Ratking cover art

Ratking

Aurelio Zen, Book 1

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Ratking

By: Michael Dibdin
Narrated by: Michael Kitchen
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About this listen

A powerful industrialist, Ruggiero Miletti, is kidnapped. Inspector Zen is transferred to Perugia to take over the case - but finds that there are many obstacles in his way. The local authorities see him as an interloper, and the victim’s family, one of the most powerful in Italy, seem content to let Miletti languish in the hands of his abductors. Zen has crossed swords with the establishment before - and lost. Can he succeed this time?

©1988 Michael Dibdin (P)2014 Audible, Inc. Crime Fiction Genre Fiction Modern Detectives Movie, TV & Video Game Tie-Ins Mystery Police Procedural Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Italy Crime

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All stars
Most relevant
the book rambles on like the character Zen, a bumbling detective who happens to be in either then wrong place at the wrong time or the right place at the right time. I don't find the character engaging and so difficult to keep track and pay attention.

rambling and slow witted

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The performance spoiled the book. I persevered but eventually lost interest altogether! It is the worst I have heard…he even sounds bored when it comes to describe the characters. Waste of a credit.

Could not finish it…

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I am a fan of the Aurelio Zen series and have enjoyed reading them in the past. However, I came close to giving up on this audio version because of the dreadful narration. I get that the actor is trying to fit with Zen's personality but he only succeeds in suggesting that he resents having been given the lob of reading this book and is keen to get it over and done with as soon as possible.

off-putting narration

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Such a shame - I tried to get into this story which seemed quite good but the narration was so annoying I had to give up. Definitely overcooked it - sometimes less is more!

Returned because of the narration

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My first Zen book and I loved it. Michael Kitchen was an excellent reader. I was very immersed in the story and I’m looking forward to the next in the series.

Superb

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