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Child 44 Audiobook
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(4.00) - 18,598 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
In a country ruled by fear, no one is innocent.
Stalin's Soviet Union is an official paradise, where citizens live free from crime and fear only one thing: the all-powerful state. Defending this system is idealistic security officer Leo Demidov, a war hero who believes in the iron fist of the law. But when a murderer starts to kill at will and Leo dares to investigate, the State's obedient servant finds himself demoted and exiled. Now, with only his wife at his side, Leo must fight to uncover shocking truths about a killer-and a country where "crime" doesn't exist.
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"I found this book in my grandmothers closet when we were packing up her things after she died. No one knew where it came from but I realllllly liked it. The description doesn't even begin to tell you what this story is really about. I hope he has more books bc I look forward to reading them."
— Kim (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Stellar…The evocation of the deadly cloud-cuckoo-land of Russia during Stalin’s final days will remind many of Gorky Park and Darkness at Noon, but the novel remains Smith’s alone, completely original and absolutely satisfying.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“Dennis Boutsikaris’ nuanced delivery, especially his deftly varied tones, adds significantly to the book’s allure and, perhaps, makes this audio version more intense than mere written words.”
— AudioFile -
“Inventive, edgy, and relentlessly gripping from the first page to the last.”
— Scott Turow, #1 New York Times bestselling author -
“A rare blend of great insight, excellent writing, and a refreshingly original story.”
— Nelson DeMille, New York Times bestselling author -
“Few novels…have touched so eloquently on the complex moral climate of life in the Soviet Union while delivering all the pleasures of a brilliant airport read.”
— Guardian (London) -
“Child 44 telegraphs the talent and class of its writer from its opening pages, transporting you back to the darkest days of postwar Soviet Russia with assured efficiency and ruthlessly drawing you into its richly atmospheric and engrossing tale.”
— Raymond Khoury, New York Times bestselling author -
“One of the rare pleasures of the book-reviewing trade is first hearing all sorts of advance hype about a novel and then finding out that every word was true.”
— Chicago Tribune -
“Dennis Boutsikaris expertly conveys the fear and paranoia that permeates Smith’s outstanding debut novel…Using Russian accents to their full advantage, Boutsikaris infuses his characters’ dialogue with a deep sense of downtrodden melancholia. His staid, deliberate reading captures the soul-numbing oppressiveness of life under a totalitarian regime, as well as one man’s desperate fight against it in order to do what’s right.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred audio review) -
Child 44 not only is one of the best mysteries of this year, but it is one of the most remarkable and original debuts in recent years. Set in post WWII Stalinist Russia, Child 44 works equally well as a hard-boiled novel, a political thriller, a regional mystery and an emotional, even romantic story about a couple rediscovering each other. It is at once gritty, chilling, depressing, hopeful and, above all, fascinating...Dennis Boutsikaris is the perfect reader for this story. Boutsikaris, who frequently shows up on Law & Order, captures the story's angst, nuances and accents.
— Sun Sentinel
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
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Longlisted for the 2008 Man Booker Prize
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Winner of the 2008 CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger
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Winner of the 2009 Audie Award for Best Narration
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Winner of the 2009 Barry Award for Best First Novel
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A 2009 Anthony Award Finalist for Best First Novel
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A 2009 Dilys Award Finalist
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Winner of the 2009 International Thriller Writers Award for Best First Novel
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A 2008 Los Angeles Times Book Prize Nominee for Mystery/Thriller
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A BookRiot Pick of 50 of the Best Thriller Audiobooks
Child 44 Listener Reviews
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Karen Meinzer, 10/10/2022
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" Thought this book was an awesome read! Couldn't put it down:) "
— Eli, 2/20/2014 -
" Wow! So many twists and turns throughout the book. It is a page-turner! "
— Dara, 2/14/2014 -
" Great book, really evocative of Soviet times. "
— Alan, 2/4/2014 -
" I'm not sure what to say about this book. I found the first half alternating between boring and disturbing. I don't always shy away from books about tragic human conditions but child murders and the brutality of Stalinist USSR were not pleasant evening reading and the characters not likeable. Toward the second half of the book the story becomes a page turner, I found myself rooting for the characters and the plot twists were surprising and exciting. That being said, I'm not really motivated to keep reading the next book in the trilogy...but you never know. "
— Rita, 1/31/2014 -
" Did not think I was going to like this book. It took me about 75 pages to really get in to it and I loved it! "
— Amanda, 1/30/2014 -
" I think I would give this a solid 3.5 stars if I could. It was interesting to learn about the happenings and politics inside Communist Russia. It was a bit predicable. "
— Bkarley, 1/24/2014 -
" I really enjoyed the story and was immersed in the paranoid, "trust no-one" soviet era. Part thriller, part mystery - the story moved along without much introspection from the narrator. I did a tiny eye-roll at the ending. Fun, quick read, though. "
— Miriam, 1/23/2014 -
" If you're going to bore the reader, you have to pay him off. The more you bore him, the higher the payment needs to be. This book paid pretty well, but no matter how many times I counted my change, I was still short eleven cents. "
— Jon, 1/4/2014 -
" Edge of my seat. Complicated characters. Enjoyed reading it so much! "
— J, 12/25/2013 -
" Great, great book. I quite liked the characters and the twists and turns in the story. Looking forward to ready the next installment. "
— Bethj, 12/16/2013 -
" I am currently reading this first novel by tom rob smith and thoroughly enjoying it. Interesting plot and good characters. "
— Pattij, 11/24/2013 -
" Learned of the book from Brian Yothers. Never had heard of the author. It was a real page turner. Although it is fiction, it gives an idea of how many people had to live their lives in years past. "
— Rbyothers, 9/27/2013 -
" I don't normally enjoy Soviet Union milieued books but Child 44 is well written and captivating. Very good "
— Celeste, 9/15/2013 -
" Would have been a 4 but for the last couple of chapters. I found the murderer's identity and motive weakened the entire book. "
— Alana, 8/25/2013 -
" Great read! This book was very different from the books that I normally read, it was a nice surprise. "
— Sheetal, 6/3/2013 -
" Mysteries are not on top of my to-be-read list, but this author has changed my mind. He has also made me a bit paranoid in the process. I do not know why I picked this read, but I am glad I did. Now I must read the other two in this series! "
— Carol, 1/15/2013 -
" Bonus Book - March 2012 "
— The, 9/9/2012 -
" I liked this book and the story coming from the Stalin Soviet Union not something I have read much of. It was interesting from the start to try and figure out who were the real good guys and the real bad guys and who was really responsible for the mass murders. "
— Niki, 8/2/2012 -
" Amazing book and the plot gets revealed only after half the book is over and is stunning. It also teaches a lesson not to loose faith in adversity and face it and you will win. Highly recommended... Thank you Raghu for recommending this.. "
— Pawan, 6/4/2012 -
" Re-reading for book discussion. Okay, on re-reading I find some of the plot far-fetched, but the action is riveting and the sense of time and place (1950s Russia) is exceptional. "
— Bayneeta, 4/10/2012 -
" Very dark and depressing, however subject I.e cold war Russia was a dark, depressing time. Have read all books in the series and 'enjoyed' them all. "
— Sara, 3/13/2012 -
" Outstanding. A great story and a slice of life in the former USSR. "
— D., 5/21/2011 -
" I enjoyed it. Russia at the end of Stallin reign. If something is written down on official paper--its true no matter what!!! "
— Lladroluv, 5/17/2011 -
" Not my usual thing, but with nothing else available on holiday, this was remarkably entertaining and not badly written. "
— Sarah, 5/10/2011 -
" Yes the book is fast-paced and intriguing, even suspenseful most of the way. And it's believable. Until the end. The end to me was just a little too pat, too convenient, too happy. This is not a warm-fuzzy book, why did the author gives us a warm-fuzzy ending? "
— Carol, 4/28/2011 -
" The plot of this book starts out interesting -- a state security officer finds himself being investigated and questioned, and rethinks his loyalties -- and it drew a vivid picture of 50s Russia, but the plot gets so ridiculous by the end that it's hard to stay with it. "
— alana, 4/26/2011
About Tom Rob Smith
Tom Rob Smith graduated from Cambridge University in 2001 and lives in London. His first novel, Child 44, was a New York Times bestseller and an international success. Among its many honors, Child 44 won the CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger Award and was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize. He wrote the follow up to Child 44, The Secret Speech, in 2009, and the third installment in the series, Agent 6, was released in 2011. Smith lives in Central London.
About Dennis Boutsikaris
Dennis Boutsikaris is a two-time OBIE award winner. He has received five Audie Awards and seven Golden Earphone Awards for his work in over 100 audiobooks and was voted one of the Best Voices of the Year by AudioFile magazine. He has appeared in numerous Broadway, television, and film roles. He played Mozart on Broadway in Amadeus and has appeared on television shows including Shameless, The Good Wife, House M.D., Grey’s Anatomy, ER, and Law & Order.