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Salvation of a Saint  By  cover art

Salvation of a Saint

By: Keigo Higashino, Alexander O. Smith - translator
Narrated by: David Pittu
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Publisher's summary

From the author of the internationally bestselling, award-winning The Devotion of Suspect X comes the latest novel featuring "Detective Galileo."

In 2011, The Devotion of Suspect X was a hit with critics and readers and listeners alike. The first major English language publication from the most popular bestselling writer in Japan, it was acclaimed as "stunning," "brilliant," and "ingenious." Now physics professor Manabu Yukawa—Detective Galileo—returns in a new case of impossible murder, where instincts clash with facts and theory with reality.

Yoshitaka, who was about to leave his marriage and his wife, is poisoned by arsenic-laced coffee and dies. His wife, Ayane, is the logical suspect—except that she was hundreds of miles away when he was murdered. The lead detective, Tokyo Police Detective Kusanagi, is immediately smitten with her and refuses to believe that she could have had anything to do with the crime. His assistant, Kaoru Utsumi, however, is convinced Ayane is guilty. While Utsumi's instincts tell her one thing, the facts of the case are another matter. So she does what her boss has done for years when stymied—she calls upon Professor Manabu Yukawa.

But even the brilliant mind of Dr. Yukawa has trouble with this one, and he must somehow find a way to solve an impossible murder and capture a very real, very deadly murderer.
Salvation of a Saint is Keigo Higashino at his mind-bending best, pitting emotion against fact in a beautifully plotted crime novel filled with twists and reverses that will astonish and surprise even the most attentive and jaded of listeners.

©2008 Keigo Higashino; Translation © 2012, Alexander O. Smith (P)2012 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Narrator David Pittu delivers a flawless and riveting performance. Spellbinding.” —AudioFile

“David Pittu, a stage-trained actor, uses a variety of textures, tones and tempos – and just the hint of a Japanese accent – to give each character a voice of his or her own.” —The New York Times Book Review

“On audio, the work is enhanced by the narration of David Pittu, who is one of the best performers with a broad range and a long list of accomplishments…He is superbly talented, thinking through each character's voice and demeanor. He never trips over difficult Japanese words…The performance is without flaw.” —Reviewing the Evidence

Featured Article: 10 Famous Japanese Authors You Have to Hear


Thanks to the work of translators and publishers, Japanese literature is now more accessible than ever to English-speaking audiences. If you've ever wanted to learn more about Japanese culture and literature, you cannot go wrong with listening to audiobooks from Japan. We've compiled a list of the most famous Japanese authors who have helped define Japanese literature, and their notable works across genres and time periods.

What listeners say about Salvation of a Saint

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Appealing but not Compelling

Nice narration by David Pittu, however the characters in "Salvation of a Saint," tended to be without much depth, even one dimensional. The book was still interesting enough to listen to. I never felt the need to stop in disgust, but was able to listen all the way through. Just not a first class work of fiction and not much mystery there either.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love Higashino's work

Would you consider the audio edition of Salvation of a Saint to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the book, so I can't say. I can say that the narrator brought the story to life.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Hmmm. Edge of my seat? Engaged would be a better word, and I was thoroughly engaged throughout.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Nope. Though I did spend hours at a time listening quite happily. It's a longish listen, so the idea of one sitting (or, more accurately, one puttering) is daunting. I do think I finished it in less than three days.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Here is more proof Higashino weaves fabulous tales

This is a simpler story than the excellent Devotion of Suspect X, but the same caliber that is way beyond a traditional police procedural. Higashino has the same dedication to creating a story as his characters have in fulfilling their important roles in his eloquent stories. Salvation of a Saint is a quality story and I'm sure you will also enjoy listening to this Japanese import.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent New Translation of Japanese Mystery

Would you consider the audio edition of Salvation of a Saint to be better than the print version?

I have no idea; I didn't buy the print version. I just bought the audiobook edition. But the performance is absolutely wonderful and really brings the various characters to life. So if you have a job that gives you plenty of room for audiobooks, like I do, this is a great option.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Not in the same way as, say, an action movie, but yes it did. It was an engaging battle of wits where you know who the killer is but not how it was done.

What about David Pittu’s performance did you like?

It was an all-round excellent job, with the characters really coming to life.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes, there were several such moments, but there we wander into spoiler territory.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Argh... sexist

First, why use a male narrator and have him whisper all the female voices so stupidly?

Second complaint: story told in a slow manner and lacks suspense.

Third complaint: either Japanese culture is really that sexist or the author is. How many times do they habe to point out that the junior detective is a WOMAN? why should it that matter?

Fourth complaint: everyone connected to the crime repeatedly ask: am i a suspect? Why, of course everyone is a suspect in a murder case.

first and last time i listened to a book by that author.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Great narration

David Pittu is fantastic as the narrator of this book. Makes it an even better story.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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  • CM
  • 06-14-17

Excellent Listen

This is a masterfully written story. The pacing is excellent--the story begins by revealing the murderer but the reader is left to follow along with the police in figuring out how it was done. As a lover of intellectual mysteries, the fact that the murderer is revealed in the beginning allows the reader to set about solving the real puzzle. In many mystery stories it is easy to determine the murderer anyway-this style allows the reader to follow along with the ideas, leads and missteps of the police. Very entertaining and clever.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Voice for professor doesn't sound fit well

If you could sum up Salvation of a Saint in three words, what would they be?

I assume the narrator imagined "professor" is old man because of his occupation, but actually his character is supposed to be "young" and "good looking" man. The narrator's voice for professor sounds like an old man and it didn't sound right to me. Besides that, I liked the book. The trick was little bit more than possible in real life, but it actually was a part of the story.

Have you listened to any of David Pittu’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but I hope he understands what the each character's is like. He made Professor Yukawa's voice sound like an old man, but he supposed to be a young and good looking guy.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A Superb "How-Dun-It!"

This is the second book in this series I read and I enjoyed this one even more than The Devotion of Suspenct X. I found that since I now knew the recurring characters, it was more interesting. Also, the plot was fascinating. As with the other books in the series, you know immediately who the killer is. The fun is unraveling the intricacies of the plot - the how and the whys and the logic applied to solve the riddle. The narration is very good and I thought he did an excellent job with all of the characters. I am so happy that I listened to another Audbile member's recommendation and started with this series - otherwise, this is one I may have easily overlooked. I'm ready for the next installment!!!!!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

unbelievable

Would you try another book from Keigo Higashino and Alexander O. Smith (translator) and/or David Pittu?

no

What do you think your next listen will be?

Something by David Matthew

What three words best describe David Pittu’s voice?

easy, clear, adequate

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I was disappointed that the characters' motivations were so unbelievable

Any additional comments?

no

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