Playing with Fire

A Novel

By: Tess Gerritsen

Narrated by: Julia Whelan, Will Damron

Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

In a masterful standalone thriller by New York Times bestselling author of the Rizzoli&Isles series, Tess Gerritsen, a mother is haunted by a very old piece of music she finds in a strange antique shop in Rome.

The first time violinist Julia Ansdell picked up the "Incendio Waltz" in a darkened antique shop in Rome, she knew it was a strikingly unusual composition. The minor key and complex feverish arpeggios have a life of their own. But when she plays the piece, Julia blacks out and awakens to find her small daughter implicated in acts of surprising violence. When she travels to Venice to find the previous owner of the music, she uncovers a heart-stoppingly dark secret that not only dates back to the horrors of the Holocaust, but also directly involves a dangerously powerful family who would stop at nothing to keep Julia from bringing the truth to light.

©2015 Tess Gerritsen (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Playing With Fire

Any additional comments?

Written by Tess Gerritsen, narrated by Julia Whelan and Will Damron, an unabridged audiobook approximately seven hours long. This book came to me via an Audible Daily Deal which I jumped into based on previous Gerritsen books that I’ve enjoyed reading.

Playing With Fire has many, many reviews - ergo I’ll skip plot synopsis which you will easily find elsewhere.

Why I liked this book? Well, it is a heart-wrenching story of the holocaust, vividly descriptive in areas. If you’re squeamish about what took place in the camps during WWII this book isn’t for you - it’s pretty explicit. The audio production is superb, great narration, excellent with regard to the violin solos. I’ve no doubt that listening to Playing With Fire is much more satisfying than an ebook read. Very good audio production. Transitions between modern day and the war years is very smooth, nicely done.

Complaints? Not many, but a few. The book is only seven hours in length, ergo room enough for Gerritsen to flesh out the ending to a more satisfying conclusion. It seemed like efforts were being made to pull all the loose ends together quickly and wrap things up — and the story suffers as a result. Playing With Fire is really great tale that falls apart with a too-neat-and-tidy finish. Second complaint, believability with regard to the behavior of the main character. You’ll have to stretch imagination if you want to buy into her ‘black outs’ … but, hey … it’s fiction. For me this creates a dichotomy that pulls legitimacy from the rest of the book - the holocaust was very real.

Overall, Playing With Fire is recommended - especially in the audiobook format - with an ending you may find rushed and disappointing. A haunting and sad story, well narrated.

Fantastic

haunting story so worth the listen or read. everyone needs to know this book.

Best Ever

What made the experience of listening to Playing with Fire the most enjoyable?

This is one of the best books I have heard from Tess Garritsen and I have read all of her books. I normally read them but listening to this book helped bring all the characters to live in my head. Her best and I hope she continues to bring new characters to life with new story lines. I dearly love ALL her books and it was very refreshing to have this one. Do more please!!!

What does Julia Whelan and Will Damron bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Voices are wonderful

Average for me

What did you like best about Playing with Fire? What did you like least?

I enjoyed the switch in narration and the suspense.

Would you recommend Playing with Fire to your friends? Why or why not?

I found the book a little melodramatic overall. The violin music interjected throughout really ruined the story for me!

What three words best describe Julia Whelan and Will Damron ’s performance?

I am a fan of Julia Whelan; I felt Will Damron's performance is what made the story feel a bit melodramatic for me at times. The reading and interpretation of Lara's character didn't resonate with me.

Any additional comments?

I absolutely DETESTED the violin music that was interspersed. Hate to be a grouch, but if this is the direction audible is going in, I'll opt out. I want to hear the story as it's written on the page in its purest form. The interpretation of each narrator is departure enough; I am so grateful when the narration touches me. Any additional interpretation of the book should be left to the imagination! Please -- no more sound effects!!

Great Read!

What made the experience of listening to Playing with Fire the most enjoyable?

Both narrators were fantastic. Also, the story could have very well been true.

What other book might you compare Playing with Fire to and why?

I don't know. There are many books about Worlf War ll, the Nazi's, the Holocaust, but this story was a bit more personal and also it was more about the Italian Jews, which is a little different than other stories I've read.

What does Julia Whelan and Will Damron bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

So much emotion. They are both great narrators. I'm glad that I listened to this book instead of reading the print version, although I'm sure the print version was as wonderful also.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me very thoughtful after I read it. It was sad, but very interesting. I was even talking to my husband (at bedtime, around 1am) about the book, which I had just finished reading a few hours before. That was unusual for me to do!

Any additional comments?

I loved how the author and publisher put the violin music in the audio version. It wasn't corny, it was so beautiful!!!!

Great Novel!

Any additional comments?

Tess Gerritsen is always wonderful, and this is one her best books yet. Thoroughly engrossing, hope she writes more like this.

Music, History, Family... All Nicely Done

Playing with Fire is one of those books that grabs you regardless of your genre preferences. The music interludes add a very nice touch.

The story kicks off in current day Italy and deftly moves us to present day America without any turbulence. Just as seamlessly, it takes the reader back to Italy again, but this time, during the era in which the troublesome Third Reich draped its dark influence over the country. Gerritsen’s smooth time-shifts courses the reader through the story without confusion, and the reader is left to simply enjoy.

I connected with the characters: Julia; Rob; Lorenzo; Laura.... All characters are well-developed, and their backstories are relevant and realistic (as long as the reader either believes in mysticism or accepts it in fiction). Just as the story was beginning to drag, something unexpected snapped me to attention and held me on the edge of my seat until and through the excellent ending.

Narrators Julia Whelan and Will Damron lay this tale out beautifully. Kudos to the production crew as well. Each character was portrayed neatly, distinctly, and articulately not only in terms of technical and tactical performance, but also in the intangible “feel” of storytelling. Excellent job!

I purchased this easy-listen on sale, but it is well-worth a credit.

BEST audible book I have listened too!

What did you love best about Playing with Fire?

Bought this as a daily deal and wasn't sure what to expect. Sooooo good. Couldn't wait to get in the car and listen!

A chilling exploration into the horrors of the holocaust

Playing with Fire is a chilling exploration into the horrors of the Holocaust.

The writing was engaging and entertaining. The author doesn't mess around- she dives into the action right away.

This book was a touching tribute to the Jews and there allies alike who were murdered by the Nazi regime.

I wish it had been longer!




Spoiler!



It was less "supernatural" than I would have liked but I enjoyed it, none the less!

just okay

the premise for the story was very good. I don't feel the writer did it justice.