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Scorpion Rising
- Narrated by: Paul Thornley
- Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins
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Scorpion Rising
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Summary
Sidney Blattner is probably the most successful organised crime figure in London, but things are coming unstuck. Who would dare to execute his innocent brother down in Margate, and why?
When Blattner attends the funeral, his chauffeur disappears, forcing Sid and his two minders to flee the seaside resort ignominiously in a Transit van.... Sidney calls in as many favours as he can to find out what is going on down in Margate but without success. Two of his aides, sent down to investigate, turn up murdered.
There are plenty of questions, but no answers. Will Vince, the sharpest member of Sid's firm, have any better luck when he arrives in the fading seaside town? Or are he and Sidney about to meet their nemesis?
Anthony Frewin was born in London and lives in Hertfordshire. He was assistant film director to Stanley Kubrick for over 20 years. He has written three novels, London Blues, Sixty-Three Closure, and Scorpian Rising.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Johnny
- 29-08-21
Good gangster tail
Yeah I liked this kept ya guessing if you don’t try to hard but great characters likeable and dislike Abel well worth a listen
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story1 out of 5 stars
- Tony Casey
- 16-10-22
Poor Story, Well Read
A story littered with gangster clichés, both in character and dialogue. Unrealistic, shorthand and borderline offensive descriptions of descents in to and ascents out of mental illness.
Simply nothing about this story rings true and its literary mediocrity is only highlighted more by the author's occasional attempt at literary flair.
The whole thing is saved somewhat by the brilliant narration of Paul Thornley. Had it not been for his excellent portrayal and fleshing out of the thinly sketched characters, and his excellent story telling abilities, I would not have persited beyond a few chapters with this book.
I need to listen to more of Mr. Thornley's work.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Mr D.
- 17-11-21
Good story, excellent narration.
Thoroughly enjoyed the story, but it was the narration that made it for me. The characters were really brought to life by the excellent narration of Paul Thornley.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Lord Emsworth
- 02-07-22
An intriguing slice of British seaside noir
Scorpian Rising (2001) is a classic pared down gangster noir novel. If you enjoy Ted Lewis and Derek Raymond then you should like this too. I certainly did. Paul Thornley narrates it all perfectly.
I’m a big fan of books set in either London or seaside towns. Double bubble here given all the action takes place in London and on the Isle of Thanet (Margate and Ramsgate).
When London crime boss Sidney Blattner learns his innocent brother has been executed in Margate, he sets out to find out why he was killed. Is someone sending him a message? Various emissaries get killed so he sends down his main man Vince, and most of the novel is narrated from Vince’s point of view. When this move doesn’t go to plan Sid becomes ever more anxious and disconcerted.
So far so familiar, right? There are echoes of Get Carter and other novels, but what elevates this one is the storytelling, and the depiction of the crime milieu. Best of all, the Isle of Thanet is powerfully portrayed. The bleak and down at heel Kent coast making a wonderfully disconcerting backdrop for the unsettling storyline.
It may all be fairly predictable but, when it done this well, I’m all in. An intriguing slice of British seaside noir that is well worth a listen.
Anthony Frewin, in addition to having written three novels, was assistant film director to Stanley Kubrick for over 20 years. I will be listening to his other two novels ASAP. All three are currently included in your Audible membership.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Ben Davies
- 09-05-23
Bog standard
The narration is excellent, it’s just a bog standard gangster story clumsily written, it doesn’t seem to flow at times
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance2 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 22-02-22
My review of scorpion rising
I have never read a book by the sofa before I enjoyed all of it especially as the narrator Paul Thornley I tend to like the books he narrates I didn’t realise the plot till the very end and it kept me gripped thank you audible
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 04-11-22
Slow start but good story
Very stereotypical gangsters but the character Vince is likeable and you start to care what happens to him. Good narration.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- James caunt
- 01-03-23
Paul Thornley makes this!
Story line is fairly basic gangster story but one the less Paul Thornley makes this a really interesting audio book! Really enjoyable
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 12-11-21
Narrator best I’ve heard to date.
Paul Thornley has a gift for London accents, his ability to slightly differentiate each character made this listen a real joy ! Thank you !!!!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- John Warner
- 15-04-22
superb
Great read definitely will read another by this author.
Excellent, superb etc etc etc
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