The First Deadly Sin

By: Lawrence Sanders

Narrated by: Marc Vietor

Length: 24 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

One of the most popular suspense novels of all time. A well-dressed man stalks the high-class neighborhoods of New York City. He is armed with an ice axe. His victims are strangers. And one cop, Captain Ed Delaney must solve a series of bizarre, gruesome murders that defy logic or method. This shocking story has captured the imaginations of millions like no other modern thriller.

Prolong the suspense: follow the further crime-solving career of Edward X. Delaney.

©1973 Lawrence Sanders (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Breathtakingly exciting." ( Rolling Stone)

Not for the weak of heart Or weak of mind

My taste in books usually leans toward current events, but I am very glad I took the chance. It wasn't out dated. This story was good in any generation. This book is set in the early Seventies when the book was actually written & It was recently made into an audio book. I have to give this book a 5 star rating without question. If I read this in the eighties - I probably would have been even more shocked then I was. This was a lot more story then it was a "Who done it"............... I enjoyed the entire ride. The narrating was great. The characters were interesting & I thought Marc Vietor voice and style made you feel like you were part of the scene. The story was realistic. The forensics of the Seventies & Dectection process was a lot more entriguing then a CSI type story. It was pretty twisted. A little sick. I loved it =0) I am pretty sure I will get The Second Deadly Sin in the near future.

AWESOME!

Perfectly narrated by Marc Vietor, I was spellbound by this book. The first in this series, and some say the best. This book is serious entertainment not serious lit. One of the best pycho/thrillers I've read..don't know how I missed it all these years.

Great read!

What made the experience of listening to The First Deadly Sin the most enjoyable?

The character development and the insights into the mind of a demented serial killer were the most interesting.

What did you like best about this story?

This book was 24 or so hours long, and you would never know it! I had a slower(not slow) build-up, good character development, and the investigative process kept me very interested.

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

His voice is pleasing to listen to, and he was able to perform different voices without it being obvious.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

"Perfectly Demented"

Excellent thriller

Two main protagonists, very well thought out characters that you come to get a real feel for. It seems like the beginning is just a little slow but really, you're being drawn in. Well researched, well written, I really enjoyed this one. However I read the Second Deadly Sin because I enjoyed this one so much and while I do plan to read the sequels, I didn't find that the characters and plot were as well developed in the Second. This book sets the bar high. Also, Sanders never continued after The Fourth Deadly Sin.

Great crime writer but, boy, is he out of bounds

I'm sure this book was quite scandalous in its day--and I did enjoy listening to it--but it is chock full of racist remarks, chauvinist viewpoints, condescension, and homophobia--distracting, at the very least. It reads a bit like an episode of "Law & Order" but more preachy and Father Knows Best-like. The narration, however, is wonderfully dramatic in a tough, hard-boiled way with clear descriptions of New York City and the cultural icons of the 70s.

First Deadly Sin by John Sanford

Unbelievable ! Enjoyed this book. Hope to buy all of these books. I recommend this book to everyone. Thanks...B Young

Fascinating

What did you love best about The First Deadly Sin?

Starts slow, almost didn't read. It was a great book once you get into it!

My first in the series.

This is a good detective story with strong characters and good narration. I was a little disappointed with the ending but it was still very good. This seems to be a successful series but I've only read book one but I now have the others in my wish list.

Great Book!

Although this band was o was written many, many years ago, it’s definitely a masterpiece. Sanders was a highly gifted writer. His flair for excellence is clearly timeless.
Enjoy!

A first class thriller

Of the more than 200 titles I've listened to through Audible, mostly in the mystery/thriller genre, The First Deadly Sin has made my Top Ten List. It doesn't matter that it was set in the 1970s. The plot, character development and flow of the story made me forget this was a 25-hour book. I could have listened for another 25 hours. If I had one criticism it was that the conclusion was somewhat anticlimactic. But this criticism is a minor one. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that Jeffery Deaver based several of his "evil characters" in the Lincoln Rhyme series with Sanders' mountain-climbing Daniel Blank. If you're tempted, as I was, to watch the movie of the same name (Sinatra's last starring role as Delaney), forget it. The movie is horrible and probably the worst adaptation of any book in the history of the world. I'm now almost finished with The Second Deadly Sin and will likely continue with the series.