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Wake Up Dead: A Thriller Audiobook
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(3.13) - 173 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
A split-second decision with no second chance: get it wrong and you wake up dead.
On a blowtorch-hot night in Cape Town, American ex-model Roxy Palmer and her gunrunner husband, Joe, are carjacked, leaving Joe lying in a pool of blood. As the carjackers make their getaway, Roxy makes a fateful choice that changes her life forever.
Disco and Godwynn, the ghetto gangbangers who sped away in Joe's convertible, will stop at nothing to track her down. Billy Afrika, a mixed-race ex-cop turned mercenary, won't let her out of his sight because Joe owed him a chunk of money. And remorselessly hunting them all is Piper, a love-crazed psychopath determined to renew his vows with his jailhouse "wife," Disco.
As these desperate lives collide and old debts are settled in blood, Roxy is caught in a wave of escalating violence in the beautiful and brutal African seaport. With savage plotting and breakneck suspense that ends in a shattering cataclysm of violence, Wake Up Dead confirms Roger Smith as one of the world's best new thriller writers.
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"One helluva ride through gangland Cape Town, an unforgiving tale of losers and occasional winners. Recommended for those who like their action pacey and racey. This is in your face storytelling. A page turner. "
— Sela (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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Eyre chooses a cool matter-of-fact delivery that enhances the horror, and with a subtle shift of inflection she illuminates the softer moments, rare as they may be, to great emotional effect.
— Publishers Weekly Audio Review
Wake Up Dead Listener Reviews
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" This book started out strong, a vivid, tough noir story, following several potentially interesting characters. But the multitude of characters, all unlikable, began to slow the story down and I had to struggle through the middle section. But then it picked up again at the end and delivered on it's excellent noir beginnings. "
— Bill, 2/8/2014 -
" This South African set crime novel is one of the most violent and brutal I've ever read. While none of the characters are really sympathetic, Smith's well paced writing style makes it a compelling read. "
— Tristan, 1/28/2014 -
" could be the highest 'body count' in any book i've ever read. then again, if the title is 'wake up dead' this makes sense. despite this it was quite well written and read as plausible. looking forward to #3. "
— Dj, 1/14/2014 -
" It made my skin crawl. Roger Smith has an amazing ability to capture the essence of the bad characters. It was a great page turner and I enjoyed each and every character. Such a talented author ... I am a fan. "
— Lynne, 12/12/2013 -
" A real South African shoot-em-up. Set in Cape Town, our spring destination. Either I am used to the violence or the writing was not as strong, but I did not have to read the ending while in the middle of the book, as I did MIXED BLOOD. It sure makes gang wars real. "
— Mary, 12/4/2013 -
" If you like your prose gritty, check out RS, noir with a South African spin. Fans of Dutch Leonard will not be disappointed. "
— Mike, 11/19/2013 -
" not for the squeamish, this action-packed thriller is set in Cape Town, South Africa. "
— Barbpie, 11/11/2013 -
" enjoyed Mixed Blood more but still a good red. "
— Lynn, 6/30/2013 -
" It is a ride, but a bit over the top? "
— Stan, 5/6/2013 -
" "A Thriller" is right--I had a hard time putting this book down. Full of action and characters who seemed to come to life. I'll look for more by this author. "
— Janet, 4/15/2013 -
" this could have been really good. character development was mediocre. hard to like any of them. "
— Jay, 11/1/2012 -
" Sleek, deftly plotted, absolutely wonderful noir. "
— Harry, 3/4/2012 -
" Amaaaaaazing read! At last some gripping South African reading. "
— Gavin, 9/15/2011 -
" I really enjoyed this book, it keeps you wondering whats going to happen. "
— Delta, 8/4/2011 -
" started as a strong noir, ended as a kind of silly thriller. "
— Adam, 5/9/2011 -
" One helluva ride through gangland Cape Town, an unforgiving tale of losers and occasional winners. Recommended for those who like their action pacey and racey. This is in your face storytelling. A page turner. "
— Sela, 4/12/2011 -
" not for the squeamish, this action-packed thriller is set in Cape Town, South Africa. "
— Barbpie, 2/19/2011 -
" Sleek, deftly plotted, absolutely wonderful noir. "
— Harry, 2/16/2011 -
" It is a ride, but a bit over the top? "
— Stan, 1/17/2011 -
" Definitely not a travel ad for Capetown. <br/><br/>Cops, gangs and an ex-model from Florida get caught up in a lot of blood in a landscape that seems more apocalyptic than real. <br/><br/>If you like Pelecanos, you'll probably like this.<br/> "
— Scotchneat, 12/24/2010 -
" started as a strong noir, ended as a kind of silly thriller. "
— Adam, 4/28/2010 -
" could be the highest 'body count' in any book i've ever read. then again, if the title is 'wake up dead' this makes sense. despite this it was quite well written and read as plausible. looking forward to #3. "
— Dj, 3/13/2010 -
" "A Thriller" is right--I had a hard time putting this book down. Full of action and characters who seemed to come to life. I'll look for more by this author. "
— Janet, 3/10/2010 -
" I really enjoyed this book, it keeps you wondering whats going to happen. "
— Delta, 3/3/2010
About Roger Smith
Roger Smith was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and now lives in Cape Town. A motion picture version of his acclaimed debut thriller, Mixed Blood, starring Samuel L. Jackson, is in the works.
About Justine Eyre
Justine Eyre is a classically trained actress who has narrated many audiobooks, earning the prestigious Audie Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She is multilingual and known for her great facility with accents. She has appeared on stage, with leading roles in King Lear and The Crucible, and has had starring roles in four films on the indie circuit. Her television credits include Two and a Half Men and Mad Men.