Masaryk Station cover art

Masaryk Station

A John Russell Thriller, Book 6

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Masaryk Station

By: David Downing
Narrated by: Michael Healy
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About this listen

Berlin, early 1948: The city, still occupied by the four Allied powers, still largely in ruins, has become the cockpit of a new Cold War, and as spring unfolds its German inhabitants live in fear of the Soviets enforcing a Western withdrawal. Here, as elsewhere in Europe, the legacies of the War have become entangled in the new Soviet-American conflict, creating a world of bizarre and fleeting loyalties, a paradise for spies.

John Russell works for both Stalin’s NKVD and the newly-created CIA. He does as little for either as he can safely get away with, and between the tawdry tasks they set him - assessing dubious defectors in Trieste, running a spy ring in a Berlin VD clinic, rescuing ex-Nazis who might prove useful from Czechoslovakia - he seeks a way to cut himself loose.

His partner Effi Koenen has an easier time, starring in a popular radio series and looking after their adopted daughter Rosa, until a woman she helped save in the War turns up on her doorstep, and admits to a child she left behind all those years before, a child now trapped behind the new iron curtain.

©2013 David Downing (P)2013 AudioGO Espionage Historical Mystery Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense Fiction War Soviet Union Thriller Stalin Russia Cold War

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All stars
Most relevant  

What was one of the most memorable moments of Masaryk Station?

Having enjoyed Zoo, Silesian and Stettin stations on audio, I was doubly disappointed a) by two missing volumes: Pottsdam and Lehrter stations and b) by one of the worst audion narrations I've ever heard. I didn't trouble to check the narrator but it sounds as though English is not his first language. Perhaps someone thought this might lend the novel authenticity... or perhaps the narrator came cheap. Either way, a dreadful disappointment after the first 3 audios... made worse by the gap of two novels. Who plans this stuff? Seriously...

Good Plot. Awful narration.

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...I thought I'd go against the previous reviews and get the book anyway because it can't be as bad as the narrator was painted...it is...and then some. So far I've stopped it twice and read other books...the narrator is appalling, it must've been done on the cheap this...he reads it monotone, like he didn't bother to proof read it the first time, it's awful, I'm so disappointed. I will be staying away from him in future...and Mr Downing, if you use him again, I'll be staying away from you too!

having loved David Downing's previous books...

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If this book wasn’t for you, who do you think might enjoy it more?

I’ve listened to all the books in this series and this narrator is awful. The best are performers, they bring a wonderful new dimension to a a book. Next come the good readers, they have an ear for cadence and voice. The come the readers, who at least do no harm. Then come the serial word pronouncers. That’s what this is. he is so bad I am giving up and switching to the print version. I had been saving this because it was the last one in a series I didn’t want to see end but ..... there’s a limit.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Masaryk Station?

Will have to read it in print to find out.

Would you be willing to try another one of Michael Healy’s performances?

NO!

Awful Narration

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I’ve really enjoyed the series of books and would heartily recommend them. It’s made me want to is ten to more WWII stories. However, this book was almost ruined by the awful narration. Michael Healy’s accent doesn’t lend itself to narration in general but specifically- many words were mispronounced, large sections were read in a droning monotone, emphasis was often placed on the wrong part of a sentence and countless other mistakes. It made the story very hard to follow, if this had been the first book and not the last, I would have given up in less than an hour.

Great Series, Terrible Narrator

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As previously stated by so many, the story is good I think! The narration is awful. I cannot believe anyone would publish this audiobook with such a poor quality reading! There is nothing, the pausing between words, the flat monotone, weird inflection and lack of understanding of the storyline.

Good yet so bad!

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Would you consider the audio edition of Masaryk Station to be better than the print version?

I've listened to the audiobooks of the first 3 books in this series and read the 4th and 5th (as they don't seem to be available on audio as yet). I have thoroughly enjoyed all but this last one. The story-lines are excellent - informative, atmospheric and gripping; real page-turners. Masaryk Station, however, was totally spoiled for me by the dire narration. The modulation and inflection were dreadful and pronunciation (of English, German and Russian) was little,short of pitiful. I can't believe that the director / producer could be satisfied with producing such a dreadful audiobook. I was so disappointed that I shall be reading the printed version for myself!

What other book might you compare Masaryk Station to, and why?

Similar to the Bernie Gunther series by Philip Kerr - all excellent stories. All these, however, had competent narrators!

Would you be willing to try another one of Michael Healy’s performances?

Definitely not!

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Intrigue in post-war Berlin

Brilliant book spoiled by a dreadful narrator!

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Well I had read all the reviews on how dire the presentation is of this one but, as I had heard all the previous ones in the series, I wanted to go ahead anyway. As a book it is as engrossing as any in the John Russel series but the narration is truly awful. There is no attempt whatsoever at characterisation and sometimes it's hard to tell which character is speaking. Add to that that the narrator gives the impression of seeing the text for the first time with the inevitable mistakes in stress and syntax. Then there is some of the pronunciation. The German names etc. could be forgiven but some of the English pronunciation is almost comic. e.g Anathema pronounced Ana-theeeee-ma. I will be avoiding Mr Healy in future if at all possible

Great Story ruined by narrator

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Excellent story, captivating conclusion to the series, poor pronunciation of German words and names a bit frustrating.

Excellent conclusion to the series

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This narrator makes me wish for an abridged version........just awful. Ruined a good story.

I have heard instructions read aloud better

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Would you try another book written by David Downing or narrated by Michael Healy?

David Downing - YesMichael Healy - No

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Didn't get beyond chapter one.

What didn’t you like about Michael Healy’s performance?

Nothing!This, unfortunately, is the second book this month that has been spoiled by the choice of the reader. Michael Healy is another American who can't read aloud. I doubt he's ever heard the phrase 'tonal modulation' and wouldn't know what it was if he had! Remember the teacher/tutor/instructor who spoke in such a monotonous, boring way that most of the class were asleep in the first five minutes? That's Michael Healy!

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Anger and sadness.

Any additional comments?

Luckily I have the Kindle version...

Don't buy this book

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