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City of the Dead

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City of the Dead

By: Herbert Lieberman
Narrated by: Michael Butler Murray
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About this listen

Winner of the Grand Prix de Litterature Policiere: As chief medical examiner of New York City, Paul Konig has one of the world’s most difficult jobs - and when his daughter goes missing, he must take on his most wrenching case yet.

New York City in the 1970s is a dark, dangerous, and threatening place. One of the bright spots in this decaying metropolis is Paul Konig. As the city’s chief medical examiner, he has developed an impressive reputation for his skills in forensic pathology - skills that will be put to the ultimate test when a dangerous psychopath kidnaps Konig’s daughter.

Herbert Lieberman takes his readers on a gruesome journey through the ten most difficult days in the life of a man at the very end of his rope. In addition to being awoken to phone calls featuring his daughter’s desperate screams each night, Konig’s professional life is in danger. Between the case of a serial killer who leaves a trail of severed body parts in his wake; the investigation of questionable forensic work on an alleged prison suicide under Konig’s watch; and the naked ambitions of a deputy medical examiner, it will take every ounce of Konig’s strength to save his own life - as well as his family’s.

©1976 Herbert Lieberman (P)2013 Audible, Inc. Crime Fiction Horror Suspense Thriller & Suspense Scary Fiction New York

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All stars
Most relevant  
I chose this from the Plus catalogue and it’s had me gripped since the very first word placing me back in the 1970s when I worked for the Police - no computers, no DNA, no mobile phones to track criminal activity, just pure dogged investigative legwork work using pencils and paper, landline telephones, fingerprints and reliable informants to track down perpetrators of unspeakable crimes. The main storyline is interweaved with professional ambitions and jealousies and the characterisation is second to none. The forensic pathology scenes described by Lieberman are absolute genius, the main characters are sympathetic, believable and intensely brought alive and there’s friendship and humour amongst all the gritty horror of 1970s homicide rates in the US. Whist some outdated language and descriptions may not be to everyone’s taste due to the setting of the book over 50 years ago it is appropriate for it’s time and I felt I was actually there and rooting for the hugely talented yet emotionally flawed and acerbic ME, Paul Konig. The ending was not what I’d expected and had me close to tears over the sadness of a life almost exclusively dedicated to work in the service of victims of homicide and at the personal expense of family.

Outstanding

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Maybe this book would be particulaly interesting to a student of pathology or someone working in that field, but the unnecessary details of the injuries to the bodies just dragged on and on. It made me very frustrated and I nearly gave up, but continued, hoping it would improve ... it didn't. I also didn't like the way that the scene descriptions were written in lists, rather like blank verse, rather than sentences. It also didn't help that the main character was so unlikeable!

Far too long winded

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Author has amazing knowledge of pathology so much detail great story and perfectly narrated would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good crime novel

gripping novel really enjoyed listening

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The knowledge the author has in pathology is outstanding , the story is multi dimensional, gripping , a great crime thriller , narration is the best, his New York accent was great , each character was distinctive and I loved the story unfolding as it did. Best audio book I’ve read so far and have read one of of Herbert’s other books in crawl space which is another good book.

Fantastic book , great narration .

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Excellent storyline and very well written. Not for the faint hearted due to gruesome details but very well done. I was occasionally irked by mispronunciation but on the whole well narrated with the characters easily identifiable.

Gripping story.

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I really enjoyed the story it's something that I've listened to before from other author's like Patricia Cornwell it kept me interested right from the start with the grumpy Dr Konnig trying to cope with work & his daughter Lolly going missing after the death of his wife he's inundated with body part's being found missing head's hand's & other part's as well yuck 🤢 He attempt's to keep his life separate from his work but not all the people under him are friend's so he's overwhelmed sadly You get a look at what the police go through trying to catch a killer I'm giving the story away lol 😂 Definitely good book apart from the end I was gutted how it was left won't give it away though 😃😃

KAZ🇬🇧😃 Good but!!

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an author I never heard of before, but again a thousand thanks to Audible for including this gem of a book in my membership... Poignant, touching, funny in parts and so rich in detail and atmosphere I am desolate that it's finished. Loved every minute and can't wait to explore more by the author.

A delight

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Never in all my years of reading have I ever read a book with such an unlikeable main character.
It doesn’t even evoke any empathy towards him, which it should considering the storyline. I should have been crying at the end, but I wasn’t, because I didn’t care about him.
The narrator was good, though most characters sounded the same.
Lieberman is a great author, but maybe leave the Chief Medical Examiner stuff to Queen Scarpetta/Cornwell.

Cornwell Wannabe

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It took me a while to get into this but it gets more engrossing. The main character is well drawn but quite unsympathetic and clearly a man of no emotional intelligence at all, for which he pays a high price. Maybe it is his job of pathologist that has given him this carapace, or maybe that’s why he’s so good at the job. The supporting characters are engaging and the reading by Michael Butler Murray is absolutely excellent.

Very enjoyable

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One of the best books I have ever read. Be warned though. It can get very graphic but if you have an interest in forensics you will love it. Could not put it down.

Wonderful writing. Gripping story.

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