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A Vine in the Blood Audiobook
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(3.98) - 118 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
It is the eve of the FIFA World Cup, the globe's premier sporting event. The host country is Brazil. All eyes are on the country's principal striker, Tico "The Artist" Santos, the greatest player in the history of the sport. All the politicians in Brasilia, from the President of the Republic on down, have their seats squared away for the finale, when they hope to see Argentina, Brazil's bitterest rival, humbled by the Brazilian eleven. But then, just three weeks before the first game, Juraci Santos, Tico's mother, is kidnapped. The star is distraught. The public is appalled. The politicians are outraged. And the pressure is on Chief Inspector Mario Silva to get her back. Suspects aren't lacking. Among them are a cabal of Argentineans, suspected of having spirited the lady away to put Tico off his game; the star's gold-digging, top-model girlfriend, whom his mother dislikes and has been trying to get out of his life; his principal rival, who wants to play in the World Cup in Tico's place; and the man whose leg Tico broke during a match, thereby destroying his career. In the end, Silva and his crew discover that the solution to the mystery is less complex—but entirely unexpected.
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"Always a joy and thrill to read these tales from Brazil by Gage and how appropriate to finally have a mystery centered around football, the national sport. I enjoy more the interaction between Silva and his team and his jerk of a boss than the actual solving of the crimes. They make for entertaining exchanges. As usual I couldn't put this one down and finished it in less than 24 hours. It's that type of book. Violent kidnapping of Brazil's best player's mother right before the big match with Argentina. The police actually seek out known criminal kingpins for their help and this leads to some diverting but engrossing subplots. We also encounter the shallow and very unlikeable characters who you want to be behind the crime. Just lots of surprises in this one and we meet an interesting character in jail who helps Silva for a good recommendation for parole. It will be interesting to see if their paths cross again. Book Six is done according to the author but it won't be released until late 2012. What a long wait for the next one!!"
— Chris (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Hard-hitting, atmospheric…The Silva investigations have all the step-by-step excitement of a world-class procedural series…The books’ greatest appeal, though, is Silva. Even after five books and many glimpses into his past and present, he remains an enigma. The reader never knows what the detective might or might not do in order to balance the scales of justice.”
— Wall Street Journal -
“This book, like all of the titles in Gage’s Chief Inspector Mario Silva Investigations series, throws a spotlight on the society and politics of contemporary Brazil. A Vine in the Blood attests to that country’s intense involvement with the game of soccer…Gage effectively increases the suspense of his latest work by creating a variety of characters, each with a valid motive for the crime.”
— Examiner.com -
“Gage’s stellar fifth Chief Inspector Mario Silva police procedural centers on the kidnapping of Juraci Santos, the abrasive mother of Brazil’s new Pele, Tico ‘the Artist’ Santos…Rising above Brazilian brutality, corruption, and bribery with uncommon wit and the help of his colorful, appealing colleagues, he scores a winning goal in an enormously complex kidnap payoff scheme.”
— Publishers Weekly, starred review -
“The fifth Chief Inspector Mario Silva investigation takes place on the eve of the World Cup championship between Brazil and bitter rival Argentina…This time he pairs that with an engaging and fast-paced mystery that suggests real-life scenarios, given that Brazil will be hosting the World Cup in 2014.”
— Booklist
A Vine in the Blood Listener Reviews
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" This was a very quick read with a kidnapping plot. The mother of a famous Braziian soccer star is kidnapped and held for ransom. Was it because they wanted him to be off his game? Was it because he caused injury to certain players? Also interesting, the ransom was requested as 5 million in diamonds. A very good cast of characters, a good story and a glimpse into the popularity of soccer in Brazil. I would recommend this book. "
— Patricia, 2/11/2014 -
" The book started slowly. Gradually, the tension built to a semi-exciting conclusion. Not the greatest mystery I've read but certainly worth reading. "
— Jeffrey, 2/9/2014 -
" I enjoyed this latest installment in the da Silva series more than others - it was lighter both by being less graphically violent and by having more humor. The downside is that it lacked a bit of the intense flavor of Brazil evoked by some of the other books in the series. The neatness of the crime plotting and uncovering at the end had a satisfying Agatha Christie type feel to it. Very enjoyable overall, and I'll keep reading further books in the series as they come out. "
— Mel, 2/4/2014 -
" Really good story. I usually don't mind cuss words, this book was flavored a bit to much with them for my taste. Other than that the story line was great even if we didn't find out who stole the panties. "
— Susie, 1/20/2014 -
" Not as dark as the previous boks but rewarding. This is more of a police procedural story and it involves the whole team working with Silva. I always enjoy Mr. Gage's books. "
— Robert, 8/4/2013 -
" Lovers of police procedurals will enjoy this narrative. The international setting of the story makes it particularly interesting, and the interplay of the various characters is particularly well done. "
— Patrick, 5/28/2013 -
" Fun detective procedural that takes place in Brazil. Fast read. "
— Steve, 10/18/2012 -
" Very well written. I was impressed!! "
— Michelle, 5/29/2012
About Leighton Gage
Leighton Gage (1942–2013) wrote seven books in the Mario Silva series: Blood of the Wicked, Buried Strangers, Dying Gasp, Every Bitter Thing, A Vine in the Blood, Perfect Hatred, and The Ways of Evil Men. Since 1973, he spent part of each year in Santana do Parnaiba, Brazil, where he met his wife, Eide. His books have been translated into French, Italian, Finnish, and Dutch.
About Peter Berkrot
Peter Berkrot, winner of Audie and Earphones Awards for narration, is a stage, screen, and television actor and acting coach. He has narrated over 450 works that span a range of genres, including fiction, nonfiction, thriller, and children’s titles. His audiobook credits include works of Alan Glynn, Eric Van Lustbader, Nora Roberts and Dean Koontz. In film and television, he appeared in Caddyshack, America’s Most Wanted, and Unsolved Mysteries. He performs in regional and New York theaters and directs the New Voices acting school.