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A Whisper to the Living Audiobook
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(3.14) - 147 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Inspector Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov is an honest policeman in a very dishonest post-Soviet Union. He and his team are searching for a serial killer who has claimed at least forty victims. And then there is the problem of protecting a visiting British journalist who is working on a story about a Moscow prostitution ring—in doing so Rostnikov and his team uncover a chain of murders that lead to a source too high to be held accountable if the police want to keep their jobs—or their lives.
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"So sad to read what I assume is Stuart Kaminsky's last book, since he died last fall. I really like his characters, and to think I had never heard of him until 2 yrs ago. Just a chance meeting with a guy in line to get Sara Paretsky's autograph. He was getting autographs on all of her books and he also had a book about mystery writers by Stuart Kaminsky and told me I should check him out. Such a prolific writer. Inspector Rostnikov is a Russian Inspector who likes to read Ed McBain novels, has an artificial leg, and knows how to work the ins and outs of complex Russian society. Loves to work on plumbing in his free time and lift weights. Kaminsky seems to get all the nuances of Russian life, down to the food and little stuff of everyday living. Sometimes it is hard for me to follow all the characters. This is the 16th story in the Rostnikov series. He has four distinct series, 10 in Abe Lieberman Mysteries, 6 Lew Fonesca and 24 Toby Peters (who drives a Crosley!) Mysteries, plus some biographies. Not much of a review, I am just a fan of his writing."
— John (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Put the three stories together, and readers have another Kaminsky knockout.”
— Booklist (starred review) -
“Ironic humor lightens the somewhat grim life of the characters in this enthralling read.”
— RT Book Reviews (4 stars)
A Whisper to the Living Listener Reviews
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" This was a pretty good book, loved the different plot points and the mysteries, but the phrasing, language, and dialogue was a bit formal and to me, that means a bit boring. But this was a really good book! "
— Louisa, 2/19/2014 -
" What will probably be the final book in the Rostnikov series since the author passed away in 2009 though I would be overjoyed if there was a secret cache of further books somewhere. I love the characters in this series and was glad to see certain things finally play out. I will very much miss Rostnikov, Karpo, and all the others but luckily I have plenty of more of Stuart M. Kaminsky's work to read. "
— Sandi, 2/18/2014 -
" Very good. The series continues. "
— Al, 2/12/2014 -
" My happiness at discovering a new novel from one of my favorite authors, in one my favorite series was spoiled by the news of Stuart Kaminsky's death last fall, as revealed on the book's jacket. Kaminsky must have known this may have been his last novel and his craftmanship doesn't fail him. What a shame that we won't have new tales of his to discover. Wonderful last outing for a great series. "
— Bradley, 2/10/2014 -
" So far, so really good. And I am so sad that this will be the last one with Mr. Kaminsky passing away. I love the characters and I can't wait to find out if the wedding takes place. "
— Regina, 1/18/2014 -
" I really enjoy this series set in contemporary Russia. So sorry this was Kaminsky's last before his untimely death. "
— Linda, 1/4/2014 -
" 3.5 Sad to think this is the last Kaminsky book! I always preferred the Abe Lieberman series, but there's a lot to be said for Porfiry too. "
— Lynn, 12/26/2013 -
" Another fine entry in this series from Kaminsky. Too bad he is no longer with us. I love all of his series and will miss regular entries from him. "
— Robin, 12/26/2013 -
" Another spot on novel about post Soviet Russia. Mr. Kaminsky will be sorely missed. "
— Ellen, 12/11/2013 -
" Good characters; the author died in 2009 and I shall miss his Inspector Rostnikov. "
— Sandy, 11/24/2013 -
" I enjoyed this very much, as usual. Is this the last book in the series Mr. Kaminsky wrote? "
— Squeaky, 11/23/2013 -
" Murder mystery, read with Russian accents. I liked the characters. "
— Barb, 11/23/2013 -
" I'm getting to like these characters more and more - wouldn't you know that I wouldn't "find" this series until after Mr. Kaminsky died. "
— Carolyn, 5/18/2013 -
" The last of the Inspector Rostnikov great mysteries. Going to miss the talented writing of Stuart Kaminsky. "
— Dan, 3/16/2013 -
" I sooooo enjoy the Inspector Rostnikov series by Stuary Kaminsky. "
— Helena, 7/7/2012 -
" I liked this book a lot, but I've liked all the Rostnikov books. I was sorry to find out that Kaminsky died recently "
— Tom, 10/31/2011 -
" Russian police procedural, searching for serial killer. "
— Sweetie, 12/14/2010 -
" I really, really, really liked this book. As Mr. Kaminsky died in Oct. 2009, I am sure this will be the last Inspector Rostnikov novel, I am so sad, I just love this series. Thank you so much for all of the wonderful books over the years and Rest in Peace Mr. Kaminsky! "
— Penny, 7/23/2010 -
" The last Rostnikov book--it was a good farewell. Time to move on. "
— Marfy, 6/3/2010 -
" I am so disappointed that there will be no more books featuring Inspector Rostnikov. I have enjoyed them all. "
— Sharron, 4/16/2010
About Stuart M. Kaminsky
Stuart Kaminsky (1934–2009) was one of the most prolific crime fiction authors of the last four decades. He wrote sixty books in all and penned twenty-four novels starring the detective Toby Peters, whom he described as “the anti–Philip Marlowe.” In 1981’s Death of a Dissident, he debuted Moscow police detective Porfiry Rostnikov, whose stories were praised for their accurate depiction of Soviet life. His other two series starred Abe Lieberman, a hardened Chicago cop, and Lew Fonseca, a process server. Born in Chicago, he spent his youth immersed in pulp fiction and classic cinema—two forms of popular entertainment which he would make his life’s work. After college and a stint in the army, he wrote film criticism and biographies of the great actors and directors of Hollywood’s Golden Age. In 1977, when a planned biography of Charlton Heston fell through, he wrote Bullet for a Star, his first Toby Peters novel, beginning a fiction career that would last the rest of his life.
About Daniel Oreskes
Daniel Oreskes is a narrator as well as a film, television, and stage actor. He has earned two AudioFile Earphones Awards for his narrations and has twice been a finalist for the Audie Award, including for 2012 Audiobook of the Year. His several film roles include The Thomas Crown Affair and Day Zero, and his many television credits include episodes of Law & Order. He has acted on Broadway in Electra and Aida and in the off-Broadway Arthur Miller play Mr. Peters’ Connections with Peter Falk, as well as in numerous Shakespeare performances. A native New Yorker, he trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.