The Child Thief

A Novel

By: Dan Smith

Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

Length: 13 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

In the tradition of City of Thieves and Child 44, a troubled World War I veteran races across the frozen steppe of 1930's Ukraine to save a child from a shadowy killer with unthinkable plans.

Luka is a war veteran who now wants nothing more than to have a quiet life with his family. His village has, so far, remained hidden from the advancing Soviet brutality. But everything changes the day a stranger arrives, pulling a sled bearing a terrible cargo. When the villagers’ fear turns deadly, they think they have saved themselves. But their anger has cursed them. In the chaos, a little girl has vanished, and Luka is the only man with the skills to find the stolen child and her kidnapper in these frozen lands. Besides, the missing girl is the best friend of Luka’s daughter, and he swears he will find her. Together, with his sons, Luka sets out across lands ravaged by war and gripped by treachery. Soon they realize that the man they are tracking is no ordinary criminal, but a skillful hunter using the child as bait in his twisted game. It will take all of Luka’s strength to battle the harshest of conditions and all of his wit to stay a step ahead of Soviet authorities. And though his toughest enemy is the man he tracks, his strongest bond is a promise to his family back home.

©2013 Dan Smith (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Amazing. In. Every. Way.

This is probably the best narration I've ever heard in an audio book. The story was beautiful, suspenseful, generous of human spirit and the amazing narration helped lift it to this level. I loved the descriptions of the cold as well as the slice of history. But most of all, I loved how the author built the suspense and an ending that does not disappoint. And while the book did have violence, the violence was never gratuitous as in so many books in this genre. This is a suspense/mystery novel that showcases literary writing, wonderful characters, and a compelling plot. And narration so good that it defies description.

Excellent Story, Excellent Narrator

Dear America,

With all your faults and idiosyncrasies, you are still the best, and I am proud to be an American. So many people do not have the freedoms we have, in spite of recent declines here at home. At least we are still entitled to a fair trial. I know I know. Sometimes they aren't fair, but usually they are and for that I am grateful. Yes, I know we are the "me" generation, but there are still so many who would give you the proverbial shirt off their backs if they saw your need. We still have a military who lays its collective life on the line for my freedom on a daily basis, even in a meaningless war. Yes you aren't perfect, but thank you for being as good as you are. Thank you for not being like so many countries in this world that deprive their citizens of even their very self worth, and require them to live in constant fear. Yes, the rumor is true, America. I love you,

A (Mostly) Free Citizen

A great tale told by a peerless narrator.

The story penned by Dan Smith is an exquisite exercise in balance and novelty: he weaves together plot elements, character development, and historical context as one fluid entity. It wasn't that every detail was elaborately scribed—quite the opposite; details are conveyed to the reader as a living person would: colored by experience, by forgetfulness and emotion. The book is a mystery that unfolds in the context of an almost palpable world, and Smith is expert at using restraint as a mainstay to make the villainy and horror of specific moments truly, appallingly stark. On a personal note, I very much appreciated Smith's capacity to end each chapter on a cliffhanger. Each chapter except the last one, I might add, only to note the rarity of a story so well constructed in the beginning and middle to come to a satisfying and believable conclusion.

The strength of the story was lifted an order of magnitude by Bronson Pinchot's narration. Without exception, this is the best performance I have encountered on any audiobook since I was listening to them on cassette tape. Pinchot's calm, accented English was wholly engrossing, making effortless the task of my imagination to create a scene of revolutionary Russia, the cold of the winter, the brutality of the antagonists. I wish I could give him six stars.

One final note for the history-phobes: I have no special affinity for Russian history. In fact, history as a default to me tends to fall on the scale between uninteresting and tedious. This story is simply too delectable to notice that you're learning something at the same time. Like an infant being bait-and-switched with one spoon of pudding substituted at the last minute for another with vegetables, I found myself enthralled with the living context that millions had to endure, which Smith exposes here by the travels and trials of his characters. Dan Smith stages his work in such an authentic feeling, I would be very unsurprised to learn that he is actually ghostwriting for someone who actually lived through the events. By the last page, I was begging for more veggies.

Complex, but believable plot.

Compelling human interactions and depth of character -- even minor characters. Convincing Russian accents. Accurate and informative historical background.

Depends on listening situation

I thought the story and characters were well written. Loved the narrator, he really forces you to pay close attention. It was a little difficult for me because I listen at work and sometimes become distracted but on a car ride or walk this would be ideal

A slow, arduous, depressing descent into hell.

I thought the pain (mental and physical) could not get worse, but each chapter it did. An unpleasant book to read though it was captivating and very well done. The narration is hard to follow due to heavy Russian accent. I had to speed up the playback to 1.25X and increase the volume to better hear and understand the narrator.

Audiobook as an art form

This was a good story if you can deal with grim and the feeling of place that you get is really good. It is, in my opinion, in serious need of an editor as it drags in the middle. I actually skipped a few chapters, which I never do.

The narration is beyond fabulous. Bronson Pinchot is absolutely perfect. He is not just reading a book, he inhabits it.

Wonderful Narration!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. At first the accent took a bit of getting used to, but really made the story ring true. It was an important component of feeling the characters brought to life.

What other book might you compare The Child Thief to and why?

This is a unique story, with a unique setting. it is difficult to compare it to other books.

Which scene was your favorite?

Not so much a scene but the setting. It was a character unto itself.

Any additional comments?

This is a very interesting listen, not a mystery so much as a thriller. At parts exciting and sad, but keeps you guessing. This is worth a listen.

WOW!! Just WOW!!

I had read this book a few years back and thought it was a great book. I bought it here on audible on a 2 credits for 3 books sale because I was curious on how it would be on audio and WOW!! It was like I was reading a totally different book! The narration is superb!!! This production was amazing !!

Best storyteller I’ve heard!

The accent makes the story sound authentic and draws your emotions in so much that you feel the characters are real. I will listen to more this author has written and more this actor has read. Highly recommendable!