The Villa of Mysteries: The Rome Series: Book 2

Well if I thought the first book in the Rome series was narrated badly, then this one is awful. I am about an hour from finishing it. The listener will have to endure all of the Italian characters (i.e. most of the characters in the book) being narrated in an accent like 'oh shuddup-a-ya-face'.

I do not know how much this has detracted from this book but I am also disappointed by the main thread of this story - a story often related by less able authors and dirty old men. I also really disliked Eyes Wide Shut for similar reasons.

I am going to proceed to listen to the 5th in the Rome series, safe in the knowledge that Saul Reichlin is reading it, and hope that it will be much less gratuitous than this, the second.

I am aware that this has disturbed me much more than any of the violence in other books - this may be true for other female listeners.

I cannot but agree with several other reviewers. The Chico Marx accent that the reader uses for every Italian character (the majority) detracts so much from the novel that it is almost impossible to listen through. A waste of money ... unless you think you will like the combination of a crime-novel with Chico Marx.

A relaxing way of enjoying a marvellous detective story, read by an excellent actor.The places referred to in and around Rome are spot on and precise.The only blemish was having Kay "Italianise" the pronunciation of the various Italian characters. It was tiring and disturbing, especially for those who actually speak Italian!They should have spoken English with an anglophone accent to convey the impression that for them their accents were "normal".

Saul Reichlin reading it would have made it better! Or any reader who didn't use caricature Italian accents! And if you are going to try Italian accents (please not again!) at least pronounce Italian words correctly eg Machiato is not pronounced 'ch' but 'k'. The reader of the first book was good I thought with his regional English accents but I am just going to move on to Book three which I know is in Saul Reichlin's safe pair of hands. Poor Christopher Kay; it must be awful to receive these reviews but really he gave an awful performance. I too was immensely irritated throughout and also the weird pronunciation of 'cadaver' drove me crazy. I can't imagine why readers don't look up any pronunciations they are not sure of ... they should do their homework first.

Yes. I have 'read' three and like them with a good reader.

I'm afraid not if it contained foreign voices. If all are English, he could be fine perhaps.

I don't think this is his best book and several of the characters are too caricature so I can't really pick one that stands out.

Stop calling 'crazy Teresa' Crazy Teresa. It's irritating to go on and on. We've got the message! She's a reasonable character without the silly name.

Story excellent as with all David Hewson books

No particular favourite character

Christopher Kay ruined the listening pleasure by insisting on giving virtually every character a really naff, bad Italian accent. The falseness of the accents ruined the listening pleasure for me

It was an intriguing, complex story which I always enjoy

The narration of this book is so awful.... I'm about one and a half hours into listening and have to give up. Sadly, because the book seems really good so far, but I wish the narrator hadn't attempted an Italian accent.- his pronunciation even of Italian places like Trestevere is so wrong. And why doesn't he know how to say cadaver????! What a shame, I think I might actually have to buy the book if I want to continue with the Rome Series.

Very well written book slightly marred by comedy Italian accents.

Unlike your other reviewers I thought the book was excellent in plot and telling. I fail to see how people that only stick 30 or 40 minutes with a book can make any comment at all. The story line was good and we all despise violence, especially against women, but it happens. The Italian accents of the reader were a bit off the cuff but it's the story, not the accent that's under review.

I thoroughly enjoy David Hewson's books, but this narrator is ridiculous. His annoying Italian 'accent' completely detracts from the story, so much so that I have deleted the whole book without listening to more than 10 minutes. Hopefully Saul Reichlin will narrate this one in future.

I am a great fan of David Hewson's books but had to stop listening to this one after an hour. The narrator totally ruined he book as the voices he uses for all the Italian characters are like something out of a bad sitcom and all you can do is cringe when you listen to it. The worst I have ever had from Audible so save your money and buy the paperback instead.