A Spectacle of Corruption
Benjamin Weaver, Book 2
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Narrated by:
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Michael Page
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By:
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David Liss
About this listen
While inquiring into some threatening notes sent to a Church of England priest, Weaver is arrested for the murder of a dockworker. After his conviction, engineered by a crooked judge who has blatantly instructed the jury to disregard the truth, Weaver escapes from prison, intent upon proving his innocence.
Meanwhile, Great Britain is reeling from a financial scandal that has sent the economy into a downward spiral; it is also preparing for a general parliamentary election - an event that happens only every seven years. Not generally someone to get caught up in politics, Benjamin Weaver finds himself caught in the crossfire of election trickery as he attempts to clear his name.
The question remains, however: What good is proving his innocence, again, when having done so once only resulted in conviction? Instead, he is determined to work against his enemies and learn their secrets to try to discover why he has been singled out for this prosecution. The most likely engineer of his ruin is Dennis Dogmill, a tobacco importer and the election agent of the Whig candidate for the Westminster Parliamentary seat. Dogmill's opponent, and Weaver's unlikely ally, is Griffin Melbury, the Tory candidate and the husband of his cousin's widow, Miriam, whom Weaver once sought to marry.
To discover the truth about the plot against him, Weaver disguises himself as a newly returned West Indian plantation owner. He must integrate himself with London society and political manipulators in order to learn the truth.
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Audrianna Kelmsleigh is unattached, independent-and armed. Her adversary is Lord Sebastian Sommerhays. What they have in common is Audrianna's father, who died in a scandalous conspiracy-a deserved death in Sebastian's eyes. Audrianna vows to clear her father's name, never expecting to fall in love with the man devoted to destroying it.
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Sweet, satisfying story
- By C on 09-27-10
By: Madeline Hunter
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The Cater Street Hangman
- By: Anne Perry
- Narrated by: Davina Porter
- Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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When a maid in the upper class Ellison household is strangled, Inspector Pitt is called in to investigate. He finds a world ruled by strict manners and social customs, where the inhabitants of the Ellison's neighborhood appear to be more outraged by the thought of scandal than they are by murder. Inspector Pitt finds a most unlikely ally in Charlotte, the Ellison's spirited daughter. But as the murders continue, Charlotte and Pitt find themselves drawn together by more than the investigation.
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I really like this book but it's not for everone
- By Ancient Warrior on 03-14-11
By: Anne Perry
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A Mortal Bane
- By: Roberta Gellis
- Narrated by: Nadia May
- Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
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Magdalene la Batarde is the madam of the Old Priory Guesthouse in Southwark. She and her women are expected to engage in a number of sinful activities, but bloody murder isn't one of them until Baldassare, the messenger, dies. Though Baldassare isn't a regular client of the Old Priory Guesthouse, Magdalene and her women refuse to allow his death to go unavenged. Of course, their efforts aren't completely altruistic.
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Delightful
- By Jim on 08-25-05
By: Roberta Gellis
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The Constantine Affliction
- A Pimm and Skye Adventure, Book 1
- By: T. Aaron Payton
- Narrated by: John Lee
- Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
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It is 1864, and London is a city in transition. The Constantine Affliction - a strange malady that kills some of its victims and physically transforms others into the opposite sex - has spread scandal and upheaval throughout society. Scientific marvels and disasters, such as clockwork courtesans, the alchemical fires of Whitechapel, electric carriages, and acidic monsters lurking in the Thames, have forever altered the face of the city.
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A Mash-Up that Gels into a Rollicking Adventure
- By Tango on 08-09-14
By: T. Aaron Payton
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The Braeswood Tapestry
- By: Robyn Carr
- Narrated by: Alison Larkin
- Length: 10 hrs and 54 mins
- Unabridged
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The enemy of your enemy is…your lover? A peasant farm girl has no place consorting with feuding lords, yet that's exactly what Jocelyn Cutler sets out to do. Now Jocelyn finds herself trapped between the tyrannical Lord Kerr, and the dangerous rogue, Sir Trent Wescott. When her younger brother is sentenced to death for rebelling against Lord Kerr, Jocelyn in desperation appeals to his rival, Sir Trent Wescott. Rumors mark Trent a highwayman, a murderer, and - worse for Jocelyn - a heartbreaker. But he's the only one who can save her brother's life.
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Expected More
- By 🌸DARA on 10-12-13
By: Robyn Carr
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The Phoenix Guards
- By: Steven Brust
- Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell
- Length: 16 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
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Khaavren of the House of Tiassa is a son of landless nobility, possessor of a good sword and “tolerably well-acquainted with its use.” Along with three loyal friends, he enthusiastically seeks out danger and excitement. But in a realm renowned for repartee and betrayals, where power is as mutable as magic, a young man like Khaavren, newly come from the countryside, had best be wary. His life depends on it. And so does the future of Draegara.
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Hands down my favorite audiobook now!
- By Thea & Eric on 08-06-12
By: Steven Brust
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Crime and Punishment
- By: Fyodor Dostoyevsky
- Narrated by: Constantine Gregory
- Length: 22 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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A century after it first appeared, Crime and Punishment remains one of the most gripping psychological thrillers. A poverty-stricken young man, seeing his family making sacrifices for him, is faced with an opportunity to solve his financial problems with one simple but horrifying act: the murder of a pawnbroker. She is, he feels, just a parasite on society. But does the end justify the means? Rodion Romanovitch Raskolnikov makes his decision and then has to live with it.
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A masterpiece
- By Timothy on 02-20-16
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The Immortal Prince
- Tide Lords, Book 1
- By: Jennifer Fallon
- Narrated by: John Telfer
- Length: 19 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
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He's insisting he's a Tide Lord and he's begging us to try again...to kill him, that is. When a routine hanging goes wrong, the survivor announces he is Cayal the immortal Prince, a Tide Lord. However, the only known record of the immortal beings of Amyrantha is the Tide Lord Tarot...and everyone knows it is only a parlour-game, an amusement. Arkady Desean, an expert on the legends of the Crasii - a part-animal, part-human race - is sent to interrogate Cayal.
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really hard to listen to
- By Scott Oeskovic on 02-09-18
By: Jennifer Fallon
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The Secrets of Wishtide
- By: Kate Saunders
- Narrated by: Anna Bentinck
- Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
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Mrs. Laetitia Rodd, aged 52, is the widow of an archdeacon who makes her living as a highly discreet private investigator. Her brother, Frederick Tyson, is a criminal barrister living in nearby Highgate with his wife and 10 children. Frederick finds the cases, and Laetitia solves them using her arch intelligence and her immaculate cover as an unsuspecting widow. When a case arises involving the son of the highly connected Sir James Calderstone, Laetitia sets off for Lincolnshire undercover as the family's new governess.
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Thoroughly enjoyable
- By Episteme on 12-31-16
By: Kate Saunders
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A Beautiful Blue Death
- Charles Lenox Mysteries Series #1
- By: Charles Finch
- Narrated by: James Langton
- Length: 8 hrs and 58 mins
- Unabridged
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Charles Lenox, Victorian gentleman and armchair explorer, likes nothing more than to relax in his private study with a cup of tea, a roaring fire and a good book. But when his lifelong friend Lady Jane asks for his help, Lenox cannot resist the chance to unravel a mystery. Prudence Smith, one of Jane's former servants, is dead of an apparent suicide. But Lenox suspects something far more sinister: murder, by a rare and deadly poison.
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I like cozy
- By Sheryl on 05-21-12
By: Charles Finch
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Why Dukes Say I Do
- Wicked Widows, Book 1
- By: Manda Collins
- Narrated by: Anne Flosnik
- Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
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Lady Isabella Wharton has little interest in the customs of the country. But when her godmother asks her to pay a visit to her bachelor grandson in Yorkshire, she goes to see the newly-titled - and notoriously rustic - Duke of Ormond. Trevor Carey doesn't care about what goes on behind ballroom doors. He is content with the simple life - and isn't ashamed to admit it to a society flirt like Lady Isabella. But the country air brings out a different side of Isabella - one full of longing and passion. Can her sophistication be hiding a desire for love?
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Tender Romance with suspense and mystery.
- By 🌸DARA on 08-05-13
By: Manda Collins
What listeners say about A Spectacle of Corruption
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Anna
- 12-10-12
So-so
An excellent narrator, compelling plot, a interesting depiction of the period, a good mystery - but for all that the story still falls short. Firstly one piece of advice I wish I had known before reading is not to get too distracted by the political backdrop - you will absorb the important points as the plot unfolds.
As to the story itself; the author would have done better to allow the main character (who is supposedly retelling this story many years after the events) a bit of introspection and analysis given that he has the benefit of being far removed from the action. Instead this is more of a straight up re-telling of events which is a pity as the plot lends itself to humor, if only the character had a sense of humor. It also posed many moral questions, but never addressed them - in fact the character merely blunders through the story never questioning his actions or growing in any meaningful way.
It was an interesting plot but a bland retelling. I don't think I'll bother with the rest of the series unless boredom moves me to give it a second chance.
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- Leslie
- 01-30-09
Well done
This is a gripping tale rich with historical detail. Perhaps not as good as the first book in the series, which I read in print, the narration makes up for this. Excellent shift between British regional and class accents.
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2 people found this helpful
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- Red Land
- 05-18-15
like author
Read next book sample on Kindle. Interested. Llstened to sample. Purchased. Listened to book for an hour. Returned. Like the author. Don't care for the narrator.
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- Michael G Kurilla
- 06-11-12
Outstanding period detective murder mystery
David Liss has crafted a delightful period detective murder mystery with the main character falsely convicted. After escaping from prison, Benjamin Weaver decides to go undercover to ferret out the real killer and divine the reasons for the murder in the first place as well as his being framed as a result. Set in early 18th century England with an ongoing Parliamentary election that plays prominently in the action, the similarities with current events is eerie, while the divergent views towards genders and minorities makes for interesting situations. Weaver is that period's version of a private detective as well as a former pugilist; but without the benefit of modern technology, he must rely on his quick wits and fast fists. He also possesses a good friend and confidant who is probably Dr. Watson great-grandfather.
The pacing is excellent with Weaver slipping back and forth between his real and false personae. The complexity of the mystery is apparent from the start and the plot twists are well timed. Of particular note is the descriptions of the societal organization and mannerisms that make this historical period quite accessible and believable. Observing Weaver figure it out is a wonderful delight with a can't turn off quality.
The narration is excellent with a great range of accents that span the socioeconomic spectrum of that time.
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- Paul Steckler
- 06-10-23
Ouch. The narration.
Nice follow up story. The narration was though distracting - Ben Weaver should not squeak like this.
The story is solid though.
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- Anonymous User
- 06-14-24
His mastery of the language is superb!
Loved everything about this book! He is a true “teller” of tales in an historical fiction genre
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- Patrick Greiffenstein
- 05-26-24
I love this guy
Liss is the kind of author who brings an era to life as easily as he does his characters. His command of the period and language is enthralling and it is easy to forget one is listening to a story, not a first person account. Although a few of his characters are a touch exaggerated nearly to the point of caricature, it is overall a rich and enjoyable performance and a thrilling account. Im about to buy the third installment
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- Adriana
- 07-07-12
A Spectacle of 18th Century London
David Liss takes you into 1722, with all the sounds and smells and grimy personalities. The first-person hero (brilliantly played by Michael Page) is a Jewish "thief catcher" (read: private investigator) in a world that has no use for him, moving through all levels of society - from the upper class Tory drawing room to the new money Whigs to the "middling sort" to dock workers to the hopeless gin-swilling poor. Anyone who wants to understand why the English came to the colonies, or why the spiritual awakening of a decade later came to pass will learn much by experiencing the corruption of every level of society.
This is a murder mystery -- which is difficult for an author to pull off in a strange cultural setting, but Liss weaves through all the politics and class struggles with the deftness of a thief catcher, and delivers a surprising conclusion.
The descriptions and language are as rough as a porter's hand and as noisome as a used chamber pot under the bed. And the politics described are not unlike the foolishness of three centuries later.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Charlene Caines
- 03-15-16
Excellent read, I would recommend this book to anyone…
This was an absolutely excellent read. I enjoyed the characters, plot development, the twists and turns, and completely unexpected some plots. The story was fast pace, historically correct, exceptionally involved, and just an absolute work of art by this author… I just discovered this Author recently, and look forward to reading anymore of his books. I would recommend this book to absolutely anybody who enjoys his store cool fiction, intrigue, the study of human nature, and character development and by play… Excellent book!
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- karen
- 11-12-13
Far from David Liss's best....
I can honestly say I'm one of David Liss's most ardent fans. I have LOVED -- and reread -- his first books several times. They have everything I like -- historical setting, a good mystery, interesting characters, absolutely fascinating details about whatever time period he's writing about. Those books just can't be beat. So I was looking forward to this one.
I had an inclining of trouble from the first moment, when the book starts with a listing of the dozen or so successors to the tumultuous British throne following Henry VIII -- that's exactly the kind of thing that made you hate history in school, the meaningless need to memorize names and dates without any apparent relevance. To include that list might make sense in a paper book -- you could look back if you wished -- but it makes no sense at all in an audiobook. But worse yet was what that list implied: that you'd need to know this stuff before you could hook into the book.
Truth is, you don't really need that list -- you just need to know that this was a violent time in Great Britain, where competitors were offing each other, right and left, legally and otherwise, in a no-holds-barred battle for power. But even so, there was still too much time-period politics in this book to make it very interesting. Okay, the Whigs and the Tories were fighting it out, with the Jacobeans in there punching whenever they could. Much as I love this period in England, not to mention contemporary US and Israeli politics, I just didn't find this account very interesting. Politics is a paper game, a numbers game, and it takes something more than heated differences of ideology to make it interesting.
Strike number two: I'm always amused by fictional characters who barf when they come upon a nasty crime scene. I always think, "I'd never do that. I'm tough. It wouldn't bother me." But I tell ya, this book had several scenes -- several including animal abuse -- that made me ill just listening to it. Literally ill -- my stomach was rattling. The one involving the goose was just too much -- too painful, too agonizing, too awful to even think about. I don't want that scene in my head, not now, not ever. I took my ear buds out for about ten minutes, hoping they'd get done with it and move on. Just awful, really.
There was no strike three -- but a couple of good things. The narrator, for one. Michael Page is just way beyond excellent. I can't praise him enough. That, plus there is a full component of Liss's trademark tidbits of history and observation. One example: He makes the point, several times, that it was when the terms of elected officials were lengthened that the most serious corruption -- and expensive electioneering -- came into being. With longer terms -- more time to feed at the trough -- winning elective office became more desirable, and hence more combinative, in every sense. A worthy observation -- makes sense to me. There's lots of those things in the book -- I loved those parts. Liss is GOOD, y'know?
So if you're in for a pretty-dull, overly laden tome detailing electoral politics in 18th Century England, go for it. If not, reread -- or listen to -- the earlier books. One -- The Whiskey Rebels -- ranks at the top of my list for Best Books Ever. It's a gem -- and a much better use of time than this one.
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5 people found this helpful