The Silence of the White City
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The Silence of the White City Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Eva Garcia Sáenz (Author), Henry Levya (Narrator), Random House Audio (Publisher)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 315 ratings
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"You’ll want to race through The Silence of the White City, but it’s best to slow down and savor the full effect of the volatile, intoxicating universe Sáenz has created. This is the first novel of the White City trilogy to be translated into English - the second can’t come fast enough." (AirMail)

How do you stop a killer who's always two steps ahead?

A madman is holding Vitoria hostage, killing its citizens in brutal ways and staging the bodies. The city's only hope is a brilliant detective struggling to battle his own demons.

Inspector Unai López de Ayala, known as "Kraken", is charged with investigating a series of ritualistic murders. The killings are eerily similar to ones that terrorized the citizens of Vitoria 20 years earlier. But back then, police were sure they had discovered the killer, a prestigious archaeologist who is currently in jail. Now, Kraken must race to determine whether the killer had an accomplice or if the wrong man has been incarcerated for two decades.

This fast-paced, unrelenting thriller weaves in and out of the mythology and legends of the Basque country as it hurtles to its shocking conclusion.

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  1. Listening Length
    16 hours and 13 minutes
  2. Author
    Eva Garcia Sáenz
  3. Narrator
    Henry Levya
  4. Audible release date
    July 28, 2020
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Random House Audio
  7. ASIN
    B086341HQ7
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 16 hours and 13 minutes
Author Eva Garcia Sáenz
Narrator Henry Levya
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date July 28, 2020
Publisher Random House Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B086341HQ7
Best Sellers Rank #106,700 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#808 in International Mystery & Crime (Audible Books & Originals)
#2,566 in Crime Thrillers (Audible Books & Originals)
#2,665 in International Mystery & Crime (Books)

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
315 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Daniel S
5.0 out of 5 stars I am anxiously awaiting the release of book two!
Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2020
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This novel is a masterpiece. It is set in the Basque town of Vitoria . The residents are gripped with terror. Twenty years ago, a series of ritualistic murders were committed in the town. The perpetrator, an identical twin, is arrested by his twin brother who was a policeman. After twenty years in jail, the criminal brother..Tasio..is about to be released from jail. Before he is released, similar ritualistic murders start again. Surely Tasio can not be committing these killings while still in jail.
Thus begins the unraveling of this enigma. The story is told in flashback form by the lead detective Kraken, as he lies in the hospital on life support. He has been shot in the head by the killer and is a day away from having his life support terminated.
This brief précis should provide an indication of the intrigue embedded in the novel. The prose can be lush in texture. The setting and culture add an additional layer of intrigue. The pace can seem meandering and certainly is not breakneck in development. Rather, the tension slowly builds to a crescendo that will leave the reader anticipating the next book.
12 people found this helpful
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A Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars I first bought the Kindle version, but I recommend the Audible version and its superb narrator
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2021
Verified Purchase
I liked this lengthy serial killer mystery set in Basque Country of Spain, but the prose is uneven and at times overdone to the point of logorrhea. I was unfamiliar with the names and language, so I bought the audiobook, which I enjoyed immensely. I set the speed to 1.3-1.5, listened to fantastic narrator Henry Levya, and found myself immersed in the story. Twenty years ago, a series of bizarre, ritualistic murders ended after a police detective arrested his twin brother, who was convicted and imprisoned. Now, when the murderer is due to be paroled, serial murders with the same signature have resumed.

The storyline is familiar and yet quite exotic—especially the often fantastical folklore. I was fascinated by the near paranormal abilities of the beloved grandfather of Inspector Unai Lopez de Ayala. New-to-me folk remedies seemed almost supernatural, as are some local traditions and beliefs. I especially liked the setting in a historic and ancient city—which is always a plus, as were the maps which helped me Wiki the cultural landmarks.

This is a fantastical mystery, so I expected TSTL moments, but Inspector Ayala’s final, dramatic situation felt forced and some actions unbelievable. Plus, I preferred a denouement that’s less schmaltzy. That’s the best word to describe the ending. Overall this is a 4 stars read.
3 people found this helpful
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John Vanderhoof
5.0 out of 5 stars best book of the year
Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2021
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I read 2-3 mysteries a week---this book was the best of 2021 for me

Basque country (inland) with great atmospherics as well as Basque traditions and quirks of which there are plenty

about a 20 yr old serial killer who is "revived' after allegedly being in prison

a group of memorable characters, lead by the Kraken
2 people found this helpful
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Terry Weichelt
5.0 out of 5 stars Different locale
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2020
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I enjoyed this story and I'm looking forward to the next in the series. A very different locale for the story.
3 people found this helpful
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Sally
4.0 out of 5 stars Stick With This One
Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2020
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If this book was 50 pages shorter, I'd be raving about it. It took quite a while for me to get into it--I nearly gave up. It was only some positive reviews that kept me going. I'm not sure if it's the translation or the author's style, but the language was too flowery for me, so that's where I would have appreciated some editing. However, the last 100 pages or so, I couldn't put it down.

There is a story within the story. When it first appeared, I was super confused, but there were times that I enjoyed that story more than the main event. How the two come together was one of the best aspects of the book. I'm glad I stayed with it.
13 people found this helpful
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Tanya E
3.0 out of 5 stars Was hoping for more
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2022
Touted as a Thriller, I think this is more of a Crime novel due to it's very slow pacing at the beginning until at least half way through the book.

This story has been translated to many languages and I was lucky enough to have been able to listen to an audiobook and follow along with my book.

The Police detectives trying to solve a recurrence of a decades old serial killer murders are the main storyline. There were additional side branches to this story, one seemingly unconnected until the later part of the book and one being completely unnecessary (the unhealthy romance) and detracting from the story, IMO.

There were also parts of the story that I weren't sure if they were actual events that took place or were made up events? Maybe it was because of the translation? I'm not sure. But I still sit and ponder them a bit.

Overall, the story was interesting, the solving of the murders/crimes and tracking the killer were also what kept my interest throughout. The possible translation issues, the slowness of the book to pick up and the unnecessary side events just distracted me too much to be fully engaged with this story.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Anonimo
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice book!
Reviewed in Spain on February 2, 2022
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Amazing story! easy to read!
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Jill Jones
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic read !!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 10, 2021
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Still in the process of reading this and finding it excellent
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RoSG
5.0 out of 5 stars Todo perfecto
Reviewed in Spain on August 26, 2020
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Nos ha gustado que ha venido bien envuelto y muy cuidado. En cuanto al libro en sí,es genial. Lo había leído ya en español y este era para un regalo. Totalmente recomendable.
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Olga Brown
2.0 out of 5 stars It promises but does not deliver
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 24, 2021
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Starts well and then, after hundred and fifty pages or so, it becomes annoyingly not good. In total it has 507 pages.
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