The Filigree Ball
Gelesen von Crln Yldz Ksr
Anna Katharine Green
(4,053 Sterne; 142 Bewertungen)
[The Moore House] was standing when Washington was a village. It antedates the Capitol and the White House. Built by a man of wealth, it bears to this day the impress of the large ideas and quiet elegance of colonial times; but the shadow which speedily fell across it made it a marked place even in those early days. While it has always escaped the hackneyed epithet of "haunted," families that have moved in have as quickly moved out, giving as their excuse that no happiness was to be found there and that sleep was impossible under its roof.
That there was some reason for this lack of rest within walls which were not without their tragic reminiscences, all must acknowledge. Death had often occurred there, and while this fact can be stated in regard to most old houses, it is not often that one can say, as in this case, that it was invariably sudden and invariably of one character. A lifeless man, lying outstretched on a certain hearthstone, might be found once in a house and awaken no special comment; but when this same discovery has been made twice, if not thrice, during the history of a single dwelling, one might surely be pardoned a distrust of its seemingly home-like appointments, and discern in its slowly darkening walls the presence of an evil which if left to itself might perish in the natural decay of the place, but which, if met and challenged, might strike again and make another blot on its thrice-crimsoned hearthstone. - Excerpt from Chapter I (0 hr 5 min)
Chapters
Bewertungen
Lynn Witherington
(3 Sterne)
Carolin is a mesmerizing reader— she is my favorite beyond all others. I used to wonder, where is this woman from??? I took her to my German dentist— he said no. I know she isn’t French. Why is she reading from Turkey at times? And Italy? And Germany ? I told my son she’s often in Hroningen. “She’s Dutch!”he said. She’s the only narrator who thanks the reader. And besides having no gross or annoying habits, she enhances every action with the unpredictable emphasis of her speech. As her diction is so clear, this only deepens the interest ( for me. ). I never could have sat thru the endless “Filigree Ball” the world’s most meandering story but I relaxed and luxuriated in it to the very end. I’m so grateful to her for all the time she’s given to us. Oh- she also faintly prolongs the funny parts as in my very favorite moment when a man is telling about how he’s taking care of somebody’s sisters (a mysterious disappearance) and she says, “SIS-ters! Are they PRE-tty!” In one breath outraged. She is the best.
slothery
(5 Sterne)
Excellent story. Carolyn has become the voice of AKG for me, with her remarkable ability to bring the tone of the words and the emphasis of both emotional moments and suspense alive. I didn't note any more "mispronunciations" than any other reader would have - English has many ways of pronouncing words around the world, not all are "wrong." To anyone who is considering listening, I encourage you to listen - for more than just "one minute." Each new voice takes a little adjusting to, but Carolyn is hard to stop listening to once you get into the flow of her words.
Fiendish twist after all
Margaret87
(4 Sterne)
The author gives us mesmerising detail and observation, and the plot is, I think, very original. Personally I had no sympathy for "the erring one" - spoiled, self-indulgent, & IMO stupid. I found the twist at the end very satisfying, though sad for the brother-in-law and think the ending was a much happier one than it would otherwise have been. Beautifully read, as usual, by Carolin.
Rowena
(4 Sterne)
I do not understand the listeners that spoke badly about the narrator, I understand that some of her English words were a little missspoken but on a whole it was a great job. the story was as good as usual for AKG. If others do not like some of the narrators maybe they should try to volunteer themselves and see hoe they go.
A Good One
Lori K
(3,5 Sterne)
This was a good story that had me guessing. I am glad I listened as I did enjoy it. The rating is compared to other AKG books that I like more, such as That Affair Next Door, which is one example. If I hadn't listened to several of her books already I may have rated this a tad higher.
A TRUE TRAGEDY BY A MASTER
AVID READER
(5 Sterne)
This is an expansion by AKG, as she proves not only to be a master of criminology, but now of deep, bleak tragedy. Shame on the listeners who complain about Carolyn. I love to hear her narrate.
(4 Sterne)
Police procedural set in fin de siecle Washington, DC. Complicated plot told from the perspective of an ambitious, young police investigator. Carolyn is one of my favorite readers.
Difficult to listen too
Harley Laverne
(1 Sterne)
I could not get past the first chapter. The reader was very painful to listen too. Could someone else perhaps read this book?