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The Fourth Deadly Sin  By  cover art

The Fourth Deadly Sin

By: Lawrence Sanders
Narrated by: Marc Vietor
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Publisher's summary

Here is the gripping story of a brutally-murdered New York psychiatrist; ex-cop Edward X. Delaney, who must crack the high-profile case; and the only six suspects: the doctor's own patients. It's a blockbuster with twists and turns that will keep you up nights and suspense that "never lags" (The Washington Post). And it is a crowning achievement - by the man who wears the crown as king of the thriller.

Prolong the suspense: follow the further crime-solving career of Edward X. Delaney.
©1985 Lawrence Sanders (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Fourth Deadly Sin

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

Never dissapointed.........................

Imagine sitting on your grandfather's lap and him reading you a nice bed time (Murder Story) Again I have to give props to a story that can leap a couple of decades and still hold my interest. Marc Vietor is as good as they get. He breathes life into Edward X Delaney, and I feel like I know him. I wish he was my Grandfather. So I don't seem too cold - I barely knew my grandparents =0) It amazes still how detective work was done before ATM camera angles solved every crime. I love the psychology in Lawerence Sander's books. It's a shame that the one bad review is an Oxymoron. Dated and sexist - Uh yeah - If it's dated - It's going to have parts that don't have modern thinking. Here's an update. Slavery was abolished a while ago - But I don't read 'A Time to Kill' and say 'That book was racist' - I just enjoy the story. Jeeeez ussss.

J

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9 people found this helpful

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

Brilliant! Why wasn't there more?

I loved every minute of the entire Deadly Sin series and this book is no exception. A terrific mystery (better, I would say than the other whodunnit, the Second Deadly Sin) it examines the multitude of methods detectives use in cracking a case or a suspect. The murder is interesting and as always, Delaney is a great character to watch investigate it.

The only downside to reading this book is the knowledge that Sanders never finished the series. It ends with this book and for that reason I would recommend buying this book AND one of the earlier ones, preferably the First Deadly Sin, so you can understand the style of writing that Sanders engaged in. Three deadly sins remain, and the only killer to this books satisfaction is that Sanders didn't examine them with his wit, his passion and his thrilling style like he did with this (and the other three) books.

It's a masterful series, one you should read. I only wish it was complete.

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8 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Classic book, way beyond excellent narrator

No question in my mind, the "Deadly Sin" series of Lawrence Sanders ranks right up there with the best of Conan Doyle. Detective fiction just doesn't get any better than this -- innovative plots, interesting characters with enough quirky habits to make them memorable (no one forgets Frances X. Delaney's sandwiches, wet or dry) with clear lines drawn between good and evil. Today, it seems, most fiction writers seem to prefer flawed heroes, men and women battling their own demons. Sanders chose not to create that kind of protagonist, or at least he didn't in this series. While he's no patsy, tough-guy Delaney is refreshing in his steadfast uprightness, his devotion to his family, his honesty and integrity. No character flaws are apparent -- although I suppose in today's world that might constitute a flaw in itself. Still, this kind of completely honorable and admirable character is a delight, at least for a change. No steamy sex scenes, either, something else that's a welcome change. Violence? Some. But not random or gratuitous. What violence there is, is appropriately applied.

But what really puts the "Fourth" installment in the Deadly Sin Audible series over the top in terms of excellence is the narrator, Marc Vietor. This book is loaded with minor characters -- not only a multi-member police squad who work on the crime, but also over a dozen suspects, all of whom are investigated and questioned in depth. They run the gamut of New York -- thugs, professors, psychiatrists, shut-ins, ex-boxers, women, some domineering, some shy, some nosy, plus dockworker, new immigrants, a couple of druggies and a gay or two. In all, they represent every different ethnicity and strata of society. Through it all, Vietor gives each a distinctive voice, so well done that in listening to this book -- more so than just reading it -- you feel as though you're really seeing the character. Every one of them becomes someone you can picture in full detail -- in terms of "theater of the mind", this book is off the scales.

I've read the entire series twice, have listened to them all once, and am now listening to them all again. That is, after all, what you do with classics of this caliber -- enjoy them over and over, even though you know very well who 'did it', and how it will end. Solving the mystery is just one objective in reading the Deadly Sin books -- enjoying the story is quite another.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Another Great Whodunit

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

I've fallen for Edward X. He is gruff, lovable, stubborn.

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

Yes. The murder takes place right away and I love the building of the suspect list.

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

How Edward X knows human nature and how to get to the bottom of murder. He is fair, recognizes good talent and rewards it.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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Dated and Sexist

Interesting story, but told with such a 1970's overlay of sexism it made me shake my head a dozen times. Sweeping generalities about the perceived easy life of beautiful women. Listen with amusement and give thanks that our culture is evolving.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Another Awesome and Unexpected Ending.

All i can say is that some will love the ending and some will hate it. Either way, great great book. Highly recommend.

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2 people found this helpful

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

I miss Delaney already....

Not my favorite Delaney book but I still recommend since I love this character and the way he operates, never by the book...the story is quite interesting and open the door to the world of psychiatry and what they go through with their patients. Marc Vietor gave a great performance and I only wished that there were more books on this series. I will definitely miss Delaney.

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2 people found this helpful

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

Love the whole series

What did you love best about The Fourth Deadly Sin?

The story is fast moving and captivating

What did you like best about this story?

Made me feel like I was the main player

Any additional comments?

The narration was top rate.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Sanders at His Best

Yes these Deadly Sin books are dated, but in many ways that’s what makes them so enjoyable the second time around. You are transported back in time, not so much to a simpler time, but a time of a more nuanced existence. Full of lives not crushed by social media, but of conversations, home for dinner, cocktails among friends, the quietness of the world could still exist - except when it was shattered by murder! Sanders is a master of murder and plotting its investigation. Francis X Delaney is a perfect foil to every bad person, man or woman that ever plotted evil. He is one of the best Detectives ever created, if ever a Hollywood producer wanted a strong character for a show they need not look any further than Francis X Delaney. Sanders is always in complete command of the story, the plotting, as well as his use of language (a Thesaurus can be helpful sometimes). A crackerjack of a mystery, with a perfect narration in Mr. Vietor.

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

Sanders at his best

Lawrence Sanders was a master at crime novels. Edward X is extremely entertaining as the main protagonist. Highly recommend this book!

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