Book description
The Fifth Gospel - An Audiobook Review
Ian Caldwell's The Fifth Gospel is a thrilling ride from start to finish, and the audiobook version amplifies that excitement with stellar narration and sound design. From the very first page, the story launches at "ninety-mph" speed, pulling listeners into a labyrinth of Vatican intrigue, ancient scripture, and a race against time.
The plot centers on Father Alex Andreou, whose life is upended by two murders: the curator of a mysterious exhibit in Rome and a violent break-in at his own home. The only clue that connects them? A little-known fifth gospel called the Diatessaron-an early Christian text that could rewrite history if its secrets are revealed. Caldwell weaves this biblical mystery with deft pacing, turning every chapter into a new puzzle piece.
What makes the audiobook shine is the narrator's ability to keep each character distinct and emotionally resonant. Alex's quiet determination contrasts sharply with the menacing stalker who stalks him through shadowy corridors of power. The sound effects-church bells, distant traffic, the subtle hum of Vatican archives-create a palpable sense of place that transports listeners straight into Rome.
Critics have praised the novel for being "rich, authentic, erudite, and emotionally searing." And Caldwell delivers on all fronts: he grounds his thriller in real historical detail without bogging down the plot. The pacing never falters; each revelation feels earned, and the stakes climb steadily until the final confrontation.
If you love intellectual thrillers that mix history, theology, and pulse-pounding suspense-think The Rule of Four but faster-you'll find The Fifth Gospel an irresistible listen. Its audiobook adaptation captures the novel's energy perfectly, making it a must-play for fans of mystery, religion, or simply a good story told with skill and flair.
Trixie
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New York Mood
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever.
Innocent Ghost
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Roadspike
Audiobooks have made my workouts more enjoyable, and I'm seeing results! ListenBook's commitment to a seamless user experience is evident in its sleek design and intuitive controls.
Turnip King
The noise reduction feature on ListenBook Pro is a godsend for clear and comfortable listening. I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to play diverse formats flawlessly β it's a game-changer.
Texas Butterfly
I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options have made audiobook revisiting and studying a breeze. ListenBookβs interface is beautiful and functional. Itβs my favorite app for audiobooks. The interface is so clean and clutter-free. Itβs a pleasure to use.
Mother Night
This app has enriched my daily routine and added a touch of intellectual stimulation. π‘ Balancing learning and living effortlessly β audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! π§π« πΆπ Replacing melodies with literary symphonies β my ears are in love! π΅π The app's performance is unparalleled. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. Finally, an app that supports all my audiobook formats! ListenBook is a game-changer.
Stacker of Wheat
The extensive audiobook collection for children is a blessing for my little ones. π§ Navigating through narratives has never been simpler β this app's functionality enhances my audiobook journey. ππ« ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers is incredibly convenient. Downloading audiobooks has never been this easy. ListenBook's audio filters have given me the power to tailor my listening experience to my preferences. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a breeze to use. It's an intuitive experience.
Miss Fix It
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. Effortlessly managing my audiobook library β this app's design is a triumph. ListenBook has transformed how I enjoy audiobooks. It's an indispensable part of my routine. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to spread the joy of storytelling. A fun feature!
Spooky Yellowjacket
I'm grateful for this app β it's made reading a part of my everyday life. Seamless audiobook integration β this app's design is a true delight.
Gumby Train
I'm constantly amazed by the variety of genres β there's something for everyone. Thanks to ListenBook, I've rediscovered the joy of exploring my favorite content on multiple devices. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a great way to spread the joy of storytelling with friends. ListenBook makes organizing my audiobooks simple. The app is very user-friendly.
Mr. Thanksgiving
Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. Streamlined audiobook integration β this app's usability is truly impressive.
CZR
Audiobook multitasking made simple β this app's functionality is a true delight. ListenBook's sleek layout and quick chapter access have made my audiobook journey incredibly enjoyable.
NoiseFire
ListenBook's commitment to excellence shines through in its user-friendly interface and smooth playback. I love that I can download content directly from the internet within the ListenBook app β so handy!
Count Eagle
Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. ππ I'm amazed by the app's compatibility with different audio formats. It's truly versatile. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app.
DuckDuck
ListenBook's drag-and-drop download feature from web browsers is incredibly convenient. Downloading audiobooks has never been this easy. Highly engaging! The combination of a well-written story and skilled narration made this audiobook hard to pause. I finished it much faster than I expected because I just couldnβt stop listening.
High Heel Goddess
ListenBook has taken my listening pleasure to new heights β it's a true audio marvel. βοΈ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency β I'm savoring stories with ease, even on the busiest days. πΆπ Seamless integration of audiobooks β this app's ease of use is impressive. The noise reduction feature is a game-changer for clearer dictaphone recordings. A serviceable audiobook that met basic expectations. The narration was clear if somewhat unremarkable, and the production quality was standard without any noticeable technical issues. It kept me moderately engaged during workouts but didn't leave a lasting impression.
Friday Ferrari
ListenBook has brought the joy of audiobooks back into my life in a whole new way. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
Martini Flower
Precise controls on ListenBook give me complete command over my audio playback. ListenBook's support for a variety of download methods means I can access my content in the way that suits me best. Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. π‘ Balancing learning and living effortlessly β audiobooks on demand, thanks to this app! π§π«
CyberScribe
Thanks to this app, I can enjoy the world of literature without missing a beat in my fast-paced life. π Embracing reading in the digital age β this app makes accessing books a seamless and enjoyable experience. π±π I love the compatibility with iOS 16. The app runs smoothly and flawlessly. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. Iβll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
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