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Title: The Holy Thief
Author: William Ryan
Narrator: Sean Barrett
Format: Unabridged
Length: 10 hrs and 31 mins
Language: English
Release date: 04-10-14
Publisher: Pan Macmillan Publishers Ltd
Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 1 votes
Genres: Fiction, Historical
Publisher's Summary:
It's Moscow, 1936 and Stalin's Great Terror is beginning.
In a deconsecrated Church, a young woman is found dead, her mutilated body displayed on the altar for all to see. Captain Alexei Dimitrevich Korolev of the Criminal Investigation Division of the Moscow Militia, is asked to investigate. But when he discovers that the victim is an American citizen, the NKVD - the most feared organisation in Russia - becomes involved.
As more bodies are discovered and the pressure from above builds, Korolev begins to question who he can trust; and who, in this Russia where fear, uncertainty and hunger prevails, are the real criminals. Soon, Korolev will find not only his moral and political ideals threatened, but also his life....
Members Reviews:
Loyalty vs Greed vs Corruption
What did you like most about The Holy Thief?
To shred a good story into pieces would be an abuse so there was no one bit but an enthralling wholeness to it.
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Holy Thief?
The final interrogation
Have you listened to any of Sean Barretts other performances? How does this one compare?
I have listened to most of Sean Barratt's readings and along with Geoff Harding's works they are all utterly splendid. He has a voices for characters that resonate with authority and that give a sense gravitas to moments of tension.
Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
Laugh or cry ... oh please this was a story set in Stalin's Russia where people disappeared, where petty officials could denounce you, where a 1984 atmosphere and a midnight knock could make you and your family disappear. No laughs, no crying but a need to pay attention and form pictures of the greyness of it all.
intelligent and moving
knowing nothing about the Russian secret police of the 1930's, I nevertheless found the story intriguing and accessible.
The characters were well developed and I cared about them. I recommend this book and the excellent audible reader.
Brilliant
What about Sean Barretts performance did you like?
I think this has to be the absolute best narration ever by far by anyone. Sean Barret has surpassed even himself on this one.
Any additional comments?
I loved this book. Well written. Great story. Very atmospheric. Good characterisation. No waffle or padding. Superb narration. What more could you ask for in this genre.
Hard to follow.
Sean Barrett's narration excellent as always, but I found the story hard to follow and had trouble differentiating the different characters - I tend to listen to audio books whilst carrying out various mundane tasks, but would have needed to concentrate fully to hold the plot.
Very good, historically concise
A great plot in well researched reconstruction of the Stalinist police state during the Yagoda and Yehzov eras. Buffs of pre war Soviet History will love it. Especially captures the warped morality of the socialist collective. Fans of Sebag Montifiore and Edvard Radinsky will enjoy it and recognise the subtlety William Ryan brings to the Tableau. Definitely the best 'sovploitation' thriller writer out there at the moment. IMHO
