A Fugue in Hell's Kitchen

By: Hal Glatzer

Narrated by: Barbara Rosenblat

Length: 7 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's Summary

Katy Green is a working musician in the years before World War II. It's 1939, and Katy tries to help a friend out of a jam at a classical music conservatory that ought to be a quiet oasis in Hell's Kitchen, New York's roughest neighborhood. But when Katy searches for the stolen manuscript of a string quartet by Paganini, what she finds is madness, mayhem, unexplained sudden deaths, and a fight for her very life.

©2004 Audio-Playwrights (P)2004 Audio-Playwrights

Critic Reviews

• Audie Award Finalist, Solo Narration--Female, 2005

Interesting but weird

I am a big fan of the reader of this book, and the book is a good story. However, the 'production' is just weird - odd sound effects throughout - doors banging, traffic, trains. The overall effect took quite a bit to get used to. I think it is still worth the listen, but what on earth were the producers thinking of?

Wonderfully Weird!

I admit that I haven't listened to the entire book yet, but I would definitely recommend this book to those who, like me, find the average audio book rather monotone and boring. I prefer dramatized audio and this one fits the bill. Some others stated that they found the sound effects annoying; but for me that is what made the listen so interesting! I love it! Yes it is "interesting and weird"...but that's GOOD! So to all you fellow weirdos out there...check this one out!

Irritating Beyond Belief

I cannot give a comprehensive review of this title, as I couldn't bear to complete the book. I might have had a more positive experience had I read the printed page, rather than listened to it. The narrator, Barbara Rosenblat, was incredibly distracting. I've not heard her before, so whether her technique was intentional or not remains a mystery. I believe she may have been attempting to imitate a thirties-style movie actress (i.e., rapid-fire delivery). Instead, she managed to make nearly every sentence one that would include an exclamation point. I don't care what the action, it isn't necessary to finish nearly! every! word! with! emphasis! Do yourself a favor, and pass over this book.