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  • The Dispatcher

  • By: John Scalzi
  • Narrated by: Zachary Quinto
  • Length: 2 hrs and 18 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (3,331 ratings)

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The Dispatcher cover art

The Dispatcher

By: John Scalzi
Narrated by: Zachary Quinto
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Summary

Winner, 2017 APA Audie Awards - Original Work

Zachary Quinto - best known for his role as the Nimoy-approved Spock in the recent Star Trek reboot and the menacing, power-stealing serial killer, Sylar, in Heroes - brings his well-earned sci-fi credentials and simmering intensity to this audio-exclusive novella from master storyteller John Scalzi.

One day, not long from now, it becomes almost impossible to murder anyone - 999 times out of a thousand, anyone who is intentionally killed comes back. How? We don't know. But it changes everything: war, crime, daily life.

Tony Valdez is a Dispatcher - a licensed, bonded professional whose job is to humanely dispatch those whose circumstances put them in death's crosshairs, so they can have a second chance to avoid the reaper. But when a fellow Dispatcher and former friend is apparently kidnapped, Tony learns that there are some things that are worse than death and that some people are ready to do almost anything to avenge a supposed wrong.

It's a race against time for Valdez to find his friend before it's too late...before not even a Dispatcher can save him.

©2016 John Scalzi (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"The hero of this book is narrator Zachary Quinto, who makes a potentially confusing story simple and compelling. With a voice that sounds trained, he reaches right through the speakers and grabs listeners, making them want—no, need—to listen." (AudioFile)

"Quinto has a perfect hardboiled noir manner, which is exactly what you’d want for Valdez." (Locus Magazine)

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What listeners say about The Dispatcher

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  • Overall
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Brilliant story line

This has to be one of my favourite stories ever. Unique plot, brilliant narration. I do hope Scalzi continues the story line and Quinto gets to narrate it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Short but sweat

I found this story really interesting and enjoyable. Characters were well written. Narration good as well.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Great story, brilliant narrator

Loved the premise of the story (there’s another one in the series too: Murder by other means). Zachary Quinto’s narration is just brilliant. I hope he’ll do more!

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

Interesting

The narration brings this novel to life. Its an interesting premise and one that is worth reading about/listening to.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Interesting

really good book and good reading. a bit of a different book. Well worth listening to.

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

Defo worth a listen

Great short story superbly told with great production values. Well written and a easy listen

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

An amazing book different intriguing but short never wanted stop

This was a surprisingly good Read well written and different I thou roughly enjoyed it. Just seemed short I was wanting keep reading at end.
Brilliant

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

Interesting

Not too long and introduces some interesting concepts about death which are thought provoking. Storyline is fairly straightforward

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    4 out of 5 stars
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A bit short, but intriguing

Interesting premise and good world building, but characters could have done with more depth. As is, it would be better to be turned into a film script

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great short story

I am a huge fan of dystopian literature. This is a great example of a story that could be part of a larger world. The narration was easy to listen to & the story is well rounded and gripping.

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