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The Anniversary Man Audiobook
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(3.06) - 563 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Twenty years ago, John Costello's life as he knew it ended. He and his beautiful girlfriend, Nadia, became victims of the deranged "Hammer of God", a serial killer in Jersey City who went after young courting couples in an attempt to "save their souls". Nadia was killed by the first blow of the hammer. John survived, but was physically and psychologically scarred to an extent that few people could comprehend. He withdrew from society, hid in his apartment, and now only emerges to work as a crime researcher for a major newspaper.
Damaged he may be, but no one in New Jersey knows more about serial killers than John Costello. So when a new spate of murders starts, all seemingly random and unrelated, John is the only one who can discern the complex pattern that lies behind them. But could this dark knowledge threaten his own life?
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"4 1/2 stars... A crime thriller where serial murders are recreated on the anniversary of that event. Strong characters - Detective Irving, Karen Langley,newspaper reporter , and serial murder survivor, John Costello are all strong characters in this novel. Ellory does a nice job of letting us get to know Irving, tough yet vulnerable. There is a tremendous amount of research that was done as we move from one serial murderer to another (all true - Gacy, the Hillside Strangler, etc..) This is a true crime novel - I really enjoyed it."
— Charisse (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“R.J. Ellory’s remarkable talent for probing the unknown establishes him as the master of the genre. The perfect author to read late into the night.”
— Clive Cussler, New York Times bestselling author -
“Compelling, un-put-downable thriller writing of the very highest order.”
— Guardian -
“Ellory is skilled at cinematic narratives and has an overt passion for old movies. This novel brandishes his filmic consciousness…It’s a cliché to praise a crime novel for its adroit marshalling of suspense, but there is no choice here: with The Anniversary Man, that’s the signal achievement.”
— Independent -
“Let’s cut to the chase. This is quite simply one of the best cop thrillers you’ll read this year. Or any year. It’s an achievement that parks Ellory’s wagon on the driveway of Michael Connelly, the finest American exponent of the genre, and no higher praise can I give.”
— Peterborough Evening Telegraph -
“Ellory’s gripping thriller should appeal to lovers of procedurals and may also draw readers of true crime, as it deals with many actual serial killings.”
— Library Journal -
“This thriller was so gripping it had me holding my breath as I turned the pages...the plot has plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing right up to the final chapter and the graphic descriptions made it difficult to tear myself away.”
— Essentials magazine -
"This is one of those police-procedural gems that come along once in a blue moon...And what a story it is!...This could be the one to put [Ellory's] name in lights in this country. Expect his name to be on every crime-fiction fan's lips in short order."
— Booklist (Starred Review) -
“Ellory’s writing is so lyrical, powerful and heartrending that those who normally steer clear of the genre are likely to feel at home.”
— BookPage -
“In this bleak examination of murder and hope, Ellory’s herrings are as red and sticky as caramelized apples, more dead-ends than Manhattanriverside real estate. Fans of Ellory’s A Quiet Belief in Angels will repeatedly take the wrong road, when trying to identify the Anniversary Man. Readers who expect the amazing success of that novel to be replicated by the Brit who sets his plots in the U.S. as though he intends to recolonize for the Queen will be thrilled with this epic crime fiction novel. Written as though by a native New Yorker, this novel needs to be read twice—once for vice-grip-like details, again for nectar from the consummate wordsmith. So real is Ellory’s writing that the lines between journalism and crime fiction blur. Though Ellory’s standalone crime thrillers grab readers by the throat and don’t let go until the last page, Detective Irving has the makings of Connelly’s Harry Bosch on steroids, sure to be a repeat character—and made with cinematic success into a blockbuster movie.”
— Bookreporter.com
The Anniversary Man Listener Reviews
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" He only gets better... If I had three thumbs they would all be up. Engaging from the get-go and after that you just don't want to put it down! "
— Izzy, 2/3/2014 -
" I read Ellory's previous book, A Quiet Belief in Angels, and loved it. He really upped the ante with this book which I found to be both a great literary novel and an unbearably chilling mystery. I was so caught up in this story, I felt I was a part of the pages. I loved it and hope Ellory has more books up his sleeve to look forward to. "
— Ginny, 1/31/2014 -
" Great story, characters, etc. Over-long with a bit or repetition and unnecessary chatter. Toward the end, I began to think he was trying to fill up space, since every other sentence contained one or more "f" bombs. Very distracting and I only kept reading because I really wanted to know how it ended. "
— Peggy, 1/22/2014 -
" Wow! The back says "the serial-killer novel to end all serial-killer novels" and I think it fits that quote. I loved all the references to past serials and the copying of those crimes. I was so intrigued by John Costello. I really was interested in his character and what he had ro say. I have not read Ellory before, but this book makes me want to delve into others. "
— Margi, 1/7/2014 -
" Excellent serial killer novel. interesting characters. So many liberties taken with NYC geography that it ruined many of the action scenes for me. "
— Lou, 12/27/2013 -
" Never heard about R.J. Ellory, but saw the book in the library and brought it back home. Really enjoyed reading the book. The end was quite a suprise and I am going to read more books from R.J. Ellory. "
— Carola, 12/19/2013 -
" Whilst I enjoyed this it didn't impress me as much as I thought it would. It is without doubt intricately crafted and meticulously researched, I just found some of it rather tedious and too long. "
— Jo, 12/17/2013 -
" A serial killer who mimics other serial killers by murdering on the anniversary of previous crimes is testing his wits against the police and a quiet group of survivors of serial killings. This book will take you for a ride. "
— Jeanne, 11/23/2013 -
" Ik vond 'Een stil geloof in engelen' beter maar toch ook genoten van deze thriller. Spannende vakantieliteratuur. "
— Inge, 11/16/2013 -
" Another great read by this author. He just seems to get better with every book. "
— Pauline, 11/7/2013 -
" Another excellent book from Ellory "
— Amanda, 11/3/2013 -
" Kept you in suspense all the way through the book-although the ending was a little bit of a let down. Expected something a little more spectatular. But the reading made up for it. "
— Grace, 9/22/2013 -
" not his best, but still an excellent read "
— Martin, 8/21/2013 -
" Loved most of this book. Hated the ending. I hate when characters suddenly start behaving differently for plot purposes. "
— C.S., 6/12/2013 -
" Another worthy addition to Ellory's masterful crime tales. The Anniversary Man is a study of serial killers - namely famous American killers of the last half century - and the dark underbelly of those who inhabit their world. "
— Joe, 4/26/2013 -
" Een aanrader. Zeer vlot geschreven. Interessant en verrassend tot de laatste bladzijde. "
— Jessica, 2/4/2013 -
" Good book but frustrating as no reason given why The Anniversary Man killed "
— Kate, 1/23/2013 -
" Goed geschreven boek. In de loop van het verhaal wissel je af en toe van idee over hoe de toedracht is. Zeer beeldend geschreven, als ik aan het verhaal terugdenk is dat haast met het idee dat ik de film gezien heb. "
— Esther, 11/26/2012 -
" Unique take on serial killers. "
— Nancy, 11/21/2012 -
" Fast paced serial killer thriller. One of the best action books I';ve read in years. The author's excellent research into serial killing makes this book powerful and fun. "
— Kenneth, 10/2/2012 -
" This book covers all the REAL serial killers and their methods set in a fictional setting of a new serial killer who kills on the anniversary date of other serial killers. "
— Maggie, 12/9/2011 -
" Amazing story. So enjoyable to read a thriller like this. Great characters that kept me riveted to the end. Won't give up much about the plot. But follows a series of serial murders......are they related? Who is behind them? "
— Paula, 10/22/2011 -
" Clearly one of the best books I've in the last year!!! If you've never read R.J. Ellory, this is the perfect book for you. Great characters great story, great writing. "
— Chris, 9/5/2011 -
" Excellent, well written and kept me interested. Although it took place in New York didn't convey any real impression of this. Well researched regarding the serial killers who partly formed the theme of the story. "
— Saudiron, 7/8/2011 -
" I thought this was a fabulous book, an interesting twist to a serial killer book. It was a rollercoaster of a read, I felt a connection with all the main characters and was devestated when it was finished because i enjoyed it so much.<br/> "
— Jan, 3/6/2011 -
" Fast paced serial killer thriller. One of the best action books I';ve read in years. The author's excellent research into serial killing makes this book powerful and fun. "
— Kenneth, 2/18/2011 -
" Another fantastic book by R J Ellory. Need I say more, a must read. "
— carl, 12/30/2010 -
" A murderer is terrorizing New York City copying killings of the Zodiac killer, the Green River killings, etc. Detective Ray Irving does his best to stop this maniac with the help of his staff and newspaper employees Karen Langley and John Costello. Sharp police procedural. "
— Norma, 12/6/2010 -
" Awesomely scary - I'm still afraid to take my dogs out after dark! "
— Liz, 10/27/2010 -
" I got this from the library, based on Charisse's review. It's a thriller centered around a serial killer in NYC, but also uses information from real life serial murders. So yes, not a real cheerful read, but I thought it was well written. Will be checking out his other novels now. "
— Susan, 10/13/2010 -
" Pretty good, if clumsy at times. Will read more RJ Ellory. "
— Peter, 9/4/2010 -
" Kept you in suspense all the way through the book-although the ending was a little bit of a let down. Expected something a little more spectatular. But the reading made up for it. "
— Grace, 8/28/2010
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 Stefan Rudnicki
Cassandra Campbell has won multiple Audie Awards, Earphones Awards, and the prestigious Odyssey Award for narration. She was been named a “Best Voice” by AudioFile magazine and in 2018 was inducted in Audible’s inaugural Narrator Hall of Fame.