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.
Gothic Slacker
The ability to switch between devices seamlessly is a game-changer for busy readers. This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a major convenience during road trips. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didnβt have any major complaints, but I also donβt see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
Bowler
Kudos for the thoughtfully curated collections β I'm discovering hidden gems! Hands down, the best audiobook collection I've ever come across. It has everything I want to listen to. I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my daily dose of literary magic. πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Noise Toy
I'm able to catch up on my reading list even during the busiest days. I'm hooked on this app's ease of use β it's a reader's dream come true. Simplifying audiobook management β this app's functionality is a true asset. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it!
Lucifurious
ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. π§ Satiate your reading cravings while managing household affairs β this app has it all! ππΌ πΆ Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls β this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. π΅π Looping playback is my secret weapon for language learning. It's revolutionized my approach. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Prof. Screw
Listening to audiobooks while cooking has made meal prep much more enjoyable. This audiobook exceeded all my expectations! The narrator's ability to convey emotion through voice alone was remarkable. I laughed, I gasped, I might have even teared up at points - all because of the incredible vocal performance. The story came alive in a way reading alone couldn't achieve.
Disco Thunder
πββοΈπ Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. πββοΈπ ListenBook's user-friendly interface and quick controls make it my preferred choice for audiobook enjoyment.
Red Pepper
I'm grateful for this app, as it allows me to keep up with my reading even while multitasking. This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences β time flies by! This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. Unlocking a world of literary possibilities, this app's extensive compatibility and user-friendly controls have made audiobook enjoyment an everyday joy. π±π I love the ability to change the playback speed. Itβs perfect for my needs.
Jo Jo Spooky
Audiobooks have turned my quiet moments into imaginative journeys β thank you, app! ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer! ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use.
The Belgian
Being able to customize the listening duration is perfect for quick breaks. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories. I love the download options. ListenBook gives me so many ways to get my audiobooks onto my device. I love how ListenBook makes it easy to organize my audiobook library. The app supports all formats, and the import process is a breeze. The playback controls are responsive, and the sound quality is excellent. Highly recommend!
Austin Shamrock
This app has enriched my daily routine and added a touch of intellectual stimulation. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my recordings sound clearer than ever. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature that adds a personal touch. 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! This audiobook was neither good nor bad - simply average. The narrator's delivery was professional but uninspired, and the recording quality was clean though not exceptional. It provided satisfactory entertainment without standing out from similar titles.
Taz Ringer
Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. πβ¨ Quick access to chapters and controls ensures a seamless listening experience with ListenBook. It's effortless to use. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval make my audiobook library look organized and polished.
Lady Petal
I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. π Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! π±π Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
FRMhndshk
ListenBook's sharing options make it easy to spread the joy of captivating stories with friends. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a breeze to use. It's an intuitive experience. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories.
Dancing Madman
I'm rediscovering my favorite classics in a whole new way β through audiobooks! Listening to audiobooks on this app has become my favorite way to relax. This app has made reading a part of my lifestyle, no matter where I am. ListenBookβs support for Apple Watch is a great touch. I can control my audiobooks on the go.
Shadow Gal
With ListenBook, I can enjoy my audiobooks with enhanced sound quality and personalized settings. Kudos to the developers for making this app iOS 16 optimized. It runs like a dream! This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just rightβnot too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend! Great for multitasking! I listened while cooking, driving, and even working out, and it kept me entertained the whole time. The narratorβs voice was pleasant, and the story flowed smoothly. Very enjoyable! An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
Winter Underdog
ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats means I can listen to all my favorite content without worries. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. Itβs a unique feature.
Call Back Queen
πΌ Making work hours fly by with captivating stories β a true work-life balance! π»π Gone are the days of fumbling with different formats β this app's comprehensive support ensures I can enjoy any audiobook without a hitch. ππ
Sand Whiskers
The extensive statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption habits β so cool! The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Gr8 Flick
This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. π± Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go β this app is like a portable library in my pocket. ππ Sharing audiobooks with friends is a fantastic way to introduce them to new stories. Good but not great. The narration was competent but lacked the extra spark that makes some audiobooks truly special. Still worth a listen though.
Black Fantastic
I can't imagine my life without this app β it's my constant source of books. Looping playback has revolutionized my study sessions. I'm learning faster than ever. Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved!
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