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The First Deadly Sin  By  cover art

The First Deadly Sin

By: Lawrence Sanders
Narrated by: Marc Vietor
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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)

What listeners say about The First Deadly Sin

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

Great use of Credit

Where does The First Deadly Sin rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This would be in my top 25.

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

Maybe not the edge but the character development is what captivated me.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

started of weird then got better

Would you consider the audio edition of The First Deadly Sin to be better than the print version?

This book started off really weird, so much so that I was going to leave it. I decided to perservere and was pleasantly surprised how the story changed and became more interesting. Although it's not a great book it is a good story if you are into crime stories. I'm glad I kept going with it

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

Deserves 5 Stars

This is my first Edward X Delaney novel and I really enjoyed it. I sometimes enjoy older novels. Everything is so "high tech" now that I like hearing about items that are not used anymore, such as a pay phone. It brings back memories of a different era.

Edward X Delaney is chasing a serial killer who doesn't know his sexual identity. He tracked him down in some old-fashioned ways. After I was done with this book, I bought the next book in the series, so I know I liked it.

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

Love Lawrence Sanders

This is an excellent book love the details, and a great story for anyone who loves murder mysteries.

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

The First Deadly Sin will leave you waiting

For the next Deadly Sin and the Commandments . Lawrence Sanders wrote books that were refreshingly different than others at the time, and he still is at the top of the list of outstanding crime fiction writers to date.



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

Fabulous good/ bad guy characters

This book was written some time ago, but I was surprised by the freshness of it - the way it has stood the test of time. The detective is a great character with an interesting side plot line regarding his wife. The bad guy is very well portrayed, he is very cold and quite fascinating. The story is well-paced and very enjoyable. I would highly recommend this detective fiction.

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1 person found this helpful

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

Great detective story but very slow

I would have loved this book if it had less time devoted to character building and more time for the actual plot. Disappointed after reading great reviews from others.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Makes me want to hear more of the "deadly Sins"

Would you listen to The First Deadly Sin again? Why?

I will listen again, just to make sure I didn't miss anything from the first reading.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The First Deadly Sin?

Delaney's pursuit of the killer, never faltering and always focused.

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

Edward X. Delaney

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

Maybe, but listened during work, instead of music. Would be too long for one sitting.

Any additional comments?

I read this series many years ago. Audible is much more enjoyable.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Marc Viedor makes a corny story remarkable.

Would you listen to The First Deadly Sin again? Why?

Marc Viedor does a wonderful job on W.X. Delaney. Deadly Sin 2 and 3 are also good.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The main character is really the story.
Least interesting is an over use of fifties slang.

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

He does a wonderful job in the Sin series.
I have the tape version of the four books by an other reader with a weak voice and it isn't even worth listening to. Vietor fits the role.

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

No

Any additional comments?

Now reading Deadly Sin 2 and will likely get 3 and 4.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Good Series

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

This was a good murder mystery...enjoyable older book.

Any additional comments?

Really enjoyed the murder mystery and was pleased to find out there were more books to this series

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