Shadows in Bronze cover art

Shadows in Bronze

Falco, Book 2

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Shadows in Bronze

By: Lindsey Davis
Narrated by: Gordon Griffin
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About this listen

I was the new boy, so they saddled me with the worst jobs. Rome, AD 71. Against his better judgement, Falco secretly disposes of a decayed corpse for the Emperor Vespasian, then heads for the beautiful Bay of Naples with his best friend Petronius. He conveniently forgets to mention to his companion that this will be no holiday. They have been sent to investigate the murderous members of a failed coup, now sunning themselves in luxurious villas and on fancy yachts.

The idyllic seaside location further complicates his seemingly doomed romance with Helena Justina. The deeper he probes, the more it seems Helena is inextricably connected to the elite plotters, in ways that the smitten Falco cannot bear to contemplate.

©1991 Lindsey Davis (P)2014 Audible Studios Crime Fiction Historical Mystery Thriller & Suspense

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All stars
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The Falco books have great characters and there's a good storyline too. Lindsey Davis does an excellent job of re-creating ancient Rome in Vespasian's time; I felt like I was a fly on the wall. I enjoy the humour that is weaved throughout the plot.

Great story and characters

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Enjoyed this novel enormously, partly because of the wide range of characters and their interplay. Lindsey Davis seems to have hit upon the appropriate length for a novel and she does not over extend matters to make a longer book. I wish some other authors were as good in judgement here. The relationship between Falco and Helena provides appeal and how the relationship will develop, falter or fail. In terms of narration, I found Gordon Griffin less effective in that he sounded older than the Falco, the narrating voice. That said it did not diminish the experience of the novel. There is little historically to deter new readers to this series; they are detective stories at heart and are not history lessons. I read this novel immediately after the first in the series, which speaks positively about the appeal of the series.

Bronze Shines

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Falco is an idiot without a good woman in his life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Petronis

What about Gordon Griffin’s performance did you like?

Good clear reader. Gets better as the book goes on

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Laugh cry and annoy at times.

Any additional comments?

I know Lindsey has gone on to write books about Falco's daughter, but you can't beat Falco.

Falco needs luck

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I love the stories so I persevered but I was so disappointed with the narration. Intonation and pronunciation all wrong. Thankfully, I can see that Christian does read some of the later books so I will keep going.

Please bring Christian Rodska back!!!!

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15 hours! Too much extraneous detail and too many characters. A reasonable romp around Roman Italy though.

Over long but worth persisting

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Falco is always terrific but I have to agree with the other reviewers about the narrator, he does sound a bit old and suffers in comparison to Christian Rodska who is brilliant with Falco. However I got used to his narration after a bit and thoroughly enjoyed the story.

Great story

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Falco is a wide boy and the narrator’s voice while good does not suit him. Christian Rodska the narrator from silver pigs rendered the character much more true to form.

Lovable character

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What did you like best about Shadows in Bronze? What did you like least?

this follow up story from 'The Silver Pigs' is wonderful, but the narration is now taken over by a man who is obviously elderly and has a trick of tailing off his sentences which robs the narrative of any excitement.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Falco and Helena Justina. because it is about their relationship and the tragedy which befalls
them.

How could the performance have been better?

CHANGE THE NARRATOR FOR SOMEONE WHO SOUNDS YOUNG!

Do you think Shadows in Bronze needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

it's already got a whole library of follow ups.

Any additional comments?

just change the narrator. Gordon Griffin sounds like a nice guy, but his narration robs the story of any emotion.

good story, performed by pensioner!

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The second in the Falco series has our hero ranging farther afield. As before, the real heart of the story is his evolving relationship with Helena Justina. Unfortunately the narrator is not the same as the first book and this is to its detriment. The line readings are frequently off-key, the voice is too refined and there are even misreadings in parts, e.g. snowing instead of showing.

Vivid and involving but narration is weak

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A disappointing narrator after the punchy, vigorous Christian Rodska's narration of the first book. This narrator was a little too refined. However once used to this new voice the tale unfolded in an entertaining way and was my companion of choice for a few days, with the radio taking second place. I really enjoy listening to the details of daily life of Falco, his friends and relatives in Rome. The filth and lack of hygiene contrasting in a satisfying way to my attempts at housework in the 21st century.

Entertaining tale

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