of his, I have come to each new read with a great sense of anticipation and he always delivers. I loved this book - at its heart it is about the lengths that any of us might go to achieve something we believe in, and how the world may judge us when we do so. Simply brilliant."

— Liz (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “The backstory is ingeniously written as a first-person account of the relationship of the killer to his victims and relates how passions of the persons involved and their actions lead up to the present. The DC murder investigations, written in third person, provide a quick read and plenty of blood and gory scenes to satisfy the taste of the most bloodthirsty thriller fan. There is something for everyone in A Simple Act of Violence…This crime thriller will delight the palate of lovers of political intrigue in international venues, events that ring of historical truth, bringing the action closer to the realm of real life.”

    — New York Journal of Books
  • “A Simple Act of Violence is a masterful exercise in suspense that keeps unfolding and taking the reader to unexpected places. This one will keep you up late reading, and then you won’t sleep.”

    — John Lutz, New York Times bestselling author
  • “A police procedural…shape-shifts into a conspiracy thriller and a historical exposé…There are powerful scenes and vivid images.”

    — Wall Street Journal
  • “An awesome achievement—a thriller of such power, scope, and accomplishment that fanfares should herald its arrival.”

    — Guardian (Manchester)
  • “A real page turner—shocking and deeply moving by turn.”

    — Scotsman
  • “This is a book with everything that a fan of modern mystery fiction could hope for: a labyrinthine plot, unbearable tension, controversy, and a social conscience.”

    — Crimesquad
  • “Ellory brings a new psychological and moral tension to the genre, mixing Washington politics with serial killings.”

    — Saga 
  • “So skillful is his use of dialogue and the Washington location, in a thriller that propels the reader along and offers shocks and suspense in equal measure, that one never doubts the authenticity of his American credentials…This is a long, substantial novel. Yet had it been twice as long this reviewer would still have wanted more.”

    — Waterstones Books Quarterly
  • “A superb crime thriller…Impressive prose and pacing, coupled with a grim, unflinching view of reality that James Ellroy would recognize, make this a must-read for noir fans.”

    — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
  • “Kevin Kenerly narrates Ellory’s thriller with all the suspense and depth it deserves. He offers an intense, deep, and even troubled first-person portrayal of Jon Robey, a CIA assassin with a backstory that spans from his childhood to his 1980s operations in Nicaragua to his present-day role as a college professor. His chronicle is juxtaposed with the third-person account of Detective Robert Miller, who leads the Washington DC Police Department’s investigation into Robey’s connection to the murders of four women. Kenerly provides an interesting touch of warmth beneath the urban-cop exterior of Miller, along with a host of believable supporting characters. This is a crime story with government conspiracy, violence, corruption, and psychological intrigue expertly woven throughout by both author and narrator.”

    — AudioFile
  • “Ellory is back with an amazing new novel. It’s not only a mystery with enough plot twists to keep the most jaded fan of the genre guessing, it’s also a high-speed car chase of a thriller…Ellory lures the reader into a Machiavellian tapestry of international proportions…Many writers who attempt to construct a novel with levels of geopolitical intrigue found here wind up producing a string of lame polemics or, even worse, a conspiracy-theory rant. It’s a tribute to Ellory’s mastery of his craft to note that he avoids these pitfalls completely. This is a superbly entertaining book and one that will endure in the reader’s thoughts long after the last page turns. After several fine novels, it’s high time for Ellory to take his rightful place on crime fiction’s A-list.”

    — Booklist (starred review)
  • “A very cunningly constructed serial killer thriller.”

    — Bookseller Paperback Preview
  • “Grips with an iron fist until the bitter end.”

    — Shortlist
  • “Conspiracy buffs will have a field day.”

    — Kirkus Reviews

Awards

  • A 2011 Publishers Weekly Best Book
  • A 2009 Barry Award Finalist for Best British Novel
  • Winner of the 2010 Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award

A Simple Act of Violence Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.5238095238095237 out of 53.5238095238095237 out of 53.5238095238095237 out of 53.5238095238095237 out of 53.5238095238095237 out of 5 (3.52)
5 Stars: 6
4 Stars: 7
3 Stars: 4
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 4
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 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I took a bit of time to read this book because in mid read I moved and couldn't find it. I did stumble across it again and finished it. The story and crimes were very intriguing. The 'voice' of one of the characters was very ambiguous at first and the fleshed out. I wasn't expecting the complicated ending. It was okay but a bit conspiracy heavy. "

    — Elena, 2/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It is too long and tedious. I didn't like this book, I didn't finish it and I'm now hoping someone is daft enough to buy it. "

    — James, 2/8/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " An epic tale of the CIA, Nicaragua and some excellent conspiracy theories. Ellory at his best. "

    — Joe, 1/27/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " flat as a pancake, incomplete sentences, hard to follow, uninspiring story "

    — Jerrle, 1/26/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " a lot of political intrigue in this one "

    — Betty, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Beautifully written, but. The time-scale seemed wrong- the detective brought to his knees by exhaustion and stress.. in something under a week? In addition the ending didn't seem worthy of the carefully constructed plot. It felt rushed, as though the author got so far and didn't know how to bring it all to a satisfactory conclusion. All in all, a bit of a disappointment. "

    — Kate, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Keeps you reading - or listening from beginning to end. I recommend highly to my mystery/thriller loving friends. "

    — Sally, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I enjoyed this book very much "

    — Devora, 1/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I did not like this book. It was too hard to keep up with. I listen to it on audio and I could not understand who is was that was telling a version of the story. Nor did I like the F---- words ALL the time! "

    — Peggy, 12/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Intriguing....a mystery wrapped around an enigma "

    — Deborah, 12/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " You know when you start reading something, and you're just like, "This is so stupid"? That was this. Couldn't read it. Just couldn't. Started dumb and with every sentence became dumber. Actually reading it, thinking, "Is this actually a parody of bad crime?" Ditched it at the first opportunity. "

    — Elizabeth, 10/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " as good as a quiet belief in angels "

    — Martin, 4/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Liked the detective and story line....but for me it drug out "

    — Tiffany, 11/4/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Another fantastic read from the pen of this gifted writer. Only he could make the reader feel sympathy for a cia assasin. This is a real page-turner and is one of his best yet. "

    — Neil, 7/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A long way to go and a lot of pages to read in this conspiracy theory novel set in dc. Somewhat laborious, some sympathetic characters, unsatisfactory resolution "

    — Barb, 5/27/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very good storyline, characters are well developped, its very hard to find out what is really happenng until the end, i recommend this book to anyone who love thrille, crime, conspiracy! Enjoy! "

    — Etienne02breton, 4/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " brilliant .... intelligent political thriller - love this guys work "

    — Steve, 2/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very good story but too long in parts. I felt the book could have done with a bit more editing. In parts I just skimmed over the pages to get to the good bits. "

    — Amkd69, 12/31/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " R.J. Ellroy just keeps getting better. His newest book, A Simple Act of Violence, is not only a great suspense thriller, but his research into the inner workings of the CIA will blow you away. A must read. "

    — J.m., 10/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is a book that kept me wanting to read more. Then when I did I could not wait to see who the author ended it.<br/>It is hard to describe his style, but it is different and unusual. I highly recommend this read.<br/> "

    — Ralph, 10/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " a lot of political intrigue in this one "

    — Betty, 8/3/2011

About R. J. Ellory

R. J. Ellory, orphaned at the age of seven and sent to prison for poaching when he was seventeen, immersed himself in literature and set about learning the craft of writing fiction. He now divides his time between writing and volunteer programs in drug rehabilitation and youth literacy. He is married with one son.

About Kevin Kenerly

Kevin Kenerly, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, earned a BA at Olivet College. A longtime member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, he has acted in more than twenty seasons, playing dozens of roles.