Book description
Detective Arkaday Renko--"one of the most compelling figures in modern fiction" (USA TODAY)--risks his life when he heads to Ukraine shortly before the Russian invasion to find an anti-Putin activist who has mysteriously disappeared. Martin Cruz Smith has written nine previous novels featuring Arkady Renko, one of modern detective fiction's most popular characters. These novels, beginning with 1981's international sensation Gorky Park, have collectively traced Russia's evolution over the last half-century. Now, with Independence Square, Smith focuses on the fraught and frenzied days leading up to Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine. It's June 2021, and Arkady knows that Russia is preparing to invade and subsequently annex Ukraine as it did Crimea in 2014. He is, however, preoccupied with other grievances. His longtime lover, Tatiana Petrovna, has deserted him for her work as an investigative reporter. His corrupt boss has relegated him to a desk job. And he is having trouble with his dexterity and balance. A visit to his doctor reveals that these are symptoms for Parkinson's Disease. This is an ingenious autobiographical conceit, as Martin Cruz Smith has Parkinson's, and is able through Arkady to movingly describe his own experience with the disease. Parkinson's hasn't stopped Smith from his work, and neither does it stop Arkady. Rather than dwell on his diagnosis, he throws himself into another case. An acquaintance has asked him to find his daughter, Karina, an anti-Putin activist who has disappeared. In the course of the investigation, Arkady falls for Karina's roommate, Elena, a Tatar from Ukraine. The search leads them to Kyiv, where rumblings of an armed conflict grow louder. Later, in Crimea, Tatiana reemerges to complicate Arkady's new romance. And as he gets closer to locating Karina, Arkady discovers something that threatens his life as well as the lives of both Elena and Tatiana. Few fiction writers have better captured contemporary Russia with more insight or authenticity than Martin Cruz Smith. He does the same here for Ukraine and the events that preceded Russia's invasion. Independence Square is a timely and a uniquely personal mystery novel-meets-political thriller by a master of the form.
Automatic Slicer
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. Noise reduction in ListenBook Pro ensures crystal-clear playback even in noisy environments. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasnβt blown away. The narratorβs performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Stickers
I'm impressed by ListenBook's commitment to providing a silky-smooth playback experience. ListenBook has given me a renewed appreciation for audio content β it's my new favorite app. User-friendly audiobook experience β this app's design is a standout. ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls. Listening to audiobooks has never been this enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
NightWonka
π This app is a testament to thoughtful design β its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. πβ¨ The app's interface is so sleek and modern. It's a joy to use. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook enjoyment. It's an essential part of my daily routine.
MeeP
ListenBook's support for multiple download methods ensures I can always access my favorite content. π Turning my phone into a portal of stories β this app's ease of use is remarkable! π±π« Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is commendable. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a great way to connect over stories.
Lady Peach
I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. Audiobook pleasure simplified β this app's functionality is a reader's delight. I love how customizable the playback speed is. It makes listening so much more enjoyable.
Firecracker
I love that I can switch between fiction and non-fiction effortlessly. Kudos to the creators for making literature so accessible and enjoyable.
Sir Shove
The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. πͺ Crushing workouts while devouring books β this app makes fitness fun and educational! ποΈββοΈπ
Prof. Smirk
ListenBook Pro offers an unbeatable deal β unlimited audiobook length and noise reduction. π Adding excitement to everyday tasks β this app is my partner in productivity! ππ User-friendly audiobook experience β this app's design is a standout. As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. ππ§ ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality.
Rummy Stickers
ListenBook has made audiobook listening more convenient and enjoyable than ever before. Love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device.
K-9
With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's ease of use is a game-changer. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Alley Fiend
ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make navigation effortless. I'm impressed by ListenBook's ability to extract artwork and metadata automatically. The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
Undergrad Split
The ease of downloading content via WiFi, WebDAV, and more has made ListenBook my audiobook hub. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. π Who needs a dull commute when you can embark on literary journeys with this app? ππ Savoring captivating stories has become a breeze with this app's sleek design and convenient features. It's like having a personal reading assistant! π±π This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Ember Master
This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. Finally, an app that values usability β navigating and listening is a breeze! Binaural audio processing really helps reduce listening fatigue. Great feature!
Tornado Maker
I can't believe how much time I've saved thanks to this efficient app! This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers β it's my go-to source for literary adventures! I canβt believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended!
Frosty Sunshine
I can't believe how much more I'm 'reading' now, thanks to this app. πΆπ Setting the mood with stories instead of songs β this app is my go-to playlist! π§π π‘ Nurturing my curiosity with audiobooks β this app adds a touch of wonder to my daily routines. π±π
Whip 2T
Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's design is a game-changer. ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment are simply amazing. Iβm so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Liquid Science
This app has transformed my screen time into valuable learning and entertainment. ListenBook's multiple ways to download audio, including from the internet, are a game-changer. This app's compatibility with different formats ensures that I never miss out on a great audiobook. This app's convenience has turned me into an avid audiobook listener. Looping playback helps me focus on challenging content and grasp complex concepts. A study must-have!
GoldTouch
ListenBook's basic audio filters allow me to fine-tune the audio playback to suit my preferences. ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring! My study sessions are more efficient than ever, thanks to the looping playback and bookmark features. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark featureβit saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
Hightower
I'm amazed at how this app's narrators bring characters and stories to life. This app's convenience has revolutionized the way I experience books. With this app, reading is as simple as pressing play β it's genius! π§ Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs β this app has it all! ππΌ Bookmarking my favorite parts of audiobooks is now a breeze. Love this feature!
Digital Goddess
I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. The adjustable playback speed is a secret weapon for getting through educational content faster. Makes listening to audiobooks easy and enjoyable. Thank you, ListenBook!
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience