Codename Villanelle cover art

Codename Villanelle

Killing Eve, Book 1

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Codename Villanelle

By: Luke Jennings
Narrated by: Laura Kirman
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About this listen

She is the perfect assassin.

A Russian orphan, saved from the death penalty for the brutal revenge she took on her gangster father's killers.

Ruthlessly trained. Given a new life. New names, new faces - whichever fits.

Her paymasters call themselves The Twelve. But she knows nothing of them. Konstantin is the man who saved her and the one she answers to.

She is Villanelle. Without conscience. Without guilt. Without weakness.

Eve Polastri is the woman who hunts her. MI5, until one error of judgment costs her everything.

Then stopping a ruthless assassin becomes more than her job. It becomes personal.

©2016 Luke Jennings (P)2018 W. F. Howes Ltd Crime Fiction Detective Espionage Mystery Spies & Politics Suspense Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Women's Fiction Fiction Russia Exciting Scary Crime Assassin

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Most relevant  
Yes, it close to the TV plot, but some of the elements are different the humour is not as important in the book and the social aspects of the characters are more evident in the book; as usual a book gives you more background, and it explains some of the events better, plus at I can create my cast and not worry about BBC quotas of inclusion and let the characters be what they are in the book.

Better than the TV show

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the narrator was irritating.. There was no need for me to listen to the accents which were awful. if the book was just narrated it would have been far more engaging.

Gripping Story but.....

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I didn't finish the book, in fact I only got through a few chapters but it just wasnt to my taste. Maybe it was the accents? I do think the narrator done a good job though.

Couldn't get into it..

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Was looking forward to listening to this novel based upon my enjoyment of the TV series -usually the novel is better but not this time. I could see Jodie, Sandra and the wonderful cast but the story was different and not in a good way. Nothing wrong with the narration but somehow, it just didn't have the power I had hoped. Guess I won't be reading more of the Villanelle novels as I doubt my opinion will change.

Cannot compare with the TV series

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After the TV show, it was rather crushing coming to find how one note airport novel this book was. The combination of Phoebe Waller-Bridge's writing and the performances of Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer breathe something real and dark and funny to what, frankly, comes off as a male masturbational fantasy and competent, but unexciting, criminal action mystery.

It has power cishet dude vibes with a slightly chaste malegaze fascination with Villanelle's lesbian experiences and an utterly jarring and disgusting moment when a character talks about falling for a trans woman, which the book seems to suggest appeals to the character because he doesn't really like men or women. This character, seeming so very in love with this woman after one night, uses slurs against her when thinking about her. At least the book and character keep up the correct pronouns for her, but imagine if he had slept with any other marginalised woman? Would the author be so quick to have the character throw around other epiphets?

Honestly, if you've watched the show, just watch it again and read something new, and/ or save this for a last minute grab at an airport, which is really what this is. I have the next one and no intention of getting to it any time soon.

I am all the more in awe at what they managed to do with the TV show after reading this. Bravo to them. Meh to this.

Narration is decent, though some of the accents, particularly the London and Northern gents are rsrhwy ropey.

Lacks everything the women bring to the TV show

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so much better than the TV show, I'm going to have to read the other now!!

way better than the TV series

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Too much focus on sex and violence at times, but moderately interesting. The narrator was OK.

The TV dramatisation is better.

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This is a great book/audio. very well written. Great characters. leaves you wanting more at the end

Great story, leaves you wanting more

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I loved the tv series( I dont watch much but this had me gripped) and the book does not disappoint in fact it is better than the tv series.
However be aware this is only half a book and ends abruptly, dont get me wrong I love a cliff hanger but now I have to buy book two and at almost £20 each that seems excessive. I guess you can use credits but I still think to use 2 on was is effectively one book is a bit much.
The book is fantastic, the pricing is not!!!!

Buyer beware

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I thoroughly enjoyed listening to Luke Jennings first installment of Codename Villanelle Book 1. The actress, Laura Kirman, was excellent, changing from accent to accent, and different characters. She really brought the book to life! I have also watched tv series season 1 and 2 and, the audio books, really fill in the gaps and the back story of Villanelle and Eve. I have also listened to book 2 which was highly compelling. Looking forward to book 3 with great anticipation. Great work and inspiring me to get on with my writing ambitions and dreams! looking forward to season 3 on tv, which has been commissioned!

Excellent, thoroughly enjoyable. Highly recommend!

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