A Dying Light in Corduba

Where is Christian Rodska?

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.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Spoilt by the narrator

I didn’t like this narrator at all. I thought it sounded like it was set in Scotland rather than Spain.

Story moved slowly, it made you feel like you were suffering the pregnancy with Helena. I think the action is slowing up. Plenty of period details though, if you enjoy them.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Very disappointing

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.

4 of 6 people found this review helpful

Entertaining and fluent

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.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Good

Will need a second listen to fully get the impact of the story sporadic listening is not recommended but like the previous entries in the series a good historical mystery

Really good story, well read

At last, they've used a good narrator! Excellent story and well read.
If you're a fan of Falco, this is a must-read

Very entertaining

Great trip around Roman Spain. I prefer this reader to the others used for the Falco audio books.

falcon does again

Yet another wonderful tale of Falco and his family. The narration was very good and certainly was given the right atmosphere.

Bring back Christian Rodska

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Richard Mitchley?

i would have cast Christian Rodska who is a perfect Falco and sounds just like a man who might be a Roman Informer.

Falco in a flap

Would you listen to A Dying Light in Corduba again? Why?

No. Plot twists and "whodunnit?" known so no surprises or novelty.

What other book might you compare A Dying Light in Corduba to, and why?

Any of the preceding ones featuring Didius Marco Falco by Lyndsey Davis, but in the correct order which is:1 Silver Pigs; 2 Shadows in Bronze; 3 Venus in Copper; 4 Iron Hand of Mars; 5 Poseidon's Gold; 6 Last Action in Palmyra; 7 Time to depart. They develop the main character and his relationships with other protagonists so you would have abetter understanding of the relationships and their significance by reading in correct order.

What about Richard Mitchley’s performance did you like?

The class whine and intonation of the pretentious twits contrasting with the earthy and practical accents of the hero and his ilk.

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

Only just feasible, but did want to hear how story develops. Was slow in places and took some natural breaks.

Any additional comments?

Falco seems to function better in Rome as the city takes on being a character in the story too. Set in Spain mainly this lacks that aspect. Falco's wife's pregnancy was meant to add some further drama and suspense, but this did not come across well for me.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful