The Secret in Their Eyes

A Novel

By: Eduardo Sacheri

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall

Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Benjamín Chaparro is a retired detective still obsessed by the brutal, decades-old rape and murder of a young married woman in her own bedroom. While attempting to write a book about the case, he revisits the details of the investigation. As he reaches into the past, Chaparro also recalls the beginning of his long, unrequited love for Irene Hornos, then just an intern, now a respected judge. Set in the Buenos Aires of the 1970s, Sacheri’s tale reveals the underpinnings of Argentina’s Dirty War and takes on the question of justice - what it really means and in whose hands it belongs.

Eduardo Sacheri's first collection of short stories was published in Spain in 2000 under the title Los traidores y otros cuentos. Three other collections were published between 2001 and 2007, all of which have been bestsellers in Argentina. The film adaptation of his novel La pregunta de sus ojos won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film in 2010.

©2005 Eduardo Sacheri; Translation 2011 by John Cullen (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“A brutal murder is the starting point for this strange, compelling journey through Argentina’s criminaljustice system…A view of the world as a dark place illuminated by personal loyalties.” ( Kirkus Reviews)

A little bit different than your average mystery

I've watched the film based on this novel years ago. Although I've known the twist already, I liked the book more.
It is a slow story, and honestly, nothing much happens. But it is nicely written and I really loved the narrator. Also, the twist at the end is good and unexpected, and I like the point that the author tries to make about how justice and law are not the same.
I do recommend this one.

Original y de mucho aprendizaje!!

Aparte de lo bien y bonito que está escrito, la historia, que no sabes qué novedades traerá, está muy bien hilada. Realmente se disfruta!!!

beautiful writing

a lot of introspection and incisive commentary on human foibles. this is not an action book.

Wonderful

Extraordinary! Great story, well written with very good character development. Performance was done quite nicely.

Enthralling

Expertly read. Nothing was lost in translation. I watched the movie years ago and was interested when I saw it was a book. I loved it and only wish I didn't already know the secret.

Multilayered GENUIS!

Three stories interwoven into one. Some passages are absolutely beautiful in their use of language

Great treatment of the realities of the Dirty War years

There is everything in this neo-noir novel—murder mystery, troubled romance, lots of drinking, dark and twisty characters

Excellent storytelling

Beautifully written story! A detective on the verge of retiring decides to write the story of one of his most troubling cases, and what a story it is! I love the point of view from the present and the past, the author does it very well. The narrator does an excellent job of bringing the story to life. Highly recommended.

Wow!

This book is intricate. It is beautifully written. It is incredibly well presented by the narrator.
Pay attention, because all the details matter, and you will be rewarded with a fabulous listening
experience. I can't wait to start another book by Sacheri. Then I'll listen to this one again.

A great listen.

Mark Bramhall delivers lines with such perfection , the story seems to live and breath. It was hard to keep track of the characters though. But otherwise a recommended listen.