Spandau Phoenix

By: Greg Iles

Narrated by: Dick Hill

Length: 26 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

The Spandau Diary - what was in it? Why did the secret intelligence agencies of every major power want it? Why was a brave and beautiful woman kidnapped to get it? Why did a chain of deception and violent death lash out across the globe, from survivors of the Nazi past to warriors in this new conflict about to explode? Why did the world's entire history of World War II have to be rewritten as the future hung over a nightmare abyss?

©1994 Greg Iles (P)2010 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Awesome

Loved this book!! It’s so good. Listen/read Black Cross first. That was also an awesome book. Lastly I must say I think Dick Hill is an amazing narrator. I’m definitely going to be exploring books where he’s involved.

Lots of action

I love Greg Iles, I have read almost all of his books. This one was disappointing because the plot became so bogged down with to many characters and to many countries. I just couldn't keep up with all of if. But can't wait to read his next book.

Hell of a plot!

Would you listen to Spandau Phoenix again? Why?

What an amazing plot this one was! Very detailed yet very large in scope. This book really did capture my attention and I literally did nothing but sit and listen. The only downside at all is the narration. There are times when Mr. Hill is spot on and nails it, then there are the times I wanted to scream! When he does the whinny female voice I want to strangle myself. I found that to be very distracting from the story. That however is the only downside. I fancy myself a WWII buff, as well as having spent (so far) 30 years in one field written about here. It was hard to believe it was written way back in 93. I'm starting Black Cross now...my 4th Iles book. It's good to find a good, solid author again. I got so burned out on the cookie cutter thriller type books that I took a chance on Blood Memory, and was very glad I did. Mr. Iles seems to have an excellant grasp of humanity, from the best we are to the worst.

"Nazis, I hate those guys!"

This is right in line with the back-to-life Nazi conspiracy stories we've seen in Indiana Jones or the Boys from Brazil. Interesting spin on the mystery surrounding Hess' flight to England and Nazi sleeper cells in West Germany and South Africa. Enjoyed the first 2/3, but the final shoot out scene involving so many strange alliances slipped into farce.

Intriguing story

The author did a great job in writing this story. One could almost believe it was a non-fiction account of happenings in post WWII. I've long been a fan of the author's work.

Long, confusing but great narrator

I did get confused now and then with the multiple plots and keeping all the names straight. But the basic storyline was intriguing and the narrator was just fantastic. If it wasn’t for his different voices and inflections I think this would’ve been impossible to just listen to as an audiobook.

Pretty hard to follow

It got bogged down with too many characters, from too many countries, with too many allegiances.

Simply WOW!!!!!

This is truly truly an amazing amazing roller coaster of a story that tugs at you in different directions. In a way it is a continuation of Black Cross but stands on its own. There are quite a few characters and it takes a little bit of time to know who is who but once you do....you are spun into an amazing web that just keeps going and going. You never really know what is going to happen as there are a number of twists and turns that keep you engaged. I highly highly recommend this book.

Irritating

What did you like best about Spandau Phoenix? What did you like least?

The plot is very good and grabs attention but soon the story becomes dis-jointed with characters flitting about everywhere. Serious credibility situations such as secrets being discussed on an airplane where the probability of being overheard is obvious, and so on. This just gets worse and halfway through the book I was wishing for it to end. The characters, especially Hans and his wife are so pathetic one has no pity for their circumstances. The "bad guy's" - Nazis and Afrikaners - so stereotypical!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Spandau Phoenix?

Not many.

How could the performance have been better?

The narrators efforts at adopting the German, British and South African accents becomes very irritating - in fact, soon they all sound the same.

Do you think Spandau Phoenix needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No - enough already

Any additional comments?

I was disappointed. This plot had good potential - the incredible situations and "whiney" heroine faced with the stereotyped villains spoiled it.

Reasonably entertaining

Is there anything you would change about this book?

While it had many elements of a good thriller, it was overlong for the story and felt padded. Its huge cast of characters was too huge, maybe; many of the characters felt pretty peripheral. A thriller, yes. A taut thriller, no.

Any additional comments?

DIck Hill, as usual, provided excellent narration and pulled me along through the less compelling parts.