A Beautiful Place to Die

By: Malla Nunn

Narrated by: Saul Reichlin

Unfolding in 1952 South Africa, A Beautiful Place to Die is a riveting international mystery that flows from the pen of author Malla Nunn.

Police officer Emmanuel Cooper is dispatched to a remote town after a police captain is found murdered in a creek. Even though Cooper judges the crime open and shut, the government's feared Special Branch is summoned, making for an intrigue that will titillate any mystery fan.

©2009 Malla Nunn (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Man's inhumanity to man...Intense!

Where does A Beautiful Place to Die rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Loved this book! I love well-written, well-narrated mysteries.. (I usually choose British narrators- love their accents!) This book ranks at the top of my list of favorites.

What was one of the most memorable moments of A Beautiful Place to Die?

The ending!

Have you listened to any of Saul Reichlin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Loved his narration... his deep at times gravelly voice suited the gritty subject matter...loved his dexterity switching between the different accents.Will check for other books he's narrated on Audible.

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

Man's inhumanity to man is so intensely and darkly portrayed in this murder mystery that, at times, I had to switch between it and the lighter, humorous, Open and Shut, by David Rosenfelt!

Any additional comments?

Set in South Africa during Apartheid, Detective Emmanuel Cooper maintains his integrity and the investigation, under extreme duress,both physical and emotional, from the Afrikaner security police. Hat's off and a bow of respect to author Malla Nunn for this passionately written, suspenseful, mystery. Emmanuel Cooper walks the tightrope above a land awash in corruption, racism and brutality, gaining respect and ultimately salvation. Can't wait to read the next Detective Emmanuel Cooper mystery!

More than a Murder Mystery

This is a very good police detective story, but there is more to the story than solving the mystery. The story is not just about who killed an esteemed police office, but about prejudice and social injustice and hypocrisy and family relations in South Africa in the 1950's. Sounds like this would be very heavy, moralistic story, but it's not. It's a good mystery, which unfolds very naturally. There are mysteries inside mysteries, which are fun to watch unravel. My only complaint is that some of the scenes are brutal and violent, which I found hard to take. Too much excruciating detail and and too much mistreatment of the weak and innocent. But maybe the violence is needed, because this mystery has one of the most satisfying and unexpected endings for a mystery story I've read in a long time.

Worth listening to both as mystery and history

This mystery occurs post WWII in South Africa in the early days of Apartheid under the the Nationalist party. The brutality and degradation of the system is captured in this excellent mystery. I read the second book and then the first book but both are worth reading in any order. Characters are multi-dimensional and complex which added to the reality of the story. The reader is terrific and made the characters come alive. I certainly hope there will be more books to come by this author and reader.

Remarkable book on police during Apartheid

This is an incredible story of murder, political intrigue, culture, relationships and history. The writing and narration are magnificent.

I have never read any fiction based in South Africa, much less around the birth of Apartheid. The story, its characters and its culture are rivetting. So much so I never gave up on it, even when forced to relisten to several chapters when it became obvious I mssed something. Normally I tend to give up when that happens.

There is a darkness of realism that envelopes the story, much like reading a mystery set in Nazi Germany, Communist Russia or the Jim Crow south. The evil of Apartheid, born of prejudice and pride, enforced by thugs and univerisally accepted as unchangeable law is part of every relationship throughout the story.

It gets 5 stars all the way around.

Wow! Spot on.

Great narration, great plot, clear writing. I've been to Z Africa; this brought me back.

Complex but worth it!

This is not your garden variety "police mystery". And the big pay off is less in the plot twists and more in the character and stories. When it ended I felt as if I was saying goodbye to friends. I happily recommend this to people who really like to dig in to a book. If a short, predictable and expected outcome is your speed...keep looking. Loved the characters and I look forward to reading more!

Wonderful new historical crime fiction!

Malla Nunn has undertaken to set crime fiction in the complex and dangerous era of 1950s South Africa, just as apartheid was made national law. Her hero, a detective of English extraction, moves in and aroundAfrikaner, "colored" and black society. This book is exotic, illuminating, totally fascinating, and very assured and competent. The narration is superb, carefully delineating the differing accents. Looking forward to more!

Amazingly Good Story and Narration

This one is worth the time and credit! The setting -- race-segregated South Africa -- is brought to listeners in a no-holds barred fashion. In that way, the story is hard to hear because there is no denying the horrendous things humans are capable of in relation to creating status for their own kind. This book is a very good mystery -- one that will keep you engaged and eager for more. I particularly enjoyed the twists and turns the detective encountered, never once revealing too much too soon.

This is a book that will leave you thinking hard about white history in Africa, the misinformed ideas (my opinion) we hear today about race, white supremacy and the value of human life. A very good book!

A necessary read.

Any additional comments?

This book really brought home how it must have been to live under apartheid. The characters were well developed and the narration was excellent. What is harrowing, though, is that it took another 40 years for this system of racial segregation and persecution to end. Unfortunately, elements of this remain throughout the world, in many different forms, today.

Terrific story in an awesome setting.

What did you love best about A Beautiful Place to Die?

Everything! The setting in 1950s apartheid South Africa, the fascinating characters that could easily have become cliches, but did not, the question of who donnit and why - this was just a great story.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Emmanuel Cooper is a complicated, compassionate protagonist who helps the story unfold without becoming the focus of the book.

Have you listened to any of Saul Reichlin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No.

Any additional comments?

Can't wait to read more of Malla Nun's books.