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  • The Messenger of Athens

  • By: Anne Zouroudi
  • Narrated by: Sean Barrett
  • Length: 8 hrs and 51 mins
  • 4.1 out of 5 stars (86 ratings)
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The Messenger of Athens cover art

The Messenger of Athens

By: Anne Zouroudi
Narrated by: Sean Barrett
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Summary

When the battered body of a young woman is discovered on a remote Greek island, the local police are quick to dismiss her death as an accident. Then a stranger arrives, uninvited, from Athens, announcing his intention to investigate further. His methods are unorthodox, and he brings his own mystery into the web of dark secrets and lies. Who has sent him, on whose authority is he acting. And how does he know of dramas played out decades ago?

©2007 Anne Zouroudi (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This powerfully atmospheric mystery embraces Mediterranean passion, mythic meddling and patriarchal persecution. First-time novelist Anne Zouroudi proves a natural at the dark arts of writing Euro-crime." ( Independent)

What listeners say about The Messenger of Athens

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

very good...

This was my first Anne Zouroudi book...apprehensive at first and only bought it for the narration of the maestro Sean Barrett who I think can bring any story to life. I was not disappointed in the least...in fact will purchase another Zouroudi/Barrett combination book very soon. All in all it was a satisfying experience and I would recommend.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

very Greek real Greek

interesting book has a real knowledge of really Greek people and culture very readable book

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Intriguing

A story slightly different from the norm and, therefore, refreshing. All is not as you would expect. The characters are portrayed beautifully and the events equally so. What an excellent narrator; you could listen to him again and again.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story, brilliant narrator.

Would you consider the audio edition of The Messenger of Athens to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version, but the Sean Barrett's performance is absolutely brilliant, and keeps you wanting to listen without stopping. Excellent different voices and nuances. Lovely slow pace when needed and great accents. I can't think that the book could be any better.

What other book might you compare The Messenger of Athens to, and why?

Possibly Victoria Hislop's books based on Crete - but the writing is far superior. The author has an excellent command of her subject and her writing talent is superb.

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

Have heard many of Sean Barrett's readings - I now actually look out for them as he is just the perfect reader. I've almost got to the stage of not bothering about the book subject, but just wanting to listen to his narration.

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

I did - all the way through France and back again. I actually slowed down a bit at the end to make sure I could finish the book before the trip finished!

Any additional comments?

This book was not just a 'whodunit' but also was woven through with the history of the island and what Greek island life is like - the people, their work, attitudes, religion, etc. Not quite the romantic idyll that most tourists imagine.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Just who is Hermes?

Superbly written glimpse into Greek island life with two excellent mysteries. Who killed the young wife, cleverly resolved by the second mystery Hermes, who has to be more than he seems. How does he know what he knows, and is he the agent of the fates which befall many of the of the books characters? You will want immediately to read the next book in the series to enjoy the writing, the mystery, and in the hope that you find out more about Hermes.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Strange Character accents

Although I enjoyed this book, the character voices who were supposed to be Greeks sounded as if they had come from a mixture of the Archers and Cornwall, I realise that it may be difficult to get a Greek accent but it was very strange and spoilt it for me.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

A Startling Foul Language content .

The foul language content of this story is very off putting at any time but when it’s blasted into your head through earphones it’s an assault , I find it hard to believe that firstly it is necessary and secondly that a female author would demean herself so , we know it’s the poorly educated that use foul language because they are unable to express themselves adequately in proper English , so , one is left wondering just what sort of person can bring themselves to degrade themselves and their listeners in such a way .

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Definitely going to be listening to next in series

It takes a little while to adjust to the writer's style and accents of the reader - but within an hour I was completely wrapped up in this tale. Anyone who warmed to Mr Golightly's Holiday by Sally Vickers will feel they have an understanding of who the fat man may be but all is open to conjecture...The way the claustrophobic atmosphere of the island is portrayed in terms of its residents is very good and quite manacing - all rather different from the relaxed sunkissed haven seen by the tourists passing through. Sean Barrett is my absolute favourite reader - and yet I do have to agree with another reviewer who said he felt the accents used were rather offputting. SB got the fat man's voice and the rhythm of the narrative absolutely spot on as always - but some of the other characters (who seemed to range from Dorset to Australian) did seem to go a bit haywire! However do not be put off by this -just be aware - once you have overcome this it does not detract from the story or reading at all. And it is well well worth a listen.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A different whodunnit.

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed all of Ann Zoroudi’s books I was interested to see if the audio version added or detracted from the printed page, so opted for this, the first in the series, as a starting place. Sean Barrett is an excellent narrator, bringing depth and nuance to her wonderfully descriptive writing. Some reviewers have complained about the “un Greek” accents he used, but they didn’t bother me in the least, I thought they added to the characters and the story. This is a murder mystery with a real difference, set on a small Greek island, riven with superstition, religion, corruption and intolerance. Having experienced truly rural, isolated winters in mainland Europe, Ms Zoroudi captures the boredom and squalor perfectly, writing a rich backdrop against which the murder is set. Cue the arrival of The Messenger Of Athens, a most unlikely detective, but with a trick or two up his sleeve (or in his holdall) to champion the cause of justice and truth. These stories are rich, layered, absorbing and not at all what you might expect. They have a dark edge to them, her villains are thoroughly villainous but Hermes Diaktoros is on the case… If you like a murder mystery with a difference, you will enjoy this.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Mmmmm

Not enough of the Fat Man but the series improves to being excellent. Don't give, listen to the layer books.

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