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)

Evening with an old friend!

I read THE FIRST DEADLY SIN as a college student in the late 80's. Sanders hooked me with the irascible Captain Edward X. Delaney's method of catching the bad guy and his gourmet sandwiches. Having read the book I can say that Marc Vietor brings Delaney to life, giving the listener the feel of watching Delaney work, as if everything is viewed through a camera. The first several hours of this audio book contains no murder, not even a hint of what's to come. All that time is devoted to a thorough look at Daniel Blank-his life and his strange sexual perversions. This setup is important, but when murder comes, it is swift and violent. Delaney is referred to by one of his acquaintance as a "bookkeeper" which is exactly what he is. He collects data, tiny pieces, reviews it and enters the information in his journal of the crime. Adding everything up and coming up with balance. Yes, a bookkeeper. And a great sandwich maker.

Years later- still a great book!!

I read this book when it was published. I started the audible version after noticing the old paperback on my book shelf. It’s a wonderful character study. The narrator is also outstanding! I highly recommend all Lawrence Sanders books!

Never Ending

Would you try another book from Lawrence Sanders and/or Marc Vietor?

I don't think so.

Would you be willing to try another book from Lawrence Sanders? Why or why not?

His dialogue is too wordy with much detail on extraneous characters.

Which scene was your favorite?

I don't think I had a favorite scene.

Do you think The First Deadly Sin needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No it needs a shorter book.

One step at a time or how slow can be intriguing

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

In our fast paced world of today, this book would probably not have made it past the editor's desk. It's content would certainly have been cut by two thirds. I don't want to say that these two thirds do not help the story, they do, one step at a time. In the old days in books as well as on the screen you could see people going about their everyday things like getting up, taking a shower, drinking and eating. This has nearly vanished from all the media. Everything has to go fast, fast and throw in some special effects here and there, save the world with blazing guns and a quick kiss (or more ...) and tatata The End ...This book is very slow paced. You get to know the characters very intimately, which can feel strange and even leave you with a kind of awkwardness.If I would have read the book, I certainly would have skip read a few pages but as I was listening to the book while commuting, I listened patiently.I don't regret having done so. The story was intriguing, a nice trip down the good old days where you solve crime with your wits, pen and paper, and the good old phone inclduing its book.

Which character – as performed by Marc Vietor – was your favorite?

Mr Vietor did a very good job to give every character his unique and subtle voice. I enjoy listening to his voice.

Any additional comments?

I gave 3 stars for the story, not because of it's slow pace but mostly because of the ending. The happily ever after for some characters did not please me but for others it might to the trick.

Great book but a little slow in the beginning

This is a great book to listen to and it introduces you to a nice character in this series. In my personal opinion is started a little slow but picked up speed and excitement. A lover of detective novels will like this due to the presence of reasoning and the interpretation of evidence and so forth. I would put this in the same league as Michael Connolly's Harry Bosch series. Very well written and the beginning of a new adventure as a detective in the series. Great listen overall.

First class detective thriller.

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

Fine writing. Believable plots and characters, detailed and descriptive scenes and personal thoughts.
My first Lawrence Sanders book and I could n't put it down.
Immediately bought the next two " Deadly Sin" titles.

Painfully long

good narration. but i struggled to finish. be prepared for the long haul of 24 hours

Did not like the ending

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Is there anything you would change about this book?
the ending

What was most disappointing about Lawrence Sanders’s story?

What was most disappointing about Lawrence Sanders’s story?
the ending

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

What do you think the narrator could have done better
The narrator was good.

Could you see The First Deadly Sin being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

No.

Any additional comments?

no

Long and drawn-out

I struggled to finish this book. Every tiny thing the 2 main characters did was described in incredibly painful detail. Not enough action.

Do yourself a big favor - rent the movie instead!

What disappointed you about The First Deadly Sin?

Way too wordy and slow. I had to quit it after 3 hours for fear of falling asleep at the wheel.

Has The First Deadly Sin turned you off from other books in this genre?

Not to this genre, but to this author

Would you be willing to try another one of Marc Vietor’s performances?

Only if he happened to narrate another book that sounded like it was going to be interesting.

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

Boredom

Any additional comments?

I can't understand all of the high reviews this book was given.