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Second Violin: An Inspector Troy Novel Audiobook
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(3.08) - 400 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
The sixth installment in the Inspector Troy series, Lawton’s novel opens in 1938 with Europe on the brink of war. In London, Frederick Troy, newly promoted to the prestigious Murder Squad at Scotland Yard, is put in charge of rounding up a list of German and Italian “enemy aliens” that also includes Frederick’s brother, Rod, who learns upon receiving an internment letter that despite having grown up in England he is Austrian born. Hundreds of men are herded by train to a neglected camp on the Isle of Man. And, as the bombs start falling on London, a murdered rabbi is found, then another, and another. Amidst great war, murder is what matters. Moving from the Nazi-infested alleys of prewar Vienna to the bombed-out streets of 1940 London, and featuring an extraordinary cast of characters, Lawton’s latest brings to life war-torn London. In this uncommon thriller, John Lawton delivers a suspenseful and intelligent novel, as good a spy story as it is a historical narrative.
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"Still don't understand why this is a "thriller" since no one is a spy or being chased for state secrets. What it IS is a really cracking historical read, starting out in 1938 London, Berlin, and Vienna. Most of the action takes place in England, and there IS a mystery of sorts, but it plays a very minor role. This is really about history, and the characters. I will be seeking out more John Lawton!"
— Kate (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Engrossing.”
— Publishers Weekly
Second Violin Listener Reviews
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" Excellent. Exceptional. WONDERFUL...even though there are some very sorrowful pages. John Lawton is a fine, fine writer. I just wish I had read them in chronological order. IMPORTANT! He wrote them out of sync so if you start the series, start with this one. I'm actually going to go back and read the series again, this time in order. "
— Caroline, 1/23/2014 -
" Excellent. Exceptional. WONDERFUL...even though there are some very sorrowful pages. John Lawton is a fine, fine writer. I just wish I had read them in chronological order. IMPORTANT! He wrote them out of sync so if you start the series, start with this one. I'm actually going to go back and read the series again, this time in order. "
— Caroline, 1/23/2014 -
" The book was just ok. My one possitive comment was the feel of war torn London. "
— Mary, 1/13/2014 -
" The book was just ok. My one possitive comment was the feel of war torn London. "
— Mary, 1/13/2014 -
" not as atmospheric as Alan Furst but very good anyway. "
— Sharron, 12/31/2013 -
" not as atmospheric as Alan Furst but very good anyway. "
— Sharron, 12/31/2013 -
" Second Violin: An Inspector Troy Thriller by John Lawton (2008) "
— Tom, 12/20/2013 -
" Second Violin: An Inspector Troy Thriller by John Lawton (2008) "
— Tom, 12/20/2013 -
" Still don't understand why this is a "thriller" since no one is a spy or being chased for state secrets. What it IS is a really cracking historical read, starting out in 1938 London, Berlin, and Vienna. Most of the action takes place in England, and there IS a mystery of sorts, but it plays a very minor role. This is really about history, and the characters. I will be seeking out more John Lawton! "
— Kate, 12/5/2013 -
" Seems to be the first in chronological (not date of publication) order in this excellent series. Plots somewhat convoluted, but Lawton brings the ambience of wartime London to life. "
— Patricia, 9/19/2013 -
" Seems to be the first in chronological (not date of publication) order in this excellent series. Plots somewhat convoluted, but Lawton brings the ambience of wartime London to life. "
— Patricia, 9/19/2013 -
" This is certainly not suspense filled mystery yet it was a decent book set primarily in England during World War II. Good historical fiction and gained some history lessons that I was lacking. "
— Kay, 6/25/2013 -
" This is certainly not suspense filled mystery yet it was a decent book set primarily in England during World War II. Good historical fiction and gained some history lessons that I was lacking. "
— Kay, 6/25/2013 -
" Satisfying for fans of the WWII crime genre although the actual solving of the crime is in the background "
— James, 6/18/2013 -
" Satisfying for fans of the WWII crime genre although the actual solving of the crime is in the background "
— James, 6/18/2013 -
" Reads as if the author actually experienced WWII; smooth transitions and good language, and proof that if you write well, you only need a thread of a mystery to keep a feeling of anticipation and suspense "
— Diane, 5/22/2013 -
" Reads as if the author actually experienced WWII; smooth transitions and good language, and proof that if you write well, you only need a thread of a mystery to keep a feeling of anticipation and suspense "
— Diane, 5/22/2013 -
" 3.5 stars....the "first" of an out-of-order mystery series... "
— Simon, 5/12/2013 -
" 3.5 stars....the "first" of an out-of-order mystery series... "
— Simon, 5/12/2013 -
" Enjoyed this latest installment. No surprise there. But--and I can't believe I am saying this--I thought the weakest part was the mystery. I could actually have done without. Anyone else read this one? "
— Molly, 12/1/2012 -
" Enjoyed this latest installment. No surprise there. But--and I can't believe I am saying this--I thought the weakest part was the mystery. I could actually have done without. Anyone else read this one? "
— Molly, 12/1/2012 -
" A very compelling wartime thriller, mostly set in the false war before the Blitz begins. One of the better Lawton books. "
— David, 10/25/2012 -
" A very compelling wartime thriller, mostly set in the false war before the Blitz begins. One of the better Lawton books. "
— David, 10/25/2012 -
" Good book in desperate need of editing. What is it? An historical work on the horrors of Nazi occupied Austria, the internment of suspected enemies of the UK during WWII, or a murder mystery which was tepid at best. "
— Edward, 8/16/2012 -
" Good book in desperate need of editing. What is it? An historical work on the horrors of Nazi occupied Austria, the internment of suspected enemies of the UK during WWII, or a murder mystery which was tepid at best. "
— Edward, 8/16/2012 -
" Inspector Troy series. English interment camps for Jews during the Second War. Death of rabbis and escaping from Vienna are some of the plots. "
— Alice, 12/14/2011 -
" Inspector Troy series. English interment camps for Jews during the Second War. Death of rabbis and escaping from Vienna are some of the plots. "
— Alice, 12/14/2011 -
" The first third of this book was excellent...the story of a Jewish man in Vienna at the time of the "Anchluss" of Austria. The latter parts of the book involve a series of murders during the blitz in London which I did not find as compelling. Well done history of daily life in London. "
— Kevin, 10/5/2011 -
" The first third of this book was excellent...the story of a Jewish man in Vienna at the time of the "Anchluss" of Austria. The latter parts of the book involve a series of murders during the blitz in London which I did not find as compelling. Well done history of daily life in London. "
— Kevin, 10/5/2011 -
" Inspector Troy series. English interment camps for Jews during the Second War. Death of rabbis and escaping from Vienna are some of the plots. "
— Alice, 3/16/2011 -
" Inspector Troy series. English interment camps for Jews during the Second War. Death of rabbis and escaping from Vienna are some of the plots. "
— Alice, 3/16/2011 -
" This is certainly not suspense filled mystery yet it was a decent book set primarily in England during World War II. Good historical fiction and gained some history lessons that I was lacking.<br/> "
— Kay, 3/4/2011 -
" This is certainly not suspense filled mystery yet it was a decent book set primarily in England during World War II. Good historical fiction and gained some history lessons that I was lacking.<br/> "
— Kay, 3/4/2011 -
" Reads as if the author actually experienced WWII; smooth transitions and good language, and proof that if you write well, you only need a thread of a mystery to keep a feeling of anticipation and suspense "
— Diane, 2/1/2011 -
" Seems to be the first in chronological (not date of publication) order in this excellent series. Plots somewhat convoluted, but Lawton brings the ambience of wartime London to life. "
— Patricia, 2/1/2011 -
" Reads as if the author actually experienced WWII; smooth transitions and good language, and proof that if you write well, you only need a thread of a mystery to keep a feeling of anticipation and suspense "
— Diane, 2/1/2011 -
" Seems to be the first in chronological (not date of publication) order in this excellent series. Plots somewhat convoluted, but Lawton brings the ambience of wartime London to life. "
— Patricia, 2/1/2011 -
" A very methodical, slow building story of murder and racism set during the early days of World War II.<br/>Not really action packed except for a few chapters. But very emotionally charged. "
— Murphious, 12/23/2010 -
" A very methodical, slow building story of murder and racism set during the early days of World War II.<br/>Not really action packed except for a few chapters. But very emotionally charged. "
— Murphious, 12/23/2010 -
" 3.5 stars....the "first" of an out-of-order mystery series... "
— Simon, 12/21/2010 -
" 3.5 stars....the "first" of an out-of-order mystery series... "
— Simon, 12/21/2010 -
" Enjoyed this latest installment. No surprise there. But--and I can't believe I am saying this--I thought the weakest part was the mystery. I could actually have done without. Anyone else read this one? "
— Molly, 7/23/2010 -
" Enjoyed this latest installment. No surprise there. But--and I can't believe I am saying this--I thought the weakest part was the mystery. I could actually have done without. Anyone else read this one? "
— Molly, 7/23/2010 -
" The book was just ok. My one possitive comment was the feel of war torn London. "
— Mary, 6/18/2010 -
" The book was just ok. My one possitive comment was the feel of war torn London. "
— Mary, 6/18/2010 -
" I enjoyed reading this book, let's get that out of the way first. That said, there didn't seem to be any overarching story or cohesion to this book. "
— Claire, 3/6/2010 -
" I enjoyed reading this book, let's get that out of the way first. That said, there didn't seem to be any overarching story or cohesion to this book. "
— Claire, 3/6/2010 -
" Second Violin: An Inspector Troy Thriller by John Lawton (2008) "
— Tom, 12/15/2009 -
" Second Violin: An Inspector Troy Thriller by John Lawton (2008) "
— Tom, 12/15/2009
About John Lawton
John Lawton is the author of the Inspector Troy series, the Joe Wilderness series, Sweet Sunday, and 1963, a volume of history. He has also edited reissued books by H. G. Wells, D. H. Lawrence, and Joseph Conrad. His Inspector Troy novels have been named Best Books of the Year by the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and New York Times Book Review. He lives in the north of England and Italy.
About Lewis Hancock
Lewis Hancock is a voice talent and audiobook narrator.