Schreiber's Secret

By: Roger Radford

Narrated by: Nigel Patterson

Length: 10 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

Winner of an AudioFile “Earphones” Award

Nazi. Fugitive. Murderer. Sadist. Who is the real Hans Schreiber? Two journalists conduct a desperate quest to reveal the real Schreiber in this time-jumping, harrowing thriller about bringing unimaginable secrets to light...and a monster to justice. Crime reporter Mark Edwards and his colleague Danielle Green wade deep in red herrings and a twisting and turning plot as they seek to discover the terrible secret of a Nazi sadist who has continued his murdering ways in modern London. The story switches from a wartime transit camp in Czechoslovakia to contemporary Germany; from a London suburb to the Old Bailey, the world's most famous criminal court, where two men strive to claim that the other is the real Hans Schreiber.

Schreiber's Secret is a gripping tale of unimaginable horror and hatred revolving around a question of identity. Who is the real Hans Schreiber?

©1995 Roger Radford (P)2015 Roger Radford

Schreiber's secret

Any additional comments?

An excellent thriller. The writer is historically, geographically, and politically savvy and knows how to turn an extensive body of research into a gripping drama. Highly recommended.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Highly Recommend!

Roger Radford has written a compelling thriller, narrated wonderfully by Nigel Patterson, that launches the listener back into the horrors committed by the Nazis in WWII as a young reporter, Mark Edwards, and a journalist, Danielle Green, seek to solve a terrible murder committed in London.

Radford is spot on with his historical accuracy and the plot has enough twists and surprises to keep you deep into the story until the very end. I highly recommend this book to everyone!

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Terrific, gripping thriller

Would you consider the audio edition of Schreiber's Secret to be better than the print version?

It’s came as no surprise that this fantastic, engrossing book has received so many 5-star reviews. Now I’ve had the pleasure of listening to the superb audiobook, the intrigue, suspense and the character progression through the book make this a fantastic whodunnit right up until the end, and actor/narrator Nigel Patterson has done a first class job. Just as the book is unputdownable, the audiobook is totally absorbing. I didn't want it to end. Full credit and plaudits to the author and the narrator.

What did you like best about this story?

Many moments but the build up of tension in the trial was particularly great

Which scene was your favorite?

The intensity of the camp and particularly the small fortress was very moving and set the scene for the remainder of the story.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Excellent!

Any additional comments?

Fantastic book! Excellent narrator. Highly recommended! My spouse and I listened to it together and referred back to the novel at times. (The narration was excellent.) I actually recommend listening and reading at the same time. We both thought it was excellent. There are some great review written, so I'll keep mine brief. Plus, it's not an easy book to review because I don't want to give anything away. I thought I'd have a really hard time with the Holocaust sections, and given I was listening, my absorption of the novel was quite vivid - which can make things harder. But I "handled" it just fine. Definitely a page turner that keeps you changing your mind every page, it seemed. Steady pace in that it wasn't rushed, but fast in that I wanted to keep going. The characters, imagery, suspense, and writing style were great. Very smartly written. I'm not a historian, but as I learned by other reviews, it's highly historically correct, which brought more depth to the nuances of the story. The insight into the Judaism religion, traditions and customs were also appreciated. It's been several days since we finished Schreiber's Secret and we are still thinking about and discussing it.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Schreiber's Secret

Any additional comments?

I found this book to be well written and a great story!It takes us from Nazi Germany to more current days where someone comes forward to say that they know of a Death Camp Guard,a terrible person,who is still alive.Nigel Patterson was a perfect pick for the narrator of this book.He seems to be able to do any part well.I was gifted a copy for an honest review.I honestly loved it!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Excellent!

Would you listen to Schreiber's Secret again? Why?

Good story, fine narration

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

Yes.

What does Nigel Patterson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Sense of immediacy.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Classic thriller

Any additional comments?

Excellent audiobook thriller, with a strong feeling for the London location and an intriguing plot that burrows its way into the darkest corners of recent history. Roger Radford has done a superb job of pulling it all together and the narration by Nigel Patterson is very easy on the ear. If you like tension and unexpected twists, I'm certain you'll enjoy this 5-star professional production.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Excellent read & narration

What did you love best about Schreiber's Secret?

The murder mystery aspect. The background in the beginning was another aspect that I loved about this book.

Have you listened to any of Nigel Patterson’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have never heard Nigel Patterson before & I'm now searching for other titles he's narrated. His performance really kicked the action into high gear. Especially his handling of the German accents. Very compelling storytelling.

Any additional comments?

I read the book before listening to the audiobook. When I picked up the audiobook as a promotion for my review I was pleasantly surprised by the way it took me out of the book & transported me. Thank you Nigel Patterson for the thrill ride!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Can't seem to settle on a genre

What disappointed you about Schreiber's Secret?

The book seemed to lack focus at points. Sometimes it seemed like the author wanted to write a trashy romance novel and at other times seemed to be writing a mystery or trying to explain and promote Judiaism. I like romance novels when I know that's what I am reading and the author is good at writing romance. He's not. I like learning about various religions, but am put off by people saying "oh he wouldn't do something like that, he's (fill in a faith)."

Would you ever listen to anything by Roger Radford again?

Probably not

What character would you cut from Schreiber's Secret?

I didn't particularly like Mark or Danielle and their "romance" was a turn off.

Good setup but . . .

Any additional comments?

Very good setup, had me interested throughout. Was a bit let down by the unresolved ending though. Well read by Nigel Patterson.

2 of 5 people found this review helpful

A gripping story, very well read

What made the experience of listening to Schreiber's Secret the most enjoyable?

The skill of the reader, using quite different voices made this a very enjoyable first experience with audio books.

What other book might you compare Schreiber's Secret to, and why?

Possibly The Odessa File by Frederick Forsyth, there are some similarities - modern day journalist investigating former Nazi in hiding.

What about Nigel Patterson’s performance did you like?

Nigel Patterson manages to add real menace into the title character's voice.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If only I could sit still for 10 hours! I certainly wanted to know what would happen next so it was difficult to turn off

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Compelling story with many twists and turns

Schreiber's Secret is a story that kept me hooked.. Very powerful and absorbing it was both hugely entertaining but also deeply touching.

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Utterly riveting!

Would you listen to Schreiber's Secret again? Why?

Yes. There are so many lessons to be learned from this incredible story of man's inhumanity to man.

What other book might you compare Schreiber's Secret to, and why?

Leon Uris' QB VII. While this is a mystery thriller, the writer has the same capacity to hold the attention. The court case in both books is totally authentic.

What does Nigel Patterson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

He brings the characters to life, and enables us to differentiate between them.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely!

Any additional comments?

I cannot praise this book highly enough. It informed me and taught me at the same time.

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Well-narrated with masterful twists and turns

This story keeps the reader hooked with evocative language, true to life characters and many twists, turns and surprises right up until the end of the novel, and the narrator Nigel Patterson truly brings the words to life in this audiobook. Patterson narrates in a clear and matter-of-fact style that matches Radford's writing style perfectly, and at the same time manages to reflect each character's individual voice.

Not only is this thriller an excellently written and narrated story, it is also a crucial reminder of the barbaric crimes committed by the Nazis, and a shocking testament of what humans are capable of doing to other humans. Even though Schreiber is a fictional character, the crimes he perpetrated are historically documented. Thanks to Radford’s meticulous research, the novel offers an historical account of the gruelling conditions in a transit camp such as the Small Fortress of Theresienstadt that would otherwise remain unknown to most of us.

I would highly recommend this audiobook for its clever plot construction, excellent narration, continuing historical relevance and for its truly thought-provoking ending.

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

A 5 Star thriller

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

From the very beginning the intensity and intrigue of the story had me gripped, and the book continued in this vainuntil the end. The distinction in voices of the differnet characters really brought the story to life, and credit should go to the narrator who did a great job. That said, the narrator would have nothing were it not for the skill of the author. I've read his previous works and they are an absolute must read to anybody who enjoys the thriller genre. This was a fantastic audiobook and can totally concur with the many other 5 star reviews, and that they are totally deserved.

What other book might you compare Schreiber's Secret to, and why?

I've read many thrillers, but none with this particular subject matter that had as good a plot. I'd say it was unique for all the very best of reasons

What does Nigel Patterson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

With the many changes in dialects, he brings a realism to the characters. Thought he did a great job.

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

Utterly Compelling!

If you could sum up Schreiber's Secret in three words, what would they be?

Compelling! Thought-provoking! Addictive!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Henry Sonntag
A fascinating equivical character.

Have you listened to any of Nigel Patterson’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No I have not listed to Nigel Patterson’s other performances but after this I will!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wanted to listen to this terric book in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

A briillliant book brought to life by Nigel Patterson’s superb narration and characterisations.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Outstanding mystery/thriller

What made the experience of listening to Schreiber's Secret the most enjoyable?

The often intense way the narrator brought the characters to life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Journalist Danielle Green. Beautiful, savvy and believable.

What does Nigel Patterson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

He managed to make the voices of the German characters distinctive and different. You could tell he had empathy for all the characters, apart from the sadist Hans Schreiber.

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

Henry Sonntag's explanation of what it is like to be a Holocaust survivor.

Any additional comments?

Once started, it was hard to stop listening.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Brilliant book

Gripping story all the way through. Excellent characters and very vivid descriptions. I would reccomend this book to anyone.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

A brilliant work

Very well read. Flawlessly kept to the written script. The correct gravitas is maintained throughout and it was a pleasure to follow the audio version of this book, my having read the original book when it was first pin listed.

Alan Scott

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Magnificent mystery/thriller

What made the experience of listening to Schreiber's Secret the most enjoyable?

The gravitas of the narrator Nigel Patterson brought Roger Radford's pulsating mystery to life.

What did you like best about this story?

The way it highlighted the moral ethics vis-a-vis the Holocaust.

Have you listened to any of Nigel Patterson’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, definitely.

Any additional comments?

Unputdownable.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful