The Czar's Spy
William Le Queux
Read by Tom Weiss
William Le Queux was a British novelist and prolific writer of mysteries. Indeed, mystery surrounds the author himself as to whether he was a spy or rather just a self-promoter. Regardless of which is true, Le Queux brings us a story of intrigue and espionage that travels across Europe in the true spirit of a good mystery. There are shootings, burglaries, romances, escapes from prisons, and intricate conspiracies that may surprise and leave you scratching your head as you try to solve this “whodunit”. In the best tradition of a good mystery however, you may need to wait for the final chapters to discover the truth. (Summary by Tom Weiss) (9 hr 35 min)
Chapters
Reviews
Brook Schoenfield
A standard Edwardian spy mystery. No complaint. the sort of story that occupied my childhood. However Tom Weiss’ narration is dreadful. Beware! He breaks every sentence up like a child reading doggerel. Strange pauses mid-thought, as though he can’t read more than a few words at a time. Emphasizing articles and helper verbs but not adverbs, adjectives and sentence objects as normal. Then there are the ridiculously incorrect pronunciations! Just wow! If you read a work that has numerous foreign words, learn how to pronounce a few at least as they are pronounced commonly in English. Ok, you don’t speak these languages: forgiven. Not “cone serge” for concierge. Not “sah kill ee en” for Sakhalin. Come on. Sheesh. The reader seems to make up pronunciations out of the blue with no regard to how these are supposed to sound. Terrible. Indefensible. Perhaps not the worst reading I’ve heard, but close to the bottom. I suspect, Mr. Weiss, that you aren’t going to get a big narration contract based on this reading.
Bravo from Borneo
Lord Jim
My second novel of William Le Queax and I am fast becoming an avid fan. This book showcases the depth in his writing, both in terms of the complexity of the plot line, an essential element in a murder mystery, and in the development of the story's characters. As a period story, we are also treated to an insight into the world of high society, European travel and international secret agents at the turn of the last century. Bravo again! Now on to the next Le Queax novel.
Harry Lime
Although the wording is predictable, just as I was going to quit the author would pull me back with the story taking an unexpected direction. The reader does such a fine job that I can say the story is good enough to call entertaining. Note to reader are you sure that accertain is pronounced that way? Perhaps it is dialect but, I've never heard is said that way.
A LibriVox Listener
great book like the author alwaysdoes and the narrator is consistently good but the ending what is a little dissatisfied. it was a pretty attention-grabbing book that doesn't get boring too many sections but the ending knock off that store so I give it 4 stars! But hey it's still a good book it's still narrated well. I definitely would check it out if I was you.
I liked this story
mikezane
The hero is a sailor who stumbles into a mystery when he is tricked by a man he later meets who is using a different name! Something suspicious is going on, so he begins to investigate only to become a target himself. This is a neat adventure tale, well-read by Tom W who always does a wonderful job. Enjoy!
A LibriVox Listener
A writeing with the individual mysteries and players being woven in, to have kept my interest and story line anticipation, to a very enjoyable level. The reader, Tom Wise, has a way that attracts, and helps keep my attention, in the way the story is meant to be enjoyed......Thank you very much, to all who have been, and are still involved.......Thank You....
Elaine
Working my way through all le quexe’s novels and Tom Weiss, if you think Tom Weiss should pronounce his words as an English man I suggest you liste to his version of Upton Sinclair the jungle where he was taught by a college professor to pronounce Lithuanian , good story, well worth the listen, although not my favourite
Worth a Listen
Hannah Martinez
This was a fairly entertaining listen! I have heard this reader before on other books and short stories and he does a pretty fair job. I agree with another reviewer who questioned some of his pronunciations, but he's very consistent and his voice is perfect for this type of book!