Ratking

Aurelio Zen, Book 1

By: Michael Dibdin

Narrated by: Michael Kitchen

Length: 10 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

A powerful industrialist, Ruggiero Miletti, is kidnapped. Inspector Zen is transferred to Perugia to take over the case - but finds that there are many obstacles in his way. The local authorities see him as an interloper, and the victim’s family, one of the most powerful in Italy, seem content to let Miletti languish in the hands of his abductors. Zen has crossed swords with the establishment before - and lost. Can he succeed this time?

©1988 Michael Dibdin (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Good story poor delivery

The story is well crafted however an Italian detective novel narrated in a British accent is off putting.

Michael Kitchen is quite good.

Expecting Chief Inspector Foyle from Foyle's War TV show I was pleasantly surprised at Michael Ktichen's versatility. He is really quite good. The story is a little confusing in parts but what murder mystery isn't? Aurelia Zen takes a little time to warm to but by the end of the book, he is like an old friend that you love to see. The writing of Michael Dibdin is nice and refreshing. I hope the complete series comes out and it would be nice if Michael Kitchen does the honours. A good book, a good listen, a good piece of work. Worth the listen to, especially late at night whilst you are driving home with nothing to bother you like traffic or your passenger wanting to 'talk'.

Narration fabulously enhances a fantastic book.

The narration complements the underlying story to such an immense extent, that one wonders how gripping the tale would be with a different reader.
Kitchen's lugubrious style helped to capture the central character's personality and also, helps paint the scenery that surrounds the action.
Between the author and his orator, this production conjures amazing imagery of the characters and their locations, both of which intertwine a thoroughly gripping mystery.

A little too jaded

This could be brilliant. Zen is likable and drily humorous and quite clever. Unfortunately the author is quite determined to shock with his cynicism. If you ignore that it’s a good mystery and ends well. Worth a listen.

Great Narration

Would you listen to Ratking again? Why?

Perhaps

What did you like best about this story?

Zen. And Kitchen reading him.

Any additional comments?

I saw the Zen series and Kitchen in Foyle. That's why I bought the book. I like Kitchen's voice. He got into Zen's character and personality really well. Great Job!!!

a job of being there well done!

this book is a great listening experience, I'm on to the next book in this Audible series.

Main character let me down....

Is there anything you would change about this book?

I would have made Aurelio Zen more of a champion and hero. I did not understand him nor his thoughts and his reasoning sometimes escaped me completely. I wanted to like him more, but often ended up feeling like he was a bit of a lost soul/loser.

What does Michael Kitchen bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narrator was very good and paced the story well. His voices had tons of character and helped me keep each individual in the story separated in my head, which can be a difficult task in an audible book with many characters.

Any additional comments?

The mystery existed and until the end, I could not figure it out (which I do like in a mystery novel). However, the main character was not likeable enough for me and although he came through in the end with the answers like all good mystery books, I did not like him anymore at the end then I did as I went through the book. Well written though if you like the silent, remorseful, no longer ambitious type of man.

Good book, Struggled with Narrator.

It was a good book that takes a broken hero and gives him the opportunity to prove his worth. A believable character who is human. I gave the story 4 stars. Unfortunately for me Michael Kitchen was a poor choice as the narrator. The book is based between Northern Italy and Rome. Michael has a very THICK English accent. He often times sounds bored and or reading the story was/is laborious. Poor Auerilo did not get justice in this reading. He came across as a bland limited personality character that was hard to get behind. I think it would have been far better with a Italian Narrator.

Couldn't finish. :-(

I love the 2011 3-part Zen TV series so I thought I'd give the books a go. This could be a great story/series but I won't be finding out from the audio versions.

Ninety minutes in, I gave up after realizing I'd not taken in any of the story because of the awful narration. His voice is nice enough but his choppy/biting manner of (over)acting rather than narrating is very irritating. If I don't like a narrator, I can usually put push through to the end but I was beaten by this one.

I'll stick to the printed version on this series.

Superlative

One of the best written, and creatively and entertainingly narrated books I have “read” on audible. I eagerly look forward to the next book in the series.