A Dying Light in Corduba: The Falco Series, Book 8

This is part of a brilliant, witty and engaging series of stories about a private eye set in Ancient Rome. I have listened to all the available Falco books which are read with great wit and conviction by Christian Rodska. He brings the books to life with beautifully timed humour and creates the characters with wonderful voices. Unfortunately he doesn't read book nor The Accusers, which is a real shame. No disrespect for the other two narrators, but it really doesn't work in the same way. I will have to buy the actual book instead as I find the lack of Mr Rodska very irritating and can't listen.

Why, why, oh WHY do the powers-that-be change narrators midstream? Having established Falco's voice in Christian Rhodska, why change to someone else, who, no matter how competent, or even good, he may be in other roles, just isn't Falco? And having changed, why were there no guidelines given to the narrator - such as, the chief spy is called An-a-cry-teas, not An-ak-ra-teas? And she's Hell-en-er, not Hel-leaner?



As well as the unfamiliar pronunciation of familiar names, the narrator seemed in a hurry to get the job done, and set a cracking pace that rode roughshod over the humour of the writing and sacrificed any expression at all.



Sadly disappointing. If I could give this no stars I would.

A couple of reviewers have complained about Richard Mitchley taking over from Christian Rodska. It is extremely difficult to step in to a character as well established and distinctive as Rodska's Marcus Didius Falco. I presume Rodska was on a film or something when this needed to be done. But I thought Mitchley (whom I haven't heard before) did an excellent job. He followed in Rodska's general presentation - bluff, rough but purposeful - and kept the story moving and captivating. A few mispronunciations can get under one's skin, but I could only admire his reading which would have stood well on its own. I will look for other things he has done.

I have enjoyed several of the Falco mysteries, but this one felt below the standard of my previous reads. I know with Falco that the plot will carefully and gently unfold to its final revelation of guilt. However A Dying Light in Corduba is positively pedestrian to the point that I lost the will to live. It wasn't so much "Who dun it" but more "Who cares who dun it" In these harsh economic times I would only recommend spending your hard earned cash on this book if you are seeking a cure for insomnia.