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The Keys to the Street cover art

The Keys to the Street

By: Ruth Rendell
Narrated by: Simon Russell Beale
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Summary

Mary Jago had donated her own bone marrow to save the life of someone she didn’t know. And this generous act led directly to the bitter break-up of her affair with Alistair. For him, it was as though her beauty had been plundered.

But the man whose life she had saved would change Mary’s life in a way she could never have imagined.

©1996 Kingsmarkham Enterprises (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

What listeners say about The Keys to the Street

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A Perfect Match

From the very start I was riveted by this reading - Simon Russell Beale makes a wonderful job of an excellent book. No mispronunciations or hesitations, no moments when you suddenly realise that the narrator hasn't actually read the story until this very moment - this is a masterly piece of work. Somehow the voice and story are so well matched that at the end you find it hard to separate them, but I suppose that's what being an actor is all about. This forms a link to the plot in a thoroughly bizarre twist. Thoroughly recommended.

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18 people found this helpful

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

The Keys To The Street

A number of Londoners lives converge around the mixed neighbourhood of NW1. Mary Jago, a museum curator provides a life-saving act to save the life of Lieukemia sufferer, Leo Nash, whilst escaping a violent relationship. Dog walker Leslie Bean has a strange past combined with an avaricious nature; drug addict Hob will do anything for his latest fix and finally, the cultured Roman takes to the streets after a major tragedy blights his life.

This Audiobook was truly sublime. Rendell's talent for telling the stories of a group of diverse people is amazing and I adored the twisty nature of the plot.

The narrator, Simon Russell-Beale was brilliant too. Truly a 5* listen.

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16 people found this helpful

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

meandering.

I loved this book especially the soothing voice of the reader. A slow build.up but so beautifully written. Living in London I could picture it so clearly.
if you want hard hitting violence this isn't for you. it takes it's time to reveal the shock!

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8 people found this helpful

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

The Keys to the Street

Another great listen by Ruth Rendell. Well read and thought provoking story. I love the way she gets inside the character’s head. Most enjoyable.

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5 people found this helpful

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

Another Rendell Classic

A complex cast of loosely linked characters could make this a little tricky to follow but an excellent overall performance.

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4 people found this helpful

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

Compelling

This story is beautifully crafted and narrated. The writer transports you to London's atmosphere and secret places , combining a gripping tale and characters as only she can.

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3 people found this helpful

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

Definitely her best book

I haven’t read Ruth Randell for years.
Saw this in the included list. What a treat. I haven’t been able to stop listening.
Simon Russel Beale was totally brilliant and made the whole experience a total treat. His voices and accents were absolutely spot on.

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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

The Keys to the Street

Ruth Rendell creates the most interesting Characters. This story describes parts of London in great detail. Rendell always has a great sense of place. It is narrated superbly by Simon Russell Beale. in all Rendell's writing she is very funny a
particularly interesting bleak humour.

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2 people found this helpful

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

Decent

Enjoyed the lives of the people involved and the way each took me on a journey.

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2 people found this helpful

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

So she's softly spoken, I still need to hear it!

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I listen in the car all the time. This book drove me mad, I was constantly trying to turn it up but it was already as loud as could go.

I understand that the main character was supposed to be gentile, softly spoken, almost vulnerable but I STILL NEED TO HEAR HER.

It ruined my enjoyment totally.

How could the performance have been better?

LOUDER

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2 people found this helpful