Icarus

Benny Griessel, Book 5

By: Deon Meyer

Narrated by: Saul Reichlin

A gripping new Benny Griessel thriller from one of the world's finest crime writers.

When Captain Benny Griessel is called in to investigate a multiple homicide, it pushes him close to his breaking point. A former friend and detective colleague has shot his wife and two daughters then killed himself. Benny wants out - out of his job, his home, and his relationship with his singer girlfriend, Alexa. He moves into a hotel and starts drinking again.

But his help is required to investigate a high-profile murder of a graphic designer and MD of a new tech start-up whose body was discovered buried in the sand dunes north of Cape Town. Can Benny pull together the strands of his life in time to catch the killer?

©2015 Deon Meyer (P)2015 Hodder & Stoughton

Use the Enhanced Format to download this book

What made the experience of listening to Icarus the most enjoyable?

At first I downloaded this title as Format 4 - but that only contained half of the book (as mentioned by other reviewers) - however the Enhanced Format contains the full story in one file.

A fast-moving, gripping story - very well narrated by Saul Reichlin

Surprisingly good

I have listened to most of the Bennie Griesel books over the last three years & while the whole alcohol-thing can become a bit tedious, I imagine its a pretty spot on insight into what alcoholics have to struggle with. I liked the focus on & insight into the wine industry & I must say this one kept me quite ‘hooked’. Definitely worth the credit spent.

Brilliant

I absolutely loved every minute of this story. It is so well thought out and researched. Loved hearing real names for areas, streets,schools, newspapers.

An interesting series of books from Deon Meyer

The Benny Griessel series continues with the alcoholic detective struggling and blundering through personal and professional challenges in modern day South Africa. Deon Meyer is a great story teller and Saul Reichlin is as good as it gets when it comes to narrating. I'd be surprised if the next installment isn't already in my wish list. A top tier effort.

Saul Reichlin is THE best narrator for this series

What did you love best about Icarus?

Those South African accents and expressions, which are SO successfully performed by Saul Reichlin. He brings the characters to life, even larger than life. He brings the unique languages to life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I don't have a favourite, I find myself equally attached to all of them, I guess because deon Meyer fleshes them each out with unique characteristics that help you to understand and imagine them, and to connect with them too. Meyer is very good at this indeed.

Which character – as performed by Saul Reichlin – was your favorite?

I don't have a favourite, and Reichlin is very good at giving all the characters a unique sound, so you never get confused about who's talking.

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

Not an extreme reaction, but a constant appreciation for how well it was written and narrated. I've listened to the entire series and they're all fantastic when Reichlin narrates.

Any additional comments?

It's clear that Meyer does a lot of research when he writes his books. I always learn something, and you never get the sense that he's just making up convenient details. It all feels legit. And he provides wonderfully rich details about a characters quirks and strengths and weaknesses and other detail about them without waffling on with unnecessary and boring information. It's always entertaining.

Gripping storyline, excellently narrated

My husband and I are big Deon Meyer fans and opted to download this audiobook for a road trip. We were sceptical as to how the various accents would be portrayed but we were very impressed. I would highly recommend this book - Deon Meyer at his best.

Brilliant Deon Meyer

well written with great plot. the details allows one to be immersed in the book

Incomplete story on audiobook

The audio book with 50 chapters is not the complete book. Chapter 50 ends the audio book, with all loose ends: The du Toit son Paul, is diagnosed as psychopath by the school shrink, Griesel & the Hawks team are still in mid investigation and no closer to who or why the victim was murdered, etc. The audiobook of Icarus, is half a book, of 50 chapters. How do I get the rest of the story on audio?