Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Codename Villanelle: Killing Eve, Book 1
- Author: Luke Jennings
- Narrator: Laura Kirman
- Length: 06:48:33
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 27/12/2018
- Publisher: W.F. Howes
- Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Horror, Suspense
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s a particular thrill in discovering an audiobook that transforms your daily commute into a high-stakes international spy mission. As someone who’s listened to countless stories while navigating everything from Tokyo’s neon-lit streets to Marrakech’s labyrinthine alleys, I can confidently say Luke Jennings’ “Codename Villanelle: Killing Eve, Book 1”, narrated by Laura Kirman, stands apart in the crowded field of spy thrillers.
Listening to this audiobook transported me back to a rainy afternoon in Prague, watching from a café window as a well-dressed woman – who could have been Villanelle herself – moved through the crowd with lethal grace. Jennings’ creation shares that same mesmerizing quality – beautiful yet dangerous, impossible to look away from even as your instincts warn you of the peril.
Laura Kirman’s narration is nothing short of masterful. She captures Villanelle’s chilling charisma with a voice that shifts effortlessly between childlike playfulness and professional detachment. When she voices Eve Polastri, the MI6 operative hunting Villanelle, her tone becomes grounded yet increasingly obsessive – a perfect counterpoint. Kirman handles the international cast with impressive linguistic dexterity, her Russian and French accents adding rich texture without becoming caricatures.
The story’s structure reminded me of the best tapas bars in Barcelona – small, intense portions that build to a satisfying whole. Each chapter offers a new location (Paris! Berlin! Moscow!) and murder method, showcasing Jennings’ gift for concise, impactful storytelling. Kirman enhances this effect with impeccable pacing, knowing exactly when to linger on a delicious detail or accelerate through action sequences.
What makes this audiobook truly special is how it plays with the listener’s sympathies. Much like remembering that mysterious traveler in Prague, I found myself fascinated by Villanelle despite her brutality. Jennings and Kirman together create a dangerous intimacy that makes you complicit in her crimes. The cat-and-mouse game with Eve develops layers of psychological complexity that elevate this beyond a simple thriller.
My only critique is that some supporting characters feel thinly drawn compared to the two leads – though Kirman’s vocal talents help compensate. The audiobook’s shorter length (just under 3 hours) leaves you wanting more, but perhaps that’s by design, mirroring Eve’s growing obsession.
For fans of “The Night Manager” or “The Americans”, this audiobook offers a fresh, feminine perspective on spycraft. Listeners who enjoy complex antiheroines will find Villanelle a worthy successor to Lisbeth Salander. The production quality is excellent throughout, with crisp audio that maintains consistency across different listening environments – whether you’re in a bustling airport lounge or your quiet living room.
As someone who’s spent years studying how stories shape our understanding of places and people, I appreciate how Jennings uses Villanelle’s international hits to comment on global inequality and power structures. There’s surprising depth beneath the glossy violence, making this more than just entertainment – though it delivers that in spades.
Until our next literary adventure, keep your passport (and headphones) handy.
Marcus Rivera
